Join Buzz Knight with Maoli: Exploring Music History, Aloha Spirit, and Creative Journeys with his Community

Summary

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Takin' A Walk — Music History with Buzz Knight

Episode: Join Buzz Knight with Maoli—Exploring Music History, Aloha Spirit, and Creative Journeys with His Community

Date: December 16, 2025
Host: Buzz Knight
Guest: Maoli (singer, songwriter, producer)

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Episode Overview

In this uplifting episode, Buzz Knight takes a metaphorical and literal "walk" with Maoli, one of the leading voices in contemporary Hawaiian and island reggae music. The discussion weaves through Maoli's personal journey, creative process, deep roots in island and country music, the concept of aloha spirit, and his dedication to community and uplifting the next generation. With warmth and humility, Maoli shares stories about musical influences, collaborations, his evolving sound, and the importance of staying grounded through family, faith, and culture.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Opening Reflections: The Walk & Nashville Roots

• Buzz Knight kicks things off with the signature "walk with someone" question.
• Maoli chooses his wife, Mercedes, as his preferred walking companion, humorously suggesting a stroll down Nashville’s Broadway after spending weeks there for music projects.
  • “My wife. Yeah, that's the one I would take a walk with right now.” – Maoli (04:24)
  • “Broadway in Nashville, man. I've been up here for the past three weeks now.” – Maoli (04:41)

2. Defining Maoli’s Signature Sound

• Maoli describes his music as a fusion of island reggae and country storytelling, shaped by his upbringing in Hawaii and affinity for country living.
  • “It's just a mixture...of my lifestyle, my culture...reggae music is very big there…but the style of life at home is very country. I fell in love with country music for a long time.” – Maoli (05:04)

3. Intentional Positivity in the Music

• Discusses the deliberate aim to create uplifting, feel-good music that evokes landscapes of beauty and relaxation.
  • “Is that intended?” – Buzz Knight (05:41)
  • “That is intended, yes.” – Maoli (05:57)

4. Origins & Turning Points

• Maoli traces his decision to fully commit to music to the pandemic era:
  • “Actually, it wasn't until…I would say, 2019, like, around the pandemic time. That's when I knew…it was my calling.” – Maoli (06:11)

5. Influences: A Blend of Reggae and Country

• Acknowledges a vast spectrum of influences—from Bob Marley, Peter Tosh, and Toots & the Maytals to Garth Brooks, George Strait, Alan Jackson, and Kenny Chesney.
  • “Those are huge influences on my music, for sure.” – Maoli (07:02)
  • Memorable moment: Maoli attended the CMAs and saw Kenny Chesney and George Strait perform live for the first time.

6. Creative Process: Spiritual & Organic

• Maoli dissects his songwriting process, revealing it's a spiritual, intuitive practice, initiated variously by a title, a melody, or a vibe:
  • “For me, it's spiritual...you have to be at the right place, the right time, and just download…God says, hey, this is your song...I step aside and I let music do its thing.” – Maoli (07:52)

7. Desert Island Discs & Self-Favorites

• For a deserted island album, Maoli chooses his own 'MMO' album, citing its “island feels.” Struggles to choose beyond that, but mentions Kenny Chesney, Jimmy Buffett, and Bob Marley.
  • “That one has all the island feels on it...our most successful album so far.” – Maoli (09:20)

8. Juggling Hats: Artist & Producer

• Talks about collaboration with producer J. Vibe (Miami-based) and the importance of honesty and friendship in music production.
  • “I would have to say his honesty. He's very honest with me…” – Maoli (11:08)

9. Studio Vibes: Laughter and Tequila

• The studio atmosphere is lively, full of laughter, camaraderie, and a bit of tequila (“I'm a tequila guy.”).
  • “Sometimes we'll hit something where the song feels amazing. Let's get another shot!” – Maoli (12:13)

10. Creativity & Routine

• Prefers working during the day ("like a 9 to 5") rather than late nights; praises Nashville’s structured music scene.
  • “Everybody wakes up in the morning, 9:00 o'clock, leaves the studio at 5, and it's like they clock in, clock out. I love that stuff.” – Maoli (12:39)

