 From 1999-2004, Barone directed and performed in "The Downtown Messiah", a unique, multi-genre interpretation of Handel's baroque oratorio that was broadcast annually in December on over 200 public radio stations nationwide, and combined elements of pop, folk, blues, and jazz.A boxed set of Barone's first three studio albums was released in Europe in 2000 as "The Big Three" by Line Records, Germany.As a producer/director, he began to create large-scale concert events, including three all-star tributes to Peggy Lee at Carnegie Hall, the Hollywood Bowl, and Chicago's Ravinia Festival in 2003 and 2004.