Politics

Do You Want to Hear the ‘Soundtrack of a Revolution’?

Posted on June 7, 2012 at 7:48pm by Tiffany Gabbay
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Kalai is a Hawaiian-born, Alaska-raised singer, songwriter and composer who, despite being born with birth defect that has affected his left hand, is managing to thrive as a full-scale guitarist and recording artist. His father, also a musician was ran a plumbing shop, while his mother worked for the school district. The entrepreneurial spirit, for Kalai, was imparted by those in his family who ran small businesses.

According to his bio, Kalai began singing even before he even learned to walk. His guitar-training came later on, at age 15, where he would practice up to ten hour per day. This feat was made doubly compelling by the fact that Kalai’s hand needs to be kept gloved and bandaged — an obvious impediment for a guitarist. Nonetheless, he aptly plays the guitar, along with drums, banjo, mandolin, and slide guitar.

Kalai, who now lives in Utah, is a practicing Christian and is married with children. While he was approached by three different record labels, Kalai wanted to remain independent. He dubs himself the “lemonade stand kid” based on his entrepreneurial.

Glenn Beck featured Kalai’s story as part of the final component of his new, four-step initiative to reclaim America. Thursday evening was dedicated to “creating” in the fields of arts and music.

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Comments (65)

NILAP
Posted on June 8, 2012 at 10:57am
Great musical geniuses are rare like John Lennon or Bob Dylan. Not every generation gets them. Hype will always get our attention but only genius will capture our imagination. If the Creator decides to open up that stream of melody that folks like Lennon were able to partake of to a chosen few we will have more of the likes of Lennon and Dylan. That is the Creator’s decision not Glenn Becks.
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- DimmuBorgir
  Posted on June 8, 2012 at 11:13am
  Lennon and Dylan sucked
  
  and this guy does too
  Report Post »
- DimmuBorgir
  Posted on June 8, 2012 at 11:20am
  “Music should strike fire from the heart of man, and bring tears from the eyes of woman.”
  
  This does neither.
  Report Post »
- philthetruth
  Posted on June 8, 2012 at 12:11pm
  there‘s nothin’ cool about hippies who complain about the very culture that allowed them their alleged success. the beatles are likely the most overrated band in history, dylan’s just a loser in general…
  Report Post »
- brother_ed
  Posted on June 8, 2012 at 2:13pm
  @NILAP
  
  Dylan and Lennon are indeed geniuses.
  
  I also like Woody Guthrie and early Neil Young, but then again, who cares what I like.
  
  Thanks Glenn, for sharing. Keep up the great work!!
  Report Post »
- SaintzOfAk
  Posted on June 8, 2012 at 6:19pm
  Hey DIMM-****…I can assure anyone whose read your post that you neither appreciate good music, nor have the ability to determine what‘s palatable to the soul and what’s not. Your a hollow dry bag of bones who knows Jack and **** about music. I suspect he lost your interest at “Christian”. Your always gonna be shufflin your scabby feet, down to the meat, into the desert of dried up souls…..FAIL!
  Report Post »
- DimmuBorgir
  Posted on July 25, 2012 at 10:21am
  @ SAINT
  
  I am a christian. you tool
  Report Post »
honor007
Posted on June 8, 2012 at 10:39am
HE IS GOOD!!!!! I listened to a few songs on youtube. Headed to ITunes now.
God Bless you, Kalai!~

It will be nice to click the purchase button and feel REALLY good about it :D
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- SaintzOfAk
  Posted on June 8, 2012 at 6:24pm
  This guy is FUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUl of soul. If you like this you should try “Ben Harper” and “Ben Howard”. Could you ever imagine a world without music?
  Report Post »
Beachbaby
Posted on June 8, 2012 at 9:21am
He’s cool. Ever hear Revolution by Ian Astbury of The Cult? Now THATS a good song.
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gsplgtr
Posted on June 8, 2012 at 9:20am
This boy has got MAJOR LEAGUE CHOPS.
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- DimmuBorgir
  Posted on June 8, 2012 at 11:22am
  Just like every other guy with an acoustic that won’t shut up at the bonfire.
  
