Barry MacDonald

Born in Hamilton, Ontario, Barry’s strong connection to his down east roots (his family hails from St. Charles/Little Pond, Prince Edward Island – a tiny community just outside of Souris) clearly comes through in his songwriting and arrangements. Strong east coast country, rock, blues, and bluegrass tones meet his deep vocals.

Mac lives every day as if it’s his last sleep is only something that happens... ("life is too short to sleep too,” he laughs, but you can tell he means it). If he's not riding his Harley down a country road, he's in a studio somewhere with a guitar on his lap or spending time with his grandkids. ​The musicians and audiences who know Barry Mac – the MacMan if you ask around – are familiar with his signature phrases and storyteller’s traditional country persona he somehow couples with a hefty dose of rock-and-roll bad attitude. 

Fans can take home Mac's new release Dirt Road, recorded at Porcelain Records, produced by Steve Bigas, award-winning producer/engineer/musician/friend (drums) engineered by Matt Pray. Dirt Road is another 10 song collection of Macs home-grown tales with an east coast/bluegrass sound. Featuring 'The Tennessee HandyMan' Joe Clark on fiddle and mandolin, the talented Ron Cole on accordion and piano, Pete Sisk (The Good Brothers) on stand-up bass. Mac's deep and melodic vocals are backed up by the harmonious Russ Wilson and Mary Simon. Roam (Down by the Sea) for some traditional east coast music, or listen to ​(A House in the Country) for the story about the children of The Royal Empire Loyalists who died of the plague after the war of 1812.

Audiences can also take home Barry Mac - Figment of My Mind, his self- titled debut ten-song collection produced at famed Grant Avenue Studios with engineer J.P. (Paul) Riemens and producer Russ Wilson, released across Canada in February 2010. Sometimes wailin’ it out (I’m Not Lookin’), other times painting a serene picture of life back home (check out Red Island Home – if you’re an downhomer it’ll bring you right back). “’Debut’ felt like the wrong word for the album,” says Mac, “when you come from a background where music is a regular part of daily life.” Firmly rooted in his island background, his is the story of a family whose music flows through their veins.

Watch for Barry Mac—the Harley’s revvin’ and the rider’s lookin’ to play a few tunes at a music venue near you.   "