Nancys' Relevance to Hawaiian Steel Guitar

basilh · Post by **basilh** » 16 Nov 2005 1:24 pm

I think that the closure of the thread about Nancy M. Gustafson Rittenband did not take into consideration that Nancy and Vic Financed a Hawaiian Steel Guitar Album called "Dreams of Hawaii" .. Smooth Steel Guitar...
Cord International HOCD 39000...

It featured Alan Akaka, Casey Olsen, George Lake, Bud Tutmark Charlie K. Fukuba,Billy Hew Len, Fred Lunt,Art Paralius and ...JERRY BYRD..
AND as well as that Nancy and Vic wrote every single tune/song with the exceoption of the Charles E. King "Hawaiian Wedding Song"..

The song "House without a Key" spawned the Steel Guitar nights at the Halekulani..

don't believe the No Peddlers section was the appropriate area to discuss her influence on Hawaiian music.

Maybe not Hawaiian MUSIC, but most certainly the Hawaiian Steel Guitar..
Not relevant .. ? this album was the precursor to the Byrd's Nest Album..

From the Cord International web site..
Dreams of Hawaii. For uncounted millions of people around the world it is the sound of a steel guitarist smoothly interpreting a familiar hapa-haole melody that best conjures up those dreams of Hawaii. Images of lovely hula girls, sweet fragrant flower leis, swaying palm & aloha for all. No musical instrument captures the romantic ambiance of Hawaii for more people than the steel guitar. This anthology is about the dreams, about the beauty of the steel guitar. The instrument is heard in its traditional hapa-haole role-playing melody while the other instruments provide the rhythm. The line up of steel guitar players includes some of the greatest & most renowned musicians in Hawaii’s history: Alan Akaka, Charlie K. Fukuba, Billy Hew Len, George “Keoki” Lake, Fred Lunt, Casey Olsen, Art Paralius, Bud Tutmarc, & Jerry Byrd. The first 15 songs are pure instrumental magic. As a bonus we have included 4 superb vocal tracks featuring Nina Keali’iwahamana, Gary Aiko, Yvonne Perry, and “Champagne Lady” Myra English. So close your eyes and listen…listen to the exquisitely beautiful sound of the Hawaiian steel guitar…And start conjuring up your own Dreams of Hawaii.

MY ORCHID LEI
SAY ALOHA, SAY ALOHA, SAY ALOHA
THE PAPAYA TREE
HAWAIIAN WEDDING SONG/LEI KUKUI MEDLEY
<<>>
THE SOUND OF
THE ISLANDS
UKULELE TREE
PU’UWAI PUMEHANA
AT THE HOUSE
WITHOUT A KEY
I LANIKAI
MY COCONUT HAT
SWEDISH HULA
HAVE A HAPPY DAY
HERE IN WAIKIKI
I’LL DREAM ABOUT HAWAII
KE KULA O KAMEHAMEHA
<< >>
4 BONUS VOCAL TRACKS
THE SOUND OF THE ISLANDS
HAWAIIAN WEDDING SONG/LEI KUKUI
AT THE HOUSE
WITHOUT A KEY
(Featuring Nina Keali'iwahamana
MY ORCHID LEI

Me ke aloha menemene, A hui hou...
Basil & Pat Henriques

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Steel players do it without fretting

Jeff Strouse · Post by **Jeff Strouse** » 16 Nov 2005 1:40 pm

They also released several other albums. Off the top of my head there's Ukulele Tree, More Ukulele Tree, and Memories of Waikiki's Bandstands. There are many others. They ran Kokua Records. In fact, there's a big banner that the HSGA (Hawaiian Steel Guitar Association)uses that was donated by Vic and Nancy (courtesy of Kokua Records). But of course, they gave much more to steel guitar than that...they constantly gave their time, money, and love to the preservation and promotion of the steel guitar.

Jeff Strouse · Post by **Jeff Strouse** » 16 Nov 2005 1:48 pm

By the way Derrick, that was a great picture of her that you posted in the other post. I searched and found one from 2003 when I was in Honolulu...

Me, the beautiful Nancy, Vic[This message was edited by Jeff Strouse on 16 November 2005 at 01:53 PM.]

George Rout · Post by **George Rout** » 16 Nov 2005 1:48 pm

Very well said, Basil. George R.

HowardR · Post by **HowardR** » 16 Nov 2005 1:49 pm

.[This message was edited by HowardR on 16 November 2005 at 01:51 PM.]

Kay Das · Post by **Kay Das** » 16 Nov 2005 9:19 pm

that is indeed a fine poster CD for hawaiian steel guitar. i think hawaiian steel guitar owes a lot to nancy and vic and nancy's passing on has saddened all of us. she was one brave and tough cookie.

nancy and victor have been encouraging me over the last few years that i met them....and i will have a small way to express my appreciation of that shortly......

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kay

George Keoki Lake · Post by **George Keoki Lake** » 16 Nov 2005 9:51 pm

I have known Nancy and Victor for the past 18 years. Nancy knew how to promote and sell. Did you know that she sold cemetary plots for many years and one year her earnings actually surpassed that of the governor of Hawai'i ? Quite the lady. She speerheaded the "Save the Natatorium" a few years ago but that endeavor eventually fell through. As has been mentioned, her love of the steel guitar was very well demonstrated year after year. The steel guitar world owes much to Vic and Nancy and we are very appreciative for all they have contributed to the "cause". R.I.P. Nancy...we'll miss you.[This message was edited by George Keoki Lake on 16 November 2005 at 09:52 PM.]

