Derick Sebastian's Blog

Aloha All!

I am currently on Oahu doing several business meetings with Joe Souza, who the luthier of my AWESOME ukulele and owner of Kanilea Ukulele. It is great to be here and to be working with such an awesome team!

Anyhow, I had a super early flight out of Maui heading into Honolulu and as I arrived, coming out of the jetway, I saw literally hundreds US Military Soldiers in the boarding area. I honestly don’t know if there were coming or going; some looked happy, some looked sad, some looked as if there were lost, but most of them looked VERY tired. Almost 80% of these Soldiers that I saw were sleeping. Most were slouching in theirs seats, and some were even lying flat on the ground just dead tired sleeping!

For me, it was a real eye opener. I honestly got really emotional because these Soldiers are fighting for ‘us’ citizens the United States of America! And here were are as ‘civilians’ just walking right by these soldiers like they don’t even exist. I was very saddened but yet very honored that these soldiers sacrifice so much for us.

In closing, I have to admit, I may think that life for me approaches really hard and it really sucks for me to be away from my family while traveling but you know what, most of us including me, need to shut our mouthes because we can complain all we want about this and that, but truthfully, we need to stop, take a step back and realize what these US Military Soldiers are going through. They are not only away from their families, but they are SACRIFICING THEIR TIME AND LIVES for us American People. I am not trying to be political here, I just want to express how grateful and how much I appreciated the US Military Soldiers on what they do for me. So here is to the MILITARY SOLDIERS OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA…Big Mahalos, Alohas and GOD BLESS AND “SHAKA” TO YOU ALL!

Greetings!

Thank you for your visit. I just wanted to share that I had such a wonderful weekend. On Friday, I spent some quality time with my beautiful wife and two boys…first off having fun at Emmanuel Lutheran’s Pumpkin Fesitval. Although it was really crazy chasing after my boys, Santana (4) and Marley (21 months), I really had fun just watching them get so excited and stimulated by all the people, music, games, food, and everything else. It was like yesterday carrying them in my arms like a football and now they are growing up so fast that it is hard to accept that they are not little babies; they are now young boys!

Then came Saturday in no time! We spent half the day supporting Santana as he competed in an Maui Open Martial Arts Tournament. He is only 4 years old and he does so well…he makes daddy proud! In his division, he placed 3rd in FORMS (KATA) AND 3rd as well in STICK FIGHTING. It was so fun!

Then came Sunday even quicker. I spent the morning with the brothers of MOI (Men of Integrity) at a beach service. I had to lead worship, which was such a great experience. It felt so great to sing to the Lord because I know I would not be here where I am today without Him. We then had a HUGE jam session with Jan K., Kipi H., Eddie K., John John, Matty, and Nathan…we had such a fun time playing for the entire beach…can’t wait to do it again.

Then I closed it off performing 2 shows at Hula Grill in Kaanapali both Sunday and Monday evenings. Speaking of Hula Grill, I am so grateful to meet so many great people while performing there…it is such an awesome atmosphere…if you have not already, YOU NEED TO CHECK IT OUT! Speaking of which, I need to give a BIG SHOUT AND MAHALO to the beautiful ladies of Idaho, to Mary and Amy, Happy Birthday…and to Rochelle and Brenda, thank you for all your encouragement. Remember, it is not the age, it is the attitude. I will surely let you know when I head to the ‘potato land.’

Thanks again for just spending time with me and checking out my live blog…Take care and have a safe and happy Halloween. Aloha and God Bless.

Greetings to All!

It has been one week now since being back from CA Ukulele Tour and although I am still tired, I am very happy to be home! Things have not slowed down one bit…this past weekend, I did 5 shows! A little exhausting but I seriously need to give a BIG SHOUT to my music buddies I perform with: JOSH KAHULA, RYAN TANAKA, AND JOHN PALPALLATOC! You guys really hold it down for me!

Also, there are some huge projects tour opportunities going on that I will let you know about very soon. In the meantime, my next big stage is at EA Sports Maui Invitational BasketBall Tournament Half Time Show. I will keep you posted as well…Lastly, my Newest Major CD Release, which is an Ukulele Instrumental Project, is “NOW AVAILABLE” on my website…Go and Check it Out! YOU’LL LOVE IT!

Thank you again for all the support…Aloha and God Bless!

Aloha All!

I just wanted to inform you that I am home safely on Maui and I’m trying to get into full swing again. I am still very tired from the long CA Tour but let me tell you, it was a lifetime experience. I met so many great people, performed at so many new places, and had so much fun however, it came with a sacrifice. While I was away, I had one of the hardest time trying to cope being so far away from my wife and kids for such a long period of time. Furthermore, my kids experienced twice as bad; because I am so close with them, they gave my wife the hardest time. With that, I seriously have to give my wife my all for being strong, patient and understanding my purpose of this whole entire musical journey.

Speaking of purpose, my main objective in any of my musical endeavors is to share a God-given talent that I am truly blessed with. It is somewhat difficult at times to show my purpose because most people want to “hear” the music first, then they’ll get interested in “getting to know” me as the artist as secondary. Although I would much rather prefer the other way around; where people would want to get to know me first as an artist, this is the music business and judging the music first, is the usual process.

