Mike Barker (2)

Tuba player from Texas. Barker was born in Algoa, Texas on November 7, 1953 and passed away at age 66 in Corpus Christi, Texas on May 3, 2020. He lived in the Houston area for many years. Barker began playing tuba in middle school and started performing German music in 1970. He formed German folk band Alpenfest in 1984. Prior to Alpenfest, he also played with the Galveston Beach Band, his own Tijuana Brass Band, and Die Bergvagabunden. He was also a member of the Dixieland band at amusement park Astroworld. Barker played with Alpenfest in the United States and Europe and organized and led tour groups with Alpenfest from 1991 to 2014. He retired from touring and music in 2014 due to complications from Parkinson’s disease.