11. Behind the New Album: Country Meets Reggae

• Details the making of his hybrid country-reggae album, the unique experience of recording live with Nashville musicians, and blending Dan Huff's country touch with J. Vibe's reggae expertise.
  • “The writing, the storytelling of country music…mixed with the foundation…of reggae music. And that's kind of what you get right there.” – Maoli (13:20–15:13)

12. Favorite New Tracks

• Picks "Damn, Good Night" and "Last of the Summer" as his standout tracks from the new project.
  • “Those two really hit on me.” – Maoli (15:35)

13. Artistic Growth & Loyalty of the Fanbase

• Attributes musical evolution to life experience and is mindful of not straying too far from the core sound treasured by his fanbase.
  • “I'm always trying to grow as an artist…and just get better every day…just evolving.” – Maoli (16:00)
• Explains how authenticity and a shared island identity foster deep resonance with fans worldwide.
  • “The reason you like the songs…it’s really a reflection of who you are.” – Maoli (16:41)

14. The Aloha Spirit

• Discusses the importance of aloha as a way of life and its vital presence in both music and personal philosophy.
  • “It's just a way to love…it's really just a place of giving and just love.” – Maoli (17:46)
  • “We need aloha spirit more now than ever…it's very uplifting…it brings you to a great place.” – Buzz Knight & Maoli (18:16–18:21)

15. Staying Grounded on the Road

• Credits prayer and the companionship of his wife, Mercedes, as anchors during the challenges of touring life.
  • “I'd have to say prayer, a lot of praying…a loving wife.” – Maoli (18:49)

16. Unexpected Fun Facts

• Maoli loves popcorn and Disney movies, emphatically choosing “movie theater popcorn with butter.”
  • “I love popcorn and Disney movies” – Maoli (19:39)
  • “You put the butter on that. I’m just munching for days.” – Maoli (20:09)

17. Exciting Ventures: Tequila Line

• Working on launching his own tequila brand, Elimov (“Five Holy Waters” in his language), inspired by his passion for tequila.
  • “I'm working on a tequila that hopefully I can get launched next year…it's a side project I've been working on outside of music.” – Maoli (20:27–20:54)

18. Performance Preferences

• Prefers intimate venues with close audience interaction for a more energetic, contagious spirit.
  • “I really like the venues where they're right up close…could feel their energy, literally.” – Maoli (21:14)

19. Community Involvement: Maoli Music Foundation

• Focused on mentoring and providing opportunities for young talent from Hawaii through his non-profit foundation.
  • “There's a lot of talented singers where I'm from, but they just don't have the proper guidance…that's one of the things my foundation is really lean[ing] forward to.” – Maoli (21:56)

20. Advice for His Younger Self & The Best Guidance He’s Received

• Would tell his younger self: “Be patient…This too shall pass.” (23:16)
• Shares cherished advice from his late mentor Fiji: practice patience, honor God's timing, and use everything around you for creativity.
  • “Be patient, to understand that this is in timing. God's timing is where you want to be…you just have to learn how to use everything around you. All the things that you see, you feel, you touch, you can use them all.” – Maoli (24:08)

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the Aloha Spirit:
  “It's just a way to love…it's really just a place of giving and just love, you know, and that's…instilled in me from the day I was born.” – Maoli (17:46)

• On Creative Flow:
  “For me, it's spiritual…you just have to be at the right place, the right time…it's a wonderful thing to have happen, you know, and I just kind of let it be.” – Maoli (07:52)

• On Studio Vibes:
  “To be completely honest, there's a lot of laughter…a lot of jokes…it'll get serious and there's…a lot of drinking going on. I'm a tequila guy.” – Maoli (11:55–12:13)

• On Advice from Mentor Fiji:
  “He was the one who…would tell me to be patient, to understand that this is in timing…you just have to learn how to use everything around you…And I had never gotten a writer's block after that.” – Maoli (24:08)

