David Barbe grew up in Atlanta, Georgia, where he attended Ridgeview High School and began playing in bands during the 1970s. Barbe’s parents were influential in his love as music as both his parents, John and Jane Barbe were big band musicians as well as creating Jingles.

David Barbe arrived in Athens, Georgia in 1981 to attend the University of Georgia, and stepped straight into a music scene that would help shape his entire life.

The move to Athens quickly found Barbe immersed in the creative energy of the music in Athens—playing with local punk bands like Bar-B-Que Killers, Mercyland and later Buzz Hungry . When Mercyland disbanded in 1991, Barbe didn’t slow down. While taking the lead in Buzz Hungry, he caught the attention of Bob Mould from the band Husker Du and joined his band Sugar, a band that was part of an explosion of indie alternative rock, helping to shape Sugar’s evolving sound before departing in 1995. Years later, that musical connection would come full circle with a reunion performance at the Treasure Island Music Festival in 2009.

But one of the most defining turns in Barbe’s story happened behind the scenes. A call from John Keane opened the door to studio work—and a whole new creative path. Under Keane’s mentorship, Barbe mastered the art of production and engineering, laying the foundation for what would become an extraordinary part of his life, losing count of up to 400 albums he has produced, mixed or engineered.

In 1997, he co-founded Chase Park Transduction in Athens, a studio that would become a cornerstone of the city’s music legacy. From there, Barbe went on to produce hundreds of records—working with artists like Drive-By Truckers, Deerhunter, The Glands, Amy Ray, k.d. lang, and R.E.M.. Somewhere along the way, the number of albums he’s worked on climbed into the hundreds—so many, he’s stopped counting.

And as if that weren’t enough, Barbe continues to shape the next generation of artists as director of the Music Business Certificate Program at the University of Georgia—bringing his journey full circle, right back to where it all began.

Barbe, a firm believer of family first — and his wife, Amy, have three children — a daughter and 2 sons. . He is a past president of the Athens-Clarke County Little League baseball league and has managed his sons' all-star teams to several city championships.

Barbe’s name has been equated as one of the best producers in Athens, attracting bands from all over. He has been a stronghold for musicians here for a long time and I don’t see him stopping any time soon.

Barbe gave me the opportunity to ask him about things he doesn’t necessarily get a chance to answer often. Here is me, talking to David Barbe.

AthCastMusic (©): The Music of Athens Georgia, Now and Then

SEASON: 5 EPISODE: 57

LENGTH: :55

PUBLISHED: April 16, 2026

UPDATED WEEKLY ON THURSDAY’s or Fridays

ENGINEER: KAYLA DOVER

RECORDED AT TWEED RECORDING AUDIO PRODUCTION SCHOOL

https://tweedrecording.com

Produced by Marlene Sokol Stewart

Photos and Camera: Raya Ackleh

Contact for David Barbe:

dbarbe@uga.edu

Email: marlene@athcastmusic.com

Instagram: AthCastMusic

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61550294283019

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