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Benny Barnes

     In late 1950's, singer and guitar player Benny Barnes recorded and made popular several songs of J. P. Richardson (Big Bopper) -- "Poor Man's Riches" (1956) and "Beggar to a King".

 

     A later hit was "Token of Love" in 1959. Barnes became one of the biggest properties of Jack Clement and Bill Hall's Gulf Coast Recording Company.  He was a friend of George Jones, who mentored him and had him play rhythm guitar in his road band.

 

     Although later recordings were unsuccessful, Barnes appeared on the Louisiana Hayride and continued to record for various other labels throughout his career. His second chart entry came in 1961 on Mercury Records with "Yearning".

 

     At this point, Barnes also operated a tavern in Beaumont. Barnes continued to record until shortly before his death in 1985.

Benny Barnes performs "Last Message."
Tex Ritter Portrait
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The Museum of the Gulf Coast is administered by the Port Arthur Historical Society in partnership with Lamar State College-Port Arthur and the City of Port Arthur.

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