Andrew Barr
ANDREW BARR has spent more than 30 years making religious television programmes for both ITV and the BBC, where he produced many editions of the popular programme Songs of Praise. Until June 2000, he was BBC Scotland’s Head of Education and Religious Broadcasting. He currently chairs GRF Christian Radio, an award-winning team of volunteers making Christian radio programmes, as well as the advisory committee for the Media and Theology Project based at New College, Edinburgh. He is the author of Lion’s Songs of Praise books: Songs of Praise, Songs of Praise: A Christmas Companion and A Lent & Easter Companion, The Nation’s Favourite Hymns and most recently, Through the Year with Songs of Praise. Andrew is often interviewed on BBC local radio stations about his work.
Born in Kent, he now lives with his wife, Liz, in the Midlothian countryside outside Scotland’s capital city.
Praise for Andrew Barr
'A gentle, reflective book, full of delights. It takes us behind the scenes of a much-loved BBC series, and does far more than that, revealing the author's wise and thoughtful insights and introducing us to some of the memorable people and places he has visited.'
John Rutter about Songs of Praise: A Christmas Companion
‘The compiler skilfully and engagingly explains the background and the author of the hymn – and then widens the discussion, so that the book encompasses many areas of hymnody… Andrew Barr succeeds in writing for readers who are almost totally ignorant of hymns, while not alienating hymn experts: a remarkable achievement.’
Hymn Society of Great Britain & Ireland Bulletin about The Nation’s Favourite Hymns
'While intensely personal... this work is enjoyably readable and accessible to both those simply seeking a "good read" and those looking for a different path for Lent and Easter.'
Life & Work about Songs of Praise: A Lent & Easter Companion