From Junee NSW Barry was born on June 14th 1934 the oldest of 16 children.
Barry at the age of 17 years purchased his first guitar for 12 pounds while working in Sydney and living with his grandparents. After learning a few basic cords he entered a talent quest at Eden Park near Sydney and came second singing a Wilf Carter song.
While doing the talent quest circuit Barry came to the attention of Slim Dusty who he met and was later invited by to tour with the Slim Dusty Show for three months which turned into 19 years. He joined the show as a singer originally but took on the character of Mulga Dan and while he at first showed the signs of a shaky lead guitarist he emerged into one of our most respected instrumentalists with a distinct recognisable sound.
"Talking Guitar' in 1970 was Barry's first solo attempt, it was one of the first EP's EMI produced in Australia. On the other side Shorty Ranger released "Winter Winds" which history shows as the most popular Australian Country Instrumental of the time. "Country Guitar" was Barry Thornton’s follow-up EP.
1981 saw Barry Thornton inducted into the Australian Country Music Hands of Fame and Selection Records released "The Country Way" Barry's first solo album.
January 1982 saw Barry receive a Golden Guitar award for instrumental of the year with "Brian's Tune" off "The Country Way " album Barry was to stay with Selection Records for the next 20 years.
Barry with wife Pauline, children Meryl and Brian, moved to Queensland's Sunshine Coast with Barry becoming heavily involved with The Queensland Champion of Champion Competition, a body he worked for all the way from its inception.
In the later part of his life from 1982 he went on to produce another ten or more solo albums at the same time being a session musician on many other albums for other artists while supporting and encouraging new and young artists in their endeavours.
In 1991 Barry Thornton was inducted into the Australian Country Music Roll of Renown at the time of induction being the only specialist instrumentalist to have received this honour.
He is one of the legends who will be remembered for originating the lead guitar sound of the Australian Bush Ballad which has helped to give Australian country music it's own unique sound since the 1950's.
Barry Thornton died on Sunday July 28th 2002 at the age of 68 years.
