Live Your Music - Interview with Jim Kimo West 08/10/16

Hello Everyone,

Jim Kimo West was my guest for Live Your Music today!

Best known as long-time guitarist for the world’s most successful musical comedy artist, Weird Al Yankovic, Jim Kimo West is regarded as one of the world’s foremost ki ho’alu or Hawaiian slack key guitar artists.

To hear the recording of my interview with Jim Kimo West and hear his song Maui Skies, please click here. 
 


Click on the photo above to hear a replay of Live Your Music
with Jim Kimo West as my guest.


Having never even seen Waikiki, Jim Kimo West went right to Hana, Maui in 1985 and spent much of his time there for many years. It was in Hana where he first heard the music of Gabby Pahinui, Sons Of Hawaii, Sonny Chillingworth and Atta Isaacs. Already familiar with alternate tunings, the sound of ki ho’alu (slack key) became his favorite soundtrack.

Jim Kimo West is a 2008 winner of the Hawaii Music Awards and two-time Na Hoku Hanohano (the Hawaiian ‘Grammy’) nominee. He is also a two-time winner of the LA Treasures Award for his efforts in keeping this important acoustic guitar tradition alive. He is a veteran of Hawaii’s famed slack key festivals as well as the So Cal Slack Key Festival.

Jim's numerous CD’s feature many original compositions as well as inventive arrangements of the genre’s classic repertoire. His latest release, Guitar Stories goes beyond slack key, exploring other genres like West African guitar, Middle Eastern Music and Americana.

Jim has also worked as a composer for film and TV for many years and maintains a sophisticated private studio in Los Angeles. His slack key compositions have been used in a number of features, TV spots, cable, web and in many documentaries.




Jim Kimo West's album Guitar Stories



Today Jim and I talked about his musical journey and what it's like to perform with Weird Al Yankovic on tour as well as performing on Maui and slack key guitar shows. Jim will also perform with Weird Al Yankovic at the annual Festival Supreme hosted by Tenacious D also featuring Flight of the Conchords. It's scheduled for October 29th at Los Angeles’ Shrine Expo Hall & Grounds at USC.

As we discussed during the show, Maui is a place where you feel love everywhere you go. We also talked about the words Aloha and Mahalo which you hear all the time when you when you are there. Gratitude is what Mahalo expresses. Being in touch with your gratitude reminds you to enjoy the beauty that surrounds you and the people you have in your life.

Following are some beautiful pictures Jim took on Maui. Listening to Jim's songs reminds me of being on Maui. I love to hear the music of Hawaii. If you do, or would like to, I highly recommend you listen to this interview and get one or more of Jim's albums! 





Princeville Sunset


Napili


Hamoa Beach




The new album Slackers in Paradise will be out October 5, 2016


As Jim mentioned during the last part of the show, he is still on tour with Weird Al Yankovic and also has shows scheduled on Maui for the release of his new album Slackers in Paradise in October and November this year.

To connect with Jim Kimo West online:
www.jimkimowest.com
www.facebook.com/Jim-Kimo-West


To hear the podcast replay with Jim Kimo West as my guest, please click on this direct link: Live Your Music Jim Kimo West 08/10/16

Please listen to the show and share the replay link with your family and friends!

If you'd like to hear replays of my other shows you can listen to online podcasts of Live Your Music by clicking here.

Love,
Margaux

PS: My book, The Art of Living a Life You Love, which I mentioned during the show today, can help you feel happier, live your music, and love the life you're living. You can order my book online at either Amazon.com or Barnes & Noble.

To find out more about me, and how my creative life balance coaching can help you, please visit my blog website at www.margauxjoydenador.com

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