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)

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.

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)

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)

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.

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.

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