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Important Timestamps

• 04:24: Maoli’s “taking a walk” pick—his wife, Mercedes.
• 05:04: Defining Maoli’s musical style.
• 06:11: Realization that music was his destined path.
• 07:02: Range of musical influences shared.
• 07:52: Explanation of the spiritual songwriting process.
• 10:15: Insights on producing and collaborating with J. Vibe.
• 12:13: Studio atmosphere—tequila and laughter.
• 13:20: Recording the new country-reggae fusion album with Dan Huff and J. Vibe.
• 15:35: Maoli’s personal favorite new tracks.
• 16:41: Discussing what resonates most with his fanbase.
• 17:46: The philosophy and lived reality of aloha spirit.
• 18:49: How Maoli stays grounded—prayer and wife, Mercedes.
• 19:39: Fun fact—love for popcorn and Disney movies.
• 20:27: Tequila business announcement: Elimov.
• 21:56: Maoli Music Foundation and community mentoring.
• 23:16: Advice for his younger self: patience and perseverance.
• 24:08: The best advice, from mentor Fiji.

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Closing

The episode captures Maoli’s genuine spirit—rooted in aloha, creativity, and humility—while highlighting his genre-blending music, commitment to his community, and optimism for the future. Buzz Knight’s relaxed, respectful interview style draws out real stories and wisdom for fans new and old alike.

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Summary by Podcast Summarizer AI – designed for listeners who want to experience every lesson and lyric, even if they missed the walk itself.

Transcript

[Buzz Knight]

Taking a Walk hi, I'm Buzz Knight, the host of the Taking a Walk podcast. Now today, imagine some scenery, beautiful scenery with somebody whose music has been the soundtrack to countless island sunsets, beach bonfires and good times with friends. Joining me today is Maioli, a multi talented singer, songwriter and producer who's become one of the most beloved voices in contemporary Hawaiian and island reggae music. From his breakout hit no. 1 to chart toppers like Summertime and get you home safe, Maioli has this incredible ability to blend traditional island sounds.

[Sponsor/Ad Voice]

With modern R and B and reggae.

[Buzz Knight]

In a way that just hits different. He's got this smooth, soulful voice that can make you feel like you're sitting on a beach in Hawaii. We'll talk to Maioli next on Takin A Walk.

[Podcast Announcer]

This is an iHeart podcast. Guaranteed Human.

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[Sponsor/Ad Voice]

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[Sophie Cunningham]

This is Sophie Cunningham from Show Me Something. Do you know the symptoms of moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea or OSA in adults with obesity, they may be happening to you without you knowing. If anyone has ever said you snore loudly, or if you spend your days fighting off excessive tiredness, irritability, and concentration issues, it may be due to osa. OSA is a serious condition where your airway partially or completely collapses during sleep, which may cause breathing interruptions and oxygen deprivation. Learn more at don'tsleep on OSA.com this information is provided by Lilly, A Medicine company.

[Podcast Announcer]

Okay, only 10 more presents to wrap. You're almost at the finish line, but first, There, the last one. Enjoy a Coca Cola for a pause that refreshes.

[Podcast Outro/Transition Voice]

Taking a walk.

[Buzz Knight]

My only. Welcome to the Taking a Walk podcast, my friend.

[Maioli]

Thank you for having me, man.

[Buzz Knight]

Yeah, so we like to ask an opening question just to kind of get things rolling here. Since we call this show Taking a Walk. I want to ask you if you can take a walk with someone. Who would you take a walk with?

[Maioli]

My wife. Yeah, that's. That's the one I would take a walk with right now.

[Buzz Knight]

Smart man. Where would you go?

[Maioli]

Maybe down Broadway.

[Buzz Knight]

Broadway in Nashville?

[Maioli]

Yeah, Broadway in Nashville, man.

[Sophie Cunningham]

Wow.

[Buzz Knight]

That's a quiet place, right?

[Maioli]

Yeah, I've been up here for the past three weeks now, and we paid a lot of visits to that Broadway.

[Buzz Knight]

So for people who might be discovering your music for the first time, how do you describe what you do?

[Maioli]

It's. That's a great question. It's just a mixture, man, of. Of my lifestyle, my culture. You know, I come from Hawaii. There is, you know, we have this island way of living, you know, and so reggae music is very big there, and. But the style of life I live at home is very country. Like, I fell in love with country music for a long time, you know, and I've been doing it for a while now. But it's just a mixture of country and storytelling mixed with the style of reggae music.