HowardR · Post by **HowardR** » 17 Nov 2005 4:56 am

her earnings actually surpassed that of the governor of Hawai'i

That tells me one thing......he must have been an honest politcian!

[This message was edited by HowardR on 17 November 2005 at 04:57 AM.]

basilh · Post by **basilh** » 17 Nov 2005 6:37 am

Nice one Howard..

Honest Politician

Must be one of the the BIGGEST Oxymorons
http://www.oxymoronlist.com/#h [This message was edited by basilh on 17 November 2005 at 06:38 AM.]

George Keoki Lake · Post by **George Keoki Lake** » 17 Nov 2005 7:06 am

HONEST POLITICIAN...oxymoron ? Whoops sorry Baz...you beat me to it !

[This message was edited by George Keoki Lake on 17 November 2005 at 07:08 AM.]

George Keoki Lake · Post by **George Keoki Lake** » 17 Nov 2005 12:30 pm

Just as a footnote regarding (the late) Nancy Gustaffson, I have recently learned that, when Aunty Alice Namakelua died, Nancy provided a plot for her burial. When Aunty's son died, Nancy provided a plot for his remains also. I understand she left a will, with half of her holdings going to the University of Hawai'i for a Hawaiian language scholarship and half to another Hawaiian-related charitable trust...Nancy was always a considerate, helpful lady.

HowardR · Post by **HowardR** » 17 Nov 2005 1:39 pm

Hmmm, very interesting.....the plot thickens...

Jeff Strouse · Post by **Jeff Strouse** » 17 Nov 2005 3:36 pm

I posted this in extended family, but just so it's here in our "No Peddlers" family. Vic was telling me that Nancy took surfing lessons many years ago on Waikiki Beach, and she found out later that it was Duke Kanamouku himself that gave them to her! For those who aren't familiar with him, there is a statue of him on Kuhio Beach. He was an Olympic champion, movie star, and all-around hero. He had a club where the famous "Beach Boys" played (I'm talking Chick Daniels and the gang - not to be confused with the 60's rock group).

HowardR · Post by **HowardR** » 17 Nov 2005 4:48 pm

And there is also a postage stamp commemorating Duke Kanamouku.....seriously.

Gerald Ross · Post by **Gerald Ross** » 17 Nov 2005 5:20 pm

Duke's Stamp

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Gerald Ross
'Northwest Ann Arbor, Michigan's King Of The Hawaiian Steel Guitar'

CEO, CIO, CFO - UkeTone Records
Gerald's Fingerstyle Guitar Website
Board of Directors Hawaiian Steel Guitar Association

George Keoki Lake · Post by **George Keoki Lake** » 20 Nov 2005 6:37 pm

Please see "OUR EXTENDED FAMILY"...This thread can now be closed. Mahalo.

basilh · Post by **basilh** » 6 Dec 2005 6:18 am

Just got the HSGA Fall issue..Not a mention of Nancy, Why ?

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Steel players do it without fretting

Gary Boyett · Post by **Gary Boyett** » 6 Dec 2005 6:23 am

That newsletter probably had already gone to print before her passing. I am sure there will be a big write up in the next one.

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JCFSGC,RMSGC,HSGA member
Do it with "Glass"
Boyett's Glass Bars

Ray Montee (RIP) · Post by **Ray Montee (RIP)** » 6 Dec 2005 10:59 am

Was this nice lady at the HSGA Convention?

What tune does Jerry Byrd play on this album?

Gerald Ross · Post by **Gerald Ross** » 6 Dec 2005 11:10 am

Just got the HSGA Fall issue..Not a mention of Nancy, Why ?

The HSGA newsletter accepts submissions from HSGA members. Someone write something and submit it. We are all volunteers, members too.

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Gerald Ross
'Northwest Ann Arbor, Michigan's King Of The Hawaiian Steel Guitar'

CEO, CIO, CFO - UkeTone Records
Gerald's Fingerstyle Guitar Website
Board of Directors Hawaiian Steel Guitar Association

basilh · Post by **basilh** » 7 Dec 2005 4:32 am

Ray, to answer your question, Nancy's composition "The Sound of the Islands" Features Myra English with Jerry Byrd on Steel Guitar.
And as for attending HSGA conventions, Nancy and Vic were regulars. (more than I can say for Pat and myself)

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Steel players do it without fretting

basilh · Post by **basilh** » 7 Dec 2005 4:44 am

The Sound of the Islands Click Here [This message was edited by basilh on 07 December 2005 at 04:45 AM.]

Derrick Mau · Post by **Derrick Mau** » 7 Dec 2005 10:32 am

Nancy and Vic were regulars

They used to . . . till something happened.

Bill Leff · Post by **Bill Leff** » 7 Dec 2005 3:09 pm

Give it up Derrick...

Kay Das · Post by **Kay Das** » 7 Dec 2005 10:03 pm

thanks, baz, for that rendition of nancy and vic's tune, had never heard it before.

i am on the road, travelling on business so have not had a lot of time to dial in recently...i recorded nancy and vic's "Sound of the Islands" on a CD just submitted for HMA2006, kind permission granted from nancy, before she passed on, and victor, and dedicated to her memory.

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kay