Southern Rock and Roll Artist, Barry Borden (’72) Drums His Way In The Central Hall of Fame
May 9, 20171,245 Views
Shakespeare once said that “If music be the food of love, play on.” and that is what Central alumnus Barry Borden has been living by for the past 45 years.
Borden, graduating in 1972, has been living his rock’n’roll lifestyle ever since he left his alma mater. From small bands, including Mother’s Finest, to international bands, including The Marshall Tucker Band, Borden has been playing since he first started at Central.
“I knew I wanted to be a musician since I was 13 year olds. I grew up listening to the Beatles and when I was in band in high school, it was kind of what I have always enjoyed,” shared Borden.
Borden was involved in organizations such as the The Annual staff and JROTC, but Borden got his main recognition in the Central High School band room.
“Band was all I cared about in high school. It was and still is my life. Playing at pep rallies, being in orchestra, and competing in competitions was my life. I loved band and my life has benefited so much because of it.” commented Borden.
When Borden was not playing at pep rallies or “cutting a rug”, Borden started his professional music career playing at house gigs around the Chattanooga area.
“It was kind of funny when we went to play at house gigs. Because I wasn’t 18, they had to sneak me in the club to play”, joked Borden.
Although, Borden was already playing house gigs in Chattanooga his senior year of high school, Borden wanted to get out of his comfort zone and become a big shot. Borden graduated early and moved straight to Atlanta to begin his official career as a professional musician.
“When I moved to Atlanta in 1972, I played gigs with a bunch or small groups and bands, but it wasn’t until I started with Mother’s Finest that my music career was finally working,” said Borden.
Borden, being a part of the original Georgia group, in 1975, was the lead drummer, performing in some of their famous albums, including their self-titled album and Another Mother Further album. The band got their funky inspiration from the funk group Sly and The Family Stone, but almost seven years later disbanded.
After touring with other bands including ACDC, Earth, Wind, and Fire, and Aerosmith, Borden soon found the band he is still performing with today, The Marshall Tucker Band.
“I have been playing with the band since the 70’s and I have been with them ever since,” commented Borden.
The southern rock band has performed hits including “Fire On The Mountain” and “Can’t You See” and are still on tour today.
Borden, along with 4 other alums, will be inducted into the Central High School Hall of Fame next week at Central High School’s Senior Day on May 11th. Borden is very excited to be receiving this award and hopeful that he can influence current and future music students at Central to pursue their dreams in the music industry.
“I’ve always wanted to be a musician and if it wasn’t for my band directors at Central, I wouldn’t be here. My advice for future students is to never give up. The music business is a very strange industry and I totally encourage music kids to shoot for the stars,” concluded Borden.

Hi, my name is Savannah! I am a senior and this is my third year on the Central Digest Staff! I am the Editor-in-Chief for the Digest and I would...
Barry we re so proud of you buddy. You EARNED THIS RECOGNITION!
Play on.
George
Congratulations, Barry! So glad you were able to do what you really loved in life. Keep on trucking!
Whoo-Hooo Barry !!! Congratulations! Rock On !!!!
Congrats, Barry, on this well deserved honor! Perseverance paid off! Thanks for your encouragement to present Centralites!
Rock on brother!
Congratulations, Barry! Enjoyed the pleasure of playing in the Central Sound of Chattanooga for three years with Barry.
Way to go Barry. Your so deserving of this recognition! Such an inspiration to all Central students present & past! Congratulations!!!!
I’m so happy for you bury. I can honestly say that “I knew you when”. I believe you might have even played at my 13th birthday party in 1967 in our garage on heiskell drive. The music was good that’s all I remember. Congratulations on your lifelong achievement. I can’t really read music but I love music and I know all the words to many songs that Marshall Tucker band ever did. I’ve had much pleasure over the years singing along with the songs pop up in a public venue or at home or in my car.
