Treeline Spotlight: David Barrett

written by Greg L. Hughes

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Since September 2018, the multi-talented David Barrett has brought his commitment to the environment to the Treeline Conservancy’s Board of Directors. When not leading Good Friends Music or acting as a publisher at Hodges Song Supply/ASCAP, David is a tireless advocate for youth and the environment.

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A Musical Legacy

Throughout a career dedicated to nurturing creative talent, Mr. Barrett’s music has reached audiences around the world. He is the creator of one of the greatest sports anthems of all time, “One Shining Moment”, which concludes every NCAA March Madness game.

But what brought the composer on the Treeline board? Get to know Mr. Barrett and what motivates him below.

Q & A

What initially drew you to the Treeline Conservancy?

Actually, I knew nothing about the Treeline until my friend Joe O'Neal asked me to have coffee with him to discuss it. We had worked together on both the Argo Pond issue and the building of the Argo Cascades years before.

There will be so many positives that come out of the Treeline’s completion, which one excites you the most?

When I see what Argo Pond and Argo Cascades have become, it is very heartening. It took time, hard work, and good will. Now it is thriving. The same will be true with our Treeline. It will uniquely connect our fair town on so many levels.

What keeps you engaged with the Treeline?

Well, Joe has carried the torch for all these years, while I'm a newcomer by comparison. But I learned with my Argo experience, that these projects simply take time - often far more time than you wish. But I know that generations will thank us...even though they won't know our names. That motivates me.

What is your favorite way to enjoy public trails?

Well, I'm a walker, which is one of the reasons that I refer to the Treeline as practical environmentalism at its best. To be able to walk vs. drive around the city works for heart and health reasons, while being a pragmatic solution for some of the traffic issues of our Ann Arbor.