Arts & Entertainment

Mozingo Duo Shares Life with 6-Strings

Meet Barry King and his guitar teacher Doug Byrkit, two of your neighbors from Mozingo Music in Ellisville.

Barry King, Student

How long have you been playing your instrument?
        • 6.5 years on guitar
        • 3 years on trumpet
        • 4 years on piano

Where do you go to school?
       • Selvidge Middle School 

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What musical honors have you recently received?
       • 1st Place State Wide School Six Flags Band Competition
       • Talent Show
       • 1 Rating from Solo and Ensemble Festival 

What other activities do you participate in?
       • Playing trumpet in school band 

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What are your goals for the future/college?
       • Attend a university to major in music 

Who/what is your favorite artist/band?
       • Mindless Self Indulgence (MSI) 

What is your favorite type of music?
       • Punk
       • Metal
       • Horror Punk

 

Doug Byrkit, Instructor

What instrument(s) do you teach?
       • Bass Guitar and Guitar 

How long have you been playing your instrument?
       • 21+ Years

What school did you attend/degrees do you have?
       • SIUE - Bachelor of Jazz Performance in 1998
       • SIUE - Master of Jazz Performance in 2009

What is your favorite thing about teaching?
       • When a student has that 'eureka' moment of how to apply what you've been trying to show them.

What musical honors have you received that you are most proud of?
       • My degrees
       • Being recognized twice by the Memphis Chapter of the Grammy Association for outstanding song writing
       • Being invited to record at the legendary Sun Studio in Memphis
       • Becoming a voting member of ASCAP
       • Having songs featured on The Discovery Channel's The Deadliest Catch and in the movie "The Best Laid Schemes"

Are you currently performing by yourself or with a band in the local area? If so, where and with whom?
I currently perform around the area as a solo artist, as a member of several groups, and as a faculty member of Lewis & Clark College and McKendree University. A few websites are listed below:

       • www.thebreakersmusic.com/

        • www.thebreakersmusic.com 

      •  www.midworldproductions.com 

      •  www.galaxyband.com 

       • www.lc.edu 

       • www.mckendree.edu

Who/what is your favorite artist/band?
       • The Beatles
       • Miles Davis
       • Ray Brown
       • Bill Evans
       • Radiohead
       • The Police
       • Chopin
       • Beethoven
       • James Brown
       • Tower of Power
       • Led Zeppelin

What are some simple tips you can give on how to be a better player/singer?
       • Be open-minded
       • Listen to everything you possibly can
       • Learn everything you possibly can
       • Learn from everyone you possibly can
       • Listen and play every day
       • The only way to really become the best player you can be is to change your lifestyle so that listening to music, practicing music, and playing music is not like a chore or homework but a part of everyday activity.

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