[Buzz Knight]

It. It really makes you feel good. It puts you in a place where, if you're listening to it, it puts a smile on your face, and it. It takes you to a place of beauty and relaxation. Is that intended?

[Maioli]

That is intended, yes.

[Buzz Knight]

Well, you, Nate, you nail that every time for sure. So take me back to the beginning. When did you first know music was going to be your path and your life? Was there a specific moment?

[Maioli]

It was more like an on and off thing where at one point in my life, I was like, yes, this is what I want to do. And then another point in my life, maybe I should pursue something else. But Actually wasn't until I would say, 2019, like, around the pandemic time. That's when I knew it was like, yeah, this is going to be something pretty big, you know, And I knew that I. I have to pursue. This is my calling.

[Buzz Knight]

And tell me about these influences. There's a vast group of influences, I believe. People like Bomb, Bob Marley and Marley, John Legend, Stevie Wonder. Are there. Are there more?

[Maioli]

Oh, yeah. That list goes on and on, man. There's Bob, Marty, Peter, Tosh, Tuts, and the Maytals. That. When it comes to the reggae side and the soul side, man, like Garth Brooks, George street, you know, those are. Alan Jackson. Those are huge influences on this music. Kenny Chesney, you know, it was cool, too. I just. I just went to the cmas last night for the first time, and I got to watch. Finally got to watch Kenny Chesney perform. George Straight was there. You know, it was crazy. But those are huge influences on my music, for sure.

[Buzz Knight]

And walk us through your creative process, especially with your. With your new music. But in general, when you're writing a song, where does it usually start? Is it a melody first? Is it a beat? A lyric? Is it a vibe? Take us behind the scenes.

[Maioli]

It's. It's multiple things, man. Sometimes I'll. I'll just have a title in my head, and I kind of work off that. Sometimes it's a melody, a Jessa melody. But when the. The process of writing, I just don't like to get in the way of it because I, I. For me, it's spiritual, you know, you just have to be at the right place, the right time, and just download. What, for me is like, God says, hey, this is your song, and just accept it, you know? And it kind of just flows, and I don't know how to explain it, but it's. It's. It. It's a very spiritual thing for me. So it's a. It's. It's just a wonderful thing to. To have happen, you know, And I just kind of let it be. So it. It could be the melody, it could be the title, it could be whatever inspires me at the time. Sometimes it's just the. The music, and I'll just kind of flow off of that. But, yeah, that's really what it is, man. I just. I step aside and I let music do its thing.

[Buzz Knight]

So since your music takes us to. At least takes me and the audience to like, an island sort of feeling, you know, the concept of a desert island disc, if you were stuck on an island and you had. Yeah. What would your Desert Island. Desert island disc be?

[Maioli]

What island would I want to be on?

[Buzz Knight]

No, what. Which album Desert island disc. Album would you have to have with you to get you through that?

[Maioli]

As far as mine goes, I would have to see my MMO album. Yeah, that one. That one has all the island feels on it. That was our. Pretty much our most successful album so far, you know.

[Buzz Knight]

Yeah, I like that. So far. And is there. Is there a desert island disc from another artist that you would have to bring with you or is that an impossible question? Like the Taking a walk question?

[Maioli]

Yeah, that's a hard one, man. That's a real hard one. I know. Probably Kenny would have to be up there. Jimmy Buffett would have to be up there. Bob Marley, you know, I. I don't know, man. I can't give you. That's a hard one.

[Buzz Knight]

I know. I'm sorry. Don't think less of me for asking such a difficult question. So you produce a lot of your own music too now. How does this work for you, having two hats artist and producer? Does it change your approach to a song?

[Maioli]

Sometimes, yeah. But I've been working a lot lately with this producer, J. Vibe, who is based out of Miami. He's been helping me a lot lately with the. The creative side of. Of the music. But I. Yeah, I wouldn't take credit for that. I would. I would. I would have to say that J. Vibe has a lot to do with it, you know, and.

