Dear Readers,

Suddenly, I feel old. Gray-haired, back-aching old. In recent months, I have observed my son get enamored of seventies and eighties hard rock and punk rock even as he becomes a better and better piano player thanks to diligent practice and a wonderful teacher. Consider AC/DC, Led Zeppelin, and the Ramones as juxtaposed to Howard Shore's theme songs, Mozart, and French folk tunes. Ironies abound. In this, I have relived my own childhood love of music. I remember riding the school bus in Portland, listening to 62 KGW with Craig Walker, waiting to hear Chuck Mangione, Hall and Oates, or America as the yellow tube jounced along the curving streets. A few years later, I was moshing at a high school dance when it was still called slam dancing, and bystanders were genuinely shocked. Nowadays a new generation of punkers is in fashion, and they're all over TV. Breaking down stylistic barriers is one thing, but when I see The Clash stickers on Range Rovers, I feel a bit queasy. Of course, there's a good chance I'm just getting old. Hey, look, there's another gray hair on the keyboard.

I recently caught 50 First Dates at Sandy Cinemas (which is pretty darn funny, if not award winning) and some middle schoolers were mock-moshing in the lobby. I couldn't tell if they were rebelling against "the man" or if they thought their actions fell under their right to free speech. It seems that such actions are turned into commodities by "alternative" radio and slick videos. Of course, the teens eventually stopped. It seemed like restless energy wasted on the young. Perhaps I'm just bitter, since I don't have that much energy anymore. I'm a long way from Chapman Elementary, but the sense that music could matter has remained with me ever since. I may not be able to relate, but I'm glad that teenagers today feel passionate too, whether it's about Linkin Park, Pink, or 50 Cent. Knowing that people of all stripes care about music and other cultural pursuits is one reason I have written for the Gazette for roughly two and half years. Yet all such passions evolve as we grow, change, and adapt to our worlds.

What am I getting at? Surely you are wondering. (Or not, as you yawn and prepare to turn to the classifieds.) I now have a family, a budding career as a teacher, good health despite multiple surgeries, and a passion for community service through our fire department. I am happy in my pursuit of becoming a well-rounded music lover when I hear something that excites me. I hope some of you, dear readers, feel the same. But all pursuits fade and blow about in the wind over time. So "Mountain Music and More" fades to a vanishing point as you read this, my column, in its last printing. Yep, I'm going to write into the proverbial sunset. Actually, it'll probably be dark and raining, so nobody will see the sunset. Oh well.

I love writing about music and other arts, but other influences in my life are coming into play. Because of the self-imposed heavy load I have as a graduate student and student-teacher, I must stop writing this column. Instead, my sentences will fill pages in graduate level essays that don't offer bonus points for a sense of humor, witty cultural references, or a silly mug-shot photo.

What I know is this: I come home from long days and I often hear the Lord of the Rings theme pouring from our piano as my son practices his latest lessons. Sometimes, Casey's fingers even fool me into thinking I'm hearing a CD. That has come to be more gratifying than hearing the latest bands on the alternative radio station, and I won't apologize for my own evolution. Who knows. In a couple years Casey will probably be in a band doing thrash covers of Neil Diamond.

Much has changed on the cultural scene in East Clackamas County in the past two years. Businesses have opened and closed. Bands have come and gone. Lucky for all of us, there is still a lot to appreciate between Gresham and Government Camp. Have you checked it out lately? There are comedians at Route 26, blues masters at the Ratskeller, and high school artists on display at the Sandy Library. Keep your eyes wide open.

As Neil Young might say, "keep on rockin' in the free world," to Robert Voll, Franz Sanger, everyone associated with Back Up and Push, Celtic Pride, Stu Salnave, Flashback, Lew Jones, Duffy Bishop, The Misguided Soul Band, Tom Franklin, David Vest, Mike Logan, Hired Guns and, of course, Tony Graham. Don't worry, I'll still come and see y'all, and I'll pass the word. Sorry if I forgot anyone. See you out and about.

Love,
Bakerman

P.S. Hey folks, remember, your most important vote is with your wallet. Please support independent musicians, small press publishers, and local artists. And don't forget to read the Gazette and support its advertisers. They're worth it.