Max T. Barnes wrote his first hit song at the age of 19, Vern Gosdin's "Way Down Deep". And he's been topping the charts ever since. Writing "Let Go of the Stone" by John Anderson - "At the Sound of the Tone" by John Schneider - "Before You Kill Us All" by Randy Travis - 3 Weeks at #1 with "That's How Your Love Makes Me Feel" by Diamond Rio - and 3 Weeks at #1 with "Love, Me" by Colin Raye.

Later that year, "Love, Me", the career launching hit For Colin Raye also took Max T. to the CMA awards as a CMA "Song of the Year" Nominee. But Max T. Barnes did not win it that time around. Among other greats, he was up against his dad, legendary songwriter Max D. Barnes. His father took home the award that night with "Look At Us", a song written by him and Vince Gill. "My poor mom didn't know who to root for", Max T. remembers. "I am proud to have been a part of the only father/son competition in CMA history." His father, Max D., had also won in 1989 with "Chiseled In Stone".

Sadly, January 2004 brought tragedy to the Barnes family. Max D. Barnes and his wife of nearly 50 years, Patsy, both passed away within the span of 74 days. The outpouring of support was overwhelming, both from the music and local communities. Max D.'s passing was mentioned at the Grammy Awards, in Rolling Stone, and in the New York Times. As their son, Max T. had a lot of grieving to do, "I knew I had to step back for a year or so just to get a handle on losing this huge hunk of my world", he recalls.

When Max T. was ready to get back to business, he signed with Bro'n Sis Music a division of publishing giant, Carlin America, who holds copyrights ranging from;
"Take Me Out To The Ballgame" to "Back in Black". He's back to writing full time and producing. His production experience comes from 26 years in the studio as a guitar player and songwriter, as well as producing Rodney Atkins, Jeff Carson, Blake & Brian and Amy Dally for Curb Records, and The Marie Sisters for Universal Records.
His songwriting credits range from Ralph Stanley to Montgomery Gentry. Poison to George Jones. "I write what my publisher needs, all 3 kinds of songs, Singles! Singles! Singles!" Barnes states. Among his last singles were two Joe Diffie hits, "A Night to Remember" and "Tougher Than Nails".

JoDee Messina's first single of 2007 is "Biker Chick", written by Max T. Barnes and Kelly Archer. Max is healthy, happy and blessed raising cows and chickens with his lovely wife Robin and their son, Riley and daughter, Etta.