Barrett Baber holds a proclamation read by Fayetteville Mayor Lioneld Jordan (left) during Tuesday’s City Council meeting.
Photo: Todd Gill, Fayetteville Flyer
Local musician Barrett Baber was honored with a special presentation from Mayor Lioneld Jordan during Tuesday night’s City Council meeting.
The former Fayetteville High School teacher has grown from a local celebrity to a nationally recognized talent thanks to his recent third-place finish on NBC’s singing competition “The Voice.”
Baber, who outlasted thousands of contestants to land a spot on a team coached by country superstar Blake Shelton, was carried through to the live final round of the show thanks in part to a surge of support back home.
Mayor Jordan solidified the city’s support on Tuesday by reading a proclamation declaring Feb. 2, 2016 as “Barrett Baber Day.” Afterwards, Jordan handed Baber a key to the city.
“This has been an incredible journey for me over the last six months,” said Baber. “I think one of the most gratifying and humbling parts of the journey for me has been to represent the people of the city of Fayetteville and to make them proud.
“I’m so glad that the people of Arkansas and especially those here in Fayetteville took ownership of my success. I think it goes to show the kind of place we live and the people that live here. I’m really proud to call this place home.”
Baber said wherever his journey leads, whether it be Nashville, Los Angeles, or even worldwide, he’ll always remember the support he received back home.
“It’s been an amazing ride, and one that I’m not finished with yet,” said Baber. “There are some really special things coming and I hope to continue to make the city of Fayetteville proud.
Mayor Jordan’s Proclamation
Whereas Barrett Baber has entertained thousands of residents in Fayetteville and all over Northwest Arkansas and millions more around the world, and
Whereas Barrett has served our community as an educator inspiring young minds to dare to dream through artistic expression, and
Whereas Barrett was the winner of the 2014 Grammy Awards Gig of a Lifetime where he performed a concert during Grammy week in Los Angeles, and
Whereas Barrett was a finalist on Season 9 of NBC’s The Voice where he was a member of country superstar Blake Shelton’s team, and
Whereas Barrett has had multiple songs on the Billboard Hot 100 and digital charts including a No. 1 single on iTunes country charts, and
Whereas Barrett Baber has proven to be a man of true character and a fine role model representing Fayetteville and all of Arkansas well, as an entertainer, a husband, father, and friend.
Now therefore I, Lioneld Jordan, mayor of the City of Fayetteville, Arkansas now hereby do proclaim Tuesday, Feb. 2, 2016 as Barrett Baber Day in Fayetteville, Arkansas.
