This former Ethiopian music star is getting a late-life encore in the U.S.
Once a music star in Ethiopia, Hailu Mergia moved his life to Washington, D.C., more than 35 years ago. But while today he can often be found behind the wheel of a taxi, he also has returned...
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JUDY WOODRUFF: Many times, when immigrants come to the United States, they leave behind careers they had at home. Jeffrey Brown profiles a man who is returning to his roots. JEFFREY BROWN: A taxi picking up customers at Washington's Dulles Airport, but this one is driven by a man with an unusual musical past. Once a star in his native Ethiopia, Hailu Mergia has lived in and around Washington, D.C., for more than 35 years, driving a cab for many of them. I was wondering, when you were driving the taxi, did anybody ever recognize you, maybe Ethiopians you were driving? HAILU MERGIA, Musician: Yes, some of them, yes, they do. When they see my name on the license of the taxi license, they always ask me, are you the one who play organ? I say yes. JEFFREY...
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JUDY WOODRUFF: Many times, when immigrants come to the United States, they leave behind careers they had at home. Jeffrey Brown profiles a man who is returning to his roots. JEFFREY BROWN: A taxi picking up customers at Washington's Dulles Airport, but this one is driven by a man with an unusual musical past. Once a star in his native Ethiopia, Hailu Mergia has lived in and around Washington, D.C., for more than 35 years, driving a cab for many of them. I was wondering, when you were driving the taxi, did anybody ever recognize you, maybe Ethiopians you were driving? HAILU MERGIA, Musician: Yes, some of them, yes, they do. When they see my name on the license of the taxi license, they always ask me, are you the one who play organ? I say yes. JEFFREY...
