Devon Barley was pushed by his father to be a singer but took the practical approach, following in his footsteps as a chiropractor.
Despite his gift, Barley, who worked for three years at his father’s practice, Barley Wellness in Fairhaven, decided that caring for people was his calling. After a year and a half of learning how to run a business, he opened Greenwich Bay Chiropractic on Main Street in East Greenwich on Aug. 2.
It was a hard decision for Barley, who had dreams of a singing career, coming off a successful stint on the popular television show “The Voice” in 2011.
However, thoughts of living a bohemian life, performing in different cities every other night didn’t appeal to him. “It wasn’t as fulfilling as I thought it would be,” he said.
His journey led him to a pre-med education at the University of Vermont, which he departed for Hollywood his sophomore year to appear on the show.
The move was fortuitous for Barley, as he met his wife, Liz, who is a physician’s assistant practicing at Ortho Rhode Island.
After graduation from UVM, Barley attended Life University in Atlanta, his father’s alma mater, and earned his chiropractic degree. Now he treats patients with an assortment of physical ailments, something he learned from his father.
“I never had a doubt,” he said. “This is my purpose.”
Cassius Shuman is a PBN staff writer. Email him at Shuman@PBN.com.
