Grammy Award winning singer/songwriter Barbara Bailey Hutchison has a voice that is familiar to millions of television and radio listeners.  She has appeared at The White House twice, performed in nearly all 50 states including Alaska and Hawaii, toured Japan, Korea, the Philippines, and recently returned from Thailand where she participated in a benefit concert for children orphaned by AIDS.

     Barbara grew up in Detroit, MI.  She launched her career in music while attending Michigan State University, where she gained a loyal following performing in the local listening rooms and coffeehouses.  She began touring colleges and universities throughout the United States and was voted “Best Solo Performer”, “Best Acoustic Performer”, and “Best Female Performer” in a national magazine poll.

     Advertising production houses discovered her smooth and powerful voice and chose her to sing hundreds of commercials for McDonald’s, Hallmark Cards, Heinz, and other national advertisers.

     In 1996 she was awarded the music industry’s highest recognition, a Grammy Award.  Her show is always fresh and powerful, offering finely crafted songs with a clever wit. 

     In Mississippi County she will present three concerts.  On Thursday, October 2^nd at 1:00 pm Ms Hutchison will be at Osceola High School auditorium performing for Osceola and Rivercrest middle school students.  On Friday, October 3^rd she will be at Blytheville Middle School at 1:00 pm, and will present her family concert that evening at 7:00 pm at The Ritz open to the public.  Admission for the school programs is free for students and staff as part of The Arts Council of Mississippi County Educational outreach.  For the evening family program, general admission is $15.00, with group or student tickets for $10.00.  As with all Arts Council sponsored programs, children five and under are admitted free.

     What kind of music will you hear?  Her music defies categorization.  Her lyric, driven, melodic, often humorous, alternative folk music speaks to issues of tolerance and human rights, as well as personal relationships and funny circumstances.  She writes much of what she presents, and has gained critical acclaim for her work.  Inspired by experience, hers are songs in which everyone can find themselves.

     Hutchison is happy to be writing meaningful songs, and to be able to present them to intelligent, thoughtful and attentive listeners.  She loves nothing better than sharing her songs, telling their stories, and joking with her audience whether they are children, adults, or a happy mix of both.

     For more information, call 870-762-1744.