Union High School freshmen get glimpses into teacher Randy Cate’s other career when they show up for English class. Vinyl records decorate his classroom, and he shows students Ted Nugent’s “Tied Up In Love” music video on YouTube.

Cate, 62, collaborated with Nugent on the song. High schoolers today might not fill their iPod playlists with Nugent hits, but they’re likely familiar with some of the recent television shows on which Cate’s work can be heard, including “True Blood,” “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia” and “The Young and the Restless.”

Cate tries to impress upon students the importance of good writing, whether it’s a book, a poem or, as has been so central to his life for the past 40 years, song lyrics.

Beginning of a career

Music has long played an important role in Cate’s life.

Born in the South, Cate got his introduction to music by singing in church.

His family moved to Vancouver when Cate was 11, and he continued his involvement with music.