Chorus member will sing valentines.

Byline: PROFILE by The Register-Guard

Name: Len Clearwater, 84, Goshen

Claim to fame: Clearwater is among about 30 Cascade Chorus members who will break into barbershop quartets this week and offer "singing valentines" to unsuspecting spouses, boyfriends and girlfriends. Clearwater's foursome will make as many as 20 surprise visits Friday and Monday, Valentine's Day. Each recipient is serenaded with two love songs, and also receives a card and bouquet. (Information: 688-0575.)

How he got started: Clearwater grew up on the family homestead on Clearwater Lane off Jasper Road south of Springfield. "My mother was very musical, but my dad couldn't carry a tune in a bucket. I landed halfway in between." He took vocal lessons during high school and landed the lead in two operettas. He sang around the world as part of a trio while serving in the National Guard. He's been a member of the Cascade Chorus since 1966, and has participated in the singing valentines program for six years.

Best experiences: Clearwater has delivered singing valentines - always dressed in a tuxedo - at offices, schools, factories and homes. Most recipients are thrilled, even if embarrassed. One woman in an office literally threw herself at the boyfriend who purchased the quartet's services. "She approved - ooh boy. She was all over him," Clearwater said. "It got pretty passionate before we got through the last song."

Worst experiences: Once in awhile, recipients get upset when they don't approve of the valentine for one reason or another. Clearwater's group once serenaded a millworker with a valentine from his wife - and had to deal with a love-impaired manager who became irate over the lost work time. Another quartet was once cussed out by a woman who declared, "I told that SOB not to do this."

Favorite barbershop song: ` `Danny Boy' has to be one of my favorites. It's such an emotional song, and such a beautiful, beautiful melody."

Love of barbershopping: "When you get all four voices locked together, you'll hear the volume almost double even though you're not singing any louder. It's an experience that makes the hair stand on the back of your neck. We don't do that all the time, but that's what we strive for."

Opinion on rap music: "You call that music?" he asked, adding that today's music has "deteriorated."

"You listen to modern music, there's a tendency to scream. We try to sing conversationally as well as musically. But I'm still a Lawrence Welk fan, for goodness' sake."

- Jeff Wright 

If you know someone for a Register-Guard Profile, send it to Jim Murez at jmurez@ guardnet.com or P.O. Box 10188, Eugene, OR 97440.

CAPTION(S):

Len Clearwater will be performing "singing valentines" again this year. The Goshen resident has been singing with Cascade Chorus since 1966, and has participated in "singing valentine" barbershop quartets for six years.