Barry Shirk was exposed to Southern Gospel Music over 40 years ago when he attended his first Southern Gospel concert in Harrisburg, PA featuring the Statesmen, the Couriers and the Eastmen Quartet. Barry credits his mother and father as his greatest musical influences. He has been singing with various groups since the age of 16. Most recently Barry had been singing baritone with the Higher Ground Trio.
The history of Barry and the Higher Ground Trio really goes back to the year 1979. That was the day that the Gospel Harmony Boys of Lancaster, PA were formed. During the seven years that this group was together four men, who at one time or another would be members of the Higher Ground Trio, sang with the Gospel Harmony Boys of Lancaster, PA.
The original members were (JR) Howard Hagans singing tenor, Art Chastain singing lead, Barry Shirk singing baritone, Ivan Sell singing bass, Carl Smoker playing the piano and Herb Umble playing the bass guitar.The group traveled and sang with no changes until 1984 when Barry left for three months and was replaced by John Jacobs. The group recorded a total of five projects on 33 RPM, 8-Track and cassette.
