We had the good fortune of connecting with Bart Bryars and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Bart, what’s the end goal, career-wise?
There really is no “end goal” for me, because there is no end for me when it comes to producing and creating. So, the goal is perpetual and I’m always in pursuit of it. It’s not like I’ll reach a certain age and just stop making music. I will be playing guitar and writing, recording, and producing songs as long as my fingers and brain are still working. Additionally, I’m always open to new and different artistic endeavors, even at age 62. A year and a half ago I published a book and adapted it into a screenplay a few months ago. I made a great living playing other people’s music (80s covers) for many years, but nowadays I only play my own stuff. Although I don’t make much money from it, I still consider myself a professional. But, my involvement in music now is for the sheer love of it. So, you could say that I am exactly “professionally” where I want to be in my career, which I hope never ends.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?

Ok, let’s try to get y’all up to date on what’s unique about my story.
In 1985, while in the US Coast Guard in Michigan, I got busted running cocaine. Out on bond, and three days before my scheduled trial, I faked my death in an ice-fishing “accident”, and went on the lam. I was re-apprehended four months later and subsequently spent seven years in prison. It was in prison, after years of introspection, that I made the decision to pursue a life I hadn’t planned on…a life of music. When I went in (1985), at 24 years old, I hadn’t had a band since highschool (Captain Schmedley & The Deadly Medley). After I was released at age 31 (1992), within a couple of years I had a band and have been making music ever since.
After 30 years of people telling me to write down all the crazy stories from those days, I finally did during the Covid lockdown. Also, I wrote the entire 327 page book on my smartphone. I published my memoir, “The Rabbit In Me” on July 6, 2022, the “to-the-day” 30 year anniversary of when I walked out of prison. That same day, I released an album that Jen and I wrote and produced by our Nashville band, THE FEELS (blues-jazz-rock-soul), and a Nashville-inspired solo EP called “Country Clubbing” (my playful take on country music).
A few months ago I finished co-writing a screenplay adaptation of it and it’s currently being shopped around Hollywood. Three months ago some Notre Dame film students released a documentary short about me. It’s being screened at film festivals now, and I’ll be able to publicly make it available after the film festival season is over in November.
So, all that is pretty much how I got here. Professionally and/or otherwise. Obviously, it wasn’t easy. I mean, seven years in prison wasn’t exactly a walk in the park. But, I’ve overcome all of the obstacles and challenges that were supposed to keep me down. The biggest being an ex-con with seven felonies. The big lesson I’ve learned along the way? To thine own self be true. Instead of looking to the world for purpose and happiness, look inward. I was lucky to have to sit in a cell for seven long years with a mirror and my thoughts. In prison, I experienced self-discovery and enlightenment. I found out what made me happy and made a commitment to pursuing it. I don’t think I would be happy if I didn’t live my life as a musician. And I don’t think I would have become a musician if I hadn’t gone away to prison.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.

If my best friend (Tommy, Mark, Margie, or Greg) were visiting me here in Nashville, I would take them downtown to Broadway. On Broadway, from 5th Ave to 1st Ave (the infamous “Honky Tonk Highway”), there is more live music every night of the week than anywhere on earth. By far. And not a single cover charge anywhere. I’ve lived in the French Quarter of New Orleans and Greenwich Village of New York City. Neither has even near the amount that “Music City” has. You can throw a stick here in any direction and hit four musicians. And the sheer numbers of musicians means a very high talent level. To eat? The Mockingbird for brunch. The Optimist for dinner. To drink? Tootsies or Robert’s (for authentic Texas swing, too). To visit? The Ryman Auditorium. To hang out? My house. Duh. The most interesting and exciting people, places, and things to check out in Nashville are like most cities…downtown.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?

Although there have been many people that have given me love, support, encouragement, knowledge, and inspiration along my journey, there is one person who has made the most immeasurable impact on my success at life…my wife, Jen. She is beautiful, smart, talented, patient, kind, loving, very sassy and the funniest person I know. Our 27 years together have been filled with abundant laughter. I do my best to amuse her, too, but she is way better at it. Laughter is really key for us. Throughout my life, I’ve drawn from countless people like my mother, father, brothers and sisters, teachers, coaches, fellow musicians, bosses, etc…but no one compares to what Jen has given me. Everything I know about love, compassion, patience, kindness, loyalty, persistence, resilience, and yes, even humor, I learned from her. When we met in 1997, the naysayers said our 17 year age difference was too much for us to last. Yet, here we are 27 years later, still going strong. She’s never tried to change me. Instead, she elevated my existence. She showed me the way.
Our first couple of years together, she was the girlfriend of the guy in the band who left town every weekend for gigs. Through serendipitous happenstance, she then became the singer in all our bands since. Six bands and five albums, and presently working on a new one. Thusly, she has played an irreplaceable and integral part in my music journey, too. She’s a fantastic singer and writes and produces, as well. So, I’d like to dedicate this “shoutout” to my adorable wife, Jen Price Bryars, who deserves more than a little credit and recognition in my story.

Website: www.bartbryars.com
Instagram: @bartbryars 
Twitter: @bartbryars.com
Youtube (video from The Feels album): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uuXVTXgZ0Ck
Youtube (live video from NYC band @ Arlene’s Grocery): https://youtu.be/U3hb3Jlinoc?si=wd2Q6pApzO6lrXNF
(Live video shorts from my solo show 11-20-2023 @ The Bowery Vault in Nashville): https://youtu.be/pisY_DEO4p0?feature=shared

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