[Buzz Knight]

Yeah, that's a pretty. That's a pretty cool name. I mean, my only is a pretty cool name, but J. Vibe, my God. Yeah, that says everything right there.

[Maioli]

Yeah, him and. Yeah, me and him have been doing it for a while now, since before the pandemic. And it's been working out great. So, you know, I don't want to fix something that's not broken.

[Buzz Knight]

How does he make you a better artist?

[Maioli]

I would have to say his honesty. He's very honest with me, is not to wish people I'll jug in the studio with and they're just like, hey, you need to redo that line, you know? But he's one of those people where he'll, you know, and I, and I'm. I'm a person that could take constructive criticism. So I would have to say that it's his honesty in our friendship that's, that's the key to having this type of success or whatever you want to call it.

[Buzz Knight]

And if I walked into you guys in a studio session, what would the overall vibe be I mean, is there, is there, you know, some. Some laughter that's going on? Is it complete intensity? Is it a balance? What's. What would I sense when I walked in?

[Maioli]

Oh, man. To be completely honest, there's a lot of laughter going on, a lot of jokes. It'll get serious and there's. There's kind of a lot of drinking going on.

[Buzz Knight]

What's the, the drink of choice?

[Maioli]

I'm a tequila guy. I gotta have that. I'll just sip on that the whole time. And it is funny because sometimes we will, you know, we'll hit something where the song feels amazing. Let's get another shop. There you go. I got it.

[Buzz Knight]

I love it.

[Maioli]

It's just a fun process, man.

[Buzz Knight]

Is there a time of day that you feel most creative?

[Maioli]

I would say nah, maybe the morning, the afternoon time. You know, I'm not really like a late night studio guy. Like, I like, I like to work in the morning to like, late afternoon. Like a 9 to 5 almost. That's what I love about Nashville. Like, Nashville is like clockwork here. Like, everybody wakes up in the morning, 9:00 o', clock, leaves the studio at 5, and it's like they clock it, clock out. I love that stuff. But.

[Buzz Knight]

So let's talk about the new music and how it all unfolded. So tell us about it and tell us what the process was like in terms of creating it with J. Vibe and the rest of your crew.

[Maioli]

Yeah, well, the, the last country album I did, last episomer, the country version of it, I linked up with producer Dan Huff, who's a phenomenal producer, man. Really, really good. I was, I was blessed to be working with that man. Him and his brother, David Huff, they found me at a show that I was doing in Nashville and they came, they came to the show and just, you know, kind of introduced themselves and I kind of knew immediately, like, I think these are the guys I really want to work with when it comes to that countryside, you know, and it wasn't too late, wasn't that much after. I would say maybe like six, six months maybe. We ended up coming. I flew up to Nashville. We started working with them for the first time too. I never did this before, but it's kind of like the way they record up here where they'll get a bunch of the musicians. I'm so used to, like, you know, I'll work out an idea and send it to my. My producer and my producer sends me something back. But with this one, I was like, I'm actually in the room with all of the musicians, and they're so great, and they. That they can just one take, you know, And I was a little intimidated in the beginning because that was like a new thing for me. But after a while, they made me so, you know, I was super comfortable after. After I got to know everybody, but that was. That was a fun experience. I never recorded that way before in my life. And then what we did with that was. But that was more country style. And then from there, I brought in my producer, J. Vibe, who is really good at that reggae sound. And we just. Now you got Dan Huff, one of the legends of country, working with J. Vibe, who is one of the legends in reggae music. That sound, that was the last album that I just did. The island vibes, that's what you hear. So it's the writing, the storytelling of country music. The guitars of country music mixed with the foundation of drum and bass with reggae music. And that's kind of what you get right there.

[Buzz Knight]

You know, you must have multiple, if not all favorite tracks off of it. Tout a few of them that really pop to the top for you.

[Maioli]

I would say Damn, Good Night, and Last of the Summer. Yeah, I would say those two. Those two really hit on me.

[Buzz Knight]

Oh, I love that.

[Maioli]

Those are my favorites. Yeah.

[Buzz Knight]

Yeah.

[Maioli]

And I usually don't say that because I'm like, every one of them is my favorite. Of course.

