by Michael Krapovicky | photography by Jennifer Grace

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Lifelong musician

Arthur Barnard has spent his entire life enamored with music. As a child, he sang in inner-city church choirs in New Jersey, and played brass instruments throughout school.

“Music helped me learn to read,” claims Barnard. “I would listen to songs on my family’s Victrola and read along on the album covers.”

Growing up, Barnard’s older sisters would play him the songs of Motown and Otis Redding, among others. Barnard came to Maine when he was 12 and discovered a love for country music. At 14, Barnard left his family’s home and began working on farms for board while attending Windham High School.

“One of the farms I worked on had a country band,” says Barnard. “The folks showed me a few chords, and I actually played bass with the band for three months as a teenager.”

Later in life, Barnard moved to Lewiston and teamed up with musician and writer John Patrick, whom he had heard playing guitar.

“John had a real talent for lyrics,” Barnard affirms. “I would throw a rhythm at him, and he would write a song around it.”

Patrick and Barnard performed under several monikers, traveling around the country, later going their separate ways. Barnard worked as a chef and manager at several eating establishments, yet the love of song and performance never left him.

Damaged Goods

Barnard lived on Shawmut Street in Lewiston and soundproofed his basement so he could invite players to make music late at night without disturbing the neighbors.

“We would play until 3, 4 in the morning,” admits Barnard. “No one complained, which was surprising.”

The scene he promulgated attracted a number of musicians, several becoming regular attendees of these late-night jams. Mary Murphy, keyboard player and singer, and saxophonist Daniel Baronfeld were among them.

“Someone suggested we do a gig, and get a name,” recalls Barnard. “My friend suggested ‘Damaged Goods’, because all of us were sort of damaged in some way.”

Jim Foy was a local drummer, playing with several outfits, and was invited to Barnard’s house.

“I knew he was a good drummer, but we had a bad practice, and I thought I’d never see him again,” says Barnard. “But he kept coming back.”

With Foy on drums, and a rotating group of musicians, Damaged Goods played for several years in the clubs and taverns of LA. Barnard’s powerful, road-weathered voice was well-suited to the classic rock standards the band played—as well as his original songs.

Bassist Marcel Baril and guitarist Thomas Maynard have since passed away and Barnard wishes to state their importance to the band, and their friendship, which goes far beyond merely playing music.

Resurgence

Barnard put music on the back burner due to some medical issues, and taking on the responsibility of raising four of his grandchildren. As the children became more self-sufficient, Barnard found himself with more time to start playing short engagements, as well as writing new music.

“I played for all my grandkids in their cribs,” Barnard says. “My son Artie always insisted that I bring my guitar over to play for them.”

Barnard was also celebrating nine months of remission from cancer in October of 2023. It was then, however, that the shooting occurred, forever altering his life’s priorities.

“I just wanted to finish the things that Artie had to do,” says Barnard. “So that’s what I’m doing currently.”

Christmas in October

Barnard sought ways to honor his son’s memory and found inspiration with thoughts of the upcoming holiday season.

“I started thinking about how Christmas was my son’s favorite time of year,” Barnard tearfully relates. “He was a goofy dude, he would put on an elf hat, and made a big deal out of Christmas every year for his kids – he was a great dad.”

Not having room in his home since he was housing his grandchildren, Barnard put a tree in his yard and decorated it with memorabilia of those who were lost.

“I put the names of all the shooting victims on ribbons on the tree,” says Barnard. “This year, I have someone making me ribbons with a 3D printer and a special ornament with Artie’s face on it for the top.”

Barnard plans to put a tree out on October 25th every year.

Songwriting & healing

Barnard went to a trusted old friend, his guitar, to see if he could relieve some of his grief and anxiety, and began the formulation of a new tune.

“A verse came to me, then the second,” Barnard says. “Two of my grandkids came down and asked what I was doing, and I told them I was writing a song.”

The teenagers sat with him as he continued writing.

“They told me, ’You should do something with that song,’” recalls Barnard. “’It needs to be out there,’ they said.”

18 Souls is a tribute to the memory of his son and the fellow victims of the shooting, recalling the experience in lyrical form. In December of 2023, Barnard was asked to perform for Channel 5’s end-of-the-year special as a representative of Lewiston musicians. 18 Souls was still very freshly written, yet Barnard’s stirring rendition of the song was a highlight of the New Year’s show.

Barnard is in the process of recording 18 Souls at Expanding Sky Studios with Foy, Murphy, bassist Michael Krapovicky, and guitarist Denny Breau.

Last word

Barnard plans to retire from the food service industry within the next three years, become more involved in activism, and continue to write and perform music.

“Life doesn’t stop, no matter how horrible or tragic the situations that happen to you are,” Barnard asserts. “One person came up to me and asked about doing a workshop on music next year at the vigil for gun violence in Washington, DC. Music can help people.”