Naturally Dikki took an interest in playing music he always wanted to be a Drummer banging on pots, pans, coffee cans or whatever he could get his hands on. He did however at his parents request start out playing trombone in the school band, but in 1967 Dikki got his first set of drums for Christmas and that was it for the trombone he began to study the drums with a passion taking lessons from anyone he could find so by the time Dikki was 13, he was playing with local older, high school musicians, in dance bands.

Playing in a variety of differant Rock and Roll Bands with names like DIRTYBIRD, MIDNIGHT EXPRESS, QUANTRILL'S RAIDERS and SPECTRUM BLUE... (a 11 piece band complete with a horn section, although this band didn't make much money do to it's membership it was a whole lot of fun) also while in Jr. High School Dikki performed with the UP WITH PEOPLE Sing Out America group while also gaining knowledge playing in the pit bands for local productions of GODSPELL and JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR.

Another group Dikki performed and toured with was The MARKSMAN a Southern Gospel Quartet that toured the Missiouri,Kanas,and Oklahoma areas. Playing Concerts with other Gospel Groups like The Blackwood Brothers, The Oak Ridge Boys and JD Sumner and the Stamps Quartet. This later in turn lead to a Summer Concert job playing with J.D. Sumner and the Stamps Quartet and Kelly La Rue a popular Country & Western singer from the TV show HEE-HAW.

After Graduation from Mexico Senior High in 1975 .. Barnes attended Culver-Stockton College in Canton Mo. majoring in music, while taking private Drum & Percussion lessons under Hugh Sebbs at Quincy University. Dikki and his bands worked out of the local union hall. Playing area concerts with Mary MacGregor and Hamilton,Joe Frank & Renolds and playing in Bands opening for Head East, Lobo, Mungo Jerry.

After two years of college Dikki Barnes returned home to Mexico Mo. Where along with Bass player Randy Jones, Guitarists Roger Haley and Carrol Ray Dollens re-formed the group MEZMER a High Energy Rock Show Band that dominated the Rock and Roll Club Arena. Jimi Foreman was added as Lead Singer and front man for the group augmenting the already Powerhouse Quartet. When musical differences in 1979 lead to the departure of Carrol Ray to pursue other musical interests... Frosty Vestal was brought into the band to replace him. For the next five years MEZMER Dominated the Midwest area preforming Concerts & Shows at County Fairs, Bars & Clubs, all thru the Midwest.

After a while all the rehearsals, shows, and road life in general over the past years began to take its toll on Dikki and the band so the group for various Family, Religous and Musical Reasons Parted ways.... Barnes himself after a short Tour with the RIVERSIDE AVENUE BAND found himself looking for something different.

NOT JUST A JOB BUT AN ADVENTURE....... Dikki decided what the Hell and he joined the United States Navy looking for a break from music, only 48 hours later to find himself the Drum Section Leader in the Navy Recruit Training Marching Band at Great Lakes, Ill. before moving on to advanced training at the Naval Amphibious Base at Coranado, California.

After his enlistment and adventures in many countries around the world. Dikki Barnes returned home to Mexico and not yet wanting to return to the road full time Dikki began playing with various local bands. Working with bands such as CODE ZERO, DIVERSION, and CRYSTAL CREEK on different projects over the next several years.