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Topic: HSGA on-stage attire and repertoire choices - Just posing? |
Gerald Ross
From:
Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
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Posted 10 Jun 2008 4:21 pm |
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In another thread on this forum there has been some discussion regarding the type of music the Hawaiian Steel Guitar Association endorses, presents, condones and promotes.
We present it all. If you are an HSGA member and you play the steel guitar (and you're a nice guy - not an a**hole ) your music is welcome. I'm not saying that everyone will like what you have to offer but you won't be censored. If you're an a**hole, then I'm sure you've experienced many years of censorship and social shunning and you are used to it by now (the HSGA can't help that one). 
The HSGA website has a section that showcases the recordings of HSGA members.
On this page you will find Hawaiian steel performances, Country and Western songs, Western Swing melodies, Blues tunes, Rock and Roll classics, Latin rhythms, compositions from the classical music world etc. etc. etc.
If you are an HSGA member and you record your steel music, your steel music is welcome on the site. I am the HSGA Webmaster. I have been maintaining the site for seven years and have yet to censor or turn down a member's recording due to stylistic choice.
HSGA performing members play all types of steel music and that is clearly evidenced by the songs on the website and by listening to the music presented at both the annual Joliet convention and bi-annual Honolulu show.
We are not a one trick pony. Or as someone stated on a related thread.
| Quote: |
| Most of the guys on the HSGA portray themselves as Hawaiian players when they pose in Hawaiian shirts and play vintage lap steels in the traditional style. |
Come on... you don't see Chicago Blues players performing wearing torn sweatshirts and body piercings. Nor do you see Heavy Metal rockers wearing tuxedos. It's showbiz. A musician dresses nicely and appropriately before setting foot on stage - it's done in respect for the audience. We aren't posing, we are trying to present ourselves with respect for the genre.
At the late night jams people wear t-shirts and jeans. Just like everyone else.
_________________
Gerald Ross
'Northwest Ann Arbor, Michigan's King Of The Hawaiian Steel Guitar'
A UkeTone Recording Artist
CEO, CIO, CFO - UkeTone Records
Gerald's Hawaiian Steel Guitar/Ukulele Website
Last edited by Gerald Ross on 10 Jun 2008 6:02 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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Jim Konrad
From:
The Great Black Swamp USA
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Posted 10 Jun 2008 4:35 pm
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Well put!!!  I don't think anyone can really argue with that kind of logic!! |
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Wally Pfeifer
From:
Illinois, USA
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Posted 10 Jun 2008 6:19 pm Stage attire
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Well put, Gerald. I couldn't agree more.
I wear Hawaiian shirts at the Conventions even though I haven't been able to play steel for 15+ years and haven't been on stage.
How would I be categorized by someone who says we think we're Hawaiian because we wear Hawaiian shirts and play traditional Hawaiian music?
Wally |
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Don Kona Woods
From:
Hawaiian Kama'aina
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Posted 10 Jun 2008 6:42 pm
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I wear Hawaiian or Aloha Shirts at Steel Guitar Coventions, as well as others, because it is a part of the atmosphere we want to create and enjoy. It is creating the Hawaiian atmosphere away from Hawaii. 
We also are not trying to be Hawaiian, but we certainly are trying to experience "the Aloha Spirit of Hawaii." The conventions are much like family. We care for each other with the Aloha Spirit.
I also wear Hawaiian or Aloha Shirts to work and to church because I love the colors and the designs.
I have also noticed a lot of other people doing the same thing.
Aloha,
Don |
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Ron Whitfield
From:
Kaaawa, Hawaii, USA
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Posted 10 Jun 2008 7:29 pm Don't judge a person by their shirt, unless it's Don Woods!
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Not all Hawaiian shirts were loud flowery prints, but that has recently become the norm, and about all you can get anymore.
Vintage shirts from the '50s & '60s had many subtle and/or subdued designs and prints that were very classy and quite fit for the finest of dining or up-scale venues.
I had a considerable collection of this type of extremely nice vintage evening wear that would command big bux today, as they aren't found anywhere now and were scarce even in the day, simply because they were the opposite of the 'normal' Hawaiian shirt.
