For many, the sound of country music is tied to the rolling plains and rustic towns of the American South, but for Barry Pagliaroli, known as Barry Zell, his passion for the genre blossomed in the unlikely setting of Rahway, New Jersey. Growing up in a low-income housing project in the city, Barry's early exposure to country music came from his parents, particularly his father, who always had a country station playing in his barbershop where Barry worked shining shoes. Despite his urban surroundings, the soulful twang of country became the soundtrack of his youth.
"Even as a teen, I was drawn to rock music of the sixties, but when I began writing my own songs, I found myself gravitating back to country," Barry recalls. His musical journey eventually led him to form his band Mountainside after recording Modern Day Cowboy in the 1980s. The timing was perfect, as the popularity of the movie Urban Cowboy ignited a nationwide craze for cowboy hats and boots, transforming even city folk into Western enthusiasts. "The movie turned most cities into the open west," Barry notes, reflecting on the cultural shift.
Influences that Shaped His SoundÂ
Barry’s music carries a blend of genres that speak to his diverse influences. He cites rock legends like Bob Dylan, The Rolling Stones, and The Eagles, alongside country greats such as Glen Campbell, Merle Haggard, and Waylon Jennings as key inspirations. His style evolved with later influences from Hank Williams Jr., David Allan Coe, and Southern rock bands like The Allman Brothers and The Marshall Tucker Band. It’s this eclectic mix that gives his music its distinct flavor—urban grit with country soul.
Dreaming of the CountrysideÂ
Though raised in the bustling streets of Rahway, Barry always daydreamed of escaping to the quiet serenity of the country. His parents often took him and his brothers on weekend trips to mountainous regions like Watchung and the Poconos, leaving an impression on him. "A day away from the city and into the mountains influenced me a lot. I was a city kid begging to be a country boy," he muses. These outings helped shape his songwriting, inspiring him to craft lyrics that often yearn for wide-open spaces and peaceful retreats from city life.
Becoming Barry ZellÂ
The choice to perform under the name Barry Zell was more than just practicality—it reflected his identity. With a last name like Pagliaroli, which Barry jokes is hard to pronounce, he adopted his middle name, Zell, as a more accessible stage persona. Over the years, he experimented with different names, including Cody Lee Jones for a brief period, but returned to Barry Zell to keep a consistent identity with his fans.
However, Barry’s love for performing began long before he adopted a stage name. As a young boy, his father would take him to bars, where he’d sing country tunes for patrons. One of his most requested songs was "Cotton Fields," and the applause from the crowd, combined with the colorful stage lights and the thrill of hearing his voice through a sound system, hooked him on music for life. "Even at ten, I knew what I wanted to do. It just took a decade or more to figure out how to do it," Barry recalls.
Self-Taught and Driven by PassionÂ
Despite his talents, Barry had no formal musical training. Instead, he taught himself to play the guitar by sneaking his brother’s instrument and plucking the strings. His mother eventually bought him his own guitar, and with the help of a chord book, Barry began to teach himself to play. Songwriting came naturally to him—melodies and lyrics would pop into his head, and he could craft a song in under an hour. Even today, inspiration strikes often, though he admits it takes a little more time to finish a song now.Â
The Making of Modern Day CowboyÂ
Barry’s album Modern Day Cowboy is a testament to his natural songwriting ability. "I was on a writing jag, and the songs just came to me," he explains. Recording the album at GT Studios (now Shorefire Studios) in Long Branch, NJ, was a new experience for Barry, who had never worked with a full sixteen-track setup before. His mother, recognizing his passion, paid for the album's production, a gesture Barry remains grateful for. He worked closely with the studio’s owner, Tom Elliot, learning the intricacies of the mixing process. "Recording back then was all analog, so it was a real learning curve," Barry says.
Years later, fate brought Barry’s work to the attention of the powers that be at Fadeaway Editions. After discovering a video of Barry performing on a local TV show, the label reached out and eventually offered him a contract. "I did my homework on Fadeaway and was happy to sign with them," Barry shares, appreciating the company’s formidable reputation and its history of working with notable artists.
Looking Back and Looking ForwardÂ
While Barry didn’t initially consider the possibility of synchronizing his songs for film or TV, his songwriting process has evolved. He’s even considered writing jingles, though he hasn’t pursued that path yet. Reflecting on his career, Barry acknowledges the challenges of breaking into the industry, especially in Nashville, where he performed at iconic venues but never found the major label deal he hoped for. "I became a pro at rejection," Barry says with a laugh, though he adds that local fame and the satisfaction of making a living through music have made the journey worthwhile.
Asked what he would change in his career, Barry is reflective. "Maybe to have made it further than I did, but then I think about the artists I’ve met who wish they could have done what I’ve done." He’s learned to appreciate his achievements, even if he sometimes feels like his own worst critic.
The Future of Music and AIÂ
As a seasoned songwriter, Barry is skeptical about the rise of AI in the music industry. "AI is soulless," he declares. "It can’t replace the feelings, heartache, and love that real songwriters pour into their music." For Barry, the human experience—its joys, pains, and everything in between—is what gives music its power. He doubts that AI could ever replicate that.
In the end, Barry Zell is still that city kid at heart, dreaming of the quiet country life but embracing the twists and turns of his musical journey. Whether he's performing under stage lights or writing his next song, his passion for country music remains unwavering.
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