[Buzz Knight]

Yeah, of course. How do you think your sound has. Has evolved with these. With these new tracks? Do you. I know you're experimenting all the time.

[Maioli]

Yeah, that just comes with time and experience and life, you know? Like, I'm always trying to grow as an artist, you know, and try new things, and I don't want to go too far off, but, you know, because I do have a. A great core fan base that wants to hear the. The style that I do. But, yeah, man, I'm always constantly growing and trying to just get better every day. That's kind of just what I've been doing now, just evolving.

[Buzz Knight]

And you mentioned the loyal fan base. What do you think with that loyal fan base is about your music that resonates so deeply and personally with people?

[Maioli]

I think it's because we're very similar. You know, I always say that the reason you like the songs and the music is because it's really a reflection of who you are. That's. I think they just resonate with, you know, as an artist, I. I'm just being me, you know, and I'm just doing what I do. And. And. And I think there's a Huge fan base that, you know, that just loves that style of. And the way I. I live my life, the way I. The things I talk about in the songs, the. The way it moves you, the way. And a lot of these people are island people, you know, like, that's why we'll go to New Zealand and sell thousands of tickets there. And Fiji and Tahiti. I think it just has this island vibe to it where island people are just drawn to it, you know, and it's been doing really well, man.

[Buzz Knight]

And it's the concept of. I love it. Aloha spirit.

[Maioli]

Aloha spirit. That's right.

[Buzz Knight]

I love that. It's. How do you carry it beyond your music in. In everyday life? The aloha spirit, it's something that, to.

[Maioli]

Me, it's like, you just have it, man. It's. It's a way of life back home, you know, we. As I'm Hawaiian and back home, it's like. It's just. It's a way to love, you know, and you. It's hard to get it anywhere else in the world. It's, it's, it's. It's really a. Just a place of giving and just love, you know, and that's. It just instilled in me from my. The day I was born.

[Buzz Knight]

I mean, we need aloha spirit more now than ever.

[Maioli]

More now than ever. That's why I believe in this, man. I'm like, people, I feel need to. Need to hear these types of. Of, of vibes because, you know, it's. It's, it's. It's very uplifting. It's very, you know, it brings you to a great place. You know, you can't get mad. Listen to it, you know.

[Buzz Knight]

So when you're traveling and performing, how are you able to stay grounded? Because there's. It's not an easy life.

[Maioli]

It's not mine at all. I'd have to say prayer, a lot of praying and, you know, I travel with my wife, too, so she helps me a lot, you know. So I would say that, man. Just being rooted, man. A lot of prayer and. And a loving wife.

[Buzz Knight]

That's why when I asked you the taking a walk question, we were very smart about it. And you said, well, I think it's my wife. I like that a lot. What's your wife's name?

[Maioli]

Mercedes.

[Buzz Knight]

Mercedes, if you're listening, your man did the right thing.

[Maioli]

What.

[Buzz Knight]

What's something most people don't know about you that they might be surprised to learn?

[Maioli]

I love popcorn and Disney movies.

[Buzz Knight]

I Love that. What kind of popcorn?

[Maioli]

Oh, any kind, man. The microwavable ones.

[Buzz Knight]

Easy stuff.

[Maioli]

You can't be the movie theater ones. Yeah, movie theater is the best, but.

[Buzz Knight]

Some people get all bollocks up with, you know, caramel popcorn, that kind of thing.

[Maioli]

I'm just a butter guy.

[Buzz Knight]

Yeah, the real deal.

[Maioli]

Yeah, you put the butter on that. I'm just munching for days.

[Buzz Knight]

So beyond your new music, what else are you excited about right now? And obviously, tours play into that, but are there other projects or goals on the horizon?

[Maioli]

Yeah, right now I'm working on a tequila that hopefully I can get launched next year. But I'm really, I'm really excited about that. That's my, my side project that I've been working on outside of the music, you know? Yes. Yeah. Because I love tequila, man.

[Buzz Knight]

That's, I, I, I think it's part of the creative process. Right?

[Maioli]

Yeah. Yep. That's right.

[Buzz Knight]

Do you have a name for it?

