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Mike Anderson
Akahai
Canada
84 Posts |
 Posted - 06/24/2011 : 08:52:24 AM
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Nope, that "Wet" is not a typo. :) Been lurking and posting a little while and I think it's time for a proper introduction. Came from the Canadian Prairies (born Calgary, raised Edmonton, home of George Keoki Lake) here to BC in 1990, tired of freezing my butt off 8 months a year. It's a little warmer here, but not as warm as I like. Hope to move the family (me, wife Steph, 8-year old son Oliver) to the Islands some day.
Lucky for me, my mom's older sister had moved her family to Kailua, O'ahu and I made my first visit in winter '68-'69 (Apollo 8! We got to see the astronauts land at Hickam Field). That began a lifelong love affair with all things Hawaiian. Ten years ago I really discovered Hawaiian music though, got a lot of slack key music, Sons of Hawaii, and the Bob Brozman albums. That made me want to take up steel in a big way, but I stayed busy playing Latin, reggae, and Irish music in all the years since - voice and percussion mostly, but I love to play around on guitar. Then in March this year it fell on me like thunder and I sold off my little home studio and guitars etc, keeping just my 1971 nylon.
Now I have a vintage Rickenbacker steel and a good teacher, and a really nice koa uke. If everything goes according to plan I'll soon have a National and a Weissenborn. Because you see, this is the rest of my life we're talking about. No more compromises and no distractions. I figure if I apply myself I'll be pretty decent by the time I retire.
I try to be sensitive to the feelings and wishes of the Kanaka Maoli, because Hawaii is their homeland and they originated the music. Here in BC we have an aboriginal population who are both mythologized and marginalized, and my wife has done lots of work with them, so I think I get it. I have strong opinions and some of them might come out here. Those who've read my blog or encountered some of my posts at Steel Guitar Forum know where I'm coming from. I am all about roots and tradition, evolving yes, but not dying or becoming unrecognizable - or so I pray.
I can only hope I do some justice to the music, end of story.
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It's never too late to have a happy childhood! |
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wcerto
Ahonui
USA
5052 Posts |
Posted - 06/24/2011 : 2:05:35 PM
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Welcome, Mike. Glad to hear that you have decided the kind of music you wish to spend your life with! You couldn't have made a better selection in my opinion. No whining about cold weather. I live Cleveland, OH, just across Lake Erie from Pelee Island, the southern most point in Canada (Ontario). We get all all cold weather from across the lake. I think they call it "Alberta Clipper". I promise I will not hold you personally accountable.
Once again welcome. E komo mai! |
Me ke aloha
Malama pono,
Wanda |
Edited by - wcerto on 06/25/2011 12:39:38 AM |
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Admin
Pupule
USA
4551 Posts |
Posted - 06/24/2011 : 5:27:10 PM
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| Welcome! |
Andy |
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Mike Anderson
Akahai
Canada
84 Posts |
Posted - 06/24/2011 : 8:19:11 PM
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Hah, we Canucks get a lot of blame for US weather and I don't mind one bit. We export all kinds of things: comedians, actors, musicians, weather, no problems, it's called Free Trade. ;)
Thanks for the welcomes Wanda and Andy, so very glad to be here. |
It's never too late to have a happy childhood! |
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from Canada's Wet Coast, aloha!
