My go-to voice talent since the 1960s is the gallant and groovy Michael W. Gwynne (right). He can do it all. Man, if a white dude can pull off doing a show on a black-oriented radio station in Oakland, as Mike once did, yeah, I say that's versatility. Mike is the son of a big band man. He was born with the deep, magnificent instrument of his own "pipes," as we in the trade call a good voice. From disc jocking to acting, Mike bounced around both coasts until he landed at KPOI, just after I left, in 1964. He is a drummer so he was invited to star in the Drum-A-Thon, which broke a Guinness record before anyone knew what that was.
Our courses converged in L.A. when my buddies and I formed Watermark. Making AMERICAN TOP 40 was more of the same for me. Doing records was something new and fun. Michael Gwynne was co-narrator of the "cult classic" A CHILD'S GARDEN OF GRASS album. I was in San Diego in 1972, launching a new format on KGB. To kick it off we produced the RECYLCE DOCUMENTARY, still one of my very favorite projects. (It can be heard at ReelRadio.com if one signs up.) Michael Gwynne is the narrator on that one-hour baby, which is Old School, Theater of the Mind radio at it's best. When it came time at the start of 2007 to assemble WDG, I first called Mount Kisco, NY, where Mike has lived for years. He is surrounded with country while being a quick shot to Manhattan, which he prowls like an original hepster who's been doing it for years. With a voice studio in his house and our new-fangled tech goodies, Mike and I collaborate as if we are on opposite sides of the control booth glass in a studio anywhere. The slogans and drop-ins with the smoothest, ballsiest voice heard on our shows, belongs to my buddy, Mike. Drop me a line if you'd like him to use that voice for you, as he has for major sponsors here and abroad. And check out his movie and TV credits at IMDB.com.
It is surreal when one realizes that he is indeed on a mission that can make a difference. After one year of pursuing WHODAGUY HAWAII I am convinced that's what is happening with me. With each day that passes some cosmic karma careens me into contact with another kindred spirit who gets it--and has something unique to contribute to our growing enterprise. Through the maze of musicians I've been lining up for our shows, I reconnected with the amazing Mihana. This Polynesian princess has been a front line performer for years, vocalizing and playing her upright acoustic bass. Most recently she's played with 100-year-old ukulele virtuoso Bill Tapia, on his Tour of the Century. Mihana sent over some CDs for our session next Wednesday. They were delivered by a young lady whose been assisting Mihana and other island artists. She is Michele (Michi) Moore (above with senior citizen).
Knowing that the first step is to get one foot in the door, Michi has been lending her good computer/online skills to performers who, although geniuses in their field, don't know an FTP from a USB to a JPG to a ISP. Michi arrived yesterday at around noon. How much did we share in common? Well it was 9:00 pm when we shut down, after covering more bases than the UH batting lineup. By then I learned that Michi is a Moanalua High School grad, worked for years at Tower Records and most recently was working at Kaneohe Marine Base until she discovered some things that went against her personal ethics. I think it was the latter that impressed me the most. Since we began WDG, people have been ragging me to put up a presence on MySpace, YouTube, etc. I have not, since the orignal game plan and priorities have been followed precisely and we ain't doin' bad. Also, I never came across someone who understands technology, psychology, pop culture, marketing and, most importantly, the mind set of those a fraction of my age who spend hours on the Internet doing wonderful things. Michi fits that bill, and more. She is the new Webmistress for WDG and is already at work. Michi takes over from my partner Kevin Gershan, who did it all from day one. No simple thing since has day job is to produce E.T., THE INSIDER, DR. PHIL and others, while bopping to NY several times a month from his Burbank home in one of Southern Califonia's nicer neighborhoods. Once Ms. Moore switches controls of the site from Toluca Lake to Aiea, she and I will begin our Community Sites, in keeping with our no ka oe standards.
On the day veteran country musician, and old friend, Ernie Cruz, came to play in our jungle studio he put together as cool a band as I'd ever heard. They'd never played together before, in that combination. But one of the reasons I worship elite musicians is how they can do such things, communicate on levels we mere civilians can't fathom, while making kickass music.
Ernie, who is the father of John, Ernie Jr., Guy, Desiree (a former Miss Hawaii) and other musical offspring, is a magnet for young talent. He brought a hot Hawaiian yodeler from the Big Island to hook up with "an old hippie" bassist who's lived in Kailua for years. Like Willie Nelson and all the greats, Ernie always knows where the hot young pickers are. Which is how Gregg Martin (right) came to play amped ukulele on that memorable day.
Well, I've heard as many uke players as Larry King has interviewed people, and Gregg blew up my mind. Anyone can play lead, be it good, bad or indifferent. It takes an artist to find the pukas and filigree the textures of a tight band. This former St. Louis school all-state football player met Ernie Cruz on the Big Island, doing his regular gig, being a plumber. And we all know that they always work and make good bucks. Greg has just moved back to Oahu two weeks before he stumbled into our scene. Now there's a buzz about this uke player in a town where everyone plays an ukulele to one degree or another. Greg will be playing on Ernie's next record, will be here with Mihana on Wednesday (reflecting his local roots) and will be in Millicent Cummings' band when she kicks off her ALTAR NATIVE album in Honolulu at Ward's Rafters on June 28.
If anyone is having more fun spreading the music and culture of Hawaii from his or her house, then I am thrilled for that person. Meanwhile, this is happening so fast and so fine that all I do is just go for the ride. I so hope that you, too, are digging it, wherever you may be. Me ke aloha pumehana.
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