COOS BAY — Dale Inskeep divides his time between his musical career and working as principal of Bunker Hill Elementary School.

But his two avocations are not as different as you’d think. It’s just the size and ages of his fans.

Inskeep’s fans range from 5-year-olds through adults.

Every weekday morning, the 42-year-old puts on an interactive show for his students in grades kindergarten through four. Every Thursday night, he and his musical group, the Dale Inskeep Band, perform at the High Tide Café in Charleston.

What gives a guitarist and vocalist the energy to do all of that?

“Music, it’s very much taken for granted,” said Inskeep, who began playing the violin in fourth grade, quickly followed by an interest in guitar.

“It’s not a special deal,” he said. “To play the guitar — it’s just something you do. That’s what I hope with these guys (the kids), to put music in their lives.”

On a typical morning at Bunker Hill, at 7:45 the halls are filled with children standing in rows. Inskeep leads the way into the cafeteria, where the kids stand in another line to get their breakfasts. But unlike other schools, some students walk around with guitars strapped on their backs, waiting to take their places on stage next to Inskeep. Kids begin to take their seats on the noisy gymnasium floor. This is the time Inskeep calls “organized chaos.”

“Day-o,” he sings as he plays the guitar. “Six and seven and eight and jump.”

On cue, the 100 students or more students leap. They do the Hokey Pokey, then sit for a quieter song.

After a recent show, two second-grade girls talked about the music while they were cleaning up tables.

“I like it because you can dance to it,” said 8-year-old Sierra Vandre.

“He’s really good at it and this school is just really great, and it’s really fun,” said Toni Kralicek, 7.

Since Inskeep initiated morning music time when he became principal five years ago, he said fewer students arrive late to school.

“It’s a great way to start the day, for kids and grownups,” Inskeep said.

Inskeep just released his fifth CD, “Three Hands on a Wheel,” that he recorded with his current band, consisting of Dave Ford on guitar, Tom Beckstrom on drums and Carmen Matthews on bass, who have been together for more than a year.

“It’s kind of neat because it’s different than other stuff I’ve done,” Inskeep said. “Even though we were in a studio, we get to hear how we sound live.”

Almost all of his songs are originals and about 50 of them have been recorded now. He calls his style of music “surf country,” and he plays the violin and mandolin during some of his songs.

He also divides his time between his family — his wife, Dayna, a first-grade teacher at Bunker Hill, 14-year-old daughter, Kelsey, and son, Zack, 10 — and his love of stand-up paddle surfing.

Standing in the school gymnasium in his cowboy boots on Tuesday, he said he’s doing exactly what he wants to be doing, and where he wants to be doing it.

“I spend a lot of time in the ocean, surfing,” Inskeep said. “I love playing. I love coming to school with the kids. I love Coos Bay.”