|
You Kuuipo rated No.
46 of Hawaii's 50 all time songs!
Gilbert Belmudez, was cited in the
June 2007 issue of Honolulu
Magazine for the lyrics to the song, “You Kuuipo”.
His contribution is listed as No. 46 of the “50 Greatest Songs of
Hawaii” as
chosen in Hawaii by a special panel of musicians, historians and
producers.
Born in Southern California and raised in Pomona, Gilbert lived on the
island of Maui in the
1980’s where he originally wrote the lyrics, later to be published as a
song in 1991. The song has been recorded by Willie "K" Kahaialii,
Glenn
Medeiros, and the Cazimero Brothers. It was included in the
album, “Amy and Willie Live”, a 2005 Grammy
Award nominee for “Best Hawaiian Music Album” of the year.
CLICK
HERE to
learn
more
about the
lyrics and the story
behind them.
ISLAND
MAGIC – The Story
©
2007 Gilbert Belmudez
(Note: Regard this
true story as a rough draft. I am
writing it from a few notes and a lot of memory. If
there are some inaccuracies in Hawaiian
spelling, geographical description, legend, custom or any other
details, feel
free to contact me with corrections and opinion. Critique
is more than welcome.)
The
Beginning
I was thirty years old when
I landed in Hawaii
for the very first time on April Fools Day, 1980. I had no place
to stay,
no job prospect and knew no one. I knew little about Hawaii
and when I arrived at Honolulu
airport I was mesmerized by the beauty and confused with an uncertainty
as to
what I should do. My luggage consisted of a full duffle bag and a
sleeping bag.
The
first thing I did was put on my flip-flops and deposit my boots and
duffle
bag in an airport locker I rented for two weeks. This
allowed me to
travel lightly with just the sleeping bag into which I rolled up the
barest of
necessities such as toiletries, shorts, a towel, one change of clothing
and an
old serape I had purchased in Tijuana
fourteen years before. I had no credit cards, no bank account and
about
two hundred dollars to live on in my pocket. continue
|
Gilbert Belmudez on Maui - 1984
"In Sandy Hills". A poem
dedicated to an old friend who died in
Vietnam in 1968. Timothy Patrick Weaver. read more
Michael Winslow
I met commedian, actor and producer, "Michael Winslow" in 1981 when he
was first starting out. Police Academy brought him permanent
fame. Even then, he was still one to not forget old
friends. Today he has some great and innovative musical
recordings. All done with his own voice. This includes what
sounds like instruments. Check it out!
|