Are You a “One Hit Wonder”?
Kevin Kehoe’s Life Discoveries. And a Response
According to urban legend, a “one-hit wonder” symbolizes an individual or group that after their “one day in the sun,” falls into obscurity. In Kevin R. Kehoe’s book “One Hit Wonder: The Real Life, Adventures of an Average Guy and the Lessons He Learned Along The Way”, he takes readers on a deep journey into his life of risk, adventure, and adversity, one life hit at a time.
The co-founder of Aspire Software in 2013 with Mark Tipton, (which was sold to ServiceTitan in 2021), he aims through his book to share perspectives that “leave the earth a better place than how he entered it.”
In the book’s preface, he captures the essence of his message:
“Most of us feel like we are no-hit wonders, much less one-hit wonders. We feel like we toil in obscurity and that other people are luckier than we. We even think one-hit wonders are just flashes in the pan, leaving only one thing defining their lives. But like the quiet hero, the one-hit wonder is no accident. Here’s what I mean. You’re driving along in your car and you hear a song on the radio. You remember that it was a big hit back in the day and that you really like the song. But you have trouble recalling the artist, so you ask the others driving with you, who wrote this song?” Someone says, “That was so-and-so. They were a real one-hit wonder.” And it’s said in a way that implies it was the only thing that the artist ever did. I know. I’ve had this conversation. I’ve felt this way.”
Born in New York City the grandson of Irish immigrants, Kehoe lived most of his life in Southern California. His fascinating life included stints as an altar boy, choir boy, business consultant and entrepreneur, motorcycle racer, surfer, and marathon runner.
Along the way, Kevin survived Catholic school, two marriages, job terminations, motorcycle crashes, and entrepreneurial highs and lows. But it wasn’t until he was diagnosed with cancer and found himself confronting his mortality that he began uncovering the meaning of success, friendship, and love.
Asked about his decision to write “One Hit Wonder,” Kehoe offered this thought:
“I wanted to document my stories to help others. Friends loved my stories, and suggested that I write a book. I wanted to leave some trace of my time here on earth, and share what I have learned about dealing successfully with people and yourself.”
Kehoe says that a “One Hit Wonder” is typically associated with an artist who only had one hit…as if that was the only thing they ever did in their lives. But in his view, the truth is quite the opposite.
“The one hit wonder artist produced plenty of songs, but only one made the charts. They dared and acted over a career, and that is the genius of the “One Hit Wonder”.
His deeper message:
“Keep showing up because one day you may win the prize. And what a prize to create something lasting that is still played on the radio forty years later… that is the legacy of a great life. Very few of us are geniuses. Most are hacking away every day, but there is genius in that, and ultimately maybe the memory of doing something sublime. I just never gave up. I never listened to those who said I could not do it. I was never one to do it just to show them. That was never my motivation. My motivation was internal, and if you didn’t believe in me, I just moved on in pursuit of my goal.”
With respect to how his entrepreneurial experiences at Aspire Software informed the message of his book, Kehoe had this to add:
“Aspire Software was my last business act. I had been a consultant for 30 years, and wanted to apply what I knew about running a business and starting a company. I also did it to help a friend. I wanted to build something lasting. So Aspire Software was the capstone business experience for me. It put everything I learned to work, produced something that will last, and made my investors wealthier…by far.”
While he has no regrets about the deep discoveries he’s uncovered as a risk-taking maverick, he does offer this reflection:
“My cautionary warning is beware of arrogance that comes with success and believing in your own BS. Instead, I learned the value of humility, vision, and mission, along with being daring, open-minded and willing to learn. LISTEN more and talk less…shut up. Act and be bold. Failure is to be expected, but avoided. When you fall, you get up. I was never terribly afraid of failure, so I took many risks. Jump in the deep end and win. You always learn more by stretching versus comfort.”
But what about his Stage IV Cancer discovery?
“My first reaction to my cancer diagnosis is obvious…horror, fear, and death. I had many sleepless nights considering my mortality at a young age. Ultimately that wears off, though never completely, and you have to deal with the task at hand, which is doing whatever you needed to survive. That is how I dealt with it and still do. I fully expect to live. As my mother said to me, ‘You are Kevin Kehoe. You will not die.’ OK mom.”
Looking ahead, Kehoe was asked to offer his thoughts on the world these days as well as advice for those who are seeking direction during these post-pandemic times? He offered this:
“I think the way we dealt with the pandemic was wrongheaded…from the beginning. The pandemic has nothing do to with anyone’s forward progress. Life tosses us adversities far greater than COVID. Here are a few thoughts of advice:
1. People need to take more responsibility for their own lives by making an action plan when faced with obstacles impacting their health, finances, relationships, and more.
2. People should proactively seek guidance from experts, ask a lot of questions and identify solutions.
3. People should look for ways that they can make a difference and have a positive impact on the world. Consider writing a book, volunteering, or starting a company that helps others.
4. There is too much negativity and over-reaction to things that are not as important as good health. Focus on your health and loved ones first, and avoid wasting precious energy on things that are out of your control.
In a concluding thought on his greatest hope for what readers of his book walk away with:
“My hope is that readers love the adventures and are entertained by the stories… they are good. My other hope is that they take away some of the lessons I learned about being a good person and what that means and how to deal with human nature. The reality is most people will disappoint you. There are so few heroes who quietly and consistently do the right thing not just for themselves, but for the greater good. Start by making a difference for your family first, friends second…and if you can do that GOOD… maybe that will have a positive effect on mankind and you will have that moment when you become a “One Hit Wonder”.
For more information, follow Author Kevin Kehoe on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevin-kehoe/
Or visit https://onehitwonder.site