The Barnhart Group — Trumpeting Family Business

While attending Trevecca Nazarene University in Nashville, Barnhart received an invitation to perform on the Grand Ole Opry. For the next five years, he performed alongside some of the biggest names in country, bluegrass and gospel.

After the Opry, it was on to Las Vegas, where Barnhart was executive producer of The Legends of Country Music at the Aladdin Resort & Casino. Armed with a budget of $7 million, he booked acts such as Tim McGraw, Trisha Yearwood, Kenny Rogers, Randy Travis, Tammy Wynette and Waylon Jennings. Barnhart even had the Jordanaires—noted for having sung with Elvis—as his personal backup singers.