Ride For Life

Copyright 2006 The Times Herald
Vallejo Times Herald (California)
February 12, 2006 Sunday
SECTION: SUNDAY OUTLOOK
LENGTH: 469 words
BYLINE: RICHARD FREEDMAN/Times-Herald staff writer

When you're in the advanced stages of Lou Gehrig's Disease, it's the simple things in life that get you through.

For Mike Bougher, 43, of Benicia, it's music. More specifically, the calming effect of pianist George Winston.

"I first heard George's music on a PBS concert," Bougher said. "I was 39 and spending several hours in bed every day due to the progression of my ALS."

Bougher bought a few of WInston's CDs "and began listening while resting in bed," he said. "I found the music to be calming to the spirit, while at the same time, conducive to deep, wide-sweeping thought."

Bougher became an instant fan of the Santa Cruz musician who plays at California Maritime Academy's Rizza Auditorium tonight.

"It only took a few days before I wanted to hear more. I was hooked," he said.

Bougher was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis about 10 years ago.

The disease attacks nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord at a slow rate, "which allows you to deal with the little things as they occur, so it doesn't seem to be so devastating," Bougher said in a previous Times-Herald interview. "We've been able to adapt."

Bougher excels at the computer, either through e-mails or through a painting program. That's when he'll generally click on a Winston CD.

"I primarily listen to him when I'm alone, either in contemplation or when painting on the computer," Bougher said. "I have never discussed his music with anyone but my wife. She enjoys it also."

Bougher met Winston when the pianist performed a year ago in Benicia.

"He seemed like a very calm, laid back person," said Bougher, adding that he has nine Winston CDs.

"George's music is unique," Bougher said. "Because he is instrumental, the stories he is telling pass directly from his heart to yours with all the original emotion intact. While being mellow and warm on the surface, if you look a little deeper, it is also rich and musically complex."

Born in Vallejo and raised in Vacaville, Bougher is a former musician who did tricks during spring break and summer vacation at the old Nut Tree.

"I think most kids 12, 13 are into magic," he said.

Never big on baseball, Bougher didn't know who Lou Gehrig was, much less a disease that felled the legendary New York Yankee first baseman.

"It's interesting what happens when you're disabled," Bougher said. "People won't look at you. And I'm looking up all the time. I just deal with it. I've never been an extra social person."

He will, he said, make it to Winston's local performances.

* * * *

If you go:

What: George Winston piano concert

Where: Rizza Auditorium, California Maritime Academy, Vallejo

When: 7:30 tonight

Tickets: ABC Music, Southampton Shopping Center, by phone at 771-0140 or at the door

GRAPHIC: MIKE BOUGHER of Benicia, who has been living with Lou Gehrig's disease for several years, is inspired by the music of George Winston. The pianist appears at California Maritime Academy's Rizza Auditorium tonight in Vallejo. [David Pacheco/Times-Herald file photo]

LOAD-DATE: February 12, 2006
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