In 2006 I spent my birthday on the big island of Hawaii in a
Jeep Wrangler circling the island. Despite the trip to paradise, I was dealing with a difficult time in my life. Big changes had to be made. From volcanoes to tropical rainforests, my
trek was accompanied by the sounds of Ben Harper loaded in my iPod. The music
felt right for where I was on the island, and where I was in my life. I felt
like it was a voice I could understand clearly in that moment. Songs like Better Way and With My Own Two Hands spoke to me in volumes. And although I didn’t
want to “change the world”, I did want to change my world. And I did.
In 2011 I spent my birthday at the Doheny Days Music
Festival with good friends, including Mike Vallely. Headlining the show was Ben
Harper, whom I had recently met while out photographing with Mike for Airwalk Shoes. Mike
told Ben that it was my birthday. Ben went into his dressing room, handwrote
out the night’s set-list and gave it to me. We watched his performance from the
side stage as guests. Ben paused the show to have the audience join him in singing
Happy Birthday to me.
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| Mike Vallely, Ben Harper, Eric Hendrikx, Rob Machado |
Gotta be honest, that might have just been one of the best changed my life blog posts around. Super excited to know you over the internet man.
ReplyDeleteCuz you have "DIAMONDS on the inside baby!!!!" I know this to be true. Congrats on changing your world with your own two hands, Thats the only way.... Lv H
ReplyDeleteIt's wonderful to see a man with passion to following a moment in time, that helped you through to the other side. It's awesome that you found what you were looking for in your time of need.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations for having the inspiration to seek it out.
Choked me up...................
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