Posted on: Friday, May 04, 2001
It's party time for Tiny and friends
By Catherine E. Toth
Advertiser Staff Writer
|
| Oceanic's Tiny Tadani slides his way into the music industry with the release of his first CD, which features many popular local entertainers. To celebrate, Tadani is holding a party tonight at Hawai'i Theatre. All 10 artists will perform at the concert.
Pepsi Tiny CD Concert |
Nothing says Tiny more than a talk show.
The format has been his claim-to-Oceanic-fame.
So it's no surprise that the 37-year-old who's never without a Sony video camera would use the talk-show format to deliver a CD release party he hopes no one will forget.
With a sofa on stage and a camera in hand, Tiny Tadani will celebrate the release of his first CD, "Tiny CD — With a Tiny Help From My Friends," tonight at the Hawai'i Theatre.
"It's going to be a Dick Clark-Rosie O'Donnell thing," he said with a laugh. "It'll be very interactive."
He plans to tape the concert, which will feature all 10 artists on the CD, including Forté, Bruddah Sam and Lina Girl, and Rocky Brown. Special guests Jake Shimabukuro, Lopaka Colón and Reign also will perform.
It took six months to get the compilation together, with the help of producer/engineer David Tucciarone. But half a year was well worth it for Tadani, who carefully selected songs and voices he respects. The CD reached No. 1 on Tower Records' list of Top CDs in Hawai'i.
"I'm walking into this as a TV guy, but I love music," he said. "I'm a real objective, generic guy, and I thought I could pick music that would appeal to the average man."
His selection ranges from Forté's soulful version of the Jackson 5's "I'll Be There" to 12-year-old Tani Lynn Fujimoto's spin on the Christian song "Everlasting Place."
"These were my favorite songs, or songs that I thought were due to come back," Tadani said.
Even the former TV weather anchor exercises his vocal chords in "The Lady Wants to Know," which also shows off the voice of his 10-year-old son, Taylor.
But he shrugs off the debut performance with "I'm just a karaoke fanatic" who found that it's a lot harder recording a serious song for serious listeners than it is to sing any-kine in a room full of noise and drunken banter.
"It's no problem for me to do something like that when no one's listening," he said with a chuckle.
Not only does this CD mark his singing debut, it also was his introduction to producing one. And the experience was an education.
"The hardest thing to do was get everybody together," Tadani said. "They all have different jobs ... and we wanted to keep costs down; that's my style."
That's a fact. "Tiny TV" on Oceanic Cable 16 has charmed audiences for more than a year with its low-budget look and feel, offering a glimpse into his life and his surroundings.
And in keeping with the image, Tadani was determined to put together a CD that was affordable while retaining a quality he knows local listeners expect and deserve.
So whenever the studio was open, Tadani ushered the musicians in. And whenever he could, he videotaped the progress. For a special "Tiny TV" episode, naturally.
Expect something similar at the Pepsi Tiny CD Concert. Lots of video cameras and audience participation.
And music.
"And (the artists) aren't just singing the one song (on the CD)," Tadani insisted. "Everybody's doing a few more stuff."
Oh, and you can't forget the bargains.
His CD is well-equipped with coupons from sponsors.
But ultimately the music is what the CD is all about. And each song has a special meaning for Tadani.
"Everlasting Place," for example, was his way of sharing his inner Christian: "If I can get that song on the radio, and people hear it, that's my way of witnessing. It makes people think."
And "Follow Your Road" was recorded by one of his closest friends, Rocky Brown: "I wanted to showcase her. It's such a classic song, and if you re-do it, it'd have to be done ultimately the best ever. And I thought she did the best with it."
Like the CD, this concert comes from Tadani's heart. And he's not shy about selling it as the best ticket in town.
"I know what people want," he said confidently. "I know what Hawai'i people like. They want it one-on-one. They'll be in my living room while I present these artists. This truly is going to be one of the best shows ever. Better than the Rolling Stones. Better than Elton John."
