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MUSIC GOALS: MEET THE FANS

Music goals come with a problem: Not everyone shares the same goals. Whether you learn music theory, go to music school, or tear it up in a garage band, the basic goals apply. Stay in rhythm, hit the leads, and sing low. And leave room for others.

AGING MUSIC FOR COUPLES TO GROW OLD BY

I first heard aging music from the Beatles. When I’m Sixty-Four came out when I was thirteen. Why would a young band contemplate being 64 years old? It seemed weird. Until I turned sixty-four.

CREATIVE SPARK: DRUMS, GIUTARS, BASS, AND STEW

A creative spark hung in the room while two guitar players worked it out. They decided which key to play in, set the tone and tempo, while the bass player and drummer listened in. “Sorry to take so long,” one guitar player said. “Not a problem, you’ve got go pick it out,” the drummer said. […]

BEST CONCERT: A BOOMERPDX REVIEW

Reviewing for best concert happened the usual way: I opened a box of pictures and found Prince. I saw this show in 1985 for $17.50 with my then-girlfriend, driving up to Tacoma and back from Portland. We got married a year later. Prince The Closer?

MEAT LOAF GLOWING LIKE THE METAL ON THE EDGE OF A KNIFE

Meat Loaf came on the radio a couple of years back while I was driving chaperones for French foreign exchange students around town. They were in their twenties, too young to know Meat Loaf. Hi, Quintan. Hi, Marion. I almost pulled over in stitches when they started singing along to Paradise By The Dashboard Light. […]

NEW COMPASSION WITH A KIND RIGHT HAND

A new compassion has made its debut. And proved my Mom was correct. She believed most problems could be solved by slapping sense into whoever needed it. As one of her four kids, just hearing her theory was enough. Her career included managing a DMV office. (Keep that in mind the next time you complain […]

MUSIC THERAPY WITH A PINCH OF BUTTERSCOTCH

Music therapy isn’t something I made up to fill the space, though it’s something I’d do. Instead, it’s an academic field and a self-help thing. The part about self-help needs an assist though. ‘Don’t be afraid to ask for help’ is a common reminder from experts. Ask for help? Yes, ask for help. But first […]

BAR RAG REPORT: HIGHER EDUCATION AND MORE

This Bar Rag Report is brought to you from the the last bar stool on the left. It’s the best perch to see and hear about the events of the day. And then some.

MALE FRIENDSHIP? WHO DECIDES YOUR BEST FRIEND FOREVER

For ‘male friendship’ I searched for ‘old pic of best friends.’ What showed up? Images of women friends. If that’s surprising, then you need to know more about male friendship. It’s different than female friendship. How different?

BEER TRAVEL: KEEP IT CLOSE TO HOME

Beer travel is not complicated. Nor should it be. Go someplace interesting, drink a beer. That’s beer travel at the most simple. And you don’t have go far. At least that’s the way I like it, but things do come up.