Donald Albert Barthelemy was born on September 6 in York, PA., twenty miles north of the Mason Dixon Line. Donny bought his first guitar at a pawnshop at age 14, nothing unusual really for most singer/songwriters, except for the fact that Donny’s first musical teacher/guru was none other than ‘Gus Backus’ of the ‘Del Vikings’. “He taught me how to tune the guitar, and some chords and also showed me the beauty of writing your own songs,” remarks Barthelemy.
After playing music in High School, He played guitar and sang in a 15 piece Jazz/Rock/Country band called "Uncle Sam" that toured "Planet Texas”. His first big concert at the age of 20, was opening for Lou Rawls, in front of 10,000 people, "my knees were knocking" he said.
Donny then decided to focus all of his energies on forming his own band ‘FASTGUN’, a Country Rock Group from the Great Southwest. Donny also auditioned for the TV show "You Can Be A Star", where he was chosen to be a contestant. After taping in Nashville, the Producer contacted Donny to be on the show. A few weeks later Donny was notified the Show had been cancelled, the video of the audition of his Original songs were locked in a Vault.
FASTGUN played concerts with Merle Haggard, hung out with Willie Nelson, recorded an all original CD which received Local and International airplay, had a part in a movie and won numerous awards including ‘Best Male Vocalist and Male Entertainer of the Year’ for the State of California in Country Music.
Since relocating to Florida, a place he’s called home throughout his life, Donny, has written another album, and has put together another amazing version of FASTGUN, with “Babs”, his wife, on vocals, Keith Macbay on drums and vocals, Michael Tucson on Keyboards and vocals, Jay O'Neal, on Bass . They won the local Tampa Bay "Colgate Country Showdown", and they were featured twice on Channel 10, (local TV) performing his songs "Arizona Blue" and "Ain’t No Cowboys in N.Y.C." Oh, by the way, Arizona Blue has been on the independentmusicnetwork.com Country Charts for over a year, with over 115,000 cumulative votes.
Donny and Fastgun are currently signed with Toucan Cove Records and have songs available for downloads on I-tunes and Amazon.com.
Originally from Buffalo, New York, Keith began playing the drums at the age of 10. After majoring in music in both high school and college, he became an accomplished percussionist in Jazz, R&B, Classic Rock, Progressive, and Country music performing in bands in and around the Buffalo area for many years.
After relocating to the Tampa Bay area in 1985, Keith continued his career by
joining an acoustic duo named Folk University which had the ability to play many
styles of music from the 50’s to 90’s as well as some original songs.
In 2003, Keith moved on to a five piece local band called Wild Energy (formerly
known as Eve and Energy) which specialized in Classic Rock and top 40’s.
Three years later he joined a nine piece R&B horn band which was reminiscent of
bands such as Earth, Wind, and Fire, Chicago, and Tower of Power to mention a
few. This band had the opportunity to perform locally at the Ford Amphitheatre,
Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center, the Florida Aquarium, the Thunderdome, the St.
Pete Pier Music Fest, and the Derby Lane Greyhound Race Track as well as local
establishments.
Barbara Louise Laird was born in Southern Indiana, where she lived until she was 12 years old. She grew up in a home where music was always playing and often sang along with her”jump rope” microphone.
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After her family moved to Arizona, she was active in music at both church and school, performing with the church youth group’s choir and playing in the marching and concert bands at school. When Barb got to Yuma High School she auditioned and was accepted as a member of the Choralairs, a show choir that patterns it self after “Up With People”. This is where she met Donny and they have been making beautiful music together ever since.
“Babs” lists her musical influences as Louis Armstrong, Al Hirt, Karen Carpenter, Barbra Streisand, Patsy Cline, Julie Andrews, Kathy Mattea, Martina McBride, Debbie Reynolds, Mary Chapin Carpenter, LucindaWilliams, Dolly Parton, Bette Midler, The Eagles, Restless Heart and loves adding Harmony to anything Donny sings.
Michael Hails from the Detroit area and has been a Florida resident since 1980.
His musical career started at the age of 15 and has been full speed ahead ever since.
His early influences included Elvis, The Beatles and the Everly Brothers.
He played locally along side bands like Terry Night and the Pack who became Grand Funk Railroad
And Bob Seger and the Silver Bullet Band.
Michael did shows nationally with Ricky Skaggs and Del Reeves.
His current focus in on Blues and R&B and he admires artists like Otis Redding and the Blues Brothers.
Jay O'Neal
Bass
Jay Hails from Ohio, Retired Air Force, He is an "in the pocket" bass player that every band needs. He doesn't say much, just lets his bass do the talking
His influences include Johnny Rivers and Classical music.
