Hawaiian Music Grammy Nominees

[YoungNeil]

Field 14 - Folk
Category 69 - Best Hawaiian Music Album (Vocal or Instrumental)


Some Call It Aloha...Don't Tell
The Brothers Cazimero
[Mountain Apple Company]

Amy & Willie Live
Amy Hanaiali'i Gilliom & Willie K
[Blind Man Sound]

Cool Elevation
Ho'okena
[Ho'omau Inc.]

Ke`alaokamaile
Keali`i Reichel
[Punahele Productions]

Slack Key Guitar Volume 2
Various Artists
Charles Michael Brotman, producer
[Palm Records]

[Miulang]

Who like bet that Keali'i going take the Award? He's just so awesome!

Miulang

[pzarquon]

Isle musicians hail Hawaiian Grammy as win for all (http://starbulletin.com/2004/12/08/news/story4.html)
Associated Press/Honolulu Star-Bulletin, December 8, 2004
Hawaiian albums were already eligible for Grammys, primarily through the traditional folk and contemporary folk awards. The individual category gives it a new level of exposure, and state officials are optimistic about the doors it may open. "What it is, it draws attention," [Jon de Mello] said. "Whoever really gets this award, all five of them won it."

[LikaNui]

>> The individual category gives it a new level of exposure, and state officials are optimistic about the doors it may open. "What it is, it draws attention," [Jon de Mello] said. <<

In the last 24 hours I've read and heard a lot about the "exposure" that Hawaiian music would receive. Unfortunately -- and sadly -- I think those hopes are waaaaay too optimistic.
The Grammy Awards broadcast will not air the award for Hawaiian music, as there simply isn't enough time for the countless minor categories. (Remember that the Hawaiian category is a sub-category under the Folk Music heading, which in itself never gets announced.) Most of these get relegated to an extremely brief mention or scroll (if at all) as they break for commercial, and even then over half of the categories never get mentioned at all. Ditto for the results posted in newspapers the following day, where they only print the major categories. So, while I personally think it's great that we got our own category in the Grammy's, exactly where do they think this "exposure" will come from?
:confused:

[Albert]

I'll be very, very surprised if Reichel doesn't get the award (even though I've not heard any of the nominated CDs).

[Ty Lee]

>> So, while I personally think it's great that we got our own category in the Grammy's, exactly where do they think this "exposure" will come from?
:confused:

Yea, that's true, but if the record company knows what their doing they will spin - it - up in the local media and be able to re-ship the product with "Ta-Da" for winning a Grammy.

TY

[dcfanaddicts]

We've been following the development of the Hawaiian Catagory for Grammy acceptancd and even attended meetings here in Seattle at the NW chapter in charge. Let me tell you it did get heated every so often. This expression was heard a lot "Music is the carrier of aloha."

I welcome you to read our continuous coverage at
http://www.dannycouchfanaddicts.com/grammys.htm

Best Hawaiian Music Album (Vocal or Instrumental.) is a reality for The 47th Annual Grammy Awards being held on February 13, '05 9pmET on CBS

Sunday, February 13
47th Annual GRAMMY Awards Pre-Telecast Ceremony Los Angeles Convention Center Los Angeles, Calif.
1:30 p.m.


Hawaiian is in it's OWN catagory, not World and not Latino as first anticipated.
There is nothing final about the demise of the Hawaiian Na Hoku Hanohano Awards (it was discussed at several meetings) but the acceptance into the Grammys were fought over for years a 15-year effort to get the music industry's most prestigious ceremony to recognize Hawaiian recordings to no avail until this year. The thinking is perhaps this may help to bring Hawaiian Music to the general public (nationwide and worldwide) and the exposure will be the best thing for island music. The Hokus are a marvelous recognition but all the artists know the Grammy is prestegious and usually money generating. It will definately help the local music industry.
Grammys are considered the most coveted of the many contemporary music awards. Despite the honor the awards carry and the ratings success of the awards show, many industry insiders consider the Grammys to be merely a reflection of mainstream commercial success.

www.dannycouchfanaddicts.com/grammys.htm (http://)

www.dannycouchfanaddicts.com (http://)

[LikaNui]

Hawaiian is in it's OWN catagory, not World and not Latino as first anticipated.

