Barney Bentall

Barney and his band, The Legendary Hearts, recorded and toured extensively in Canada through the late ‘80s and ‘90s. They sold over a half a million records, won a Juno, and were a staple on Canadian radio. In 2000, Barney traded in his rock and roll life for that of a cattle rancher in the Cariboo region of central British Columbia, deciding to step away from the music business treadmill, put some blisters on his fingers, and tour less frequently.

During the next five years, Barney tended to write songs only when time would allow and “when the dam things wouldn’t leave me alone!” Those songs became the critically acclaimed Gift Horse, recorded in Toronto with Blue Rodeo and produced by Barney’s friend Jim Cuddy. The process renewed Barney’s love of performing, both in the form of solo acoustic shows, and collaboratively with the newly formed Cariboo Express and the occasional rocking romp reunions with The Legendary Hearts.

All told Barney has put out fifteen records. A combination of solo works, a number of albums with The Legendary Hearts, two with Bentall/Taylor and Ulrich (BTU), and two more with The High Bar Gang (a bluegrass band of friends that has garnered two Juno nominations). He is currently working on his fifth solo record, as well as an instrumental record with long-time friend Geoffrey Kelly from Spirit of the West. This latest offering was tracked at Barney’s ranch.

Barney divides his time between Bowen Island, his ranch, and the road. He is married to his wife Kath and together they have four kids, ten grandchildren, a couple of dogs, a few horses, and a few cows. He has been a staff member with Adventure Canada on numerous trips to the Arctic and is eager to, once again, immerse himself in the magic and the wonder of it all.