Hello there, my name is Nathan Whorton.

One of my very best friends ever is a guy named Duke Harner.
We met in the Seventh Grade at Hopkins Junior High School, in 1978. We became good friends and school mates.
Both of us took band class together, he played the drums and I played the alto saxophone.
Some how we started playing rock and roll tunes during our lunch time.
Our friends Tony Poukkula and Mike Elliott played some guitar, Duke played the school's drum kit and I had taken to the bass guitar.
There was a Ludwig set at the school's band room as well as a Fender Jazz Bass and a Bassman amplifier.
We would play "noon-time" dances with our vocal-less renditions of Kiss, Ted Nugent and Van Halen songs.
I send out great a "thank you" to Paul Nelson, he was our music teacher that always let us practice at noon or after school.
We continued playing and performing through Junior High and at the Aberdeen High School up to 1983 when we graduated.
John Purdy and Doug George greatly contributed to the efforts of the band, Black Ice. Yes, we learned how to sing.
Here is a link to the Black Ice webpage on my website.
These days not only served the function of the public schooling education experience...
But as the foundation of lifetime friendships and an interest in music.
I feel that all persons involved in music with Duke or myself have benefited from a relationship with one or both of us.

Duke and myself have shared many adventures, both good and bad.
We have both helped each other send a parent to "rest", as well as get married to someone that we have loved.

At one time, I always had a great Christmas party for all of our friends.
Many things have changed for me over the last few years, so that event has been temporarily set to rest.
Duke is always great at having the annual party for his wife Brenda's birthday.
In earlier times it was held at the beach, however in more recent times, at Duke and Brenda's home.
There is no celebration of Duke's passage of age from one year to the next other than a few greeting cards or emails.
Duke and myself usually poke fun at each other, pretty much childish stuff/bathroom humor.

I really wish Duke the best for everything that life has to offer, he is truly willing to work for it and earn it.
Sincerely, Duke is one my best friends and I know that the best is yet to come.
So after over 25 years, our long standing friendship will continue to endure.

Happy 38th Birthday to you Duke!!!

And since you are one of the best friends that I will ever have ~
I have a 38th Birthday gift just for you!