Hawai'i-based performer Danny Couch is taking the concept of the autograph one step farther into the digital age. He will personalize his new CD, "Christmas in Hawai'i," by recording a live dedication onto it.

"I thought I'd do a limited amount — 100," said Couch. But by last week, he had received nearly 200 requests — and counting — so he's upped the total he'll release to 500.

It's labor-intensive, because he has to record the greeting at the beginning of the disc before the music can be burned onto it. But he's bracing for the challenge.

Couch did a sample for a neighbor of his named Gloria, with whom he exchanges waves as he leaves his apartment. She wanted an autographed copy of his album, so he went to the studio to test the recorded dedication. He presented her with the CD, and said, "Listen to it."

"She did ... then she played the CD for everyone around here — she was so touched," said Couch. "She told everybody."

He figured he was onto something, so he kicked off the offer on his Web site.

Then it started snowballing. Placing discs in a lauhala basket, festooned with a red bow, he ran out of the containers.

The decision to do a premium Christmas item was spur-red, in part, by eBay sales of his earlier music.

"I found out that one of my singles, 'You Are the Best of My Life,' sold for $2,700," said Couch. Anything I've done with The Aliis (he is a former member) or solo has been getting $200 and $300."

Couch is singing his new Christmas song, "Christmas in Hawai'i," on the Starwood Hotels & Resorts float in Chicago's Thanksgiving Day parade. Upon return from that appearance, Couch will begin recording his "autographs." He has a list of names, matching mailing labels, and numbered certificates of authenticity.

"The one thing I can't afford to do is mix up the names," he said.

Reach Wayne Harada at wharada@honoluluadvertiser.com.