  We get it, you have a guitar, you know some chords. Now stop belting out your sensitive songs so i can hit on this chick and drink my beer in peace!!!!
  Report Post »
- SaintzOfAk
  Posted on June 8, 2012 at 6:25pm
  Just as i had suspected DIMM-****…your into nothing but shallow empty thrills. Now walk on home PUNK!
  Report Post »
CK1911
Posted on June 8, 2012 at 8:54am
@MrMarkJohnson-who let the Rolling Stone reporter in here? Lighten up, Francis
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salvawhoray
Posted on June 8, 2012 at 8:12am
You boy go an alblum out, I’ll buy their record. (Up the Academy)
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js1964
Posted on June 8, 2012 at 6:52am
love this!
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- Crus8r
  Posted on June 8, 2012 at 11:02am
  After I heard this guy on GBTV, I looked him up on iTunes. He has several albums and all of them are good. I bought two full albums and several individual songs. Thanks Beck for turning me on to this fella. Kalai, keep up the good work and I will be getting more of your songs whhen it comes out.
  Report Post »
John_The_Beloved
Posted on June 8, 2012 at 6:05am
Grammer error:”His father, also a musician was ran a plumbing shop, while his mother worked for the school district.”
——————————————————————————————–

Correction:”His father, also a musician has been running a plumbing shop, while his mother worked for the school district.”
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- CK1911
  Posted on June 8, 2012 at 8:45am
  where he would practice up to ten hour per day
  -or maybe ten hours per day
  He dubs himself the “lemonade stand kid” based on his entrepreneurial.
  Entrepreneurial what? Shoes? Socks? Glasses?
  Nice story-bad editing
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- BoyScout_Mom
  Posted on June 8, 2012 at 3:47pm
  Ditto – I get it.
  
  Dig his music and would love to forward this story, but I just can’t. It’s too embarrassing. Who writes this stuff? Who edits it? Hey, Blaze, I’m an editor, by trade. You need to hire some editing staff. Give me a call.
  Report Post »
shaniac14
Posted on June 8, 2012 at 1:52am
I like his sound. He sounds a bit like Peter Gabriel to me.
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- Mainer forever
  Posted on June 8, 2012 at 9:25am
  I agree….Peter Gabriel. Still good….just sounds a bit like Peter.
  Report Post »
shaniac14
Posted on June 8, 2012 at 1:51am
Add your comments
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IZJ
Posted on June 8, 2012 at 1:02am
First time I’ve heard this singer and he reminds me a lot of Cat Stevens (Yusuf Islam) with more soul.
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mrmarkjohnson
Posted on June 8, 2012 at 12:24am
Glenn Beck doesn’t have good taste in music. This music is cheesy and contrived. You want to hear some good music from Christians, listen to Bach.

Beck’s like a fish out of water in this area. All musicians have “entrepreneurial spirit”. It’s really nothing special. Being an entrepreneurial musician in the age of the internet and cheap recording technology is pretty much the norm. People like Ani de Franco (sp?) were much more impressive in their entrepreneurial spirit because they did it with Flintstone-age technology. I guess it helps to have some special talent, which this kid does not. He’s fine, but there’s like a billion kids in every town that sing and play the guitar that well.

If Beck really wants to do something in the area of music, he should do it right. Either hire people who know music to find the talent or else develop some sort of farm system for musicians where they can develop their talent. Beck’s basically trying to do the role of a 1980s A&R guy when he doesn’t have the first clue about the required skill set to do that job. He’s trying to out-liberal the liberals when he should be encouraging brand new forms of music. The whole Bob Dylan/3 chords and the truth thing was new and exciting 45 years ago. Now, it’s just old and boring.
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- luxlife
  Posted on June 8, 2012 at 1:10am
  Very well stated. I know Glenn is on to something here – it’s much needed. However, what WILL work in this regard will be an entirely NEW expression artistically.
  