Can't even find similar examples in the vintage shirt books or net sites. |
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Mark Mansueto
From:
Michigan, USA
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Posted 12 Jun 2008 4:15 am Re: HSGA on-stage attire and repertoire choices - Just posin
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| Gerald Ross wrote: |
We are not a one trick pony. Or as someone stated on a related thread.
| Quote: |
| Most of the guys on the HSGA portray themselves as Hawaiian players when they pose in Hawaiian shirts and play vintage lap steels in the traditional style. |
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I was that person.
Guys, my comment was not a critticism and the quote above is taken out of context.
What I was trying to say is that I think it's cool that there are folks keeping the traditional music alive, just as I am happy that other non-commercial genre's are being represented by fine musicians. When I tell non-steelers that Hawaiian music is alive and well they are generally surprised and I'm happy to direct them to some examples.
I'm glad that you are so accomidating but it surprises me a bit that you ecourage the influx of other genre's to the HSGA. What I mean by that is what would happen if the site became overrun by blues, rock, country, etc,etc? Am I off track by thinking that?
_________________
https://markmansueto.bandcamp.com/
https://open.spotify.com/artist/65dQ3EyZC2RaqawA8gPlRy?si=dOdqc5zxSKeJI9cISVVx_A |
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Gerald Ross
From:
Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
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Posted 12 Jun 2008 5:04 am
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All is cool Mark - we still like you.
Many times the HSGA becomes a target and scapegoat for:
1. Why don't we hear more Hawaiian music on the radio?
2. Why don't young Hawaiians play the steel guitar?
3. Why do the Hotels in Waikiki only have Hawaiian music during Happy Hour - then the Reggae bands show up at nine.
4. Why doesn't the HSGA fix all of this, damn it! I pay my $30 a year. 
5. Why are there only old guys in the HSGA? I'm a young stud - I don't want to be associated with them.
6. etc. etc. etc.
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Frankly, it gets tiring defending the HSGA over and over again on this forum.
Facts:
1. It was easier to find Hawaiian and Lap Steel music on the radio in the 1930's and 40's.
2. Baby Boomer and younger musicians today playing the lap steel come from a Rock, Blues and various Roots music backgrounds.
The HSGA knows that we will never revive the Hawaiian music phenomena of the early part of the 20th Century. During that time Hawaiian music was very lucky to be in the right place at the right time. The world was in a very expansive period. The general population, not just the elite were starting to travel outside of their little towns. Soldiers were back home from World War I and II where for the first time in their lives they experienced different cultures. Hawaiian music was exotic and new and it took off.
The HSGA welcomes all steel guitar players regardless of the styles of music they play and enjoy. We know that eventually a little bit of Hawaiian music will creep into their playing and hopefully they'll explore the music and repertoire more.
_________________
Gerald Ross
'Northwest Ann Arbor, Michigan's King Of The Hawaiian Steel Guitar'
A UkeTone Recording Artist
CEO, CIO, CFO - UkeTone Records
Gerald's Hawaiian Steel Guitar/Ukulele Website |
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Gary Boyett
From:
Colorado/ Lives in Arizona
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Posted 12 Jun 2008 5:22 am
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Mark,
I do not think Gerald (seriously or I jokingly in another thread) took your comment out of context.
You said what you said and that is that. If that was how you feel then stand up and be accountable for what you did. It is really OK. Life will not stop.
Besides, only politicians can say something and then when the public criticizes it they can use the "out of context" excuse. I have never seen steel players listed... 
Now, go buy a Hawaiian shirt and wear it for seven days straight. You will be forgiven.  |
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Steinar Gregertsen
From:
Arendal, Norway, R.I.P.
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Posted 12 Jun 2008 5:58 am
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I have a nice collection of Hawaiian shirts and wear them as often as I can (even during winter), a behavior that may be considered high-risk sport here in Norway... 
Still, I am quite sure I read a post way back (here or on the HSGA site), not quite sure who it was but I believe it may have been the good Mr. Rick A, stating that there were other places for other styles of music and the HSGA wanted to keep the focus on the Hawaiian tradition and closely related music. Something I had no problem with understanding, so this is not meant as critique.
If I my memory is wrong (that surely wouldn't be the first time  ) or I misunderstood something, then nothing is better than that. But that post combined with the quote from HSGA's site that I posted in that other thread is what made me believe what I did.
