These are great times for the ‘ukulele. With Jake leading the way the instrument is gaining popularity accross the globe. Of course everyone out there knows about his playing for the queen but now Ima surprise announcement, Jake has aided in the design af a new soprano size ‘ukulele by Takamine guitars. Wow! The specs sound great including the rosewood fingerboard and mahogany instrument. The only thing I am curious about is the 14 fret neck which in my opinion would subtract from it’s already smaller sound considering it’s size. Although I love the fact that this instrument is going global, I do wish he somehow included a local ‘ukulele maker to further bring recognition to the Hawai‘i ‘ukulele community.

Congratulations Jake! Keep up the good work and keep making us proud.

Link: article from tiki talk

This Tuesday night, 12/08/09, Mailani will be performing at Chai’s island bistro at the aloha tower marketplace. Please join us from 7-9pm for some great music and food. Bring thi coupon with you for deep savings!

I know I’m late with this entry and at the same time I’m well aware that I haven’t posted anything in awhile. So why now? Well I actually feel as though this is something worth posting.
I’ve been proud of the work I’ve done in the past as a producer and engineer, but this project simply called Mailani is something that I can say that yes I’m proud of but also very passionate of.

Mailani and I have planned this project for a few years now. Our intention was and continues to be to bridge the gap of multiple generations by introducing what I believe to be a new generation of Hawaiian music. Mailani, always the risk taker, wanted give of herself as a musician, songwriter, performer and as a passionate Hawaiian woman. She delivers.

This album, as thought out as it was, still oozes of personality. I still remember our first meeting with Jon Demello and Leah Bernstein when I told them that I wanted to bottle her personality and show the world what’s great about her. Well, I can humbly say that I believe this album does just that.

If you haven’t heard the album yet, go check it out. Head over to mountain apple companyand take a listen to 2 of her songs, check out the beautiful photos available for viewing. Mountain Apple has helped us realize our goal with graphics that have done more than compliment my favorite singers brand new music. Also for Mailani’s schedule updates that’s the website to continuously visit.

Thank you for your continued visits to Doctortrey.com.

Itʻs been awhile since I’ve updated but I feel that this is important news regarding innovative ways in which to market your music. As members of the Hawaiʻi music industry, we have tried to find ways to beat the downturn of our marketplace. With distribution companies closing down, stores downsizing their floor area for music and blank CD sales soaring, we can only wonder if there’s any hope at all. We’ve been hit hard by a Tower Recordsless market. Many have been complaining about the burning illegal copying and downloading of CDs and saying that we need to somehow stop them. By this point, I think we all realize that stopping them may be impossible. Here’s where Hawaiʻi Podcamp, which happens on October 24th at the Hawaiʻi Convention Center, comes into play

I’m not prepared to say that this is the answer to all our problems as an industry, but I will say that if all we do is complain nothing will happen for us. It’s time to search for the solutions and Podcamp could be a huge step in the right direction. Remember that the “World Wide Web” is truly world wide, and the folks that will be at podcamp are people that will be able to get your music out to the world. It’s time to consider your options. Do you continue to fight the losing battle or do you find new avenues to present your music? They (Hawaiʻi Podcamp) are also looking for people who would be willing to entertain their guests from around the globe and from Hawaiʻi Nei. It can’t hurt to have people talking about you on their Blogs, Podcasts, and Vid/Vodcasts. Best of all Its all free. The internet has been both bad and good for the industry. This is one of the good things. Please don’t miss this opportunity.

Podcamp Hawaiʻi

We’ve been away for quite awhile now haven’t we? Well, Just wanted to update you by letting you know that we have a new ʻukulele lessons page complete with samples from the instructor. Talk to you all again soon!

PINKTOBER PARTY OCTOBER 17th from 6-8pm

Dear Friend,

The fight against breast cancer goes on and I know we’re going to win this thing! Hardly anyone I know can say they DON’T have a friend or relative that has battled this terrible disease. I’m asking for your help in raising funds because I think it’s important that we all join together to help win.
The best way to fight against breast cancer is through supporting our local Susan G. Komen Foundation through hard Rock Café’s Pinktober Party. The Pinktober Party will be the ‘kick off ‘event for Susan G. Komen’s “Race for the Cure” which will be on Sunday, October 19th, 2009.