  I am encouraged with Glenn’s vision and I want to see this succeed! Bring in Gutfeld as a consultant – that dude knows music…ask S.E.
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- TRUTHandFREEDOM
  Posted on June 8, 2012 at 6:27am
  Music is personal. Exposure matters. All that I can say is that if Kalai makes a CD, I’ll buy it! I may buy extras as gifts because I know people who will like this.
  
  I think that the main things that Glenn are trying to do is inspire people to create in a way that stands in celebration of things that we value; to create music and art that inspires goodness instead of the massive celebration of decadence; to move beyond the every day onslaught over the airwaves of puberty hormone topics sung by people ranging from 18 to 65! ; To write and create for a grown up audience, for a patriotic audience, for an unmolded audience who only have decadence as an influence now and might like something more intelligent…… and create enough of it that it stands as a strong light of creativity in contrast to the negative, recycled product that we all know and change the channel away from. I see Glenn not only trying inspire this, but help deliver it. I also see him working to inspire people to deliver it themselves/ OUR selves through the web, through events, through word of mouth, through in person self marketing and beyond. That’s why we need the internet to stand as place of freedom.
  
  What Glenn is doing here is what he did with 912 and We surround them….. lead us to see that there are many of us out here and lead us to become active in delivering our point of view in big ways.
  
  I’ve been at that creative place for a long time with setbacks, but an accept no defeat attitude
  Report Post »
- CABERNETQHS
  Posted on June 8, 2012 at 10:24am
  You’re off the mark,mark.
  Report Post »
- DimmuBorgir
  Posted on June 8, 2012 at 11:18am
  I completely agree, this music is junk.
  
  Christian music doesn’t have to = suck.
  Report Post »
- TonyRUS
  Posted on June 8, 2012 at 10:54pm
  Really? Like there is some universal agreement on what is or is not talent, and GB needs to hire someone that can tell this. Its like judging what is or is not art. The whole idea is rediculous. If some “art” form appeals to a large group (you choose the number), then is does not matter whether some chosen person knights it art or “talent”. GB is using the word talent when he means “able to create meaningful work as judged by some significant group of people.” Is this talent? “Jack and his ho Jill went up a f–king hill to fetch a MF pail of water. Jack fell down and broke his MF crown and Jill went down on him to make him feel better.” ?? Depending on who “sings” it, a very lot of people would consider it talented work. Are YOU going to say it isn’t? Maybe anonymously you would.
  Report Post »
Beckaj
Posted on June 7, 2012 at 10:05pm
Absollutely love this song. Kalai is great. Just showed this to my kids. We can’t wait for Restoring Love.
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Ellimac318
Posted on June 7, 2012 at 10:03pm
I saw Kalai perform about 7 years ago! He was amazing then and looks like he’s only gotten better since! Can’t wait to hear more!
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IOUQuidProQuo
Posted on June 7, 2012 at 9:33pm
Kalai thank you for sharing your musical talents for good and not evil. Looking forward to “Restoring Love” in Dallas. Very excited to hear a soundtrack is coming out soon. Music is a great way to SPREAD the message of God’s Love, Hope and Freedom!

God uses many people to spread his message through SONG…..
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QHE2B4vLK0s
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- IOUQuidProQuo
  Posted on June 7, 2012 at 10:36pm
  The treasures of your Heart will carry you one day.
  
  Matthew 12:34 says that “out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.” The key is out of the abundance of the heart, that is, “what is in the heart,” what we want to talk about.
  Report Post »
lukerw
Posted on June 7, 2012 at 9:21pm
Art… is of great benefit to dating… by Archaeologists!
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peteasdf
Posted on June 7, 2012 at 9:20pm
This guy puts on one of the best shows I’ve seen…he‘s freakin’ hilarious.
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TRUTHandFREEDOM
Posted on June 7, 2012 at 9:06pm
I love his sound! Nice playing and singing too.

I have also had a project in the works …. for 2 years!

