In a city teeming with talent, Joshua Motohashi stands out not just for his technical mastery of the pedal steel guitar, but for a life story defined by "the call". On the latest episode of Curious Goldfish, host Jason English sits down with the Tokyo-born musician and pilot to trace a journey that bridges the gap between the Yokosuka Naval Base and the hallowed stage of the Grand Ole Opry.

Motohashi’s musical foundation was built on intuition rather than formal sheet music. As the youngest of three, he learned piano and violin by ear, even "pretending like I was reading the music" to satisfy teachers. However, his true epiphany came during a six-day Grateful Dead concert run in Oakland in 1982. The experience was transformative, leading him to realize that "music has a power to change the world".

Motohashi arrived in Nashville with a student-model steel guitar and a fearless attitude. He quickly found mentors in legends like Buddy Emmons and Speedy West. Despite his humble beginnings, his dedication led to high-profile gigs with Radney Foster and Lori Morgan. His presence in the Nashville scene was a testament to the universal language of melody. As Motohashi reflects on his reception in the South: "I never really think that I'm Japanese and you're American... we're all human beings".

At the height of his music career, Motohashi pivoted to a childhood dream: aviation. After earning his wings, he began flying private jets for country royalty, including Reba McEntire, Blake Shelton, and Kelly Clarkson. Though he hasn't touched a pedal steel in years, he remains content, viewing his final surprise performance at the Opry for Lori Morgan as the perfect "way to end a career".