In 1970, in the small West Tennessee town of Stanton, sat a young couple who together committed their lives to serving God as Linda sang a song to Royce that he had never heard before, “JESUS USE ME”. Royce told her, "That is my prayer," and it forever changed their lives.
Linda, a faithful prayer warrior, never gave up praying for her lost husband, and Royce accepted Christ as his savior January 10th, 1970. Never stop praying! Never give up hope! Two weeks later Royce started playing lead (a Sears and Roebuck guitar) for his cousins the Finchers, from Frog Jump TN. Linda was singing with her sister, Gussie Hughes, and Sarah Kee in a female trio from Crockett County, TN. Their twin daughters, Darla & Debra started singing an occasional song when the trio sang and also when they would go with The Finchers. When the girls started singing harmony the family felt the call to start a family group ministry. So Royce left the Finchers and 38 years later The Barnetts are still a going.
In 1985, Darla married Jesse Dedmon. They have two children, Taylor (19) and Katie (16).
In 1986, Deb married Tracy Rodgers, formerly of The Rodgers from Atwood, TN (his family’s group). They have a son, Greg (21).
Royce plays lead guitar, harmonicas, fiddle, and banjo. He also sings. Linda plays the piano and sings and makes sure we don’t go hungry!!!! She also takes care of the scheduling and bookkeeping. Darla plays the bass and piano and sings. Jesse & Taylor play the rhythm guitars and sing. Deb plays the piano and sings. Tracy plays the bass and sings and Greg plays the drums and has played them full time for the group since he was five years old. Katie sings and she also sings with Taylor & Greg to form the third generation of Barnetts.
Now you can see why our theme is Joshua 24:15 “As for Me and My House We Will Serve the Lord.”
Royce and Linda received the James Blackwood Lifetime Acheivement Award in 2000. They also celebrated their 50th Wedding Anniversary May 11, 2007.
Our prayer is that God’s will, will be done in the ministry He has called our family into.
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CONTACT INFO:
The Barnetts
P O Box 103
Stanton TN 38069
731-548-6454
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