A hotshot picker from Bakersfield, California, Alvis Barnett toured with country stars such as Bobby Bare, Johnny Horton and Sonny James, and played on the Big D Jamboree in Dallas as well as honkytonks and nightclubs throughout Southern California for many years before he got religion in 1966, and thereafter primarily recorded gospel material. Mr. Barnett was part of the San Joaquin Valley's country-oriented gospel scene, which was centered around Fresno and Stockton and was both a formal and informal member of bands such as The Countrymen and The Christian Troubadours. He and his wife, guitarist Arleigh Barnett, formed Alvis Barnett & The Gospel III, along with Kentuckians Densel Alvey and Joy Alvey, and played with some version of this group throughout the early 1970s, before the Barnetts formed their own family band. The discography below is woefully incomplete: Alvis Barnett is one of those artists whose work keeps revealing itself, bit by bit, at odd and unexpected times. Additions and corrections are welcome.
Alvis Barnett & The Gospel Three "The Gospel III Featuring Alvis Barnett" (Calvary Records, 19--?) (LP)
Alvis Barnett "Nashville's Gospel Guitar" (Praise Records, 19--?) (LP)
This is a well-produced, somewhat anodyne instrumental set, mainly gospel tunes, but with a few nods towards secular folks such as Buck Owens -- great tone and plenty of sleek guitar licks. Chet Atkins fans might dig this stuff. Good backing band, as well, although they are not identified by name, only as The Gospel III.
Alvis Barnett & The Barnetts "We're Family" (Barnett Records, 19--?) (LP)
(Produced by Alvis Barnett & Bill Huffman)
The Barnett Family "Sings Amazing Grace" (Rev Records, 1966-?) (LP)
Alvis Barnett & The Gospel Three "One Step Closer" (Heart Warming Records, 1971-?) (LP)
Alvis Barnett & The Gospel Three "Home Again" (Heart Warming Records, 1972) (LP)
Alvis & The Barnetts "Satisfied Mind" (CAM Records, 1974-?) (LP)
Alvis & The Gospel Three "Our Kind Of Songs" (Alwin Records, 19--?) (LP)
(Produced by Gary S. Paxton)
Alvis & The Barnetts "Alvis And 'Em" (Golden Shield Records, 1974-?)
Alvis & The Barnetts "All In The Family" (CAM Enterprises, 1974-?) (LP)
(Produced by Dale McCoy & Jim Spence)
Alvis & The Barnetts "(If You Don't Believe We're Real) Hide And Watch" (JoySong Records, 1976) (LP)
(Produced by Gary S. Paxton)
