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Coconut Wire Winter '97(reprinted from the Winter '97 Newsletter) Got this fun note from Ken Emerson, on the road this past summer, from the "Hotel Uplandia" in Uppsala, Sweden. He was on a Jazz tour of Sweden, but says "I play the steel guitar and they go NUTZ! They love it." Why aren't we surprised?? URGENT REQUEST: Any of you "old timers" out there know anything at all about steel player Frank Ferera? Malcolm (and I) are having a hard time digging up info, as Frank played most of his gigs on the mainland, and recorded in New York. Malcolm Rockwell needs family background data for the discography he's writing. Ferera worked with Sam Kainoa (guitarist) and guitarist John and 'ukulele player Franzis Pa'aluhi at times in his career. Please pass any names/info you may have, however small to Malcolm: P.O. Box 1064, Kula, HI 96790-1064; email <malcolm@maui.net>. Interesting note from Thomas Malm in Sweden (via Vic Rittenband) Tom and Kalo named their new-born son "Maui". You've given him quite an act to follow, Tom -- refer, the Hawaiian song "Maui, Hawaiian Superman" (recorded by the late Brudda Iz - Israel Kamakawiwi'ole - a few years back). Long-awaited news from Robbie Larkin and Patti Lane in Australia. "Arohanui" to you busy folks. They've just returned from 3 months working "registered club" shows around Sydney and the North Coast (e.g., Football Leagues, Boating, Returned Servicemen, etc). In Queensland, they play at the Hyatt Coolum Resort. They say there's much demand for Polynesian music and send regards to all of you. 'Eh Robbie and Patti, send us a current picture and some biographical stuff. Other HSGA'rs would be interested in what's happening Hawaiian, down under. We have some most interesting new members you'll be hearing more about. Hugh Jobe of Haverhill, MA says he's known Jerry Byrd for 38 years. His comment "when I heard that Jerry had moved to Hawai'i, I was green with envy. It seemed that he had gone to heaven before dying!" Yes, Hugh, this IS "heaven" and Jerry's steel playing, as always, is "to die for", as the expression goes. Hugh plays steel and is "preoccupied" with outrigger sailing and raising orchids. How do the orchids like the sound of your steel playing? Then there's Rich Mermer of Florida who's a bonafide Luthier. We'll show you photos of his uniquely designed, beautiful guitars in a future issue. Also Bill Stafford, long-time friend of "Keoki" Lake, who's developing a space age "gismo" for steel players. No, we don't think we're supposed to talk about what "gismo" is just yet; the company hasn't introduced it; it's not quite finished as I write. We're getting good response from all over the world to doing John Tipka's "Build Your Own Steel Guitar" booklet. Because it contains a large "schematic" in addition to complete step-by-step instructions, we want to do it RIGHT, so it'll be a few months yet. We won't be printing a large order, so if you haven't got your name on the list yet, write us ASAP. Price? Don't know; depends on cost to produce, but it'll be in line, probably cheaper, and a lot better than some on the market. Okay folks, next October's Joliet convention will have Sticky Rice, if we have to make it here first and fly it over! Gotten a few "complaints" from them what knows about "this anemic fluffy stuff they pass off as rice in the mainland". And that comment came from a mainlander (albeit "displaced" -- right Doug Smith? No forget da shoyu (soy sauce). Should Alan bring some Hawaiian Pepper Water, too, for da feesh? How 'bout fresh poi? 'Fraid the poki wouldn't make it, although I can't envision a Lu'au without it. 
HSGA * HAWAIIAN
STEEL GUITAR ASSOCIATION Homepage URL: www.hsga.org (hsga@lava.net) Last updated: 07/23/02 by Gerald Ross (gbross@umich.edu) |