I have received some devastating news. If any of you have kept up with my past blogs and my connection with Thailand, then you must know my deep appreciation for the Kai-Jo Brothers. They are the main reason why I went back to Thailand and how I was able to work as a traveling musician with their band and several others – who all helped me reconnect back with my roots. Our parents are from the same village so they are like my long lost brothers. Without their help, I would not have the community that I’m so close to today in the motherland. P’Jo (P stands for older brother/sister) takes great care of everyone in the band while also having his own family, but as of two days ago his brother, OUR brother, P’Kai has passed away.
I do not yet know the reason for his death, as I have no way of getting in contact with my friends in Thailand other than facebook – and unfortunately I cannot read or write in Thai. The last conversation I had with P’Kai was after he got out of the hospital due to an asthma attack. I remember while he was rushed to the hospital a day before our 10 hour journey to the south, we were all questioning whether we should still go to Phattalung, our parents’ village, to play for the very first time. After all, what is Kai-Jo brothers without P’Kai? The doctors gave P’Kai a 50% chance of survival. P’Jo made the decision for all of us to continue on with the show, because it’s what his brother would have wanted. (Read more of my blog from “Revisiting Sankofa“.)
When we came back, he was finally released. He called me and asked if I would be willing to join the Kai-Jo Brothers as a lead singer, if I could stay in Thailand and help keep their band alive. I was torn between two worlds – should I go back home to Long Beach, CA, or should I stay in Thailand and build a new community for myself here?
I left out of fear for the unknown. But I promised to return within the next year after I save up funds, and I would be committed to the band as much as possible – especially because they helped me discover a big part of myself.
Now with his loss, I question whether or not I should go back and continue the dream – or if I should stay here in America and build. Can I be at two places at once? Only time will tell. Change is the only thing that is constant so I am learning to adapt as time and unexpected outcomes arrive…
Our last show together at Khao Yai National Wildlife Reserve:
Rest in peace – in Nirvana, in Zion, or I’ll see you next lifetime…
The beat must go on!
