Mike Barker: A Visit with an OFest Expert

As Oktoberfest season rolls around each year, it’s fun to recall the good times at past festivals. While polka bands play all year, there are those that really stand out and shine during the fall festivals. One that readily comes to mind is Alpenfest, led by tuba player Mike Barker. The band hasn’t been on the Ofest scene since the 2013 Wurstfest, and the group made its last professional appearance at the 2014 Brenham Maifest. It wasn’t the ending that Mike would have written for Alpenfest. But it was a decision he had to make because of his battle with Parkinson’s disease.

Diagnosed in 2005, Mike was able to keep performing until the tremors associated with the disease became unmanageable. He underwent a procedure in December 2014 to implant a deep brain stimulator, which continues to do a good job of controlling the tremors.

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