_________________
"Play to express, not to impress"
Website - YouTube |
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Gerald Ross
From:
Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
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Posted 12 Jun 2008 7:38 am
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The HSGA has a nine member board of directors.
Each director has their own personal feelings of how to promote and maintain Hawaiian Steel guitar music. Some members focus on promoting steel guitar education. Some members are committed to reestablishing the Hawaiian Steel in Hawaii and Hawaiian music exclusively. Other members just want to promote the non-pedal lap steel guitar worldwide - regardless of political boundries or musical styles.
Through much discussion all seems to get accomplished.
We are currently funding a steel guitar teacher in Oahu who is teaching Hawaiian Steel to Hawaiian grade schoolers. I maintain the HSGA website and welcome different types of lap steel music - and also try to bring ukulele players into the club. Rick Aiello maintains the HSGA forum and is our technical guru.
We will have five new HSGA board members on July 1, 2008. It will be interesting to see how these members personally "interpret" the cause.
Like I said in my previous post... My feeling is that we want a diverse membership in regards to lap steel musical backgrounds and tastes. Once we get them into the club - hopefully a little bit of Hawaiian music will enter their repertoire and fingers.
_________________
Gerald Ross
'Northwest Ann Arbor, Michigan's King Of The Hawaiian Steel Guitar'
A UkeTone Recording Artist
CEO, CIO, CFO - UkeTone Records
Gerald's Hawaiian Steel Guitar/Ukulele Website
Last edited by Gerald Ross on 12 Jun 2008 9:27 am; edited 1 time in total |
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Mark Mansueto
From:
Michigan, USA
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Rick Aiello
From:
Berryville, VA USA
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Posted 12 Jun 2008 9:19 am
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| Quote: |
| Still, I am quite sure I read a post way back (here or on the HSGA site), not quite sure who it was but I believe it may have been the good Mr. Rick A, stating that there were other places for other styles of music and the HSGA wanted to keep the focus on the Hawaiian tradition and closely related music. Something I had no problem with understanding, so this is not meant as critique. |
The only reference to any other styles of Steel Guitar that I can find ... was the statement I made here ...
http://steelguitarforum.com/Forum2/HTML/009614.html
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the once interesting SGForum is dying from lack of meaningful input. As previously mentioned, this diversion will indeed enhance that aspect.
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I find that statement baffling ...
Do you really feel that Jerry Douglas' Forum, Bob Brozman's (IGS) Forum, the various Reso forums, etc ... dilutes the SGF ...
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I believe I've also said a few times ... I'd rather hear Jeff Au Hoy play the Oscar Meyer Weiner theme ... than any Hawaiian song ... without steel guitar |
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Steinar Gregertsen
From:
Arendal, Norway, R.I.P.
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Posted 12 Jun 2008 10:10 am
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Hm... don't know where I remember that statement from, or who made it, but never mind, it's no big deal at all.
What I DID find in that thread however was this -
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| Steinar - if you show up at Joliet 2006 both Rick and I will take you out to dinner and pick up the tab (one drink maximum, kids menu only). |
- how did I miss this the first time?! Am I too late? Any leftovers? Doggybag?  
_________________
"Play to express, not to impress"
Website - YouTube |
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Gerald Ross
From:
Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
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Edward Meisse
From:
Santa Rosa, California, USA
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Posted 12 Jun 2008 11:02 am
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Hmmmmm.....actually, having listened to alot of the music on the HSGA site and being a member of HSGA, I should have been more aware of this than I was. But there is a very wide variety of music played at HSGA. After my recent thread about conventions, I am most strongly considering Winchester and Joliet in 2009 (I make my field trip plans a year in advance). After all, no matter what kind of music you play on this beast, it's still a HAWAIIAN STEEL GUITAR. And that is where the association gets its name.
_________________
Amor vincit omnia |
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Rick Collins
From:
Claremont , CA USA
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Posted 13 Jun 2008 3:21 pm
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Is it ever OK to wear an Hawaiian shirt bloused in your pants, like a dress shirt?
I think some of them look good this way.
Bill Blass and I would like to know. |
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c c johnson
From:
killeen,tx usa * R.I.P.