I think you might have it a little confused. Hawaiian certainly has its own category, but it's under an existing field. Even on your own website it quotes NARAS and some local media as saying "New categories also were added in existing fields: in the Dance field for Best Electronic/Dance Album; in Gospel for Best Gospel Performance (for singles or tracks with Gospel lyrics); and in Folk, for Best Hawaiian Music Album."
So the only difference is that it's under Folk Music, instead of under World or Latino music.
And since there are 107 categories, it still comes back to facing the fact that Hawaiian music won't get mentioned on the broadcast and won't be listed in media reports the next day, except for our local media here, of course.
I think it's nice that we're in the Grammys, but I have yet to see how it will give us much national and international exposure.
Now, if Willie K or Da Caz or Keali`i were asked to perform on the broadcast, then we'd have something!

[zztype]

What I can't figure out is why a compilation disc got nominated? I mean, this being the very first time, couldn't we come up with a better candidate than "Slack Key Guitar Volume 2 , Various Artists"

Shouldn't this award be more about a release by a specific artist? What's next? Grammy Nominated "K-Tel Hawaiian In A Bottle -- The Top 1,000 Hawaiian Hits of All Time"?

I mean, no knock on the Slack Key CD. I even own and like very much Volume 1, but I don't think a compilation should be considered very seriously for a GRAMMY.

Anybody?

[YoungNeil]

The Grammys are basically a three hour infomercial for the music biz. It has little to do with true artistry or musical achievement. It gets people who don't frequent record stores to go out and shop and buy music that "must be good because it just won a Grammy". Even if it's not the case.

[Peshkwe]

Being it's a new catagory all on it's own for the first time, the Grammy folks may do what they did when Native American music got a catagory. Give a showcase for the opening year and then religate the awards to some footnote someplace from then on.

[1stwahine]

:D All the nominees are WINNA'S! Personally, however my vote would go for Shh, Don't tell, it's Aloha...THE BRADDAH CAZ DUO! Way to go Robert and Roland!

1stwahine
Aunty Lynn of Chinatown! :p

[NemesisVex]

What I can't figure out is why a compilation disc got nominated?

Because the name of the category doesn't limit the scope to "by a Duo or Group", "by a Male Artist" or "by a Female Artist".

I think it's nice that we're in the Grammys, but I have yet to see how it will give us much national and international exposure.

The category may not give mass exposure to Hawaiian music, but for the music fans outside of Hawai`i willing to seek the music out will find it helpful. Retailers with even a marginal world music section -- where Hawaiian music is usually filed -- will find it helpful. So too distributors.

YoungNeil is right in describing the Grammys as an infomercial for the music business. Perhaps the only people willing to sift through all 107 categories are industry types, and if a few reatilers end up stocking their world music bins with the listed nominees -- perhaps even selling them to the said fans -- that can't be a bad thing.

[LikaNui]

NemesisVex wrote:
>> The category may not give mass exposure to Hawaiian music, but for the music fans outside of Hawai`i willing to seek the music out will find it helpful. <<

I don't see that happening. Hawaiian music fans on the mainland already know who they like to listen to, and whichever one wins the Grammy will almost certainly be someone they already know, since the nominees are all major names.
Also, I'd be more than willing to bet that the media will not report the winners of all 107 categories; just the major ones. So the Hawaiian winner won't get publicity that way either.

>> Perhaps the only people willing to sift through all 107 categories are industry types, and if a few reatilers end up stocking their world music bins with the listed nominees -- perhaps even selling them to the said fans -- that can't be a bad thing. <<

True, but neither do I see it as being very much of a help.
There'll be 'bragging rights' for the winner and some for the losing nominees, but other than that I still think it's much ado about relatively nothing.

[zztype]

Feb. 6, 2005 -- Local artists have high hopes for Hawaiian Grammy (http://starbulletin.com/2005/02/06/features/story1.html) from today's Star-Bulletin interviews many of the nominees along with Don Ho, Henry Kapono and others. Many give "props" to those that came before.

