We’re in Loveland, Colorado, where I interviewed Adrian Yanez.  He is a music teacher at a local school and worked in the music industry for years as well.  He said music connects with us on three levels.  That is: physically, mentally and spiritually.  And what connects with these is rhythm, harmony and melody.  Mr. Yanez, who is Catholic, said there is a lot of secular music that conveys good messages.  However, he said there is a lot that doesn’t.  And what’s more, it (rock, rap, hip hop…) appeals to our carnality, our materialism, our tendency toward violence…  This is such a tremendously important point, in looking at triggers that, at least in part, lead to the sociological problems we have today.  Violence is almost off the scales in our big cities, to rap back beats.  Sexual acting out is rampant, as explicit rock lyrics (”Why don’t we do it in the road…”) psychologically urge us on.  Drug use increases exponentially (”One pill makes you morbid, another makes you small…”).  For us to think that much of this music is merely inane background noise that doesn’t influence us is: merely nuts.  As parents, Liz and I closely monitor the music our children listen to (as do the Yanez’s).  In these days, it’s important parents, well, be parents. Note:  Walking into the weight room at Loveland’s Chilson Rec Center right after the interview with Mr. Yanez, the first lyrics I heard over the sound system were:  ”Let the music be your master…”