Shawn's Proud Auntie

I am Shawn's Auntie.

Although mom will tell you she loves all her grandchildren equally, we know Shawn will always hold a special place in her heart just for him. Shawn was born blind but says it's OK because it gave him his music.

When Shawn and his brother, Barry were little, my parents often babysat both of them. Mom remembers how they would love to snuggle in her bed for comfort. She would sing Japanese children's songs that Shawn would then sing back to her. He was musically talented from a very young age.

I still laugh thinking about the time when I picked up his guitar and thought it wasn't tuned properly so I re-tuned it. It turned out that he tuned the guitar to his own preference which he held flat on his knees. He was able to quickly fix what I did.

The photo above shows Shawn with younger brother, Barry, Tiffany and Keola.

Eventually, Shawn was discovered by our island superstar, Henry Kapono who got him started on a musical career at a very young age and even changed his name to BB Shawn.

Several CDs came out. I understand they were even playing his music in Japan.

Eventually, living in Hawaii got to be too expensive so he's moved to Las Vegas. 

He often comes back to visit and is asked to support musicians and singers in Waikiki or in the recording studio.

I'm always amazed that he can remember all the lyrics of so many of these songs, not to mention the music. I've seen some performers actually look at their cellphones to sing the lyrics. But for Shawn, it's all in his head. 

Shawn was here in Hawaii recently performing in Waikiki, but he took time to spend with his grandmother.

Since Art had COVID at the time (even though mom had tested negative) she wore a mask.

When mom saw the bottom photo, she was shocked and said, "When did Shawn grow so tall or did I shrink?"

Shawn also performs in Las Vegas, New Mexico and Arizona.

When Dennis and Nancy were in Vegas recently, a restaurant server recognized him and asked if she could  have a photo taken together.

I love it! 

He really is such a sweetheart! A very talented sweetheart!

And I am his proud auntie.