Many delays.
Major setbacks!
TWO PC failures!
Lost recordings/ files!
Had to start over!
Guitar amp issues!
Funding challenges!
Family, vehicle and household issues to slow me down!
My hair is falling out! That’s a crisis!
Vision is blurry! Ears are tired! I AM TIRED!
Other expenses and funding pullers like great causes calling for donations!
912 project activities!
Campaign assisting!
TEA Party activities!
Then there‘s the fact that I’m not a singer! I’m a guitarist! I seem to be pulling off the vocals well though.
SO much has been slowing me down to almost a stop, but I’m currently accelerating the project! Can’t stop now! Just can’t!

Fortunately, the family is giving me some quality private time with my recording gear. THAT’S Important and not easy to get! I’m leaning into some hard driving hard rock, bringing the founders and a stack of principles and influences. Decades of musical experience finally has a higher purpose than fun and shaking the paint off of bar room walls!

Funny, I always told my old singers to sing about better things than usual over my music.
Now I know what I was talking about!
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betterthantv
Posted on June 7, 2012 at 9:03pm
All of this is going to be great. Kalai has a wonderful voice, but that symphony you played on the show tonight was fantastic! Can’t wait for more.
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Eleutheria
Posted on June 7, 2012 at 8:43pm
True power can neither be given to you or taken from you. It comes from within, and this cat has mountains of it.
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TheRoos
Posted on June 7, 2012 at 8:25pm
You have got great talent kalai… And I used your quote aboutamericansnit being more world viewed from gbtv as a status update on Facebook. Love it
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ARealCharliesAngel
Posted on June 7, 2012 at 8:23pm
LOVE this…can’t wait to hear/see more! GBTV justs continues to ROCK!

Thank you, Glenn & Company!!
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v15
Posted on June 7, 2012 at 7:58pm
You’re living my dream, Kalai! Should I give up on finding a career in the white-collar industry, I’m just going to pick up my guitar and sing on the side of the road. Peace, from Sandy, UT
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trolltrainer
Posted on June 7, 2012 at 7:56pm
“Kalai, who now lives in Utah, is a practicing Christian…”

There is no such thing as a “practicing Christian.” You either are one or you are not.
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- DesertRose1960
  Posted on June 7, 2012 at 8:21pm
  Actually, like Glenn Beck, he is a Mormon.
  
  http://www.deseretnews.com/article/705381156/Is-there-any-hip-LDS-music-Yes-but-we-need-more.html
  
  There is nothing wrong with being Mormon, but most of Glenn’s sources are Mormon and they have a very different view of Christ and God than mainstream Protestants and Catholics.
  Report Post »
- BrownEyedGirl
  Posted on June 7, 2012 at 9:46pm
  @DESERTROSE1960 How can you say “most” of Glenn’s sources are Mormon? That’s ridiculous and not true. I can only think of a couple Mormons he has had on the show or used as references. Can you name a Mormon he has referenced as much as David Barton? Also, Mormons are Christians. Your comment is silly and ill informed.
  Report Post »
- honor007
  Posted on June 8, 2012 at 10:43am
  WHO CARES!!!! It is a good message and great music?
  Report Post »
Teabunny
Posted on June 7, 2012 at 7:54pm
3rd paragraph ends in an adjective…. should it be entrepreneurial (spirit, views, beliefs, tenancies, values…?) unfinished work. (nice story..link not available, but sweet)
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- Duddio
  Posted on June 7, 2012 at 8:58pm
  What about the line, “His father, also a musician was ran a plumbing shop,” or even, “he would practice up to ten hour per day”?
  
  I guess “was ran” is the new grammatical flair? C’mon, Blaze, hire an editor already!!!
  Report Post »
- Steverino
  Posted on June 7, 2012 at 9:10pm
  This may verry well be the most poorest writed artcile I’ve ever scene on this. Cool story nonetheless.
  Steve
  Report Post »
- Dodsfall
  Posted on June 8, 2012 at 2:11am
  I couldn’t even finish reading the article. A simple proof-reading does wonders.
  Report Post »

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