Jonathan Hoffman began performing acoustic music while still attending junior high in Eugene, Oregon in 1960. The vice-principal caught him singing a Tom Lehrer song (Be Prepared) at the Eighth Grade school dance, dragged him into the office, called his mother, and expressed deep concern about his future. Students again invited Hoffman to sing at the school dance the following year, at the inception of the dreaded "Hootenanny Era." Taking no chances this time, the vice-principal made him stand in the hall and recite the lyrics of the song he planned to sing (all 28 verses of the unabridged version of Michael, Row the Boat Ashore), before permitting him to return to the stage.