Modestan does 'Alright' -- and better -- on Fox reality show

By MARIJKE ROWLAND
mrowland@modbee.com

E-Mail

Comments (0)

Text Size:

tool goes here

The difference between "get" and "stay" for Rick Barnes was exactly $75,000.

The Modesto musician appeared on the Fox reality game show "Don't Forget the Lyrics" last week and nearly took home $100,000.

But instead, a slip-up on the lyrics to The Guess Who's "American Woman" bumped him back to a $25,000 payday.

Still, it wasn't bad for a day's work plus the chance to meet and sing along with one of his idols, Kenny Loggins.

Barnes, a 1973 Downey High graduate, plays every Friday night at P. Wexford's Pub in Modesto with Jason Ash.

Barnes also has played regularly throughout the area.

The longtime musician had his first professional show at age 16. Now 53, he has opened for George Jones and shared the stage with John Prine.

Barnes auditioned for the show a year ago at an open casting call held at Modesto's Sidelines Pub & Grill.

Once there, he impressed the casting company with his take on Elvis and Jimmy Buffett songs and stood out amid the more than 150 people who were trying out.

He was called back the next day with seven other contestants. He was the only person from Modesto selected to go to Hollywood to audition for the show's producers.

His segment was taped in January but held until last week.

On the show, contestants sing along to songs, karaoke style, until the music stops and they are asked to sing the next lyrics verbatim.

Contestants win more and more money each round, going from $2,500 to a guaranteed $25,000 and possible $1,000,000.

As Barnes got to the sixth round, the $25,000 question, show host Wayne Brady asked him what he would do with the money if he won. Barnes said he would throw a dream wedding for his longtime fiancée, Judy Ash.

Brady asked him who he would hire to sing, and Barnes answered Loggins.

Then, out came Loggins with an acoustic guitar, singing "I'm Alright." (Producers learned beforehand that Loggins was Barnes' favorite musician by far.)

"I was almost intimidated to the point of withdrawing," Barnes said. "But it was Kenny Loggins, so I ended up singing 'I'm Alright' with him."

Afterward Loggins sat with his family -- fiancée Ash, her son Jason and Barnes' daughter Christina Halkias -- to cheer him on throughout the rest of the show.

"Kenny Loggins was such a gentleman," he said. "He became a part of the family that day. I felt like he was there for me, to root me on. He sat next to my daughter and son the whole time."

But at the $100,000 question, Barnes tripped up on the lyrics to "American Woman."

He said "get away," but the line is "stay away."

While he has no regrets about going on the show, Barnes said he will never, ever again forget the words to "American Woman."

Elsewhere around the Scene:

See orange when the clock strikes midnight tonight.

The State Theatre's Midnite Movie Classic Cinema Series screens the 1971 cult classic

"A Clockwork Orange" tonight, the film from director Stanley Kubrick based on the dystopian novel by Anthony Burgess.

While controversial for its graphic and disturbing imagery, the film earned an Academy Award for best picture and is considered a classic in American cinema.

Showtimes are midnight tonight and 3:30 p.m. Saturday. Tickets are $8 today, $6 Saturday. Call 527-4697. ...

Looking for music instead tonight?

Check out an all-acoustic, all-local show featuring Mike Allsup and Shawn Farris (both from DAM), Rachel Renae, Jillian Cobb, Chad Shadwick, Shaylin Nichole and Shawn Farris. Show's at 7 p.m. $5. More at myspace.com/michaelallsup. ...

How about some blues up in the hills?

The Iron Door Saloon in Groveland welcomes a Funky Monkey Productions show featuring the Wingnut Adams Band tonight and Saturday.

Multi-instrumentalist Wingnut recently was honored by The West Coast Blues Hall of Fame as the 2008 Band Leader of the Year. Music starts at 9 p.m. Call 962-8904. ...

And finally, dance it up at the new Rumba Room Nightclub in the DoubleTree Hotel tonight.

Performing at the Latin music event sponsored by Olé Productions will be Zihua, playing cumbia, merengue and Salsa. Doors open at 9 p.m., band starts at 10 p.m. Cover is $15 before 10 p.m., $20 after. Call 526-600.

Bee entertainment writer Marijke Rowland can be reached at mrowland@modbee.com or 578-2284. Read her blog SceneIt at thehive.modbee.com/sceneit.