Charles Michael Brotman is the 2005 Grammy Award winner for the inaugural category of Best Hawaiian Music CD, Producer, "Slack Key Guitar Volume 2". The CD is a multi-artist collection of newly recorded solo tracks by 10 Slack Key Guitarists from Hawaii including himself, which he recorded, mixed, engineered and produced in his Lava Tracks Recording Studio in Kamuela, Hawaii for Palm Records. "Slack Key Guitar Volume 2" debuted at #1 on the Billboard World Music Chart and reached #1 on the Billboard New Age Music Chart.
Charles is multiple Na Hoku Hanohano Award recipient. In the past few years five of his guitar recordings have reached the top 10 on the national radio charts in World, Smooth Jazz, and New Age categories. Charles is known throughout Japan and the US for his role as the lead guitarist for KOHALA, the acoustic guitar trio from the Big Island of Hawaii. He is also known internationally as a composer, producer and guitarist.
Brotman has lived in Hawaii for 29 years. He grew up on Mercer Island, Washington, and his first introduction to formal music lessons was at age 8 as a violin student at the Cornish School of the Arts. At age 12 he discovered the guitar and performed with various bands throughout Washington State during his teens. He attended undergraduate school in music at Cornish Institute and The Evergreen State College. When he moved to Honolulu in 1976, he attended UH, and received an M.A. degree in music from the University of Hawaii at Manoa, where he taught classical guitar at the University of Hawaii for nine years. During the 1980's, Brotman also performed music at many hotels in Honolulu, including The Kahala Hilton, The Halekulani, and The Hawaii Prince. He left teaching in the mid 1980's to pursue work as a composer and producer, opening a commercial recording studio with a partner in Honolulu. In 1990 he moved to the Big Island with his family and in 1997 Charles and his sister, Jody Brotman, co-founded Palm Records and built Lava Tracks Recording Studio.
Brotman currently performs and tours with his acoustic guitar trio "Kohala". In addition to performing, Brotman spends his time composing and producing music at his Lava Tracks Recording Studio in Kamuela on the Big Island.
Billboard Charts:
#1 on the Billboard World Music Chart; "Slack Key Guitar Volume 2"
#1 on the Billboard New Age Music Chart; "Slack Key Guitar Volume 2",
Awards:
Grammy Award 2005: Producer, Slack Key Guitar Volume 2, Various Artists
Na Hoku Hanohano Award 2005: Producer, Hula! Big Island Style
Hawaii Music Awards 2005: Producer of the Year
Hawaii Music Awards: Best New Age Album, Cool Breeze, Kohala
Na hoku Hanohano Award: Producer, Aloha Festivals Hawaiian Falsetto Contest Winners Vol 3
Na Hoku Hanohano Award finalist: Slack Key Guitar; Lullaby; Mango Cooler; Pacific Rendezvous; Slack Key Guitar Volume 2; Flying; Cool Breeze
Radio Charts:
"Slack Key Guitar Volume 2"# 8 National New Age Voice Radio Chart
"Cool Breeze" top 10 debut on National New Age Radio Chart (Aug. 2003)
"Back to Kohala" #11 on the National NAV radio charts (August 2002)
"Kohala" and "Island Treasures" top 10 on Japanese music charts (summer 2001)
"Pacific Rendezvous" #4 contemporary jazz radio charts (1994)
"Mango Cooler" #3 contemporary jazz radio charts (1990)
Partial list of TV and movie credits:
Edgy Lee's Documentaries "The Hawaiian's Reflecting Spirit" and "Waikiki; Dateline;, Oprah: Almost Live;, Fools Rush In; Entertainment Tonight; Nickalodeon (Nick News); Animal Adventures; Family Works; America's Most Wanted; Prime Suspect; Rites of Passage; etc.