[pzarquon]

That piece was just the first in a week-long series individually profiling the nominees. Today brings us the curious compilation album of slack-key guitar by Charles Brotman (http://starbulletin.com/2005/02/07/features/story2.html). He notes the difference between what people in Hawaii generally prefer, and what tastes on the Mainland lean toward.
"Slack key is very, very popular on the mainland," he said. "The fans are loyal to the music and could see this as an opportunity to reward their music of choice." So while the Cazimeros and Reichel appear to be the favorites in the contest, Brotman's CD, made with 10 other notable Hawaii guitarists, is the dark horse... "If the (final) voting had been done in Hawaii, we probably would not have made the ballot," Brotman said. "But on the mainland it's a different ball game, so I think the playing field now is pretty even, though we're not the big Hawaii superstars."

[LikaNui]

Today brings us the curious compilation album of slack-key guitar (etc)

Mind if I ask why you called it a "curious" album?

[pzarquon]

Mind if I ask why you called it a "curious" album?Well, because it's a compilation album. I think zztype had the same question above. Not unheard of, but unusual. I'm wondering, come to think of it, whether now every artist on that disc can market themselves as "Grammy Nominated"!

[LikaNui]

Well, because it's a compilation album.

Okay, thanks for the explanation. I actually found it "curious" too since compilation albums are usually under the heading of, well, Best Compilation Album.
:)

[dannyfanaddicts]

I'm posting all the articles from the papers on my site on one page so if you wanna read all the scoop.

www.dannycouchfanaddicts.com/grammy2.htm (Grammys)

Only Three days to go.

[pzarquon]

Yay! National Public Radio had a segment this morning on the new Hawaiian music category at the Grammy's. They've posted a short article (http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=4492881) on their website, featuring audio selections from Keali`i Reichel and a couple of photos, and a link to listen to the piece by Wilma Consul.

They interviewed only Reichel and the Honolulu Advertiser's Derek Paiva. Consul led off with Don Ho and Elvis Presley as examples of what people think Hawaiian music is, noting that "hapa haole" means "half foreign." Of the nominees' music featured, again, it was only Reichel, and Consul started with what was probably (for NPR folks) one of Reichel's lesser "grokkable" pieces (a chant set to a hip-hop-esque beat). But, the narrative was good, and the other Reichel pieces were very accessible, and I could imagine NPR listeners in colder climes getting warm fuzzy feelings.

Good stuff. I hope the Hawaiian category is "novel" enough to merit even more press, if not actual screen time during the actual awards show.

[1stwahine]

They are all WINNERS! However, like most Hawaiian Music Lovers I have my favorite...Robert and Roland Caz. Robert called MAMA before he left yesterday, as he always does for other travels. GO! CAZ'S We'll all be watching...at the edge of our seats!

[pzarquon]

Wow. Today is our day in the spotlight. The BBC World Service radio news program also did a segment on the new Hawaiian Music category at the Grammies. (Grammys?) Here's the brief online article (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/music/3784407.stm). Sadly, they don't archive their audio streams as intuitively as NPR does, so I don't know how to link to the radio segment. It's somewhere buried in here (http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/), I think.

[Albert]

I heard a report on NPR which mentioned the nominees, including Amy "and her guitarist, Willie K".

[cough, splutter]

KHPR, in a local version, fortunately got it the other way around and gave Willie top place.

[1stwahine]

I heard a report on NPR which mentioned the nominees, including Amy "and her guitarist, Willie K".

[cough, splutter]

KHPR, in a local version, fortunately got it the other way around and gave Willie top place.

Finally, somebody got it right! APPLAUSE!

[Linkmeister]

The LA Times has an article this morning. Use BugMeNot for access.

http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-hawaii13feb13.story

[pzarquon]

A neat article, but one that is built to backfire, since it focuses just as strongly on the "too many categories" criticism the awards receive. And while I love Mountain Apple, I think Leah Bernstein could have been a little more gracious:
"Lawrence Welk is dead — do we need a polka category?" asked Leah Bernstein, an executive at the most powerful Honolulu label, Mountain Apple Records, which has current or past connections to all five nominees in the category. "It was very disappointing when the Native American category was added a few years ago. Nothing against that music or those artists, but that was pretty hard to take."
I heard an NPR segment on the polka category earlier this week, and it was interesting, a peek into a genre that not too many think about. I'm pretty sure most people could say the same thing about Hawaiian. I'm sure the polka folks could make digs at Don Ho, and the Native American folks could make a case for Hawaiian being part of their category... but as far as I can tell, most everyone is happy for us, as they should be. Why whine on a day of such positive achievement?

[YoungNeil]

And the winner of the Shammy is....