Congratulations, we’re all proud of you!❤ Arlien and Robin Ryan
Magnificent accomplishment, saw you play with Mothers Finest @ The Georgia Jam. Thanks for all the years of Great “Rock and roll” Barry……..
Saw you at Rossville Federal with Scott. Scott had the flash paper. You were awesome then. We all grew up together with Brett with Silver Hammer Tom with Humor. I played for Spring Creek. Never got to meet you. My lose. Proud you made it and Congrats on the award.
I’m so proud of you Barry!! I always enjoyed being in the high school band!! It was the best class I had!!
Hey Barry. I’m proud of you man. I miss all you guys. If you don’t remember me I am stephs old friend. I hope y’all are doing well. Rock on!!!
BB please call me, miss you much!706 767-7886
Debbie Wallace. BB please call me, miss you much 706 767-7886…
Loved seeing u with mothers finest. I saw u for the first time in Lynchburg va . u guys filled the place for a grand opening of a mall. Was a great day thank u . i will always believe that was one of the best bands to come out of the 70’s..
I am very proud of your accomplishments Barry. I can also say” I knew you when”.!! Lol. You are such a talented musician. I have followed your career all these years!! Marshall Tucker is one of my all time favorite bands!! Keep on rockin” dear friend!!! Linda Stephens
Hey B.B. biggest fan ever. Yo dude u r the funkiest drummer I have ever seen. Saw u with Mother’s Finest in Tampa about 8 times. You inspired me to be the best self taught drummer I could be.Don’t loose the thunder.
Keith Williams
Could you please edit the word funniest to funkiest on my comment.
I just found this. congrats, Barry! You don’t remember me from Central. Although you remember my who I think worked with on the yearbook staff, Larry Barnes. He was probably the quietest one on the staff. I was able to see you in Cincinnati in 2017. When I went to the table to see if the band was coming out, the there said you all weren’t. Sorry I wasn’t able to talk with then.
Cathy Barnes, 2020
I left out that Larry is my brother from last comment.
Cathy
Congrats! Saw you with the Marshall Tucker Band 3 years ago. The concert was great. But the Mother’s Finest was the funkiest. I finally found a CD of your/their music. Loved it! You might remember my brother on the annual student staff at Central High in the first half of your year. Continue the great music.
Cathy Barnes. July 15, 2020. Go Pounders
I remember hearing you, Monty Coulter, David Young, and the rest of the band practice all the way to our house. I still have “The Horse” recording. I got to see you with MTB in Cincinnati, where I live now, in 2017. I also have one of the Mother’s Finest CD’S. 2x’s an ironic event happened when I went to see Molly Hatchett for outside concerts when considering “Flirtin’ with Disaster”. There was a bad storm at or right before them. The first was in Cincinnati, but I still got to see them. The other one was right before the Riverbed fest in Chattanooga. I had to miss it due to small children with being cold.. These concerts were around 2005. Well anyway, CONGRATS on Central’s Hall of Fame honor. You might remember my brother while you were on the annual yearbook staff, Larry Barnes.
Cathy Lee Barnes, Class ’73, GO POUNDERS
I always thought his greatest work was with Molly Hatchet (No Guts No Glory)
Dude l remember when l stationed in Germany from 1976 to 1979,and watching German tv l saw you live with Mother Finest you really rocked.
My god!!!I became hip to B.B. through the exalted Mother’s Finest in the 70’s.That red slingerland drum kit with the double bass.Incredible!I saw them numerous times as openers and as a headliner .They always burned the stage down.I mean nothing left but coals! I saw them recently and they still have Funk…but you sir are the coal that made the train roll ! I am not slighting there drummer now but damn BB is the man,the unit,thunder foot!!!I have all the early vinyl
and have wore them out.I was a art student in mid seventies and we used to crank Mothers Finest for inspiration.
Thank you sir for all the memories and so happy you are still carrying the torch.Congratulations on all of your accomplishments! I hope to meet you one day and thank you for all the music!