BARRY HAUGEN, a pioneer of the Canadian Country Music scene, passed away, December 1, 2025. He was 84. Born July 6, 1941 in Osage, SK, Barry Haugen entered the music world as a radio deejay at CFCW in Camrose, Alberta. He later re-located to Toronto. Ontario.

Barry Haugen is renowned for his many years as a Promotional and Artist & Repertoire executive with RCA Canada (BMG). During his many years with the label Barry Haugen provided his promotional expertise with the label's Nashville based touring acts Dolly Parton, Porter Wagoner, Charley Pride, Waylon Jennings, etc; as well as handling the national promotion of Canadian Country stars Hank Snow, Carroll Baker, Family Brown, Tommy Hunter, Ronnie Prophet, The Good Brothers, Dick Damron, The Mercey Brothers, and many others.

But this photo delivers an even bigger "story" about the man. When the announcement was made in April 2012 that "Country Music News" had come to an end after 32 years of publication...the first person who came to pay his respects for what CMN had meant to the Canadian Country Music industry was Barry Haugen. It was an unforgettable gesture by a man who cared for the people behind the scene !!

Barry Haugen is pictured here in CMN Offices in Ottawa (April 2012), displaying a copy of the final issue of "Country Music News", mourning the closure of the Canadian Country music newspaper after 32 years (383 months) of continuous publication (April, 1980 - March, 2012). Barry Haugen at the CMN office Photo Courtesy: Larry Delaney Music/Photo Archives.

Barry Haugen was among the founding members of the Academy Of Country Music Entertainment (ACME), the fore-runner of the CCMA. He served on the Board Of Directors of the organization, and co-chaired their Awards & Balloting Committee. Barry Haugen was elected President of the Country Music Association of Ontario (CMAO) in 2008. Barry Haugen was twice named Record Company Person Of The Year - and Record Industry Person Of The Year - 1982 and 1985.

Editor’s Note: Barry Haugen was the first national "Country Music" promotion manager for a major record company. Eventually Artist and Repertoire duties were added to his responsibilities making him RCA Canada's point man to discover talent, sign them, arrange for production of their albums and then market those albums both domestically and internationally. Since he from BMG, Barry was involved with a management and booking company based in Saint John, NB as well as doing private consulting. He built close personal friendships with international stars like Charley Pride, Dolly Parton the late Waylon Jennings and Hank Snow. It was his abiding belief that Canada's country stars are world-class that has endeared him to industry people everywhere. 
Barry Haugen was truly a man who loved the music. For those worked with him we all knew his passionate side. He will be missed.