Marshall's metamorphosis

With three kids in their 20s and (eek) early 30s, Lori and I are at the age where we can take pride in the different paths they've taken to adulthood and the multitude of interests they've pursued along the way.

So it isn't much of a stretch to feel a certain pride in the accomplishments of our friends' children, too, as they hit various milestones on their life's journey. Such was the case Tuesday night when we saw Marshall Baker, one of Jordan's lifelong friends, in a live musical performance at the White Eagle Saloon.

He and his musical partner, Tony Hawes, played a half-hour set of original contemporary folk music under the moniker of Instant Tradition. They're on a tour of the Northwest that continues tomorrow night at Artichoke Music in Southeast Portland. Check out their bios and listen to their songs on their Facebook page.

We've known Marshall literally since he was in diapers, part of a play group that also included Jordan and led to a friendship with his parents, Rebecca and Greg, and little sister Clara. The two boys went to preschool together, joined (and survived) the Cub Scouts, attended each other's birthday parties and attended the same  neighborhood public schools, culminating with their high school graduation in 2005. They played together on sports teams and wrestled at Grant High School, during which time Marshall evolved from tall, scrawny kid to tall, muscular kid.

Jordan joined the Army, got married and lives off base near Fort Lewis in Washington state. Marshall went to Whitman College, got a degree in music composition, and moved to Lawrence, Kansas, to start making music. Marshall's always been scary smart -- the kid who could get straight As with little or no effort -- and a handful at times, but he's also been a talented musician, influenced by his fiddle-playing dad.

Todd Hawes and Marshall Baker: KJHK studios in Lawrence, Kansas

On Tuesday, he played the fiddle and mandolin and sang harmony vocals. At age 23, with his shoulder-length brown hair and baby face, blue denims and long-sleeved white shirt, he resembled a young Johnny Depp. He got called up by the next band to join them for a couple of songs on fiddle and the vocalist couldn't help but notice the fan support.

"You seem to be pretty popular, Marshall."
"Yeah, I grew up here."

Marshall came over between sets, gave us each a hug and signed two copies of his band's debut CD.

Instant Tradition. Pretty cool.

Album cover, photo: www.facebook.com/instanttradition