New Book "Kila Kila" by John Troutman

Matthew Dawson · Post by **Matthew Dawson** » 3 Apr 2016 1:09 am

I noticed there isn't a thread about this yet and I imagine some people here might be interested. I have a copy on order and I'm looking forward to reading it.

http://uncpress.unc.edu/books/11690.html

Ralph Czitrom · Post by **Ralph Czitrom** » 3 Apr 2016 2:50 am

Thanks Matthew. After reading Mr. Troutman's article, "Steelin' the Slide: Hawai'i and the Birth of the Blues Guitar" a couple of years ago, I've been waiting for this book. By the way, there is an ebook edition available to download.

Ben Elder · Post by **Ben Elder** » 3 Apr 2016 11:29 am

John Troutman · Post by **John Troutman** » 4 Apr 2016 7:07 am

Dear Matthew,

Thank you so much for posting about the book. I am so thrilled that the book is now shipping, and also available on Kindle! UNC Press is a non-profit, academic press, and its editors and staff have gone WAY out of their way to bring this book to fruition and to make it look great.

I spent about eight years researching and writing this book--it was a pure labor of love. Several forumites were involved in its production, including Ben Elder in this thread, whose tricone features on the back cover of the book (several of his instruments feature in the color plates section as well). My hope is that the book will ignite new understandings of the instrument's history and new conversations among its fans, on the forum and elsewhere.

On my website folks can read advanced reviews of the book and also access a Spotify playlist featuring 80+ recordings that tie in to the book's contents ( http://www.johnwtroutman.com/kika-kila.html ). Thanks to those of you who are interested in ordering the book!! I am eager to receive your comments, either through the forum or directly to me.

Thanks!!

John

P.S. For those of you who live in the Islands, I am giving a book talk at NÄ Mea HawaiÊ»i bookstore in Honolulu, OÊ»ahu on Sunday, May 22nd, from 3-5 pm. We will have all sorts of food and music (bring your instrument!). On May 27th, from 5:30-9 pm, I will sign copies of the book at Talk Story Bookstore in Hanapepe, KauaÊ»i.

John Limbach · Post by **John Limbach** » 4 Apr 2016 12:00 pm

John Troutman wrote: P.S. For those of you who live in the Islands, I am giving a book talk at NÄ Mea HawaiÊ»i bookstore in Honolulu, OÊ»ahu on Sunday, May 22nd, from 3-5 pm. We will have all sorts of food and music (bring your instrument!). On May 27th, from 5:30-9 pm, I will sign copies of the book at Talk Story Bookstore in Hanapepe, KauaÊ»i.

I'll be in Kaua'i from the 25th and will try to get down to see you but will have to buy a hard copy unless you want to sign my Nook?

Steffen Gunter · Post by **Steffen Gunter** » 4 Apr 2016 12:25 pm

Just ordered the hardcover. Looking forward to reading (shipping to Germany will take about a month says Amazon).

George Noe · Post by **George Noe** » 4 Apr 2016 6:39 pm

I am very impressed by the way John Troutman gathered information from hundreds of sources and wove the bits and pieces into a plausible story of the Hawaiian guitar. It is also fun to read through all the 950 footnotes! This is an awesome work and should be in every steel player's library!

John Troutman · Post by **John Troutman** » 4 Apr 2016 9:54 pm

Hi all,

John--I'd love to meet you in KauaÊ»i! Book, nook, or neither, please come by the bookstore and say hello!

Steffen, thank you so much for ordering the book-- my hope is that the book will arrive well before a month. The press had originally established a May release date, but I know that the books are now shipping, so I assume it should be on the way.

Tom, what can I say? Your research was essential to what I was able to do here in Kika Kila, and I am so happy to feature a photograph of your incredible Knutsen guitar. Also, I'm so glad that you dig the footnotes! I tried to place more than a few "Easter Eggs" in there for the hardcore enthusiasts. Thank you for your kind words!!

John

Andy Volk · Post by **Andy Volk** » 5 Apr 2016 3:19 am

Congratulations on all your hard work, John! Looking forward to reading your book.

