Purple Tales Podcast

Brian Eppes was eight years old when he landed the role of Michael in the very first video that started the magic: Barney and The Backyard Gang 1988. Now a criminal defense attorney, Brian’s memories cover five years of “edu-tainment” … and plenty of video clips to help him along.

Cast as Sarah at the tender age of eight, Hayden Tweedie appeared in seasons seven and eight, then hit the road in Barney's Colorful World Tour. Hayden shares lovely memories of pics with her Barney friends, including Demi and Selena.

Director Fred Holmes reveals true Barney magic with personal, behind-the-scenes rehearsal footage with Carey actually out of the suit. "It took a lot of work to make it look simple," recalls this Emmy-nominated director of 98 episodes of Barney & Friends and 53 home videos. From putting the kids through Barney camp to helping Carey negotiate the Barney suit, Fred has some amazing Purple Tales. As he remembers, "Everyone can make a living. Not everyone can make a difference."

Imagine being the on-set teacher for Barney's kids. For two seasons, Anne Marie Hurlbut tutored your favorite kids and shares her class notes to prove it. Going to school has never sounded like so much fun!

Carey and Nancy cull through the questions from YouTube and iTunes and everywhere you can find Purple Tales. The answers may surprise you!

Starting with Barney’s creation, former teacher Debbie Ries reveals how Barney grew from a simple idea to a worldwide phenomenon. No one had experience with sales and marketing but with a mapped out trajectory of what Barney could be, the iconic purple dinosaur was born.

You remember Min on Barney & Friends’ first three seasons! Today Pia Manolo Hamilton performs eight shows a week in The Lion King on Broadway … but Barney is always in her heart. It’s an inspiring Purple Tale of doing what you love and sharing it with the world.

Professor Erasmus Q. Tinkerputt, Barry Pearl created one of Barney’s most beloved pals; as Doody in 1978’s GREASE, Barry created one of Travolta’s favorite Thunderbirds. Barry regales us with his acting background and weaves a rich tapestry of Barney magic while keeping us in stitches (and plenty of show-and-tell).

Backyard Kid Derek turned rapper, Rickey L. Carter has been to hell and back since his Barney days. But he's a survivor with a powerful message of inclusion and diversity and, of course, that Barney magic.

The curtain is lifted on Barney’s live shows when head of stage tours Sloan Coleman and production director Jake Berry talk the Barney phenomenon with Carey.

Bob West calls himself “anonymously famous" but as the original voice of Barney, we call him super-deeeee-duper!

The brilliantly visual mind of production designer Bob Lavallee gives us new insight into the Barney magic.

Nancy interviews Carey about his 22 years as Barney … or she is interviewing Barney about his 22 years with Carey???

Barney director Brian Mack shares stories from the set and working with an 11-year-old Selena Gomez.

It’s the Business of Barney when Carey invites his former publicist Jackie Smith to share her Purple Tales. And Nancy reveals The Barney Principle of Business.

After playing Hannah on three seasons of Barney & Friends, Marisa Kuers Mailhes has plenty of Purple Tales to share about life on and off the set. And she still sings the “I Love You” song to her kids every night, which she performs for you, Carey and Nancy!

It's truly a magical reunion when Carey welcomes both BJs --- Patty "the voice" Wirtz and Kyle "the body" Nelson --- to share their Purple Tales. How did Patty come up with the voice? How did Kyle handle her voice in his head? And how did BJ change their lives? The answers are right here, along with lots of laughs and love.

Step right, step back and do a little slide with host Carey "Barney" Stinson and Shelley "performance director" Aubrey as they bring Barney & Friends to life. It's all about connection and inclusion - and a whole lotta love - according to co-host Nancy Jay.

Who put words in Barney’s mouth and pep in his step? Head writer Steve White recalls the best of times and has Carey Stinson and Nancy Jay laughing out loud. You will, too!

Who knew Aerosmith's Steven Tyler is a Barney fan... and who knew a Barney player would wind up in a Beastie Boys tribute band! Soon everyone will know when host Carey Stinson and Josh Martin share tales from inside AND outside their purple suits, while co-host Nancy Jay lives out every kids' dream and spends an hour between two Barneys.

Remember Barney's national tours? Carey Stinson and Courtney Cook Chevera reminisce about life on the road during the 1996 national tour for Barney's Big Surprise. Courtney's mom/chaperone joins the conversation to answer Nancy Jay's questions about living on a tour bus for a year. If you're happy and you know it, don't miss this Purple Tales Podcast!

Host Carey “Barney” Stinson can’t resist doing the Dino Dance when Barney Musical Director Joe Phillips starts singing for a "notable" stroll down memory lane. Upon learning that Joe was also the sound designer for feature films while writing for Barney, co-host Nancy Jay just has to ask: Who’s more difficult to work with… Barney or Mel Gibson?

Hang out with the guys inside the suits!Your PURPLE TALES host Carey “Barney” Stinson brings in his pal Jeff “Baby Bop” Ayers to reminiscence about their magical Barney days on the road and off - from a run-away elephant to a wedding proposal atop the Empire State Building.Amid the laughs and tears, co-host Nancy Jay gets to the bottom of how and why PURPLE TALES came to be.About Jeff AyersJeff Ayers' path to Baby Bop began on a football field in Greenville, Texas, where he spent his senior year in a lion's costume. Making it a calling, Jeff received a mascot scholarship at a junior college, where he was twice named one of the top five mascots in the nation, and went on to receive another mascot scholarship at Lamar University in Beaumont. After graduation, Jeff lived out his dream as a professional mascot for the Dallas Cowboys and Dallas Mavericks. But Jeff is most proud of his years as part of the Barney Family and making kids happy.