In the second episode of the Amperitif podcast, host Mike welcomes a long-known and dear friend, Greg Forton. The bond between these two goes back to 1990 when Mike was just a freshman at Hortonville High School and Greg was in his second year of teaching. Mike speaks to the influence Greg had on his life and his love of music as a young student and still nurtures that passion today. Greg, an inspiring high school band teacher, devoted an incredible 35 years to shaping the lives of countless students.
Greg’s love for teaching and music shines through in his words: “You can retire from teaching. I taught for 35 years. But you can’t retire from music. It’s part of who you are, and it’s part of your blood.” The essence of music, according to Greg, is not something you can simply walk away from; it’s ingrained in your very being.
Mike, too, shares his enduring passion for music as a member of the HASBand, a local jazz band founded by Greg, which he has been playing in with Greg for 15 years. The band remains a source of inspiration and nurturing for his love of music in his busy adult life.
In addition to the HASband, Greg is part of another musical endeavor, ‘Forte and the Pianissimos,’ a ukulele group that tours Hawaii. His deep love for Hawaiian culture has grown over the years, and it’s evident in the passion he exudes.
In homage to Greg’s affection for Hawaiian culture, Mike crafts a special cocktail inspired by the tropical paradise. The ingredients include Hawaii Gold Hawaiian Rum, Kona coffee liqueur, coconut milk, and pineapple juice. Hawaii is not only renowned for its stunning landscapes but also for its unique, locally sourced ingredients. Did you know that 30% of the world’s pineapples are grown in Hawaii? These pineapples are sweeter than any other variety in the world, making them the perfect addition to this Hawaiian-themed cocktail.
*Originally, this aperitif recipe calls for Okolehao. Okolehao is a beverage you can only get in Hawaii as it is distilled from the root of a plant native to the island. As we were unable to get our hands on it, we substituted Hawaii Gold Hawaiian Rum.
After enjoying this episode, here is what our mixologist had to say on their inspiration:
“This cocktail is definitely more tropical! I took inspiration from Mr Forton’ s love of Hawaii and from what I felt he might enjoy. He seems like a really thoughtful and caring man who can enjoy a fun time, therefore this cocktail is quite fun and unexpected! I suggest you use Okolehao as your base spirit: this is a traditional spirit originating in Hawaii. I believe you can buy it in the U.S.! Gold rum would also make a fine substitute. I then added pineapple and coffee, two of the main exports from Hawaii (Did you know that a third of worldwide pineapples come from there?). This is a combo that works surprisingly well. Finally the coconut milk adds another interesting layer of flavor.”
Greg shares his thoughts after trying a first sip: “This is REALLY good! Beyond what I thought it would taste like. You’ve taken a man from Wisconsin who would normally drink a beer and got him thinking, ‘I might just sip on this for a while’.”
Mike agrees, and adds, “Initially you get a sweet taste. Then you get a coffee after taste but it isn’t too bitter. It’s just there…”
Greg’s love for Hawaii comes from the Hawaiian way of life, where people live in the moment, look each other in the eye when they speak, and share their culture with open hearts. Greg experienced Hawaii through the many trips he has taken his band students on over the years. He remembers a particular trip where his wife was speaking with their bus driver about her love for Kona coffee. It just so happened that the bus driver was married to the owner of one of the largest Kona coffee facilities on the island. That bus driver requested to drive Greg’s group the next day, and showed up with a freshly ground bag of Kona coffee to share. It’s acts of kindness and generosity like these that drew Greg into the culture.
He noticed the Aloha spirit and island experience changed his students. It was decided very quickly that a band trip to Hawaii would happen every 4 years. Greg was determined to give all of his students this experience.
Parents would ask, “What did you do to my kid?”; Marveling at how their kids change after experiencing these trips. The students would come back home and engage in real conversations around the dinner table rather than being glued to their screens.
Greg believes in creating an environment where students feel safe to be themselves. Through music, they learn to be free, enjoy the moment, smile, have fun with friends, and express themselves. He witnessed his band grow from 37 kids to 240 during his time teaching at Hortonville because students were drawn to the magic they created together.
Reflecting on his own journey from one of the initial 37 kids, Mike remembers the band’s evolution over the years. Greg’s mantra of “no matter what you do this year, next year has to be better” drove students to strive for constant improvement. They loved it! The students always wanted to do more and be better.
Greg shares that he loves to tell stories and especially enjoyed sharing them with his students during band class. Well, it occurred to him that a student’s time with their instrument in band was precious, and he wanted them to be playing as much as possible during their time together in the classroom. So, he learned to tell his stories in as few words as possible to maximize the time each kid was playing. His students were high academic achievers with busy schedules outside of band, which meant there was a chance that the only time a student’s instrument was being played was during band class.
Hortonville fought to preserve its music program. There was a time when the school board was looking to cut 45 minutes a week from music and art programs which evoked many uneasy parents to call the school with concerns. When the school board meeting was held to discuss this potential change, 800 people were in attendance. From that moment, there was never a question that music and art were greatly appreciated and protected in the Hortonville community.
Mike, who grew up on a dairy farm, shares how music was his outlet and how it connected him with his family. Music, in its diverse forms, played a significant role in his upbringing. He remembers learning to dance the polka in the barn as his dad played his accordion. Growing up on a farm, there was little time for extra curricular activities that would happen beyond school hours. Band, however, was part of his academics, and therefore was an activity he could participate in and he found it to be a much-needed outlet.
Greg’s experience moving to a community of farming families highlights the importance of understanding local culture. The timing of a concert had to be adjusted to accommodate the farming schedules, showcasing how culture can influence various aspects of life.
In this heartfelt episode of Amperitif, Mike and Greg talk us through their shared love for music and the transformative power it holds. Greg’s dedication as a teacher and their mutual passion for music leave a lasting impression on all who listen. Whether you’re a music enthusiast or simply someone who appreciates stories of dedication and passion, this podcast episode is sure to inspire. Join them as they savor the flavors of Hawaii and reminisce about the magical moments in life and music.
This pineapple, coconut, and coffee flavored aperitif cocktail recipe was inspired by musical guest and retired band director of Hortonville High School, Greg Forton. This fun, sweet, and surprising mixture was brought about by Greg’s love for Hawaiian culture.
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