RED Loses Singer After 20 Years

Michael Barnes' departure was a decision made about a year ago, with the singer approaching his bandmates to express his desire to step away permanently and focus on his family. The band, co-founded by Barnes and brothers Anthony and Randy Armstrong in 2002, has been a unit for nearly two decades. The upcoming tour celebrates the 20th anniversary of their debut album, *End of Silence*, which was originally released in 2006. This album earned the band a Grammy nomination for Best Rock Gospel Album and featured the popular single "Breathe Into Me". The tour will kick off on May 9 in Daytona Beach, Florida, and will feature special guests Ra, Kingdom Collapse, and Twist It. AJ Reingardt from the band OHKAYA will be filling in on lead vocals for the anniversary tour as the band searches for a permanent replacement. This tour also marks the return of drummer Dan Johnson, who has been on a four-year hiatus from the group. Fans will have one last opportunity to see Michael Barnes perform with RED. His final show is scheduled for Friday, June 5th, in Dallas, Texas, where the band will play through *End of Silence* and other fan favorites to celebrate their time together. While the band continues, Barnes has hinted at a new musical project. He posted an image on Instagram with the caption "The Redeemers Coming Soon," suggesting his musical career is not over. RED has seen significant success over the years, with their third album, *Until We Have Faces* (2011), reaching No. 2 on the Billboard 200 chart. Their 2015 album, *Of Beauty and Rage*, won Rock Album of the Year at the GMA Dove Awards. Their most recent studio album with Barnes, *Rated R*, was released in 2023.