How One In Love Changed My Life and Career - Part 1
Kevin shares his journey from aspiring professional singer to award-winning artist in the early 1980s — Part 1.
On November 13, 1982, one of the most significant — and life-changing — moments of my life took place. Against the odds, I found myself standing as one of two Grand Prize winners at the 3rd and final Hawaii Music Festival, held at the Neal S. Blaisdell Arena in Honolulu. The other winner was my dear friend Melinda Carrol.
That year, two Grand Prizes were awarded. One artist would represent Hawaiʻi at the upcoming Hawaii World Music Festival, while the other would represent Hawaiʻi and the United States at the prestigious Tokyo Music Festival, held at the legendary Budokan Hall. Contestants had to declare in advance which competition they would enter if they won — no changes allowed.
For me, the choice was easy. I wanted to return to Japan on my own terms and merits. Years earlier, I had spent time there as a Japan pop singer trainee after taking a break from my studies at the University of Hawaiʻi. This felt like unfinished business.
The competition that year was especially tough, with established local professionals such as Sonya Mendez, Melinda Carrol, The Kasuals, Island Band, Toma/Natto, and Malani Bilyeu of Kalapana, among others. Frankly, I wasn’t expected to win. The year before, at the 2nd Hawaii Music Festival, I had placed Silver — an achievement I was proud of — but this time I was hoping, at best, to move up to Gold.
I knew that meant finding the right song — one that could capture the judges’ attention and stand up to a performance backed by a full symphonic orchestra. I turned to composer Manny Cabral, who had written the song that earned me Silver the year before. Manny had a gift for writing emotionally powerful, technically demanding songs that truly worked in competition settings.
He played me a song called “One In Love.” I fell in love with it immediately — even though it terrified me. The song had shifting tempos, wide vocal range, and required an emotional intimacy that’s hard to convey in a massive arena. Still, I knew this was the kind of song it would take to compete at the highest level.
There was just one problem — it had already been promised to another singer. I was devastated. Without a song like that, I didn’t see a path forward. But fate — and grace — stepped in. That singer backed out, and Manny gave the song to me.
Next, I brought One In Love to my arranger, the late Willie Barton, whom I consider the finest musical arranger and chart writer in Hawaiʻi. Willie was like a big brother to me — he believed in me, mentored me, and taught me the importance of clear, complete charts, especially when working with a full symphonic orchestra. Despite my limited means at the time, he never charged me what he charged others.
Willie immediately saw the challenge in the song — but also saw that it fit my voice and strengths perfectly. He taught me something invaluable: performance strategy. Who am I competing against? What are their strengths? And how do we highlight mine?
His idea was brilliant. I would hold a long, false final note that crescendos, prompting applause — then return with the true final line, softer and more intimate, creating a second wave of applause. It was risky, but it felt right. We committed to it and began rehearsing.
Hard work has never scared me. I’ve always believed in preparation, coaching, rehearsals, and putting in the time. I was never the kind of artist who just showed up and hoped for the best. The stakes were too high, and this moment mattered too much.
Then came the night of the festival. As the emcees — Tommy Sands and my dear friend Shari Lynn, the previous year’s Grand Prize winner — began announcing the awards, my heart sank. Silver and Gold were announced…and my name wasn’t called. I told myself it was okay. I had given it everything I had, and I felt good about the performance.
Then Best Arrangement was announced — Willie Barton, One In Love. Best Composer — Manny Cabral, One In Love.
I was thrilled for them.
When Melinda Carroll was announced as one of the Grand Prize winners, I applauded wholeheartedly. That left just one Grand Prize — the one that would send its winner to Tokyo. The pause felt endless.
Then they called my name.
I was stunned. Overwhelmed. This wasn’t supposed to happen — but it did. In that moment, I knew my life and my career as a professional singer were about to change.
Stay tuned for Part 2…
You can view my YouTube Artist page to watch my performance of One In Love at the Hawaii Music Festival and the highlights video that showcases all of the award winners that evening.