J. J. Barrie - No Charge (2023)

b. Barrie Authors, 7 July 1933, Ottawa, Canada. A former Blue Mink and Ocean manager, Barrie turned to songwriting and in early 1976 co-wrote ‘Where’s The Reason’ with Terry Britten for Glen Campbell. They sent a demo to his producer but he suggested Barrie record it. This he did, unsuccessfully. Undaunted, he recorded a version of the country ballad ‘No Charge’ on his own label Power Exchange (featuring an unaccredited vocal from Vicki Brown); the single shot up the UK charts to number 1. He re-released ‘Where’s The Reason’ as a follow-up but it again failed to chart. Power Exchange had one other UK Top 20 hit - ‘Who’s Gonna Love Me’ by the Imperials (without Little Anthony) in December 1977 - after which the label ceased trading. Barrie returned to Canada and tried to resume music publishing, artist management and agency representation - his former jobs during the 60s. In 1980, he returned to the UK to record his own ‘You Can’t Win ‘Em All’ and ‘It’s Only A Game’ - with English football manager Brian Clough - which were released on MCA late in the year.