Originally appeared in the Niagara Gazette and Lockport US&J on May 7, 2026
Don Barnes is the voice behind some of the most enduring classic rock hits in the 38 Special catalog. The southern rockers have a shared history with Lynyrd Skynyrd, in part due to the longtime presence of Donnie Van Zant, original Skynyrd frontman Ronnie Van Zant’s brother. Barnes and Donnie Van Zant took the southern rock formula and brilliantly distilled it into radio-friendly gems.
Reflecting on his long career, Barnes shared, “It’s been a long journey, long, strange trip there, 50 years now. It’s been crazy.” Our recent conversation, the first in fifteen years, highlighted what hasn’t changed—his warmth, candor, and the sense that every story comes from a man who has lived the full arc of American rock ’n’ roll. He is not just a champion of southern rock; he is a historian.
Building on those decades, this tour marks the band’s 50th anniversary, a milestone Barnes wanted to honor properly. It includes a stop at Seneca Niagara Casino on Thursday, June 25. That means a new stage production, a revitalized setlist, and, unlike many of his contemporaries, a new album, aptly named “Milestone,” anchored by the breakout single “All I Haven’t Said.” The song has quietly become a streaming success, something Barnes admits still surprises him.
“People sometimes say, ‘Why can’t I stop listening to this song?’ Well, that’s a hit song,” he said with a laugh.
The track’s emotional core comes from a deeply personal place. Barnes shared the story of writing the song with his wife, Christine. “I was playing some chords on the guitar, and she came around the corner and said, ‘That sounds like it should be called All I Haven’t Said.’ Out of the clear blue,” he recalled.
The album reunites Barnes with Jim Peterik, the force behind many of 38 Special’s hits like “Hold On Loosely,” “Rockin’ Into the Night,” and “Caught Up in You.” Barnes admires Peterik’s instincts: “I brought him a song needing a bridge, and he wrote a great one in minutes.” Peterik is also known for Survivor.
“Milestone” is more than nostalgia. Barnes was determined not to simply recreate the band’s 1980s sound. “I wanted an updated new version of 38 Special; you get outside yourself artistically,” he said. The album combines their signature muscle-and-melody approach with fresh textures and a rhythm section Barnes calls “amazing.”
Though the band’s lineup has changed, Barnes emphasizes the chemistry that defines the group. “These guys make me look and sound better. I’m surrounded by legends and teens,” he said.
Throughout these changes, the legacy of co‑founder Donnie Van Zant looms large. Van Zant retired from touring due to severe inner‑ear damage, but Barnes speaks of him with deep affection. “Donnie’s still my partner; he absolutely deserves all that because we started out together as young guys, broke as we could be,” he said
Barnes also reflected on the band’s early struggles and the unlikely lifeline thrown by A&M Records after their first two albums failed to chart. “A&M Records were so patient with us, they let us evolve artistically instead of kicking us out,” he said. That third chance led to a run of hits that still define classic‑rock radio.
Today, 38 Special remains a touring powerhouse, performing nearly 100 shows a year. “It’s a good job to bring that kind of joy to people,” Barnes said. “Sometimes my sound man has to turn me up louder because the crowd is singing louder than I am.”
On June 25, Niagara Falls will get its turn to sing along.