009: From Gang-banger to Making Music with Purpose | L.T. Smooth

Award-winning musician, L.T. Smooth not only performs for audiences around the world but also meets with youth in schools and in prison, in an effort to provide hope, guidance, and love. Today, he's building the Heart of Music Academy, a 501(c)(3), to help troubled youth through music in Kona, Hawaiʻi.

Guest Biography

Virtuoso slack key guitarist Leon Toomata, better known by his stage name L.T. Smooth, has overcome many obstacles on his journey to the concert stage. In his own words, "I was born and raised in Aotearoa, New Zealand. My story is long, but here is a short version. I have spent too many years of my life doing drugs and alcohol, and running from the law and the people that loved me the most. It's been eighteen years sober now, and I would never change a thing. The music has been the change in my life. The lyrics I write and the music that I compose is about my journey through the struggles that I have conquered. My music is my tools I use to help, encourage, heal, and to mend what we go through in life. This is my story of FREEDOM on MY JOURNEY to make a CHANGE in life.

L.T. Smooth has released 4 albums, having sold over a million copies combined, and he has performed with Bono, Mary J. Blige, and other well respected recording artists. LT is also an inspirational speaker and recently recorded a video about ʻOhana (family) for Sales Force, a worldwide company based in San Francisco. LT played and spoke at the last World Economic Development Conference in Stockholm, Sweden, in front of many world leaders. Despite his success, LT is one of the most humble, gentle, kind, and loving men you will meet.

Show notes: http://www.inspiredmoney.fm/009 for videos of LT Smooth.

Links

• LT Smooth (website)
• Connect with L.T. Smooth on Facebook
• Salesforce.com
• Marc Benioff

In this episode, you will learn:

• Take nothing for granted. Appreciate the blessings and privilege in your life.
• No matter how bad things seem, there's always hope for turning things around.
• LT will teach the importance of passion with purpose.

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Special thanks to Jim Kimo West for the music.