Tony Pasko

    Each week millions of television viewers track the lives of the Robertson family (Si, Jase, Phil and Kay, Willie and Korie).

    They are the focus of “Duck Dynasty” the wildly popular reality series on the A&E Network, filmed near West Monroe, La., where Phil began making duck calls nearly 40 years ago, which has turned into the Duck Commander business empire.

    Local fans will be proud to know that the music that flows through each episode of “Duck Dynasty” is produced here in Meridian by Tony Pasko.

    “It’s exciting,” Pasko said Tuesday. “I do all the music in Meridian in my studio.”

    The show’s production company, Gurney Productions, gives Pasko some rough ideas on what sort of music they are looking for with various situations — whether it will be tied to a scene that provides comic relief, or while the guys are hunting, or working.

    The opening theme for the show is “Sharp Dressed Man” by ZZ Top.

    “They ask for music that meets the brand,” Pasko said, meaning that a lot of it has a southern rock or country flavor.

    “I do a lot of banjo and country guitar picking for the show,” said Pasko, who has been in the music business for more than 15 years.

    In May Pasko released his first CD through Down Boy Records, an eight song instrumental titled “Noise.” In October he released an instrumental holiday CD with 12 tracks of Christmas music in various styles called “Band of Elves.” Both CDs are available through his website www.tonypasko.com.

    Pasko also writes for the guitar lesson DVD series RockHouse Method, and he can be heard 3-5 p.m. weekdays with Al Brown on radio station WMOX 1010 AM.

    Brown and Pasko also play music together. Pasko said they call their acoustic duo D String. They are scheduled to play in the Balcony Bar at Weidmann’s Restaurant, 210 22nd Ave., on Thursday at 8 p.m.

    Pasko’s music will be heard on more television shows in the future. One series in pre-production for A&E will give him a chance to rock a little more.

    “They told me they wanted something that sounds like a cross between Muddy Waters, Kurt Cobain and Jack White,” Pasko said. “That should be interesting.”

    Pasko hasn’t met the “Duck Dynasty” stars yet, but he hopes he’ll get a chance to soon since they aren’t that far away.

    “I like being associated with it,” he said. “It’s a show with family values. They’re not bleeping every five seconds and they pray at the end of every episode. They promote Christianity. They’re good ol’ boys who happen to make a ton of money, and are a little nuts.”

    To find out more about “Duck Dynasty” visit the website www.aetv.com/duck-dynasty/.