ohn Byrne, a retired chemical engineer who worked in petroleum refineries and chemical plants grew up in Kansas City (Westport HS Class of 1964), studied engineering at University of Missouri at Rolla (Missouri S&T) and played euphonium during his college years. John developed his trombone chops in Southeast Kansas, playing in a big band named Ye Big Olde Dance Band and in the Independence, Kansas “Mid-Continent Band” where he was the vice-president of the adult community band for over 20 years. John played dance gigs with YBODB in Kansas, Missouri, Oklahoma, and Arkansas for many years before coming back to Kansas City. John first joined the Overtones in 1999 but has continuously played since 2007 in the band. John also plays trombone in the North Star Band in Gladstone, MO and occasionally in other musical groups in the area. One of John’s favorite musical activities is Gladstone’s Theater in the Park during the summer where he plays trombone or euphonium in the pit band. John is very proud of five daughters and two granddaughters, so some non-musical activities include travel to the east coast and to Arizona to visit his family. John likes travel and camping in tents with his family. John is also into foreign languages (German and Russian) and likes to travel overseas.