KNOXVILLE, TN (CelebrityAccess) — Philip Barber, founder and President of Knoxville-based talent agency Barber & Associates, died on Monday after a battle with pancreatic cancer. He was 63.
According to a biography from Barber & Associates, Phil began promoting concerts featuring local bands while he was still in high school. While attending the University of Tennessee, he joined the Campus Entertainment Board and produced concerts for the school by artists such as Elton John, Jackson Browne, James Taylor, and Harry Chapin.
He founded Barber & Associates in 1977, with the company focusing on corporate bookings and special event management for everything from musical entertainment and comedy, to sports speakers and political figures.
In 2001 Barber produced The Presidential Trust Reception & Dinner at the Mayflower Hotel in Washington, D.C. for the inauguration of the 43rd President of the United States, George W. Bush. Trent Lott, Senate Majority Leader hosted the event. The Spinners were the featured entertainment.
Barber also served a two-year tenure on the International Entertainment Buyers Association (IEBA) Board of Directors. While on the board, Barber co-chaired the association’s Internet Task Force, helping to update the organization’s digital presence and providing members with new ways to utilize technology in their businesses.
