I’d like to use this page to thank and credit the musicians who have contributed to this project. Their expertise has made this recording more successful than I ever dreamed possible.
First of all, thanks go to Rich Evans, owner of Messenger Studios and Passport Music, for encouraging me as a musician for years. I wrote “Heart and Soul” based on a chord progression he liked to jam on. It was the first song I wrote for this compilation and Rich contributed some tasty guitar licks to accompany this song. Rich’s expertise in recording and mixing are well known on Kauai. He’s recorded some of the best, including Taj Mahal and Graham Nash.
I had always dreamed of being able to play with a violin player, and Bill Dick has definitely fulfilled this dream for me. Bill made a real connection to my music and came up with some amazing fiddle parts for this recording, raising the level of my music and adding some interesting nuance and shading to the compositions. Bill plays regularly with “The Happy Enchiladas” on Kauai.
Darryl Miyasato is an incredible bass player. He put down a solid bass groove here, primarily on the first take. Darryl plays his double-bass regularly at the Hyatt and Princeville Hotel with keyboardist Rick Avalon. A jazz duo not to be missed. When Darryl is not leading the Kauai High School Band, he can occasionally be found surfing his classic “Con Ugly” or fishing at his favorite beaches on the island.
Injun is a rock-solid drummer, long-time Kauai resident, the engine for many local bands. He has encouraged my music over the years and I was able to temporarily steal him away from carpentry duties at “Shaka Tacos” for this recording. Thanks to Al Alamodin and Angela from “Shaka Tacos” for their encouragement and help with this project and with the promotion of live music on Kauai. Much mahalos!
Eddie Sitzler is a versatile jazz, rock, and blues drummer who can be found playing at the Hanalei Bay Resort with some of the island’s best musicians. Eddie came up with interesting rhythmic ideas for this project and applied them creatively. When Eddie’s not drumming, you can find him coaching the In-line Hockey kids.
Denny Morouse’s musical credentials are impeccable and read like a who’s who in the industry. Denny’s played saxophone with Art Blakey, Stevie Wonder, Buddy Miles, John Lennon, and the Brecker Brothers, just to name a few. Lucky Denny transplanted from New York to Kauai, luckier still he agreed to play on this recording. Denny plays regularly around the island and hosts a jazz show “Anything’s Possible” on our local public radio station KKCR.
Ken Emerson, equally comfortable in Hawaiian Slack Key music as he is with Rockin’ Blues, brings a soulful, vibrant energy in his contribution to this recording. Ken won a GRAMMY© in 2006 for his contribution to Slack Key Guitar, Volume 2, and has recorded with Todd Rundgren, Pat Cockett, Alan Thomas, Donald Fagen, and many others. Ken has released several albums of his own and has one scheduled for release sometime in 2007. Ken is amazing to see live as well, and performed at the 2007 Monterey Blues Festival.