Charles Michael Brotman

Charles Michael Brotman is a multifaceted musician, songwriter, producer, and mentor with a rich background in music. Originally from Mercer Island, Washington, he grew up in a musical family and began his journey with the violin before transitioning to guitar at age 12. He furthered his musical education by specializing in baroque and medieval music in graduate school, where he also developed a love for classical guitar. Brotman moved to Hawai‘i to pursue a master's degree in music at the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa, where he taught classical guitar for nine years. He is the founder of Pacific Music Productions and Palm Records, and owns Lava Tracks Recording Studio in Waimea. Brotman has won numerous awards, including a Grammy Award and multiple Nā Hōkū Hanohano awards. He is also the president of the Hawai‘i Songwriting Festival and tours with his instrumental guitar trio Kohala.

Brotman's career spans a wide range of musical genres, and he is known for his prolific output, having produced hundreds of tracks that generate placement income. His work often involves creating music for various media, such as films and TV shows, and he emphasizes the importance of music eliciting an emotional response. Brotman's contributions to the music industry are not only through his own work but also through mentoring and supporting local musicians, particularly through the Hawai‘i Songwriting Festival.