MGS - First off thanks Barry for taking the time to chat.
BS - Thank you, glad to be of service!
MGS - I have attached your bio to the interview so we can skip the back story. You are currently touring with Dokken, whos in the current lineup?
BS - The lineup is the same as its been for quite awhile, Don Dokken, of course, Wild Mick Brown, Jon Levin on guitars and myself on bass.
MGS - Hows it going so far, any problems?
BS - We just finished a tour around christmas time, it was awesome, there are always gonna be problems, people getting sick etc.. but all in all we killed! A good time was had by all!
MGS - You did a tour with Ted Nugent last year, that had to be a cool experience.
BS - Yes I love Ted! I have been with him since 2003? He is an inspiration and a true hero of mine.
MGS - Does he still crack the whip on his band or is he softening up in his old age?
BS - Hahaha, all Ted expects is you to be is the best damn musician you can be, so as long as you kick ass he is very happy, and I am proud to say we do just that!
MGS - Out of pure curiosity and being a musician myself, did that tour pay better than most others?
Ted is a living legend, his tours do very well, so the answer would be... yes.
MGS - What was the funniest thing that happened on the Nuge tour ?
BS - Ted makes me laugh everyday, so thats a tough question, he really is a funny guy. But aside from him, I do remember a strange guy throwing a bobcat skin onstage.... i havent seen too many bra's lately but plenty of dead animal skins!
MGS - Tell us about your solo acoustic band. You play guitar in that ? Originals, covers ?
BS - Yes, I am very excited about my band, its all original music , mainly my album Can't look back" we really do kick some serious ass on acoustics, its very "Beatle-y" with tons of vocal harmonies and tons of shredding acoustic guitars. it is a real challenge to pull this stuff off live and we are getting very very good at it i must say so myself!
MGS - Ive been a fan of Jeff Kollman for a long time, actually gigged with his Edwin Dare key player for quite awhile, are you still working with Jeff in Cosmosquad? Do you know what hes up to these days?
BS - Jeff is a very good friend of mine and an exceptional guitarist as well, we will do something soon i am sure. as for what he is doing you will have to ask him that.
MGS - I saw you were just at NAMM with Carvin <who refuses to return my emails!! boo> and also you are playing a new bass that your brother built. Is he starting a guitar company?
BS - yeah i played at the carvin booth every day of namm, it was very fun, and very cool when i looked up and saw one of my heroes ...Stanley Clarke stopping to check me out! that made my day because as far as i am concerned stanley is the greatest.
and yes my brother Kevin and myself have just started "Sparks" guitars, you can see my new signature bass on my website www.barrysparks.com i love it!
MGS - I checked out your pedalboard on your site, I am guessing you used the phase100 for Stranglehold? You need more pedals man, the more the better. Also what amps are you using with Dokken?
BS - yes i use the phase 100 for stranglehold and a boss bass distortion here and there. I dont like to have too much stuff anyway, its all in the fingers! as for amps, I still am a die hard Ampeg classic user. thanks for having me, all the best.
MGS - Thanks Barry see ya down the road!
