I met Ernie Cruz (lower right) in the early 1980s. It was my only venture into owning a radio station. The penultimate option was to become KDEO Country Radio. The Lonesome Cowboy of Hawaii country music was Ernie Cruz. Sure. we brought in Loretta Lynn, Charlie Pride, Chrystal Gayle and other mainland stars for concerts. But Ernie, who arrived here in 1957 and pulled together those musical cousins, country and Hawaiian. He paid dues that result in the kind of songs that shoot straight to the heart. Ernie lives on Hawaii island. Today was the day he came up to the house to play.
Ernie asked if he could, "Bring a picker, an ukulele player." That turned out to be Greg Martin, born in Honolulu, who now lives around the bend in Kailua town. He's pictured above, Ernie's wing man. Many uke soloists have come on the scene. Some of their appeal is speed, flash and moving around like rockers. Greg is a band player. I've heard many great uke players. Not many fill the puka and keep it tight like this man. He is a plumber by trade. Listen to how he makes things fit.
Bill Griffin (left) came here from Santa Barbara many years ago. A guitar player who bought a mandolin from a drunk one day, he got called by Ernie to come by with his bass. Bill showed up with a mandolin. I love mandolins as much as anything, but this thing looked like it was gonna kick some ass. Bill jumped in his van a headed back to Kailua. Ernie was making a band.
Ernie Cruz deserves no less. In Californian, Bill produced some records for the legendary Fantasy label. He hadn't seen Ernie in years, but no one turns down the chance to jam with a legend. Ernie' the patriarch of a family that includes, John, Guy, Ernie, Jr. and former Miss Hawaii, Desiree. Two sisters are with the hit group Na Leo. Ernie lights up a bit more when playing one of his kids' hits.
The "kid" Ernie brought with him from the Big Island is Cameron Hart (right). The former Honokaa Dragon linebacker plays and sings hard. He yodels like an All-Pro.
We paired up this session with Jerry Santos' rainy night visit, covering the spectrum. Listen up. There's something for everyone on this holiday weekend. Here's a little home movie of the band in the making. A half hour later they were backing Ernie Cruz, Sr., USMC, retired.
We got a bunch of cameras here
A site made to be heard, not seen.
Authentic music played with soul
Not by computer or sound machine.
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