BARNES, BARNEY

Homebase: Seattle
Stats: 7.19.1892 - 6.19.1947
Misc Notes: Born in Birmingham, England, Andrew Bernard "Barney" Barnes moved to Seattle in 1917 and found work as an organist at the Mission Theatre. By 1920 he was playing behind silent movies at the Liberty Theatre, and by 1925 at the Coliseum and Strand Theatres. His first original song composition to be published was the 1924 sheet music hit, "Dainty Miss." "Stepping On The Ivories" cam out in 1927, and in 1928 his From Piano To Theatre Pipe Organ tutorial book was published.  Among the sixty additional musical compositions Narnes penned were: "Out Where The Sun Goes To Rest" (1932), "Love Song Of The Waterfall" (1936), "Summer Painted Moon" (1939) "Kiss a Miss" (1946), "Moonlight Reverie" (1947, "Whimsy," "Dainty Doll," "Song Of The Wind," "Valse Primrose," "Neapolitan Mood," and "Bobette." Barnes also developed and published additional piano tutorial textbooks, including: Boogie-Woogie Family (1946), and Magic Piano Methods (1947). His Barnes System of instruction reportedly promoted simplified piano playing.For many years Barnes also worked as a piano teacher based out of his studio in the downtown Sherman-Clay Building. His son, Barney Barnes Jr., carried on the legacy by playing and teaching piano.

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