Posted on: Friday, February 11, 2005
47TH ANNUAL GRAMMY AWARDS
Honing in on beauty, quality of ki ho'alu
 |
Who is your favorite for Hawaiian Grammy? The first Grammy for Hawaiian music will be given out on Sunday in Los Angeles. Take our online poll and vote for your favorite to win. |
By Wayne Harada
Advertiser Entertainment Writer
Charles Michael Brotman tapped his musician friends from the Big Island, O'ahu and Kaua'i to assemble tranquil, mood-evoking ki ho'alu tunes for the lone instrumental CD nominee for the first Hawaiian music Grammy Award, to be announced Sunday.
Bruce Asato • The Honolulu Advertiser Brotman performs with nine other strummers on the disc: Bryan Kessler, Randy Lorenzo, John Keawe, Keoki Kahumoku, Ken Emerson, Sonny Lim, Charlie Recaido, Jeff Peterson and John Cruz.
He and sister Jody Brotman are business partners and owners of Palm Records, the label that released the guitar collection. Brotman also owns and operates Lava Tracks Recording Studio, which adjoins his garage in Kamuela, on the Big Island, where the recording was completed.
"The commute is killing me," he joked about getting from home to work. "I have to travel at least 30 feet; in rush hour, I trip over my dog."
"Some Call It Aloha...Don't Tell"
"Amy & Willie Live"
"Cool Elevation"
"Ke'alaokamaile"
TODAY
"Slack Key Guitar, Volume 2"
Clearly, the CD — and the nomination — arrived at an opportune time.
"There's a lot of interest (in slack-key guitar) from the Mainland," said Brotman. "I've been doing interviews with radio stations, public radio, newspapers large and small — including the Seattle Times and Chicago Sun," he said.
"What we're thinking down the line is to put together a Palm Records acoustic showcase, using my trio, Kohala, as the foundation and featuring whichever guitarist is available to tour with us.
"We certainly know we're not big superstars from Hawai'i, so we're excited to be nominees. It's nothing we planned for or expected to happen, but it's just been so much fun," he said.
Reach Wayne Harada at wharada@honoluluadvertiser.com, 525-8067 or fax 525-8055. • • • Artists/label: Various artists, led by Charles Michael Brotman, producer; Palm Records. Ages: Brotman is 51; the other guitarists — Bryan Kessler, Randy Lorenzo, John Keawe, Keoki Kahumoku, Ken Emerson, Sonny Lim, Charlie Recaido, Jeff Peterson, John Cruz — are 34 to 54. Career Hoku awards: Brotman, one. Attending the Grammys? Yes. Brotman and wife, Joanie, and sister Jody Brotman (a partner in Palm Records) are going, plus Lim, Peterson and Emerson. Wearing what? Tuxedo. What kind of lei? Not decided; something from the Big Island. Where would you display the award if you win? Possibly in the studio (Lava Tracks Recording Studio). What in the nominated CD are you most proud of? Two things: "the natural beauty of acoustic and classical guitars, searching for ways to capture the sound exactly as you hear it performed; and being able to share the success with nine other guitarists," said Brotman. Unknown factoid about the making of the CD: Stress prevailed when planning the project but that turned to fun, working with diverse musicians. Should have been nominated, and why? Gabby, Sonny Chillingworth and others who dedicated their lives to music. Next up: "Several projects, including a new CD with my acoustic guitar trio, Kohala; tour plans for Japan and Mainland this summer," said Brotman. Inevitably, "Slack Key Volume 3."
"I just called people I've known over the years and asked if they'd like to play, trying to get a range of styles," said Brotman, 51, the producer of "Slack Key Guitar, Volume 2."
Charles Michael Brotman, producer of "Slack Key Guitar, Volume 2," performs on the CD with nine of his musician buddies.
He said the studio, more than six years old, was specifically designed for recording acoustic guitar. "I hired a top studio designer from the Mainland. I've been focused for years on recording the natural beauty of acoustical and classical guitars — a very pure, organic, clean approach. That sound has been the cornerstone of our label. I think the success of the CD shows that there are many others who enjoy the natural quiet beauty of the acoustic guitar."
2005 GRAMMY AWARDS
The Brothers Cazimero
Amy Hanaiali'i Gilliom & Willie K.
Ho'okena
Keali'i Reichel
Charles Michael Brotman, producer
'SLACK KEY GUITAR, VOLUME 2'
