About David Barrett

David Barrett is an Emmy-winning composer, songwriter, and producer. He is best known as the writer of “One Shining Moment,” the beloved anthem that has crowned the NCAA Basketball Finals for nearly four decades, inspiring audiences and players with its timeless celebration of achievement. Sung most famously by Luther Vandross, the song remains one of the most recognizable and enduring motivational pieces in the American songbook. Beyond that signature work, his wide-ranging career spans music for television, film, and live performance, including themes for the Olympics, PGA, and U.S. Tennis Open, and scoring award-winning PBS documentaries. A versatile performer and guitarist, Barrett blends Americana, folk, and lyrical storytelling marked by emotional honesty and craftsmanship. Despite national acclaim, he remains grounded in his creative roots—writing with “a guitar in my lap and hopefully a good idea percolating in my head…”