Category 69

Best Hawaiian Music Album
(Vocal or Instrumental.)

Slack Key Guitar Volume 2
Various Artists
Charles Michael Brotman, producer
[Palm Records]

[zztype]

Booooo! I can't believe that the "sampler" won. They shouldn't even have allowed it in the category. Oh, well.

[1stwahine]

Sorry, but I couldn't find anything that came close to what I want to ask, except this one of The Grammys...did anyone notice how many times Alicia Keys waste precious seconds on the word 'REALLY"? I counted four. My small 8 yr.old nephew said, "I hate when someone looks like their chewing gum and they don't have any in their mouth!" He was referring to Alicia Key's Manager the Big Guy...my home is filled with family rooting for Robert and Roland still waiting for the Hawaiian catagory.

Ooops....!

[YoungNeil]

Or just look two posts above yours!

[Miulang]

It was a win for Hawaiian music as a genre to even be represented at the Grammy's this year, but I think the Hawaiian music industry still has a lot of educating to do of the people who vote on the Grammy's. I think they chose the slack key CD as Best Hawaiian music because they still don't understand what Hawaiian music is...it's not just a melody but the words that go with it, too. I think this CD won because it was the "safest" of the choices. Everybody knows what a guitar is, and most people have heard slack key guitar music. It is true that slack key guitars are unique to Hawai'i, though.

But I don't think any of the Hawaiian music nominees has anything to be ashamed of. They will always be known as the first nominees for the
Grammys, and they represent the true Hawaiian music.

Miulang

[LikaNui]

And while I love Mountain Apple, I think Leah Bernstein could have been a little more gracious

Right! I saw that quote about Lawrence Welk and polka last week too and had exactly the same reaction. I read it, then had to re-read it again to make sure she really said it.
:eek:

[LikaNui]

... the Native American folks could make a case for Hawaiian being part of their category...

I believe that was indeed part of the discussion with the Grammy folks for a long time.
And speaking of the Native American category, one of those major articles last week was talking about how the last group to win the Native American Grammy saw an increase in sales... but they also noted that the group had total nationwide retail sales after the Grammy of less than 100 copies!
Yes, one hundred. That's not a typo.

[LikaNui]

I think this CD won because it was the "safest" of the choices. Everybody knows what a guitar is, and most people have heard slack key guitar music.

I don't know that it was necessarily the "safest" but I do think a large part of the reason goes to the voters familiarity with George Winston, so they probably were also at least somewhat aware of his Dancing Cat label and his extensive efforts on behalf of slack key.

[LikaNui]

I don't think any of the Hawaiian music nominees has anything to be ashamed of.

Well, maybe Robert Cazimero. After all, his reaction as soon as the winner was announced was "Well, that's done. Let's go find something to eat."
Love it!
:D

[zztype]

OK, here's a quick poll:

How many of you have in your CD collection any of the Grammy nominees? Name them. (I'll go first):

X - Ke'alaokamaile, Keali'i Reichel
X - Cool Elevation, Ho'okena
X - Amy & Willie Live, Amy Hanaiali'i Gilliom and Willie K
O - Some Call It Aloha...Don't Tell, Cazimero Brothers*
O - Slack Key Guitar Volume 2, Charles Brotman producer
I had never even HEARD of Brotman's collection, (until this Grammy thing came up), never seen it on a store shelf, never heard anyone talking it up... "Oh man, you jus' GOTTA hear Brotman's sampler. Ho man! A must-have for any collection!"

I still contend it shouldn't have even been nominated. If it were an album by a single artist with others guesting, I wouldn't have a problem. A slack-key album especially would have been perfect for a first-time nominee.

I just don't think a "collection" of music from assorted artists merits an honor as high as a Grammy, much less the FIRST Hawaiian music Grammy. It's really a pity that this assortment of very good music was allowed to detract from the people who worked to put out complete albums of the highest caliber. It takes a lot more work to write, perform and produce an album by a single artist or group than it does to collect good works from many artists for compilation.

My congratulations to all the nominees, Charles Brotman and company included. I'm sure the album has some very good music on it and I am sure I would enjoy listening to it. But that's not my beef. Here's hoping that future nominees better represent the output of the Hawaii recording industry.

(*Sorry, Caz, I neva buy yours yet... pretty soon.)

