Multi-platinum songwriter Brandon Barnes has written songs for Alicia Keys (10 million sold), Brian McKnight, Rascal Flatts, Darius Rucker, Tyrese, Boys II Men, Phillip Bailey of Earth, Wind and Fire, BeBe Winans, Phil Collins, Ronnie Milsap, Crystal Gale and Ann Murray.
Born in Gadsden, Alabama, Barnes musical career began at age 5 when he was a drumming mascot for his dad’s marching band at Etowah High School. Barnes continued to play percussion throughout his high school and college career and also began writing songs and creating demo tapes.
Barnes began recording with the gospel group Take Six, where he met Brian McKnight. Their collaboration proved to be a big hit on the R&B charts. Barnes has been a long-time collaborator with McKnight, co-written songs for McKnight’s double platinum CD, Anytime. He also penned three songs on McKnight’s “Back At One”, which sold over 2 million copies. Their single, “Anytime” received the Soul Train Award for R&B Single of the Year, and received the BMI Award for most airtime play for a single record.
In total, Barnes has sold over 30 million records, and received 3 Grammy nominations for his songs “Anytime”, “One Last Cry” and “Win” from the movie soundtrack “Men of Honor”. He has already accumulated three No. 1 hits and six Top 10 hits.