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Topic: It's the HSGA's fault... |
Gerald Ross
From:
Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
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Posted 15 Aug 2006 10:21 am |
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Some people have accused the HSGA of not doing enough to promote the Hawaiian Steel Guitar. They say that it's the HSGA's fault that Hawaiian Steel Guitar music isn't heard more frequently on the airwaves! The HSGA should be knocking on the doors of the radio stations and demanding that Dick McIntire and Sol Hoopii 78's be played.
Let's look at some facts:
90,000 new audio CD's are released worldwide each year according to the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).
This means that every week, the consumer and the broadcast media has a choice of 1732 new releases to listen to, buy, promote and broadcast. That's in addition to "golden oldies" - the music that's been recorded over the past 80 years.
That's a lot of competition for airtime. There are only 1440 minutes in a day. Would you say an average radio station plays music 50% of time, the rest for announcements, commercials etc. That leaves 720 minutes a day for music broadcasting.
There are 40,000 radio stations worldwide. How many would you say would even think of playing anything besides top-40 rock? How many are just "talk radio"?
The odds are stacked pretty poorly against a Hawaiian Steel Guitar music revival on the broadcast airwaves.
The Internet came along at the right time.
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Gerald Ross
'Northwest Ann Arbor, Michigan's King Of The Hawaiian Steel Guitar'
CEO, CIO, CFO - UkeTone Records
Gerald's Fingerstyle Guitar Website
Board of Directors Hawaiian Steel Guitar Association
[This message was edited by Gerald Ross on 23 August 2006 at 06:07 PM.] |
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Mike Neer
From:
NJ
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Posted 15 Aug 2006 10:38 am
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I've never had very good business sense anyway.  My next project will most certainly be a Lambada project.
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www.mikeneer.com
Mike Neer on MySpace
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Ray Montee
From:
Portland, Oregon (deceased)
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Posted 15 Aug 2006 12:10 pm
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I think we can go to bed with that explanation.........
Very interesting.... |
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Mitch Druckman
From:
Arizona, USA
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Posted 15 Aug 2006 12:34 pm
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Gerald,
Your description of radio time availability got me thinking... Community Radio. There are now thousands of community radio stations in the US and Canada. Non-commercial, grass roots radio. These stations are where they play various types of ethnic, bluegrass, reggae, and other exotic styles of music.
What if the HSGA were able to put together a CD music sampler of classic recordings? If you sent them off as promos to community radio stations, I believe you would get some airplay. Our local station, KBRP, has already played some of my Hawaiian music collection, and I've also heard steel guitar music on KXCI in Tucson. Community radio is the broadcast equivalent of the internet, and not ruled by commercialism or the status quo. Between college and community radio stations you might get some airplay and find a new audience.
You might also make an HSGA presence on the mele.com website. (one of the great sources of Hawaiian recordings) Try writing to Auntie Maria. She's supportive of all things Hawaiian. Many people are simply not yet aware of the HSGA. |
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Jesse Pearson
From:
San Diego , CA
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Posted 15 Aug 2006 1:11 pm
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When I started searching about lap steels, I found the SGF, HSGF and Brads site and went through them with a fine tooth comb. But it was the free tab that got my attention and I made copy's of it all including Ricky's site. Great learning tools for people who don't have access to a live steel teacher. First it was Jr Brown and now I would say Sponge Bob have opened up alot of ears of recent event for the general public concerning Hawaiian steel. If people are blaming the HSGA for anything, it's within your close circle of friends and memberships and not something that your normal player knows anything about. I've heard maybe two seperate guys air a resonable complaint here on the forum and they were both ex-members of the HSGA.
Who ever has free audio and tab is gonna get members who can spread the word by playing out imho. A section of gig songs with audio/tab for Hawaiian and country would go a long ways to attracting attention. But, I guess that's what all the pro books that are for sell are for. Still, a great collection of classic Hawaiian steel in score format with tab/notation of the best recorded versions by different artists that was meant for playing out at some kind of gig would be the ticket. Does anyone know of such a complete book? Jumpin Jim's uke book is the closest I've come to such a book, but you have to work off of the melody and chords and figure out the steel arangment for yourself. |
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AJ Azure
From:
Massachusetts, USA * R.I.P.
