What an honor to be a part of the Mākaha Sons in Stratham, NH. It was a unique and valued opportunity to experience the show from a performer's perspective - going through sound check, watching the Sons do their thing, and just hanging out. As a "non-touring musician", I personally learned so much on stage in front of a captive audience. It was a vast contrast to the more typical background music during cocktail hour or playing back up to hula dancers. Both are fun, but the former holds great promise that through osmosis I might pick up some gems from the the Mākaha Sons' 30+ years of performing experience.
Our 30 minute set was well received, and I had great fun playing will Bill and Chris. I regret not making it to the lobby after the show but didn't feel a strong need since we didn't have merchandise to sell. Bill and I stayed in the theater meeting and chatting with some really great people. We met many former NJ residents that appreciated our Hawaiian music efforts in the Garden State. One gentleman told us that he lived in Hawaiʻi and toured the world performing with Jimmy Borges. We talked story about all the musicians that he played with and saw including Kalapana and C&K. I met Kalani Kaowili, Ocean's brother, who welcomes and surfs the frigid New Hampshire waters. In my 15 minutes of fame, Al Kuahi Wong (who ran the Wahi Ku Moku - Boston Hawaiian Club for 15 years prior to his retirement) gave me a lilikoʻi cake, a recipe that he had recently perfected. So ʻono!!!
Margo Reola, who has opened here three consecutive years, did great. I met her when she was in high school. Now she is in college, a tremendous talent. The Sons were fantastic. Since the concert was a benefit for the Molly Fund, Molly Rowlee was a 5-year old cancer victim, and dedicated to the memory of Joan M. (Rogers) Sice - there was hardly a dry eye in the house once the Mākaha Sons made appropriate dedications and launched into I'll Remember You.
The people in New Hampshire were all amazing from the hosts to the audience. Mahalos to the organizers and congrats on a wonderful event. Thank you to Bill and Chris joining me on this adventure. For me, all worth the 10-12 hours of driving.
I am honored to be invited for a return engagement in Stratham, NH this September to open for the Mākaha Sons. While I performed solo in 2007, I will be joined this year by Aloha Festivals Hawaiian Falsetto Singing Contest winner Bill Wynne and steel guitarist extraordinaire Chris Davis. We three East Coasters form the group Nā ʻElele, the messengers or ambassadors.
I am really looking forward to this and hope to see you there. Please tell your New Hampshire and area friends, family, and fellow Hawaiian music fans about it! It will be an enjoyable and fun filled evening of Hawaiian music - a fundraiser with proceeds going to the Earth, Sea & Space Center of New Hampshire.
THE MĀKAHA SONS
Take A Walk In The Country
2009 World Tour
TO BENEFIT THE
Featuring Kealo Koko, Margo Reola & Nā ʻElele
Saturday, September 26, 2009
7:00 pm
Thomas Meehan Center for the Performing Arts
Cooperative Middle School
Stratham, NH
Tickets: $30 Lower Level, $25 Upper Level (Shipping & Handling fees apply)
To purchase tickets, visit: www.makahasonsnh.com