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Posted 13 Jun 2008 4:23 pm
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| thats the way virtually everyone wore them up untol about 1965. Look for some old pics of Haw bands and 6the shirts were tucked in. Apake, kamahele, Danny etc. cc |
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Gary Boyett
From:
Colorado/ Lives in Arizona
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Posted 13 Jun 2008 4:40 pm
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Up until just a few years ago it was "in" for business "out" for leisure. Now when you wear the shirt tucked in you are a geek. If you notice most casual dress shirts today are made to wear out. I guess in is not really in anymore.
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Ron Whitfield
From:
Kaaawa, Hawaii, USA
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Posted 13 Jun 2008 5:05 pm You can tuck 'em in...
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...only if you wear your slippers with socks and pin-striped short pants (w/black leather belt) up over your belly!
Sunburn - optional. |
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Bill Creller
From:
Saginaw, Michigan, USA (deceased)
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Posted 13 Jun 2008 7:17 pm
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I'm not trying to stir up anything here ( because I really don't care) but the mission of the HSGA and the Aloha Int'l guitar club is the promotion of Hawaiian music and culture. Read the home page.
As far as Aloha shirts are concerned, it's too dam cold at Joliet to wear one for me!! I have a bunch of them, which I only use at Winchester, where it's HOT! Let's see, I think the last time I was at Joliet I wore a sport coat on stage to keep warm. ( I'm anemic) |
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Rick Alexander
From:
Florida, USA, R.I.P.
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Posted 13 Jun 2008 8:25 pm
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There are two things I'd like to mention.
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| After all, no matter what kind of music you play on this beast, it's still a HAWAIIAN STEEL GUITAR. |
To expand on what Edward said, the roots of Steel Guitar are in Hawaiian music because that's where it was invented and developed - "To know the tree you must understand its roots".
All forms of music that have been graced by Steel Guitar owe a profound debt to Hawaiian music.
| Quote: |
| Now when you wear the shirt tucked in you are a geek. If you notice most casual dress shirts today are made to wear out. I guess in is not really in anymore. |
So I'm cool, right?
You'll notice Gerald is totally cool and so is Art.
But Virginia's the coolest . .
I've been in many different music scenes over the years - rock & roll bands in the late 50s and early 60s, folk, 60s r&b, pop & psychedelia, 70s hard rock, country, southern rock, blues, buffett-esque etc etc - and I've never experienced the feeling of friendship and community like there is at the HSGA. Anyone could learn a lot by being there.
We're doing the best we can to preserve Hawaiian music, by playing it - and posting videos on YouTube.
_________________
BIG STEEL |
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Howard Tate
From:
Leesville, Louisiana, USA, R.I.P.
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Posted 14 Jun 2008 4:25 am
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| If the clothes indicated what you play our whole band would just play cowboy music. I'm the only one without a cowboy hat. I love Hawaiian music but I don't have a Hawaiian shirt. Maybe if I could play it I'd buy one. |
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Wally Pfeifer
From:
Illinois, USA
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Posted 14 Jun 2008 4:34 am Sport
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"And what a sport he (Bill) is", I say as I wave my giant cigar around. Ala Groucho Marx.
Bring your sport coat again when you come in October. We don't care what you wear as long as we get to hear you play.
Wally |
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Rick Collins
From:
Claremont , CA USA
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Posted 14 Jun 2008 6:12 am
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What "seems" appropriate to me is to wear the loose-fitting polished cotton or silky looking shirts out of the trousers and to have the more tailored wrinkle-free shirts tucked in.
I do think it means a lot to the occasion (of a musical gathering) to wear appropriate attire. Appearance is a great part of the presentation.
And, don't get up there and try to play, unless you are at least better than the man, Jerry Byrd.
...just kidding. We wouldn't have any players.
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Bill Creller
From:
Saginaw, Michigan, USA (deceased)
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Posted 14 Jun 2008 8:13 pm
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Next time I'm in Hawaii I'll have an Aloha sport jacket made!! Flowers, outrigger canoes, palm trees, the works.
I could also have a frypan on one sleeve and a bakelite on the other
Then again, how about a white sport coat and a pink carnation...ala '50s |
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