Remembering Barney Kilpatrick
• James Barney Kilpatrick, probably best known for his many years at Warner Bros. Records, passed away Friday, December 3, 2021, at the age of 65.
Kilpatrick studied journalism at LSU and law at Tulane, breaking into the music industry as a DJ on Tulane’s radio station, WTUL, while also promoting and managing local New Orleans acts like The Radiators. After subsequent on-air stints at WTIX and WLTS/New Orleans, Kilpatrick moved to Los Angeles to work for IRS Records. His success at IRS led him to Warner Bros. Records, where he rose to become SVP of Promotion and Marketing.
In 2000, Kilpatrick moved his family to Atlanta and started his own label, Rattlesby Records, later adding artist management and booking services. In 2016, he and his wife Valerie took the opportunity as empty-nesters to return to New Orleans where he formed a partnership and continued to work with artists like Blane Howard, The New Orleans Suspects, Nefesh Mountain, Perpetual Groove, and others.
According to Kilpatrick’s obituary, “Barney fought depression and anxiety throughout his life and his death was the result of losing that battle. In lieu of flowers, gifts can be made in Barney’s honor/memory to the New Orleans Musicians’ Clinic suicide prevention program and/or to the AFSP Suicide Prevention Program, Louisiana Chapter.”
Kilpatrick is survived by Valerie, his wife of 34 years, and their four children: Jimmy, Katherine, Charlie, and Mary. Funeral services will be held this Saturday, Dec. 11 at 2pm at the Jacob Schoen and Son Funeral Home, 3827 Canal St., New Orleans, LA 70119. Visitation begins at noon and a reception will follow. To view the chapel service via livestream and to sign the guestbook, please visit schoenfh.com.
