Another Caractère de Notoriété Buys the Farm

March 29, 2011 a local character of some notoriety, Barney Barnwell, passed.  I missed posting anything here at the time. With his passing, passes another piece of an era.  He founded the Moonshiner's Reunion, held every autumn at his Plum Hollow Farm, claimed to be a former moonshiner (I don't know about the "former" part).  He played fiddle in the Plum Hollow Band, and also founded the Plum Hollow Alternative Bluegrass Festival, held on his farm each spring.  Both festivals were huge annual successes.  

Barney reveled in his notoriety and eccentric reputation, because he was mostly an entrepreneur and entertainer/artist.  He could spin a yarn as good as any liar, and since he made a living at it from time to time, I guess you could say he was a professional liar.  He would have liked being called that.  Some of his works are the Plum Hollow Farm which you can visit in New Prospect SC, the band's recordings, various spirit tree carvings, and some of his tall tales.  The Discovery Channel and the History Channel have both filmed Barney at the farm.  

Oh yeah, Barnwell also founded and operated the Overall Recording Studios which had an indy label.  So he wasn't totally the hick he portrayed himself to be.  Much like other southern eccentric characters, he loved playing the role.  Pictured above is Barney and George, his pet possum.  You can find more on Barnwell, his music, tales, art, the festivals and the Plum Hollow Farm here:   http://www.moonshiners.com

You can also read Barney's story about when he first got George here: http://swampland.com/articles/view/title:barney_barnwell_a_possums_tale