PRESS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

The George Barrie Band Releases “Hot Air Balloon,”

Lead Single from Upcoming Album Any Other Way

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The George Barrie Band lifts off on May 22nd with Hot Air Balloon, a feel-good tune about young lovers turned old lovers. Inspired by George’s own high school love story, the song takes an unexpected turn to a psychedelic bridge that flips the song on its head and lands somewhere between Jason Mraz’s pop sensibility, John Mayer’s guitar feel, and a groovy Vulfpeck rhythm section.

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Following a series of acoustic releases, Hot Air Balloon is the lead single from George’s upcoming album Any Other Way (due Nov 6).  The release marks a new sonic direction for the band shaped alongside local legend Jeff Ciampa as producer and bassist with Tony McClung (drums), Jim Ed Cobb (keys/percussion), and Robert Mason (organ).

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Hot Air Balloon can be found on all streaming services on May 22, 2026 and on vinyl following the November 6th full length album release. 

 

The song’s opening line, “Meet me at the canyon” references a local quarry that our friends would drive out to… sitting on the edge, taking in the view, and sometimes strumming my guitar. Later my girlfriend (now wife) mentioned riding in a hot air balloon was a long time bucket list adventure.  Cut to George perusing used hot air balloons for sale on craigslist, ultimately deciding that was a horrible idea.  The idea stuck and eventually found its way into a song, and now, full circle, into real life with a scheduled flight alongside pilot Russel Jerg of Columbus Aeronauts.

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UPCOMING PERFORMANCES

• May 28, 2026 — Easton’s Groove in the Yard (6:00–9:00 PM)

• June 12, 2026 — Columbus Arts Festival, Genoa Park Stage (4:15–5:00 PM)

 

ABOUT THE GEORGE BARRIE BAND

George Barrie’s upbeat blend of groovy rock n’ roll is inspired by bluesy songwriters across genres and generations. George first picked up his dad’s red Duo-Sonic Fender guitar at age 11 and has since built a career as a musician, songwriter, and producer in Columbus, Ohio.

 

The George Barrie Band debuted in 2016 with the full length album Keep Dreaming followed by Boomerang in 2019 along with a music video for the song Maybe.  Family Tree and Sangria are two self produced singles with which George recorded and mixed everything in his home studio, grabbing various percussion and stringed instruments to fill out the tracks during the 2020 shutdown.