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Posted 15 Aug 2006 2:13 pm
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| Gerald XM sattelite might not be the same as radio. it could be a potential venue. |
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Gary Boyett
From:
Colorado
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Posted 15 Aug 2006 3:09 pm
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For those of you who have the Dish Network there is a all Hawaiian radio station on it. I don't have the channel since I am at work but some great music.
This is part of Sirius (SIC) radio. I have XM only because, well, I can spell it...
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HSGA & RMSGC member
Play it with "Glass"
Boyett's Glass Bars
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Bill Creller
From:
Saginaw, Michigan, USA (deceased)
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Posted 15 Aug 2006 3:49 pm
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| Maybe a some local PBS stations would do some Hawaiian stuff if someone knowledgeable put together a half hour show. Just an idea from listening to Central Michigan University's programing. They have jazz and blues shows, which are out of the mainstream sort of. |
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Edward Meisse
From:
Santa Rosa, California, USA
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Posted 15 Aug 2006 7:58 pm
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Jesse and anyone else with the same question: if you are looking for tablature of hawaiian music for steel guitar that is suitable for gigging, check with Scotty's music. They have Jerry Byrd's instruction book as well as a collection of something like two hundred songs in Jerry's tablature. I have many of them myself and can assure you that they are of the quality that one would expect from Jerry Byrd. I have met a player who does use them for playing out. As they were intended, if I understood Mr. Byrd correctly.
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Drew Howard
From:
48854
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Posted 17 Aug 2006 6:28 pm
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Gerald,
You've done a great job of expanding the HSGA site with sound clips and especially video. So
I think any criticism of HSGA's mission is unjustified. If people want to promote Hawaiian Steel Guitar, they need to get out of the bedroom and play some gigs!
thanks for all of your hard work,
Drew
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Drew Howard - website - Fessenden, Derby and Fender guitars, 70's Fender Twin, etc.
[This message was edited by Drew Howard on 18 August 2006 at 09:11 AM.] |
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Blake Hawkins
From:
Florida
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Posted 17 Aug 2006 9:41 pm
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The Dish Network Hawaiian Channel, has "modern" Hawaiian music.
I have listened several times over the past year and have not heard any steel guitar on it.
Blake[This message was edited by Blake Hawkins on 17 August 2006 at 10:42 PM.] |
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Bill Leff
From:
Santa Cruz, CA, USA
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Posted 18 Aug 2006 11:05 am
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"The Dish Network Hawaiian Channel, has "modern" Hawaiian music.
I have listened several times over the past year and have not heard any steel guitar on it."
Once again, it's the HSGA's fault!
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Gerald Ross
From:
Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
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Stephan Miller
From:
Silver Spring, Maryland, USA
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Posted 18 Aug 2006 12:46 pm
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| Yeah, between Dylan and the HSGA, this is one messed-up world. |
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Drew Howard
From:
48854
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Posted 18 Aug 2006 12:51 pm
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Wow, I didn't know there was contemporary Hawaiian music. Is that short hand for, "we never bothered to learn Aloha Oe"? Sorry. Since I'm happily living in the past, maybe I should avoid it.
To each his own.....
cheers,
Drew
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Drew Howard - website - Fessenden, Derby and Fender guitars, 70's Fender Twin, etc.
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Bill Creller
From:
Saginaw, Michigan, USA (deceased)
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Posted 19 Aug 2006 7:20 am
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If you hang around Waikiki for awhile, you will hear the so-called contemporary Hawaiian music, which to me is any two or three people who can play a uke and spanish rhythm guitar, wailing away with Hawaiian lyrics , supposedly. No slack key or steel, that takes too much learning. The other infestation is the so-called Jawaiian music which I dont want to even get into.
The HSGA, The Hawaiian Steel Guitar Association, is only promoting the Hawaiian steel guitar, not the country steel guitar, the jazz steel guitar, the blues steel guitar, or any other music it's used for. That's why I support it, with words, music, and money.[This message was edited by Bill Creller on 19 August 2006 at 08:27 AM.] |
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seldomfed
From:
Colorado
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Posted 19 Aug 2006 10:50 am
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Dear all,
I host a steel guitar only show every Thurs. morning at 6am Mountain on KRFC Fort Collins, CO www.krfcfm.org
I've been playing all genres of steel guitar music for nearly 2 years on this community radio station. It's quite popular regionally. I'm trying my best to get steel guitar music on the air. Since I'm a member in good standing of HSGA, I think HSGA can cite this example. I do it because I love steel, and also because I love Hawaiian steel.
