“Try to help someone and try to give back where you can,” advised Robert Barnett.
Robert Barnett has a giving heart and loves to assist others. He has always been a hard worker and done what he can to make a difference for others; in fact, he started working the occupation he’s most well-known for when he was only a teenager.
“I started to DJ when my daddy died in 1966, and I was just 14 years old,” remembered Robert. “I needed to take care of my mama, so I tried to figure out a way to make some money. I went into the music business and started spinning records and stuff like that. I started out with the HeadStart back in ’66.”
He has a different name that he typically uses when he’s a DJ: Dr. Love. He uses his skills to help others as much as he can at different events.
“My middle name is Loven, so I just left the ‘n’ off,” said Robert. “I’ve done clubs, weddings, and a little of everything dealing with music. I try to just help somebody. I wasn’t really making much money, just $10-15 a show back then. I try to help people by not charging a fortune to DJ.”
Over the years, he has developed a reputation with his music. His success even garnered the attention of the Mississippi State Senate.
“My cousin, Juan Barnett, is a representative in one of the districts,” stated Robert. “I would travel with him when they would have tailgates and stuff like that. The Lieutenant Governor and Juan recognized me with the Mississippi State Senate back in 2017.”
Along with accepting jobs for different events, Dr. Love makes regular appearances at a club.
“I spin records at a club in Jasper County,” expressed Robert. “I play down there on weekends—every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.”
While he is known for his skills as a DJ, Robert has also held other jobs over the years.
“I worked at a lumber company for 37 years,” informed Robert.
Once he left his job with the lumber company, he was given the opportunity to start a new job with the City of Quitman.
“I’ve been with the city for 12 years,” declared Robert. “I work up at the ball park. I do the fields and keep the grass cut and all that. Eddie Fulton gave me the job with the city in 2011, and Brian Dace gave me the job at the baseball park. Really, I take care of it now.”
Music isn’t his only passion. Growing up, he also enjoyed sports and made some great memories with them.
“I like baseball. I attended school in Heidelburg and played baseball in high school,” recalled Robert. “When I moved to Quitman, I started playing baseball again.”
His love for music and baseball even overlapped.
“I used to play over in Rose Hill. I would spin off the back of my truck,” expressed Robert. “People would come and watch because they hadn’t ever seen someone out on the baseball field on the back of his truck.”
He is humble about his accomplishments and doesn’t care about possessions as much as he cares about those around him. With each day that passes, Robert works hard doing what he loves while make everyone around him smile.
If you would like to nominate someone for Person of the Week, contact Brittney Mangum at 601-776-3726.
