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BARRY BRANDON
Musician/promoter/philanthropist, and we’re probably forgetting a few other slashes. Barry Brandon is Atlanta’s renaissance man, a whirling dervish of a promotional machine with a gift for getting the word out.
His goal? “I want to be the male version of Oprah—but with a music career,” he says. You won’t find many who would bet against him.
How would you define your role in Atlanta’s LGBT community?
I try to stay away from defining myself in terms of LGBT. I am gay, but first and foremost I’m a musician, a promoter, and a philanthropist; no matter what community I’m accepted and included in.
What do you forecast for Atlanta’s LGBT community in the next 5 to 10 years?
It’s hard to say. If I am being perfectly honest I feel like Atlanta is so segregated within its own community that I feel and fear like it could go one of two ways. Either people come together as a family and start working together for a common purpose or it will continue down this path of every man for himself. I hope and pray that the city becomes more united and works together in hopes of gaining a positive reputation so people will want to move here and be a part of this amazing city.
We learn from all our experiences, both good and bad. Tell us about a negative life experience you’ve had that you learned a valuable lesson from.
I, like most other people, have had my share of negative experiences—parents divorcing, surgeries etc. I think the most important thing about those negative experiences is realizing what a role they play in my happiness. Without all the bad things happening my life right now wouldn’t be as wonderful.
How has being LGBT shaped your outlook on life?
Although I am part of the LGBT community, I don’t think about it on a day to day basis. I think of myself as a person who has a lot to say and who wants to change my world. I think labels, more than not, get people into trouble.
Tell us a little more about yourself. What are your hobbies? What are your goals?
I want to be the male version of Oprah—but with a music career.
If you were stranded on a desert island, what’s the one book you would want with you?
A book full of photos of family and friends…or maybe a copy of Vogue.