I've even played stuff from HSGA members - quite often! Also the great old stuff. Along with Hawaiian I also play country, jazz, gospel, rock, hiphop (BJ Cole), hindustani,.... all of it.
We're community radio so depend on donations. I've often put notes on the forum for people to stream it and listen, but other than Gerald I rarely get any feedback. Or funding I understand not supporting a station you can't dial into. But it sure would be cool to get some web donations from places other than Ft. COllins.
If you guys are serious about a compliation of absolute classic steel from Hawaii, do one. I'll play it. Keep it :30min. or so. Need notes on artist, title, album and record company. History and back story also appreciate.
We track our play lists, but unfortunately record companies only care about things that are 2 years old or newer. We track that info as well. So the old good stuff gets played, but it's off the radar.
Fall fund drive is coming up soon. Check our web, listen in, become a member of the station, show support for steel guitar on the air. !
aloha,
Chris
The Steel Guitar Jam
Thurs. 6am-7:30am Mountain www.krfcfm.org
Chris Kennison
3618 Lynda Lane
Fort Collins, CO 80526
btw, the community radio station in Kauai plays steel often.
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Chris Kennison
Colorado www.book-em-danno.com
[This message was edited by seldomfed on 19 August 2006 at 12:01 PM.] [This message was edited by seldomfed on 19 August 2006 at 12:15 PM.] |
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Bill Creller
From:
Saginaw, Michigan, USA (deceased)
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Posted 19 Aug 2006 4:30 pm
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That's great Chris. I wasn't aware that your program was available online. I just added it to my favorites list.
Long time no see, are you coming to Joliet?
BILL |
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Don Kona Woods
From:
Hawaiian Kama'aina
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Posted 19 Aug 2006 9:47 pm
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Bill, he was in Joliet last year!! Where were you? 
Chris, keep up the good work.
I tried to get through to www.krfcfm.org but was unable. I enjoyed the exploration of your website, Chris. You did a good job on it.
Aloha,
Don[This message was edited by Don Kona Woods on 19 August 2006 at 10:49 PM.] [This message was edited by Don Kona Woods on 19 August 2006 at 10:50 PM.] [This message was edited by Don Kona Woods on 19 August 2006 at 11:03 PM.] |
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Bill Creller
From:
Saginaw, Michigan, USA (deceased)
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Posted 20 Aug 2006 6:35 pm
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| I hope to be in Joliet this time around Don. Last year during the the Joliet convention and the Aloha Club convention this summer I was busy adding to my Kidney stone collection ,among other exciting stuff. |
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Don Kona Woods
From:
Hawaiian Kama'aina
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Posted 20 Aug 2006 9:03 pm
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Bill,
Bring your steel guitar too, and play it.
I love the way you play, Lovely Hula Girl. hint!! hint!!
Aloha,
Don |
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AJ Azure
From:
Massachusetts, USA * R.I.P.
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Posted 20 Aug 2006 9:20 pm
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Well you knpw the Hawiian music we like is too 'touristy' and 'old fashioned'. That's a direct quote from a gorup of Hawaiian students up here attending college. Kind of sad when the youth lose touch with their roots.
Mind you I prefer pre-electric HawAiian. So I am REALLY old shcool? lol |
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Jeff Au Hoy
From:
Honolulu, Hawai'i
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Posted 21 Aug 2006 5:02 am
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| What makes you think they've lost touch? |
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Bill Creller
From:
Saginaw, Michigan, USA (deceased)
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Posted 21 Aug 2006 9:59 am
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I think young people like things to move faster than us old guys (speaking for myself here)I can understand that they think the old slow tourist music is not for them, depending on what instrument they are into.etc.
This should be good, now that we have Jeff stirred up!![This message was edited by Bill Creller on 21 August 2006 at 11:02 AM.] |
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Derrick Mau
From:
Honolulu, Hawaii, USA
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Posted 21 Aug 2006 11:12 am
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Hawaiian students losing touch with their roots?
It's all the HSGA's fault . . . |
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