Reviews
"...the most beautiful acoustic instrumental tunes I've heard ...this music is fantastic! Kohala are exceptional talents..." Wind & Wire
"The instrumentals establish Brotman as a skilled guitarist as well as a perceptive composer. ...a classy production through and through..." Honolulu Advertiser
"For simply beautiful guitar instrumentals, look no farther..." Islands Magazine
"Brotman is certain to have a bright future in contemporary jazz." Contemporary Jazz Review
"A best bet for any situation that calls for soothing romantic music. Call this exquisite!" Honolulu Star Bulletin
"A new ethereal beauty with quiet uncluttered arrangements...The beauty and charms that constitute Hawaii" The Honolulu Advertiser
"Call this exquisite!" The Honolulu Star-Bulletin
"...mesmerizing ... continue to amaze us with ... sensitivity, inventiveness and magical sounds." Aloha Joe Radio
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I Have A Dream
Charles Michael Brotman Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Nothin' but dark clouds what's goin' on
There's something else if I could find the way
I feel it comin' any day
I HAVE A DREAM -- WO OO
OF THE WAY THAT THINGS CAN BE
A BETTER LIFE FOR YOU AND ME
I CAN FEEL IT COMIN' ANY DAY
WE'RE GONNA FLY SO FAR AWAY
SOME DAYS I WAKE UP
I JUST WANNA SCREAM
BUT IN MY HEART I KNOW
I HAVE A DREAM
The road is long but there's an end
Just keep walkin' with me my friend
I know that we can find a way
I feel it comin' any day
I HAVE A DREAM -- WO OO
OF THE WAY THAT THINGS CAN BE
I HAVE A DREAM -- WO OO
A BETTER LIFE FOR YOU AND ME
I CAN FEEL IT COMIN ANY DAY
WE'RE GONNA FLY SO FAR AWAY
SOME DAYS I WAKE UP
I JUST WANNA SCREAM
BUT IN MY HEART I KNOW
I HAVE A DREAM
I HAVE A DREAM
I HAVE A DREAM
The lyrics of Charles Michael Brotman's song "I Have a Dream" convey a sense of hope and optimism in the face of adversity. The first verse expresses a longing for a brighter future, as the singer questions why the sunshine has been absent for so long and wonders what is causing the dark clouds. This metaphorical representation of a gloomy reality sets the stage for the song's main message.
The chorus, repeated twice in the song, encapsulates the singer's dream of a better world. They yearn for a different way of life, filled with hope and positivity. The dream encompasses not only the desires of the singer but also the aspirations of others. It represents a collective vision for a brighter future, both for themselves and for those around them. The repetition of the phrase "I have a dream" emphasizes the singer's unwavering belief in the possibility of this better reality.
The second verse acknowledges that the journey towards this dream may be long and challenging. However, the singer invites a friend to accompany them on this path, emphasizing the importance of unity and companionship. They express confidence that a way forward can be found and that their dream is within reach. The line "I feel it comin' any day" suggests an imminent breakthrough, as if the singer senses that change is on the horizon.
Overall, these lyrics convey a sense of determination and resilience. Despite the difficult circumstances they encounter, the singer refuses to lose sight of their dream. While they sometimes wake up feeling overwhelmed and frustrated, deep down in their heart, they know that their dream is valid and worth pursuing. This song serves as an anthem of hope, inspiring listeners to hold onto their dreams and continue to work towards a better future.
Line by Line Meaning
Why has the sunshine been gone so long
I wonder why we've been living in darkness for such a long time
Nothin' but dark clouds what's goin' on
All we see are troubles and difficulties, what is happening?
There's something else if I could find the way
I believe there is a solution if I can discover the path towards it
I feel it comin' any day
I have a strong intuition that change is approaching soon
I HAVE A DREAM -- WO OO
I possess a vision, a powerful aspiration
OF THE WAY THAT THINGS CAN BE
For a future where things can be different, better
I HAVE A DREAM -- WO OO
I have this dream, this hope within me
A BETTER LIFE FOR YOU AND ME
A life improved, not just for me but for everyone
I CAN FEEL IT COMIN' ANY DAY
I have a deep sense that change is imminent
WE'RE GONNA FLY SO FAR AWAY
We will soar towards a distant and better destination
SOME DAYS I WAKE UP
There are moments when I wake up
I JUST WANNA SCREAM
And all I want to do is shout in frustration
BUT IN MY HEART I KNOW
But deep within me, I am certain
I HAVE A DREAM
I have a powerful dream
The road is long but there's an end
The journey may be arduous, but there is a destination
Just keep walkin' with me my friend
Simply continue walking alongside me, my friend
I know that we can find a way
I have confidence that we can discover a solution
I feel it comin' any day
I strongly sense that change is approaching soon
I HAVE A DREAM -- WO OO
I possess a vision, a powerful aspiration
OF THE WAY THAT THINGS CAN BE
For a future where things can be different, better
I HAVE A DREAM -- WO OO
I have this dream, this hope within me
A BETTER LIFE FOR YOU AND ME
A life improved, not just for me but for everyone
I CAN FEEL IT COMIN ANY DAY
I have a deep sense that change is imminent
WE'RE GONNA FLY SO FAR AWAY
We will soar towards a distant and better destination
SOME DAYS I WAKE UP
There are moments when I wake up
I JUST WANNA SCREAM
And all I want to do is shout in frustration
BUT IN MY HEART I KNOW
But deep within me, I am certain
I HAVE A DREAM
I have a powerful dream
I HAVE A DREAM
I have a powerful dream
I HAVE A DREAM
I have a powerful dream
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
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