The Steel Guitar Forum

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

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.

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 Nā Mea Hawaiʻi bookstore in Honolulu, Oʻahu 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, Kauaʻi.

John Troutman wrote: P.S. For those of you who live in the Islands, I am giving a book talk at Nā Mea Hawaiʻi bookstore in Honolulu, Oʻahu 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, Kauaʻi.

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?

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

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!

Hi all,

John--I'd love to meet you in Kauaʻi! 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

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

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

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

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

Wow! That sounds like a fantastic book
Ordered my copy yesterday and Amazon says, it will be delivered in May ...

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

Just ordered mine.

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

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

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

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

Looking forward to your Hanapepe visit

Looking forward to your Hanapepe visit

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 ʻOlelo ʻOiwi 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

Do you have anything set up for Maui?

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

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...