SHOW BIZ
Singer Labrado makes enterprising use of fame

By Wayne Harada
Advertiser Entertainment Writer

ISLAND BOY: Darrell Labrado's filmed-in-Hawai'i DVD single, "I Want My Island Girl," is poised for a Sept. 1 launch. The local singer is capitalizing on the success of his audio version of the song (on Billboard's dance single charts for six weeks) and beefing up interest in the waning singles market. Further, Labrado — being marketed as the newest face and sound of Hawai'i — will be featured in a Labrado clothing line, a related Hawaiian Gurls clothing line and a subsequent concert tour. He's now in New York, working on his "Caught in the Dream" CD and revving up interest in his career. And spurred by earlier turnout for girls eager to be on the video, Labrado's handlers will hold more auditions to select six additional island girls for an unspecified future project. Stay tuned. ...

Keola Beamer's "Mohala Mou" CD is dancing out of the record stores. Borders' national office initially ordered 450 CDs, but local distributors had problems meeting the demand. More CDs will be here in time for Beamer's two O'ahu concerts (Aug. 23 at Paliku Theatre at Windward Community College, Aug. 30 at Diamond Head Theatre). There's also a run on Beamer's book, "The Shimmering," which has become required reading for all incoming freshman at his alma mater, Kamehameha Schools, causing a slight in-store problem last Friday at Borders Kahului, which had only one copy left. His Maui Arts and Cultural Center show Saturday was sold out, and among those applauding were singer Emma Veary and KGMB's Guy Hagi and Kim Gennaula. And with 82 signed up, Beamer's Aloha Music Camp (with sessions in hula, slack key guitar and Hawaiian culture with the Beamer 'ohana at Kalani Honua Eco Resort in Puna the day after his Saturday night show at Kahilu Theatre) is sold out. Beamer also appears at a talk-story session from 1 to 2 p.m. Saturday at Cook's Discoveries in Waimea. ...

NAME-DROPPING: Read "The Kennedy Curse" yet? The Edward Klein book on the John F. Kennedy Jr.-Carolyn Bessette marriage (excerpted in the August Vanity Fair) has an interesting revelation: an ex-beau of Bessette's is Michael Bergin, one of the hunks in the short-lived "Baywatch Hawai'i." ...

Brother Noland appeared on the Perry & Price Hanohano Room show last week to promote the Sixth Annual Palama Settlement Brother Noland Goodwill Basketball Tournament starting Saturday. After the singer performed "Pua Lane," P&P noted they had never heard that particular rendering. "It's called, 'None of the band wanted to come up (to the Sheraton Waikiki penthouse restaurant) early in the morning,' " Noland said. ...

Richie Walker, one-time rock musician here and now an afternoon drive personality at ICRT FM on Taiwan, launches a week of live broadcasts beginning Aug. 17 (from 7 to 10 p.m., due to the time difference) from the Beachside Grill at the Sheraton Moana Surfrider Hotel. With the help of entrepreneur David Booth, he's lining up a number of local names, mostly those who play music, for chats and performances. ...

SIGHT 'EMS: Comic Andy Bumatai was pleased when a Mainland stand-up, Jim Gaffigan, on a Kaua'i honeymoon, took in his show and then did a bit on stage at the Kaua'i Resort Hotel. Gaffigan has been on the David Lettermen show nine times and on Conan O'Brien's show almost as often. Bumatai's Brew Moon gig on Wednesdays this month features Paul Ogata, the local radio deejay and standiup. ...

Entertainer Fiji and Miss America 2001 Angela Perez Baraquio were spotted separately recently at Manana Garage in Kahului, Maui.

And that's Show Biz. ...

Reach Wayne Harada at wharada@honoluluadvertiser.com, 525-8067 or fax 525-8055.