In the 1970s, he performed as an opening act for several acts such as Tom Waits, Cheech and Chong, and Frank Zappa.
He also made appearances in the 1975 film Nashville, and in Cheech and Chong's Next Movie.
[1][2] Barnett also wrote a short story entitled "The Chain of Love" which appeared in the book Chicken Soup for the Country Soul.
He and songwriter Rory Lee Feek later adapted this story into the song "The Chain of Love", which was a Top 5 country hit for Clay Walker in 2000.
[3] Barnett died of a stroke at the age of 56, on August 18, 2002, in Nashville.