Red Budd Gospel Choir

Luther Barnes (born March 10, 1954) is a record producer, director, songwriter, composer and lead singer of Luther Barnes and the Sunset Jubilaires and the Red Budd Gospel Choir.

Biography[edit]

Barnes is an ordained minister & native son of Rocky Mount, North Carolina. He is the second eldest son to Faircloth Barnes, who wrote the famous "Rough Side of the Mountain." He was born on March 10, 1954 and has three brothers, Samuel Barnes (Rocky Mount), Melvin Barnes (Knightdale), Tony Bernard Barnes (Rocky Mount).

As an executive producer of gospel music, he has released over twenty-eight CDs. He has performed with gospel recording artists such as Shirley Caesar, Deborah Barnes, Kirk Franklin, Harvey Watkins and The Canton Spirituals, Lee Williams and the Spiritual QC's, Dorothy Norwood, John P. Kee, and the Mighty Clouds of Joy. In 2005 he recorded with the Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir on their release "I'm Amazed" Live. He sang the national anthem for Carolina Mudcats baseball game.

Barnes is currently the Senior Pastor & Founder of the Restoration Worship Center (Rocky Mount), Established in January 2014.

Education[edit]

He is a graduate of the Nash-Rocky Mount Schools System and a retired teacher. A 1976 graduate of St. Augustine's College in Raleigh, North Carolina, he obtained a B.A. degree in Music Education. He was honored as a Distinguished Graduate in February 2008.

He is the son of the late Rev. FC Barnes. He has one daughter, Bonita Barnes-Greene, married to Mark Greene & 1 grandson, Joshua. He has a host of cousins including: Deborah Barnes, Wanda Barnes and Lisa Barnes. He has many aunts and uncles, which include: Joyce Smith, Frances Walker, Leora Floyd, Haywood Barnes, Betty Phillips, James Barnes, Ernestine Phillips, the late William "Mann" Barnes, and Roy Barnes.

Early years[edit]

At the age of nine, Barnes realized that he had a special gift from the Lord. He became the Director of the "On the Rise Youth Choir" at Red Budd Holy Church. In 1987, Barnes released his first album entitled, "See What the Lord has Done."

Red Budd Gospel Choir[edit]

The choir is composed of members of the Barnes Family & members of the Red Budd Holy Church. Most notably, his cousin Deborah Barnes. Deborah Barnes is the lead female vocalist of the group, with her many talents. She has been mentored in the music ministry by her cousin, Luther and together Luther Barnes and Deborah Barnes share the fame in the song "Still Holding On." Deborah Barnes is the leading female vocalist heard on most of his music and the music of his father. Deborah Barnes is known as a power house in the gospel music industry. The group also consist of Wanda Barnes (cousin), Lisa Barnes (cousin), Bonita Barnes-Greene (daughter), Sean Barnes (cousin), Debbie "Happy" Barnes (cousin/Deborah's daughter) and other members. They are highly recognized on the national charts. Some of their hits includes "I'm Still Holding On", "So Satisfied", "Spirit, Fall Fresh" (written by Luther's brother Melvin Barnes), "That Other Shore", "Somehow Someway", "No Matter How High I Get" (written by Bobby Womack) and many others. Their hit "Some How Some Way" was nominated for a 2007 Stellar Award. The choir's lead vocalist are notably Luther, Deborah & Wanda Barnes. The group has appeared and traveled across the United States, singing and ministering. Pastor Barnes, Deborah and other members of the group are still traveling the world singing today.