[Maioli]

Elimov. Yeah, it's, it's a means five. Five waters.

[Buzz Knight]

Five Holy waters.

[Maioli]

Five Holy waters, right?

[Buzz Knight]

I absolutely love that. That is so cool. What are some of your favorite types of venues to play at?

[Maioli]

Mine, I would say, like, I like, I kind of like when they're, like, close to you, you know. When I do, like, the bigger ones, they're like, you know, it's kind of far away from me. I don't get to really, like, interact with them and feel them, but I try my best. But I really like the venues where they're, like, right up close, you know, I could feel their energy, literally.

[Buzz Knight]

Well, and they could feel yours. Yeah, and you have a contagious spirit about you. You have this joy that you radiate, you know? So the closer the better, you know?

[Maioli]

Oh, yeah, absolutely.

[Buzz Knight]

Yeah.

[Maioli]

I like that the best.

[Buzz Knight]

What causes charities are important to you?

[Maioli]

I actually have a foundation, too, a nonprofit called Modeling Music Foundation. And I'm trying to just work with kids where they didn't, because there's a lot of talented singers where I'm from, a lot of talented musicians, but they just don't have the proper guidance to, to, you know, get them, get them through. And I've been fortunate enough to really see this industry and, and be around some really, really talented and great businessmen, very smart businessmen. And I kind of want to just get that to my home, you know, and, and because there's just no place to go for that type of information that you just can't get it anywhere. And I, I'm. That that's one of the. My foundation is what I'm, you know, I'm really leaning forward to is because I think that's important. If I. If I look back on my younger years, if I had a mentor or, you know, somebody to just guide me, I wouldn't have to make as much mistakes that I have make that I had making through these years. So I. Yeah, I think my foundation is the. What I'm really leaning towards.

[Buzz Knight]

What would you tell your younger self if you could. In retrospect, what advice would you give your younger self?

[Maioli]

Be patient. You know, really, it's like a mixture of, you know, follow your heart, but be. Be patient and remember that this too shall pass. You know, there's a lot of. There's a lot of wars that I've hid in my life in. And I'm glad that I pushed through, but, man, there was times where I went through some panics.

[Buzz Knight]

So in. In closing, is there the best advice now as somebody who's been at it and working hard that somebody has given you about music or life or creativity, that really made a tremendous impact on you.

[Maioli]

That's made an impact on me. As far as advice, you mean?

[Sponsor/Ad Voice]

Yeah.

[Buzz Knight]

In your life and in your work.

[Maioli]

There's. There's several. You know, there was an artist named Fiji back where I'm from, and he's like the pioneer of. Of our music, of my music. And he was a big brother to me. And recently he passed away this year. But he was the one who would be, you know, telling me to be patient, to understand that this is in timing. God's timing is where you want to be, you know, you don't want to force too much things. You know, he would always, you know, just miss a dude like crazy. I'm thinking about him, you know, but, yeah, he would give me just that type of advice where, you know, like, be careful who you surround yourself with and just stuff where, like, even the creative side I would get into, like, I would have my writer's block. And he was an amazing writer. And he's like, you just have to learn how to use everything around you. All the things that you see, you feel, you touch, you can use them all. And I was like, I sat down there and it just clicked for me. And I had never gotten a writer's block after that. Just by using everything around me, I'm like, oh, he's. So I can use the light and the flowers, and I just put them here anyway. But, yeah, he would be the guy that has given me a lot of advice in my career.

[Buzz Knight]

Well, enjoy your walk with Mercedes and thank you for everything that you are giving us, your tremendous aloha spirit and your amazing music. It's an honor, my only to have you on the Taking a Walk podcast, my friend. Would you come on another time?

[Maioli]

Absolutely, absolutely.

[Buzz Knight]

You're always, you're always welcome.

[Maioli]

Thank you. I appreciate you.

[Podcast Outro/Transition Voice]

Thanks for listening to this episode of the Taking a Walk podcast. Share this and other episodes with your friends and follow us so you never miss an episode. Taking a Walk is available on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, and wherever you get your podcasts.

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[Maioli]

No, I'm asking.

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