Being from the landlocked and nearly entirely Caucasian state of West Virginia, I had never heard a shanty or a work song sung.   Barry was my introduction to both of those, plus my first real, live New England accent. When he opened his mouth to sing, and that passionate voice came out of the mouth that little squirrelly feller Dani had just introduced me to, my mouth must have dropped open. One could not listen to, and certainly not both listen and watch Barry sing, and not viserally comprehend the nature of the lives and work of the people from these songs originally sprung.

From conversations with Barry, as well as his postings on Mudcat, I know a bit about where and how he came up. But I never got the story of how a boy from the projects in Boston found his way to shanties and worksongs and love of the lore of the same.    Can anyone share what they know about the journey that brought him to his music?