Original Bandit Brent Barret retires
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While Bandit began in junior high school, the real work began as Barrett and Strickland attended The University of Tennessee together. Barrett was pursuing a degree in food and lodging with an intention to be in the hospitality industry. After a Conway Twitty and Loretta Lynn tour while in college, Barrett never looked back. Both Strickland and Barrett indeed finished their degrees, and at the same time toured and ended up in their lifelong careers.
“Brent and I grew up together,” stated Strickland. “We have been best friends since grade school. We lived every phase of life together and know more about one another than anyone else. To sum up Brent Barrett is easy: He is a friend. Period.”
Barrett toured with numerous artists in the early days including Conway Twitty, Loretta Lynn, Kenny Rogers, Blackfoot, Def Leppard, Molly Hatchet, and many others. He then transitioned into the role of lighting director and production manager with Alabama. This is a position he would hold for 23 years. Indeed, most people in the industry remember Barrett as the jovial gentleman that ran the amazing Alabama show for many years.
When it was time to retire from the road, Barrett moved into the role of director of business development located in Bandit’s Nashville office. He was eventually named vice-president of business development, a title he held until his retirement.
“Brent’s move into the next phase in his life with the love of his life, his beautiful wife Linda, is well deserved, and we all wish them the greatest joy possible,” continued Strickland. “Brent and I stay in touch weekly and indeed he drops by the Nashville office often to see old friends. In honour of his lifetime in the industry we held a retirement party and presented Brent with a plaque that proudly hangs in his former office. The office is dedicated to Brent in honour of his dedication to Bandit!”
