The Tarkio Rotary Theatre will once again be filled with music. The Mule Barn Theatre Guild’s next Artist Series performance will showcase Roddy Barnes (with a few surprise guests) Sunday, April 24, at 2:00 p.m. in the theatre in Thompson Hall on the Tarkio Tech campus. Attendees are asked to park behind the building. Free-will donations will be accepted. Seating is limited so tickets should be purchased early by calling Sidney Cooper at 660-736-4239 or 816-261-4587.

Roddy Barnes is a blues and jazz pianist, composer, and consumate entertainer. Classically trained, he made the transition to blues and jazz during study in France and at the Berklee School of Music, and performed for many years in New Orleans and Austin. Now living in Virginia, Barnes has released eight of his own albums, been featured at festivals and on national radio programs, and toured internationally. Roddy’s compositions have been recorded by many notable performers including Gaye Adegbalola, Andra Faye, and Ann Rabson of Saffire, the Uppity Blues Women.

Roddy is the son of the late Kenneth and Carol Barnes of rural Westboro, Missouri. He composed the theme song and segue music for the American Public Television (PBS) series “Cultivating Life.” Roddy’s original scores for theater include “Death of a Salesman” (Missouri Repertory Theater), “Velveteen Rabbit” (Sycamore Rouge) and “Road Kill Diner” (Cite des Arts). The Charlottesville Ballet performed an original dance to his “Nocturne for Harmonica;” Sycamore Rouge incorporated his “Better World” into their performance of “Ready for Right;” C.C. Stevens incorporated many of his songs and original skits into “The C.C.Show.” Songs recorded by other artists include “Because of You” and “Let the Gin Do the Talkin’” (Saffire – The Uppity Blues Women, C. C. Stevens); “Go Where the Bad People Go” (Ann Rabson, Gina DeLuca); “Better World” (Ann Rabson); “Dreaming [A Stalker’s Love Song]” (Gina DeLuca; C. C. Stevens); “Don’t worry,” “More Than I Can Say,” and “Broken Wing” (C. C. Stevens); and “Summer Sky” (Gaye Adegbalola). Roddy Barnes has taught songwriting, vocals and piano at the Augusta Heritage Center, Port Townsend Acoustic Blues Workshop, The Swannanoa Gathering, and Bethlehem Blast Furnace Blues Festival.

The Westboro United Meth-odist Women will be hosting a reception in Thompson Hall following the performance. All attendees are encouraged to stick around and enjoy refreshments while visiting with Roddy and his fans.

Proceeds collected during these events go toward booking professional and amateur artists for future performances. The next events will take place in June.