Aviation
An airplane pilot since 1965 and a professional pilot beginning in 1974.
Author. Retired pilot. Bluegrass historian. New book available.
Barry R. WillisStories of flight, faith, and America's music.
Meet Barry's new Pony Express book, then explore his novels, bluegrass history, interviews, photographs, liner notes, and research archive.
Listen now
Bitter Gap
New book - 2026
- Published
- books available
- 34
- audio assets
- Pilot
- author identity
- Archive
- bluegrass research
Featured books
Books rooted in flight, music, and lived history.
Forthcoming
The Last Wagon Train on the Oregon Trail
A sequel to The Legacy of the Pony Express is coming soon. The story follows a wagon train along the Oregon Trail from St. Joseph to Oregon City, blending history, drama, Christian faith, excitement, and humor.
Legacy
Aviation discipline. Bluegrass memory. Published work.
About Barry R. Willis
A public archive shaped by precision, curiosity, and persistence.
Barry R. Willis is an author, retired airline pilot, publisher, and bluegrass historian whose work preserves first-person stories from American music.
Bluegrass radio
Founder of Folk Music Unlimited and host of Barry's Bluegrass Show in Oregon.
Publishing and research
Self-publisher and keeper of first-person bluegrass interviews, photographs, and research.
America's Music archive
The interviews, research, and source material deserve a proper home.
Barry's archive brings decades of bluegrass research, interviews, and source material into a clear reading path while preserving the voices and context behind it.
Critical note
Phyllis Stark
Reviewing America's Music: Bluegrass: A History of Bluegrass Music in the Words of Its Pioneers
Barry Willis is the kind of person you want to pilot your plane. He is thorough, a stickler for detail and a man of perseverance.
Media archive
Interviews, music, and photographs with room for context.
Explore interviews, Barry-supplied recordings, and photographs with enough context to understand the people and stories behind them.
Writing and reference
More from Barry's desk and archive.
Blog posts, other writings, research, and the frequently updated Vital Records directory now have a clear starting point.
Start here
Begin with the books, or step into the archive.
Explore Barry's fiction, bluegrass research, interviews, and media without losing the depth of the original archive.