Richard “Barney” Carlson is an automotive research engineer by profession, an amateur race car driver on the weekends, and a long time percussion enthusiast. He marched Pit (front ensemble) percussion with the Sacramento Freelancers from 1991 to age-out in 1994. He also marched with the Lakeshoremen (senior corps) from Troy, MI from 2003 – 2007 on snare and 2nd bass drum. This was part of DCA competition. He placed 2 d at DCA I&E on bass drum in 2004 and 2005. 

Over the years, he has taught and supported various high school, WGI Open, and A-class independent drum lines.