Nicholas Radina Video

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#sunset #music

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I discovered it by accident, really. I was maybe 20 and trying to absorb and learn as much about latin music as I could, I heard a sound that stuck with me – the Puerto Rican Cuatro. It has 10-strings (for the nerds—5 “pairs” tuned like a 5-string bass BEADG — the B and E octaves…the others doubles). An instrument rarely seen but deserves to be heard. As soon as I could, I found the instrument and later had one built for me by the talented luthier, Roberto Rodriguez. Music in my family seems to connect back to my mom’s father —I called him “Papa”. He ventured out on his own as soon as he could to join the American big bands of the era. I remember listening to him play many and always asking him about the instruments in the house. I was 10 when he passed and never got the chance to show him more of what he inspired in me. To honor that, “Papa’s” real name “Ervin” was inlayed into the fretboard of this instrument. Last night I was given a chance to let this sound shine because of the generous belief in me by @marcroberge and the support of my road OAR family @richard_on @jerrydepizzo @benjgershman @mikelparis @jonlampleymusic @chrisculos . I’m incredibly grateful and wow was it fun! Learn more about the Cuatro here http://www.cuatro-pr.org/ and check out some of these giants and champions of the instrument: Yomo Toro, Christian Nieves, Alvin Medina, Fabiola Mendez, Colón Zayas Family, Maribel Delgado, Matt Worley and Luis Sanz González. Huge thanks to the mega talented @gbergphoto for capturing this moment! #puertoricancuatro #cuatropuertorriqueño #capitaltheater #ofarevolution

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I may have been 8 or 9 years old. I’d spend hours, headphones on, tethered to the stereo. In many ways an escape but also a chance to day dream about the songs and those that played them. One CD I’d always listen to in its entirety nearly every time was , “Running on Empty” by Jackson Browne. Songs rooted in the life and loss as a nomad carrying these stories city to city. You see, with those headphones, I felt like I was on that bus, living that life. One of these songs, a love song to crew, was recorded live at the Merriweather Pavilion in Maryland. Last night I found myself at that same venue, and after our “load-out”, I stole this moment. A full circle for sure and grateful for that stereo those years ago. #jacksonbrowne #tourlife @officialjacksonbrowne @ofarevolution

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New work.

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New work. #music

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New work. #music

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