A short story from the Musical History Beginnings of Michael Frazier, Oregon Singer Songwriter & Lyricist.

I was so fortunate to find Tim Korpita in College in 1971. I was moving into my "quad" dorm room - you know 4 guys on one side 4 on the other, separated by the bathroom. I heard a Simon and Garfunkle song wafting from "the other side" and wandered over to find Tim sitting on his suitcase making his first musical mark on his new digs, and my life, with his acoustic guitar. "Wow, a real musician, a real guitar player" I thought to myself.

When he finished the song I startled him, applauding and saying, "Man, that was great". We introduced ourselves and he asked if I played. I said no. He matter of factly said, "I'll teach you". I told him I couldn't learn to play the guitar and again he said, "I'll teach you".

Next thing I knew I was driving from Monmouth to Salem and back again, not even unpacked yet. I wound up at the Star Exchange and paid $30.00 for an old beat up classical guitar. Upon arriving back at school I went immediately to his room and said, "OK, I got a guitar, teach me".

He showed me how to hold the guitar and carefully placed my fingers on the strings to form the A minor chord. I still love that chord and have played acoustic guitar ever since.

Tim and I became great friends and began to play songs together. Three years later, in 1974, my love of music and writing finally came together in my first song. Right then I knew songwriting was the thing for me and I knew I would continue to work on my songwriting for years to come.

Tim started playing with a local band and I would jam along over in the corner to learn a new song, new chords or techniques. In 1972 I purchased a very cool bamboo fulte from a Eugene craftsman at Saturday Market and began to converse with the wind, as it were. I would play on the way to and from classes and other times when the mood struck. This was easier to fit in with, since no one in my circle played flute. I guess my notes were better than no notes.