It is with sadness that The Malaco Music Group announces the passing of Gospel Icon, Bishop F.C. Barnes passed away, July 11, 2011 at approximately 2:30 am. He was 82.

Bishop Barnes began singing in quartets when he was 14 years old. He would later record eight albums with Rev. Janice Brown and “Rough Side of the Mountain” became the most popular album remaining #1 on the gospel charts for more than a year, selling over 500,000 copies. He recorded 15 albums, not including appearances on several LP's with his son, Gospel Legend Luther Barnes and the widely successful direct marketing campaign infomercial entitled, Gospel Legends. 

Bishop Barnes has received numerous Stellar Award nominations as well as a Dove Award nomination. In 2010, Bishop Barnes & Company received a Stellar Award nomination for their latest CD “The Old Time Way.” On this CD, he recorded his first collaboration since Rev. Janice Brown with Darrell Luster on the single, "God Is God” (He Won’t Change) which received considerable airplay and garnered an appearance on BET’s Bobby Jones Gospel. 

His home going was Friday, July 15, 2011, 7:00 pm. Our prayers go out to the Barnes family.

WBLK celebrate Late Bishop F.C. Barnes, today on Sunday gospel.

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