It is what it is and for me, it has been like this for many years…until I took upon this California Tour. To be honest, I didn’t know what to expect and I was really skeptical because throughout this whole entire tour, all the venues were new to me and the numerous ukulele workshops that I had to teach were long and demanding. Well, the CA Tour wasn’t like I expected it to be. To tell the truth, EVERY SINGLE performance and workshop went so well and the people were so receptive. The most amazing part about this journey was people were asking about my wife and kids, giving wrapped gifts for my boys, and lots of goodies and souvenirs for me to take back home. It was like a miracle happening right before my eyes because it was as if people knew who I was even though I had no idea who they were. It was so inspiring throughout the tour, I was really emotional everyday. This experience gave me a sense of calmness because although my family and I were going through a rough time of separation, I knew that people were starting to understand my sacrifice. In other words, people were not “hearing” my music anymore, they were “hearing” my PURPOSE.

Yes the world is not an easy place to take upon, but if you have faith, believe in what you do and create a purpose for it, YOU WILL SUCCEED one way or another. Thank you again..without you, I seriously would never be here. Take care, God Bless, and please let me know if there is anything I can do for you. Aloha!

Howzit!

My first first ever 2 week tour throughout the entire state of California has been nothing but a true MEMORABLE EXPERIENCE. First off, thank you to my road managers: Mark H., Ray F., and Rick R., without you, this tour would never be possible. To my road Mom, Terri Rasay, thank you for making sure I was always taken care of. To the crew of Garden Island Blend in the Bay…You guys are too much fun! To Uncle Charlie and Aunty Ilima of SoCal Ukulele Festival and Elaine de Man Wine Country Ukulele Festival, thank you so much for giving me the opportunity to be part of such huge events! To Teri and the Alvarado Middle School Ukulele Club, Keep Strumming! To Island Legends, thank you for such an opportunity to reach out the ukulele community of SoCal. To Ricky and all the Supporters at PIXAR ANIMATION STUDIO…thank you so much for everything, I had such a blast and I look forward to doing it again! To Joe and Kristen Souza of Kanilea Ukuleles, thank you from the bottom of my heart…you know that I would never be here today without your unconditional support. To the rest my supporters throughout SoCal, NoCal, the ukulele workshop attendees, and all who flew special into CA to follow me along the tour…THANK YOU SO MUCH! You are the ones who truly keeps my fire burning! To Kellie, Ali, and the rest of the radio stations who promoted my music…Mahalo Big Time! Lastly, to my wife and two boys, and the rest of my family and friends back in Hawaii who consistently kept the support and prayers going…Thank you so much…I love you all!

In closing, I really had such a great time and this was truly a start of something new in my musical endeavor. This tour was more than intense and very tiring. I spent a whole lot of time on the road performing multiple shows 11 days straight non-stop but all in all, it was priceless. I met such great people along the way and the most important part, I got to share a talent that I am humbly blessed with; which is the ability to express through the ukulele. Much love to you all again for all the support. Take care and I will talk to you soon…Aloha and God Bless.

Aloha Everyone!

I am barely up and I am so dead tired but I really would like to express my thankfulness to such an awesome Wine Country Ukulele Festival in St. Helena, CA. Elaine de Man, you did such an awesome job! I need to say, I am so honored to have many of my supporters to fly in from outer states to just come and see me…I even got presents from Mimi (an ukulele player) for me to take back to my boys. Thank you so much! To the ukulele performers who attended my Ukulele Workshop, you’ve surely been the highlight of the day…THANK YOU! I had so much fun and I connected with so many great people! Wine Country…I HAD A BLAST! I am surely looking forward for the next one. Take care, Aloha and God Bless.

Big Mahalo and Shout to Garden Island Blend…Rick, Waddy, Mel and Mark…you guys are seriously coming along and everything is starting to blend together…YOU GUYS ROCK. I need to add, Uncle Waddy, your strength is truly an inspiration…Thank you for being there, you really made the night! To Joy, Juneko, Fred, and the rest of the supporters who came to make noise….Thank you so much! It was such a blast…take care, Aloha and God Bless.

Aloha!

Tonight was such a huge milestone in my musical journey. I had the honor to perform a surprise private concert exclusively for the crew at Pixar…It was so much fun meeting and talking with some of the most famous and established award winning artists in the Film Industry. Although it was so cold and I barely could feel my fingertips, it was truly an AMAZING performance experience!

I just would like to express my true humbleness and thanks to Ricky, Christine, Adrienne, Tricia, Brian, and the rest of the family at Pixar for believing in me and making this happen. Also to my Northern California Road Managers, Rick and Mark Rasay…Big Mahalos for all your unconditional support, I am so blessed in so many ways, it is priceless!

For all the Locals from Hawaii, I can’t wait to see you tomorrow night at Huki Lau’s San Jose…I have been getting so much emails about it…can’t wait to see you all! Also, to the WIne Country Ukulele Festival goers, thank you for all the support as well…I will see you this Saturday in Napa! Much love to you and I will surely keep you posted. Aloha and God Bless.

Greetings!

I just got done a benefit school concert with Northern California’s own, GARDEN ISLAND BLEND. It was such an awesome experience because this was mainly to support Alvarado Middle School’s Ukulele Club, big mahalos to Ms. Terri Hawkins.

I had the honor to meet such a special kid who plays the ukulele like nobody’s business…Big Shout Out to KARSTEN…you’ve blown me away…keep the pasion going…the ukulele skills will guarantee come! Lastly, thank you to all the supporters who came…you have made this evening a special one! Take care and remember, Ukulele Change LIves! Aloha and God Bless.

Aloha Pixar! Thank you so much for such a wonderful time. The ukulele concert and workshop was super successful and so much fun. Hey Ricky, thanks for everything and Chevy’s Fresh Mix was so good! Christine and Adrienne, thank you so much from the bottom of my heart…you guys worked so hard! Aloha to you all and I will see you the Alvarado Middle School concert…STRUM ON!