Pinktober is Hard Rock Café’s annual event that will be held on Friday, October 17th, 2009 from 6:00pm-7:00pm. It celebrates breast cancer survivors, and raises funds for the Susan G. Komen Foundation. It will be an amazing event with local Hawaiian soul singer, Mailani from the Mightly J’s and Krater 96’s own, Wayne Maria to host the event.

We will be auctioning some fantastic items such as:
- A pink Fender Guitar signed by Henry Kapono, B.E.T, and Mailani, and
- Custom-made pink Hurley surfboard signed by professional surfer, Kekoa Cazimeo and other prizes as well.
- Bobby Jones gold club drivers
- Tahitian jewelry from the Tahiti Pearl Market

Our popular Pinktober pins, key chains and shirts are now available.

How can you help?
You can support the fight by coming down to Hard Rock Café on October 17th from 6:00pm-8:00pm and enjoying the fun! $5.00 donations at the door.

If you would like be a part of this awesome Pinktober party just come on down or contact Jill Gilboy at Hard Rock Café for more information. Thank you for supporting the fight against breast cancer!

Warmest Aloha,
Jill Gilboy – Sales & Marketing Manager
Hard Rock Cafe
1837 Kapiolani Blvd.
Honolulu, HI 96826
Phone: (808) 955-7383
Fax: (808) 949-6040
honolulu_sales@hardrock.com

Working with Mailani has already proven itself to be quite rewarding. Listening to her music before anyone else does is a treat. It was quite a night at the Willows a few Fridayʻs ago. The crowd watching Mailani and Jenn work it was filled with friendly faces and industry hot shots as well. John Heckathorn of the Honolulu Starbulletin was there interviewing Mailani, and the President (Leah Bernstein) of Mailani’s now record label and her husband, one of Hawaiʻi’s top music attorneys (Mark Bernstein,) were enjoying the music as well. We also had a surprise visit from Roxanne Darling and the Not-So-Secret Camera man. Well, here’s the article that John Heckathorn wrote.

Hereʻs your Links:
Beach Walks With Rox
The Mountain Apple Company
Mailani Makainai
Mighty J
Keahiwai
The Honolulu Starbulletin
The Willows

Technorati Tags: Mailani Makainai, Leah Bernstein, Mark Bernstein, Beach Walks With Rox, Roxanne Darling, Mountain Apple Company, John Heckathorn, The Honolulu Starbulletin

Congratulations to all the finalists.  Personally I’d like to congratulate those who I’ve had the chance to work with this past year.  So, a special congrats to:  Mighty J, King Kekai, Hula Records for the Tribute to Gabby slack key compilation and the Hawai’i Falsetto Contest winners Vol. 8, and Darin Leong!

Heres the link.

Those of you in the industry are quite aware of one of the Hawaii music industry’s most influential cast members. He’s been on stage at the Hoku awards for many years presenting the people’s choice awards, He’s been the man behind keeping Hawaiian (and non Hawaiian) music alive and well at the live performances at his stores. We’ve even talked on occasion about him on our podcast. Les Honda of Borders Books and Music has announced today that his last day working for Borders will be on March 14th. Thank you Les for all that you have done for everyone, I know that I can represent everyone in saying that we all wish you the very best.

Technorati Tags: Borders Books and Music, Les Honda

Just days after the passing of Aunty Genoa, We say goodbye to another of Hawaii’s legends. This time it’s Slack Key Master, Uncle Ray Kane. I can still remember about 15 years ago when he would come down to Microphone Music (a music distribution company that I used to work for.) I’m gonna miss his passion for life and music. Uncle Ray would always tell me about his respect for traditional Hawaiian music. Hopefully this passion will carry on through the many guitarists he has influenced.

Honolulu Advertiser Article

Technorati Tags: raymond kane, slack key