[Miulang]

I have the first 3 on your list, but I had to buy them when I was in Hawai'i. Hopefully now things will change so there are more places on the Mainland that sell music by Hawaiian artists. :mad:

What it shows is that the Grammy's are not a popularity contest, and the people in the Academy who voted have no clue what "real" Hawaiian music is. Maybe it would be better if Hawaiian music got grouped together with Native American music. At least the Academy seems to understand a little better what their music is all about.

Miulang

[Linkmeister]

I wonder how long it took for a separate "rap" category to be created? And who in that community agreed with the first winner in that one?

I'm just sayin' there's unquestionably an education process that goes on for the Grammy voters, and they probably aren't up to speed yet.

[akrauth]

No fair! I think Kealii Reichel is a great singer and chanter; I wish he won the award. Ke-a-li-i! Ke-a-li-i! Ke-a-li-i!

[1stwahine]

Congrats to the WINNER but in my Book...it's Da Bothers CAZ!!!!!

[pzarquon]

The evening news featured some griping by various people, including of course Lilikala Kameeleihiwa at the UH Hawaiian Studies Center, basically dismissing the compilation album's citation as non-Hawaiians awarding a non-Hawaiian for packaging Hawaiian culture. It's an interesting way of putting it.

I definitely think an individual artist should have won. Odd thing is, a friend of mine was watching another obscure category, and a compilation album won out there, too, to much consternation. Maybe it's just the year of the "best of"?

[kimo55]

The evening news featured some griping by various people....

compilation album's citation as non-Hawaiians awarding a non-Hawaiian for packaging Hawaiian culture


yea. there, in a nutshell, is the 'problem"

was hangin wit da blalahs today and dey all said:
Brotman?!
whodaguy!?
wot kine dat!
compilation album?!
winnah!?
not.



****
eh, but they won, because they were uh.. "Hawaiian-at-heart"..
ugh.


http://www.aaari.info/2002%20spring%20-%20remapping.htm

[jarofclay73]

The nominees featured a lot of "stars" of Hawaiian music. If the Grammys had a Hawaiian category since the 80s, all of the nominees would have gotten it for their respective years. But, none of them had a really OUTSTANDING year compared to previous years. So, it wasn't that much of a surprise to me to that compilation album won.

[Palolo Joe]

The evening news featured some griping by various people
It's Hawaii folks... what did you expect?

Also got to remember that the majority of voting members in NARAS are from the mainland, and not here. Maybe that would change if more local artists joined and started to participate.

This is the first year for the category. ALL of the nominees will benefit with increased recognition and album sales. Maybe the next step is to add Best Instrumental Hawaiian and Best Contemporary Hawaiian categories. Keep in mind that it takes years to get a category submitted and approved.

Slack key guitar is one of the cornerstones of traditional Hawaiian music. Take a look at the artists on the album and you'll see a number with Hawaiian blood.

Just because a bunch of haoles on the mainland don't "get it" yet, doesn't mean there isn't hope for Hawaiian music at the Grammys. There will be a lot more entries next year, and hopefully more local voters who know more about the music.

[akrauth]

No fair! Kealii Reichel is a great singer and chanter; I wish he won the award. Ke-a-li-i! Ke-a-li-i! Ke-a-li-i!

[akrauth]

I agree with you; I really think Kealii Reichel should have gotten that. That was not fair! Ke-a-li-i! Ke-a-li-i! Ke-a-li-i! (Sorry if I write that chant too much. It's just that I love doing that whenever I hear his name mentioned.)

[akrauth]

I have the Ke'alaokamaile CD plus the other four Kealii Reichel CD's, and as I've mentioned a zillion times, I wish he won. Here's that chant I love doing again: Ke-a-li-i! Ke-a-li-i! Ke-a-li-i!

[akrauth]

As I've said before, that was not fair at all. Couldn't they give the award to the nominees who got the second and third highest number of votes or something? That way, Kealii Reichel would have a better chance of getting it. I know it's great that he was at least nominated for it, but that made me so mad! Ke-a-li-i! Ke-a-li-i! Ke-a-li-i!

[admin]

Akrauth, I appreciate your enthusiasm, but so far you've posted only five messages on the entire site, all of them in this thread, and most of them exactly the same message. Please explore some of the other conversations HawaiiThreads.com has to offer.