After being discharged from the Army, Barnes played his way back to Detroit. He was discovered by trumpeter Donald Byrd who insisted that Barnes come to Howard University and play with a new band he was putting together, the Blackbyrds. Barnes traveled the world with Donald Byrd and the Blackbyrds. The band's first album went gold with Barnes writing two of the songs: "Summer Love" and "The Blackbyrds Theme". The band's second album, Flying Start, contained the hit single "Walking in Rhythm", with Barnes being featured on flute.