Tributes from the Islands

By Wayne Harada
Advertiser Entertainment Editor

If ever they can get it into the stores, DisGuyz — who wrote and recorded "Our Nation in Song" the night of Sept. 11 — could have that career hit they've been primed for. But production delays have stalled the release of the disc till about Oct. 15, said DisGuyz manager Nancy Bernal.

"We're at the mercy of the Mainland plant," said Bernal. The initial order is for 10,000 copies of the CD singles.

DisGuyz has been performing the tribute programs since that nightmarish day. The disc also will feature an instrumental version, as well as a "Presidential Mix," with excerpts of President Bush's comments fused by Eddie L. of KDNN 98.5 FM.

Olinda Road, the distributor, said the single will retail for $5.98, with proceeds going to charity.

When jazz musician John Kolivas premiered his "Remembrance" for those who perished Sept. 11, it was an instrumental. His brother, Robert Pennybacker, heard the Honolulu Jazz Quartet perform the tribute last month and was inspired to write lyrics.

So Teresa Bright will lay down vocal tracks soon, with Kapono Beamer involved in the production of the CD single. Radio airplay copies are expected next week; Kolivas, a bassist, hopes the disc (which will include an instrumental, "Deanna," which is his wife's name) will be available by the end of the month.

Also, the Kolivas combo will again perform the song at 8 p.m. Wednesday at Studio 6 of the Musicians Association of Hawai'i, 949 Kapi'olani Blvd.