Don Barnes of 38 Special Continues to 'Ride the Storm'

When 38 Special co-founder and lead singer Don Barnes released his long lost Ride The Storm solo album on June 30, he had no idea how true to life that title would be. The band was on a tour stop in Vernon NY on the day of release and a small tornado - rare for the area - passed directly in front of their hotel.

Footage of the storm can be seen here.

The band's July 1 show at Tioga Downs was cancelled due to torrential rains and hail... and this past week, Don and his wife Christine returned from a week long run of shows in California to find that huge storms had passed through, causing considerable damage including a massive tree falling on their house.

"My father had always known how important this record was for me and had been my biggest supporter," said Don. "I lost him a few years ago and I dedicated this new album to him. After that tornado passed my hotel on the day of release, I thought maybe he was sending me a message!"

No damage was reported from the tornado, but Don's house didn't fare so well a couple of weeks later. The enormous oak tree had crushed the peak of the house and the wall underneath. "It took a 40-ton crane in my driveway and an army of guys almost two days to get the 12-ton tree out," said Don.

Ride The Storm, which Barnes recorded for A&M Records in 1989, was shelved after the label was sold in a huge global acquisition. The album was finally released four weeks ago and has been met with rave reviews and considerable radio exposure. "Twenty-eight years is a long time, but my belief in these songs never wavered," he told fans in an open letter.

Respected music site www.antimusic.com lauded, "Barnes' voice is instantly recognizable as the same one that powered 38 Special hits like 'Caught Up in You,' 'Hold on Loosely' and 'Rockin' Into the Night' and here album cuts like 'Maybe You'll Believe Me Now,' the made-for-radio southern rock of 'I'd Do it All Over Again' and a powerful cover of the Chicago hit 'Feelin' Stronger Everyday' can easily sit proudly alongside all the 38 Special favorites."

Ride The Storm is available at iTunes, Amazon and other online retailers, also at www.melodicrock.com and all streaming services.

38 Special with George Thorogood & The Destroyers at a recent tour stop in New York.

38 Special has been touring coast to coast and border to border on their way to at least 100 cities this year. Recently they finished up a run of sold-out shows with their longtime musical buddies, George Thorogood and The Destroyers.

FUN FACT: 36 years ago this week, 38 Special's "Hold On Loosely" became the 13th music video to play on the first day of the new cable channel MTV.

Fans can keep up with Don and the band at
www.38special.com and www.facebook.com/38Special.

Ride The Storm
Track List and Player Credit:

1. Ride The Storm
(Barnes/Bettis/Briley)
Guitars - Don Barnes / Additional Guitar Solos - Dann Huff / Keys - Alan Pasqua / Bass Guitar - Mike Porcaro / Drums - Jeff Porcaro

2. Looking For You
(Barnes/Bettis/Briley)
Guitars - Don Barnes / Keys - Alan Pasqua / Additional Guitar - Martin Briley / Bass Guitar - Mike Porcaro / Drums - Jeff Porcaro

3. I Fall Back
(Barnes/Briley)
Guitars - Don Barnes / Keys - Martin Briley / Bass Guitar - Mike Porcaro / Drums - Jeff Porcaro

4. Don't Look Down
(Barnes/Briley/Harms)
Guitars - Don Barnes / Keys - Jesse Harms / Bass Guitar - Mike Porcaro / Drums - Denny Carmassi

5. Maybe You'll Believe Me Now
(Barnes/Briley)
Guitars - Don Barnes / Keys - Alan Pasqua / Bass Guitar - Mike Porcaro / Drums - Denny Carmassi

6. I'd Do It All Over Again
(Barnes/Briley)
Guitars - Don Barnes / Additional Guitar - Dann Huff / Keys - Alan Pasqua / Bass Guitar - Mike Porcaro / Drums - Jeff Porcaro

7. Every Time We Say Goodbye
(Barnes/Briley/Ribler)
Guitars - Don Barnes / Additional Rhythm Guitar - Tim Pierce / Bass Guitar - Mike Porcaro / Drums - Jeff Porcaro

8. Feelin' Stronger Every Day
(Pankow/Cetera)
Guitars - Don Barnes / Additional Guitar - Dann Huff / Keys - Alan Pasqua / Bass Guitar - Mike Porcaro / Drums - Jeff Porcaro

9. After The Way
(Barnes/Briley)
Guitars - Don Barnes / Keys - Martin Briley / Bass - Mike Porcaro / Drums - Denny Carmassi

10. Johnny Ain't So Cool
(Barnes/Briley)
Guitars - Don Barnes / Bass Guitar - Mike Porcaro / Keys and Guitar Solo - Martin Briley / Drums - Denny Carmassi