I got to sit at the "cool kids" table (which became the "bad boys" table since it was closest to the bar) at the luau. It was good to connect faces and names and hang out with folks I only get to see once a year. There was one lone female at the table, the wife of a guy whose name is escaping me, but she was a good sport.
Chris Kennison told me that I have to perform next year or he won't comp me for doing sound, so the challenge has been issued. I've been putting in an hour a day on the C6 lap steel since and I almost have "Sleepwalk" down (Be careful what you wish for, Chris).
I'm also putting together a band that uses the instruments of a Hawaiian string band (bass, guitar, uke and steel plus percussion) but not playing strictly Hawaiian music to give me incentive to get my playing together. I hope we can play next year.
Rick did good with the four string. We had the whole cross section of players from Rick's little dustpan all the way to Duke Ching with his triple neck Fender. If any of you are on the fence about attending next year, do it! It's a real good time and fun to be somewhere where lap steel is king.
Now if I could just find an unloved frypan at a garage sale or swap meet or...
These videos were taken by Marti Landry (Ross the Uke bass player's wife) on her iPhone
Mark Roeder (Deluxe34 Stands) took a few too ...
Funny thing is, my children just wanted to hear the stories (of course, they were about them) ... and my wife Chrissy just wanted to hear the songs. She said:
"I live those stories, I sent you out there to play"
So I did some editing and separated the tales from the tunes
There were three good stories that got recorded by Mark & Marti ... "Crotcho" ; "Max & his Principal" & "Fang Slobber"
This was my second HSGA event, and I had a great time. Rick's set was, of course, the entertainment highlight. Man, dude, can you lie! Fang comes next year.
Really great to see the Punua Ohana from Kaua'i and experience Duke Ching and so many others (surf's up, Garry).
My own set... well, it didn't suck as bad as last year, so that's progress! I threw in a couple of Cajun tunes for rhythmic and tuning (LtoH: GDGBDG) diversity and even sang one. Yes, like many who sing Hawaiian music, I'm bold enough to sing in public in a language I don't speak (Cajun French). Sorry I threw the band a bit with those extra measures all over the place. Cajun music is pretty irreg'lr.
Great to see old pals, meet new ones, and introduce a friend I brought along (Rich Wilson) to the whole dang deal.
A thousand thanks to Chris Kennison, Tony Fourcroy, Kamaka Tom, and Paul Honeycutt for all of the organizational and logistical efforts.
Gerald and Jeffy? Next year, huh?
"The Masher of Touch and Tone"
-1950 Fender Dual Pro 8
-1950's Fender Dual Pro 6
-Clinesmith D8
-Clinesmith 8-string Frypan
-Clinesmith Joaquin
-~1940 National New Yorker
-~1936 Rickenbacher B6
-Homebuilt Amps
Duke was Incredible
The Luau was 1st class with the roasted pig and hula dancers. He always gets the best hula dancers where ever he goes.
He has taught me so much and has been such a great inspiration to me.
Thank you Duke
