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.
D-boy, we are praying for a safe flight home for you and hoping you were able to get some Zzzz on the plane. What a wirl-wind tour! I was tired just watching you rush off to each event. Please give our love to your wonderful family and thank your wife for her sacrifices over the past 2 weeks to allow you to come and share your passion with the Mainland folks.
You left a wonderful, humble impression on our church family. They all say thank you for sharing your passion for God and the Uke with them. Next time bring CDs because they wanted to buy!
On your next visit we expect to see the family. We always have room for them and would love to show them NorCal!
God bless and keep strumming!
Aloha…Calif-Mom
Hey Mom!
Thank you for the wonderful email…everytime I spend time with you folks, it gets better and better! THANK YOU FOR EVERYTHING! Please give my regards to Rick, Taylor, Alicia, and the rest of the Ohana at Harvest House!…I am on Oahu now getting on my last leg to Maui…much love and I will talk to you soon! Aloha and God Bless
Derick,
Haven’t had a chance to drop you a note but wanted to thank you for your workshop in Torrance. Great style, and fun to be with someone with your perspective, talent, and aloha. It was very useful and I wanted you to know that your tips have already snuck into my playing. I think playing “patterns” really help.
Your Friend,
Brian-
Hey Brian,
Thank you so much for the wonderful note. I am so glad that some teachings has worked…trust me, it will work even better in time! Much love and I will surely crossed roads with SoCal very soon. Aloha and God Bless.
There are no words to express my close friendship with this awesome talent and super humble person. I am so privileged to know Derick Sebastian, and have enjoyed a full week of being involved in his hectic schedule of events from getting up at the crack of 4am for an early morning radio show, putting on a middle school benefit fundraiser concert for the AMS Ukulele Club with my group, performing not 1, but 2 private parties at PIXAR Studios, raising the roof at HUKILAU with Garden Island Blend on a Friday, and turning on the juice at the Wine Country Ukulele Festival the next day, while also hosting invaluable private and group workshops to enthusiastic ukulele players at the festival. He even wowed my church family at Sunday morning with a song we did together, where I had the pleasure of singing. A \standing ovation\ in church…quite unusual, but they couldn’t help having heard Derick play with such emotion on the ukulele. After all this, exhausted as Derick was having completed the prior week of events in southern CA, he NEVER lost his enthusiasm to expose his skills on his ukulele, and \humbly\ I might add, to others that were excited to see and hear this ukulele virtuoso. I recall hearing a couple at our booth, saying they made a special trip from Arizona to come up to WCUF just to hear and see Derick again. He certainly has made an impression and impact in the ukulele community in California with many, many people and ukulele enthusiasts. Derick is destined to branch out beyond Hawaii and California, YOU can count on it. He leaves an indelible mark people cannot forget, while speaking so humbly of himself, and ALWAYS acknowledging the people involved. I wish him well in his journey as he calls it, but little does he know that his journey started the minute he picked up a ukulele many years ago. His most recent full CD release is nothing short of FANTASTIC. YOU MUST GET IT…it will not disappoint! Keep an eye and ear on Derick Sebastian in the near future…better yet; STOP.UKE.LISTEN!
Aloha Wiki Boy! Thank you so much for the kind words…on behalf of my family and I, this means the world! Aloha and God Bless!
WING STOP…cummun, Cummun, CUMMUN!!!
Brah…no make…OKAY…WE GO!
Derick,
A great big mahalo salamat po for the private lesson at the Wine Country Ukulele Festival. Your aloha and mastery is greatly greatly appreciated. I’ll be sure to practice my strumming and picking so that we can jam next time.
Your lastest album that is due out soon is fantastic (picked up a copy before release, mahalo) and your ukulele instructional DVD has me keeping my ukulele warm with practice.
Looking forward to seeing you again when you visit Kaleponi again,
Andrew
Aloha Andrew,
Thank you for such an awesome opportunity. It was such great fun.. Much love and I will talk to you soon. Aloha and God Bless.