Danny Barnes

When Danny Barnes hits the road, he’s packing light — a banjo, a hybrid banjo/electric guitar, a backpack with a Mac for looping and other sonic madness, and a suitcase.

What’s inside his head is the heavy part. Barnes stopped in Roanoke on Wednesday night to open a show for William Walter at Martin’s. And he played some amazing stuff, including this new song from his album, “Rocket,” called “Wine.”

You’ll hear most of his introduction in the beginning, but what I didn’t record was the fact that he was inspired to write this one while while laid up sick and watching “Cops” repeatedly. See, junk TV has a purpose, too.

Listen to Barnes find different ways to harmonize with a freak-jazz looping melody he cooked up on the Mac. The guy is a brilliant musician, but probably too out there for mass consumption. Who needs the masses anyway.

Stay golden, Danny Barnes.