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©2000 by Ely Music/Pub |
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Jerry Byrd's Surprise Birthday Bash
Ever seen Jerry Byrd at a loss for words? You would have, on March 4, by the end of the surprise birthday luncheon which Isaac Akuna arranged for him. It was held at the beautifully re-modeled, re-opened Willows Restaurant in Honolulu. Isaac wanted all of Jerry's "former students" (quotes, because no steel player Jerry has taught thinks he has nothing left to learn from the Master of Touch & Tone), and his oldest and closest friends to be there. And they were. "Everyone I called on O`ahu said 'yes'!" Isaac reported, back in February when he began his phone contacts. Close to 45 people came to the party and everyone kept the secret. The most fun came soon after Jerry got over his initial welcoming "Happy Birthday" shock entering the private dining room. Jerry was greeted with a maile lei from Bob and Julie Waters, Don and Donna Weber, who had flown over just for this party, and Bo and Betty Bahret, already visiting in Honolulu. Then Jerry received a "long distance" phone call from DeWitt Scott - at least that's what Jerry thought.
Isaac, being the great prankster he sometimes is, had hidden Scotty and his wife Mary (who had come to Hawai`i from St. Louis for Jerry's bash) in the bar with a cell phone. Jerry had his back to the entrance, talking on the phone to his "distant" dearest friend, as Isaac approached with Scotty who, all the while, was carrying on a phone conversation with Jerry. It wasn't until Scotty was standing directly in front of him that Jerry looked up and saw him. Speechless? You better believe it. "I've been had!" Jerry hollered, and a roar of laughter went up in the room. Thus started one of the best and certainly most loving Hawaiian parties we've attended recently. Jerry's daughter called in from the mainland; Art and Lorene Ruymar from Canada. The "Byrd's nest" of Jerry's students was there, among them Greg Sardinha, Casey Olsen and Paul Kim. Wayne Shishido and Harry B and Holly Soria attended. Even beloved composer-musician 90-year-old Randy Oness was on hand to greet Jerry. After an ono-licious buffet lunch, Jerry, by now up to his ears in flower leis, made the rounds of the five big tables for some good talk story. Then, Hawaiian-style, it was time for music. Alan Akaka on steel guitar, Isaac Akuna on `ukulele, Gary Aiko on standing bass and Harold Haku`ole on rhythm guitar got it started. Both Kanoe Miller and Kaleo Wood danced; Isaac and Gary sang. Jerry was treated to songs by Nina Keali`iwahamana, Elaine Spencer, Auntie Genoa Keawe, Julie Waters, Owana Salazar, Gary, Isaac, and the beautiful falsetto of Ha`alilio Heyer (whom Isaac calls "one of Hawai`i's best-kept secrets) . Then, of course, da kine Boss himself played for all of us. A wish for all the rest of us "youngsters": to be given as much love and respect on our 80th birthday, as Jerry Byrd received to celebrate his special day. Couldn't happen to a nicer guy. 
HSGA * HAWAIIAN
STEEL GUITAR ASSOCIATION Homepage URL: www.hsga.org (hsga@lava.net) Last updated: 07/23/02 by Gerald Ross (gbross@umich.edu) |
