Inspirational Stories - A New Adventure

After years of producing and coaching musicians, I moved back to Hawaii. I rebuilt my construction painting business and also started producing and promoting large venue shows in the Hawaiian islands.

After a series of shows featuring some of the top reggae artists of the day. The shows were a great success, but I found myself in big trouble from a partnership gone bad. The partner stole all the money from the investors and used me as the scapegoat. I was soon in debt to tens of thousands in venue and investor costs. I was doing pretty well at the construction trade, so was able over time to pay back everyone. I never heard from the partner again, so it was all over. Again, the adversity was transformed into establishing my integrity, and a learning experience I would use again and again over the coming years.

Turning 59 years old, I decided to get out of my bucket list and see what pulled me most. It was a trip to South America with my son. We planned to go to Uruguay and Brazil. After some planning, the departure was only a week away when my son said he would not be able to go due to an amazing job offer. I said I was going anyway, and got on the plane on time.

During that journey, I found out I had a cousin living in Brazil, and I went to visit him. He was also a musician, and we got to play together at some of his band's venues.

Long story short, at the end of the visit he offered for me to return for one year to live rent-free and travel with him performing music all over Brazil. I accepted the offer, and at the end of that year, I met my wife to be and ended up living in Brazil for over 7 years. We eventually left Brazil, to live in Maui where we developed new businesses and still live today.