Hard-Hitting Australian drummer Jackie James Barnes has been described as a drummer of amazing feel and endurance, with a hungry appetite for music from all different corners of the globe that continues to add many different flavours to his playing.

Born into Australian music royalty as the son of legendary rock singer Jimmy Barnes, it seems Jackie was always destined to be a part of the music industry. He discovered drums at age 5 through watching Tony Brock play with his father, and grew up listening to Soul, Motown, Blues, Funk and Rock’n’Roll as well as many other genres.

“I remember watching dad singing from side of stage when I was a little boy and wanting to imitate everything he did, but then I saw the guy up the back with stuff everywhere swinging his arms all over the place and bangin’ on things and I thought to myself, ‘That’s what I want to do’.”

After finishing high school studies in Sydney, Australia, Jackie began working in the local music scene and eventually auditioned successfully for the Jimmy Barnes band in 2005 and immediately began touring locally and globally. After a few years in the band, he felt the necessity to branch out and expand his musical knowledge, so he applied, auditioned and began a Bachelor of Music at the esteemed Berklee College of Music in Boston, where he graduated Cum Laude in 2010.

In 2013, Jackie toured the world with Australian group "The Ten Tenors" before joining LA based hard rock band "Heaven and Earth" in 2014. With Heaven and Earth, Jackie toured Europe, performing at the Montreaux Jazz Festival. In late 2014 he toured with X Factor winner Reece Mastin on his "Wolf in the Woods" tour. In 2015 Jackie recorded drums, percussion and vocals on The Dead Daisies' album "Revolucion". Shortly after this, he joined The Lachy Doley Group full time and has toured both locally and internationally with the world renowned Hammond Organist.

In 2016, Jackie began working with The Wiggles, known worldwide for their Children's music. He has recorded both back catalogue and new releases for them, as well as contributing to the writing of songs with The Wiggles.

Jackie also teamed up with Singer/Songwriter to form the duo "Chance Carousel". They released their debut self titled EP in 2015 and are in the process of writing and recording a follow up EP.

He is currently dividing his time between local work in his hometown of Brisbane and touring with Jimmy Barnes and The Lachy Doley Group.

He has had the chance to work such other great artists as Keith Urban, Journey, Joe Bonamassa, Diesel, Ian Moss, Bob Daisley, Steve Morse and Glenn Hughes to name a few. He has recorded on over 40 releases and 2 DVDs, and he has toured Europe, USA, Asia, Africa, Middle East and Australia/New Zealand. With such great experience at 30 it seems Jackie has a long illustrious career ahead of him.

Jackie is an endorsee of TAMA Drums, UFIP Cymbals, Promark Drumsticks, Evans Drumheads, Puresound Percussion and Meinl Percussion.

Jackie James Barnes

Performers