James Barney Kilpatrick
September 21, 1956 ~ December 3, 2021 (age 65) 65 Years Old
Tribute
James Barney Kilpatrick passed away Friday, December 3, 2021, at the age of 65. Barney was born September 21, 1956 in Snyder, TX, but was raised in New Orleans, LA. He fell in love with music from an early age, taking piano lessons from the legendary Roosevelt Sykes and working backstage at the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage festival while still in high school.
Barney studied journalism at LSU and law at Tulane, but never left music behind, DJing for Tulane radio station WTUL, and promoting and managing local New Orleans acts like The Radiators. His path through the music industry continued with jobs DJing at New Orleans' WTIX and WLTS followed by a move to IRS Records in Los Angeles. His success at IRS led him to Warner Bros. Records, where he became the Sr. VP of Promotion and Marketing and worked closely with artists like REM, Seal, Van Halen, Madonna, and Prince. In 2000, he moved with his family to Atlanta and started his own record label, later adding artist management and booking lines of business. In 2016, he and his wife Valerie took the opportunity as empty-nesters, to return to New Orleans where he formed a partnership and continued to work with artists such as Blane Howard, The New Orleans Suspects, Nefesh Mountain, Perpetual Groove, and others.
Barney is remembered as being dedicated, loyal, and genuine. He would throw himself wholeheartedly into helping others, rolling up his sleeves to take on projects like rescuing struggling restaurants, filling neglected potholes in the streets of New Orleans, or being an ad hoc social worker and legal guide. He went out of his way to remember everyone’s name and something special about them, no matter who they were or how they met. He was particularly proud of his children, and made sure to instill in them his love of music, history, and unusual humor. Words barely touch the depth of his love for his family, his friends, and the City of New Orleans.
Barney is survived by his wife of 34 years, Valerie, and their four children: Jimmy, Katherine, Charlie, and Mary.
Barney fought depression and anxiety throughout his life. His death was the result of losing that battle. In lieu of flowers, gifts can be made in Barney's honor/memory to the New Orleans Musicians’ Clinic suicide prevention program (https://neworleansmusiciansclinic.org/get-involved/donate/) and/or to the AFSP Suicide Prevention Program, Louisiana Chapter (https://supporting.afsp.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=cms.page&id=1961).
A funeral service will be held in Barney's honor at 2 PM on Saturday, December 11, 2021 in the J. Garic Schoen Chapel of JACOB SCHOEN AND SON FUNERAL HOME, 3827 Canal St., New Orleans, LA 70119. Visitation will begin at 12 PM. Following the funeral service, family and friends are invited to a attend a reception from 3 PM to 5 PM at Rosedale Restaurant, 801 Rosedale Dr, New Orleans, LA 70124. There will be musical performances by friends of Barney and words of remembrance by Barney's children. To view the chapel service via livestream and to sign the guestbook, please visit schoenfh.com.
Barney studied journalism at LSU and law at Tulane, but never left music behind, DJing for Tulane radio station WTUL, and promoting and managing local New Orleans acts like The Radiators. His path through the music industry continued with jobs DJing at New Orleans' WTIX and WLTS followed by a move to IRS Records in Los Angeles. His success at IRS led him to Warner Bros. Records, where he became the Sr. VP of Promotion and Marketing and worked closely with artists like REM, Seal, Van Halen, Madonna, and Prince. In 2000, he moved with his family to Atlanta and started his own record label, later adding artist management and booking lines of business. In 2016, he and his wife Valerie took the opportunity as empty-nesters, to return to New Orleans where he formed a partnership and continued to work with artists such as Blane Howard, The New Orleans Suspects, Nefesh Mountain, Perpetual Groove, and others.
Barney is remembered as being dedicated, loyal, and genuine. He would throw himself wholeheartedly into helping others, rolling up his sleeves to take on projects like rescuing struggling restaurants, filling neglected potholes in the streets of New Orleans, or being an ad hoc social worker and legal guide. He went out of his way to remember everyone’s name and something special about them, no matter who they were or how they met. He was particularly proud of his children, and made sure to instill in them his love of music, history, and unusual humor. Words barely touch the depth of his love for his family, his friends, and the City of New Orleans.
Barney is survived by his wife of 34 years, Valerie, and their four children: Jimmy, Katherine, Charlie, and Mary.
Barney fought depression and anxiety throughout his life. His death was the result of losing that battle. In lieu of flowers, gifts can be made in Barney's honor/memory to the New Orleans Musicians’ Clinic suicide prevention program (https://neworleansmusiciansclinic.org/get-involved/donate/) and/or to the AFSP Suicide Prevention Program, Louisiana Chapter (https://supporting.afsp.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=cms.page&id=1961).
A funeral service will be held in Barney's honor at 2 PM on Saturday, December 11, 2021 in the J. Garic Schoen Chapel of JACOB SCHOEN AND SON FUNERAL HOME, 3827 Canal St., New Orleans, LA 70119. Visitation will begin at 12 PM. Following the funeral service, family and friends are invited to a attend a reception from 3 PM to 5 PM at Rosedale Restaurant, 801 Rosedale Dr, New Orleans, LA 70124. There will be musical performances by friends of Barney and words of remembrance by Barney's children. To view the chapel service via livestream and to sign the guestbook, please visit schoenfh.com.
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