John Troutman · Post by **John Troutman** » 6 Apr 2016 9:44 am

Hi Andy-- Thank you! That means a lot coming from such a seasoned author as yourself! I hope I have made a worthy contribution to the steel guitar library that you, Lorene and others have built over the years!
John

Mike Neer · Post by **Mike Neer** » 6 Apr 2016 9:58 am

Just ordered the book and I'm looking forward to reading it!

John Troutman · Post by **John Troutman** » 6 Apr 2016 1:00 pm

Thanks Mike!! I look forward to the release of your new record!
John

Peter Funk · Post by **Peter Funk** » 6 Apr 2016 11:59 pm

Wow! That sounds like a fantastic book

Ordered my copy yesterday and Amazon says, it will be delivered in May ...

Bob Stone · Post by **Bob Stone** » 7 Apr 2016 6:08 am

Hi John,

Congrats on the book. A huge effort and much needed. My copy is due to arrive today. Looking forward to a good read.

Best regards,

Bob

Andy Volk · Post by **Andy Volk** » 7 Apr 2016 4:44 pm

Just ordered mine.

John Troutman · Post by **John Troutman** » 7 Apr 2016 10:50 pm

Wow--thank you guys! Peter, I am hoping that it will ship sooner than May. Keeping my fingers crossed. Bob and Andy, your work stands so tall--I am honored to be in your company. Thank you for your support!
John

Bill Thomson · Post by **Bill Thomson** » 14 Apr 2016 2:27 pm

Ordered mine and it is on the way! Can't wait.

John Troutman · Post by **John Troutman** » 14 Apr 2016 6:15 pm

Awesome-- Thank you Bill! I hope you enjoy it!!

Former Member · Post by **Former Member** » 14 Apr 2016 8:07 pm

Hi John,
What a thorough history lesson.. And I'm on page 38!
While working on Lanai, I read this small book which was an account of the first haoles who boated over to check out the island. Complaining that they couldn't get locals to get them some horses...

I'm digging your perspective and insight into how Hawaiians got screwed by the various folks, and the sneer towards guitar and hula..
I sent a copy to my cousin who wrote 'Olelo 'Oiwi. He still teaches on Kauai. Maybe you'll meet up someday!
Thanks for your efforts,
Ron

Martin Curnan · Post by **Martin Curnan** » 15 Apr 2016 6:36 am

Looking forward to your Hanapepe visit

Martin Curnan · Post by **Martin Curnan** » 15 Apr 2016 6:53 am

Looking forward to your Hanapepe visit

John Troutman · Post by **John Troutman** » 15 Apr 2016 9:06 am

Hi Martin & Ron,

Martin, thank you so much for planning to come to Talk Story! I am excited to meet you there!!

Ron-- I have been looking for a copy of Ê»Olelo Ê»Oiwi for some time-- I have heard great things about it. Thank you for reading the book -- I hope you continue to enjoy it! I wonder about that book you found on Lanai-- it was a profound experience for me to research the history of the Kingdom's culture and politics, and as you know, the amount of material available for that research, in Hawaiian and in English, is staggering. I felt so privileged to have the opportunity to work on this book over the years and I thank you for your support!

Thanks!
John

Loren Tilley · Post by **Loren Tilley** » 15 Apr 2016 4:05 pm

Do you have anything set up for Maui?

John Troutman · Post by **John Troutman** » 15 Apr 2016 7:48 pm

Hi Loren,
Thank you for asking! Unfortunately I won't have a chance to visit Maui this time around. However, I am hoping to get there either this summer or next year for the steel guitar festival (the one that I am missing right now!). If you know of a bookstore there (or even a music store) that might find interest in hosting an event, would you let me know?
Thanks!
John

Duane Becker · Post by **Duane Becker** » 17 Apr 2016 11:09 am

I ordered my copy just yesterday from ebay.
Thanks John for the research. I'm at the Maui Steel Fest now, and your book was even here(signed copy in the silent auction).
I leafed through it and it is well written...