The instrumental multi-artist compilation "Slack Key Guitar, Vol. 2" won the first-ever Grammy award in the Hawaiian Music Album category today. The award was given out in an untelevised ceremony at the Los Angeles Convention Center just before the prime time Grammy awards telecast at the neighboring Staples Center.

The compilation's producer Charles Michael Brotman - who also played on the record - accepted the award.

"I thought we might win, but I was also prepared for any of the other nominees to win because they're all so fantastic," said Brotman, backstage, shortly after winning. "When our name was announced, well, we basically all jumped up, screamed and ran up on stage."

Joining Brotman on stage to accept the Grammy were musicians Sonny Lim, Ken Emerson and Jeff Peterson, three of the 12 slack-key guitar players featured on the record.

All were dressed in tuxedos - Brotman's accented with a triple-strand ilima lei. Brotman thanked his sister and Palm Records co-partner Jody Brotman, distributor The Mountain Apple Co., the compilation's nine other guitarists and the Recording Academy for honoring Hawaiian music with the category.

"I said that I knew we wouldn't be here if it wasn't for past generations of musicians in Hawai'i that dedicated their lives to music," said Brotman, recalling his acceptance speech. "It's their creativity and hard work that has made Hawaiian music what it is today. And what it is is a living, evolving art form that embodies the Hawaiian culture."