Jerry Byrd Comments on teachig and Bios on several students

[Jack Byrd]

In answer to some questions about teaching steel guitar I have gathered up these comments from Jerry.

Looking back over my 62 years as a professional musician, I have learned much and was fortunate enough to have accomplished every goal that I had set out to conquer - and more. How lucky can you get (??). I inserted the question marks because luck had nothing to do with it!

I hammered it out by the "hunt- and-peck" system: a long trial-and error method of learning. Today I can teach a dedicated student in one year what it took me 50 years to learn. The problem is, however, finding that dedicated student.

I very rarely see the student who has that "burning-in-the-gut" feeling to learn like I (and many of you) had and maybe still have. If I find one out of fifty that is the exception and does want to learn, then that's a good average. At least it's one more that we didn't have before - right? Few are at the age when learning comes easy - in their "teens" or twenties. Why? I believe it is because steel guitar does not get the exposure needed to reach them.

Quite often I am asked if I have any promising students coming up that we will be hearing, or hearing about, any time soon. I hesitate to answer because I have been disappointed numerous times by some whom I really thought showed great promise, only to see them fall by the wayside. Let me fill you in on a few statistics.

I first began teaching in 1975 - 27 years ago!! I estimate that I have averaged a minimum of ten new students each year - or between 250 to 275 students. Upon checking my records, I have given at least 4000 lessons! And out of all that, I would say that maybe 25 are playing steel guitar with any regularity. NOT a good average. Discouraged?? Yes, of course. Should I just quit and close my studio door and walk away? Probably. But I won't. Here's where the problem lies.

We live in an age of the "quick fix" in everything. One gadget after the other was invented to "save time." How many times have you heard the phrase 'time-saving'? If we have saved all this time where did it go? Who's got any time? You had better be scraping some up if you hope to learn to play steel guitar!!

I hear the phrase, "I had no time to practice this week," and then followed by all the reasons why not. I reply by saying, "Well, I think you had some time but you spent it doing something else."

When I get calls asking about lessons, I ask a few questions and then go into detail. I state what I expect of them and further require a meeting so we can get acquainted, and I then again emphasize what they will have to do. They are given a week to think it all over. (Two, if needed.) If they decide to "go" we will then set a starting date.

I ask them for "one year of their life" wherein steel guitar must be the first priority. If they will do that, I will give them something that they can keep all their lives. Something that nobody can take away from them! If it is not worth that much sacrifice, then you will not succeed.

If they are looking for a hobby or something to "play around" with and which they expect to learn to play in three months, then get a ukulele or take up stack key guitar, et al. Steel guitar is NOT a good "hobby" instrument. Not if you are a serious student! And they find this to be true after only a few lessons. Then I get, "Whew!! It's a lot more difficult than I thought it would be." I reply with, "And you ain't seen nothing yet!! "

I strive for quality, not quantity. They learn much more than just learning to play steel guitar - they learn to be a professional musician.

One last comment: I have noticed over the last few years or during the coming of age of this generation, that when steel guitar is mentioned a faint, subtle, bored look appears. I get the impression that steel guitar is treated like an illegitimate child - "It's there but we don't talk about it -just ignore it and maybe it will go away."

We just cannot let that happen. Can we?

The following four Bios are provided on the most visible students of Jerry. They most likely are not complete but what I can dig up on them.

AKAKA, ALAN- Born in 1956, son of Senator and Congressman Daniel Akaka. Alan started as a clarinet player in the Kamehameha Schools band then got his degree as a Music Educator, University of Hawaii. In 1973 he became the first student of Jerry Byrd, then did tourist promotions for Aloha Airlines, and later with Eddie Kekaula at the Princess Kaiulani Hotel. In 1979- 1985 he was featured at the Royal Hawaiian Hotel with the Jerry Byrd Trio, the Leinaala Simerson Serenaders, and with Tihati's Royal Hawaiian Troupe, also with Sonny Kamahele at the Halekulani Hotel in 1984. In 1986 he organized his own group "The Islanders" including at different times Sonny Kamahele, Benny Kalama, Barney Isaacs, Walter Mookini, Kaipo Asing, Merle Kekuku, and Byron Yasui. Alan played in the Jerry Byrd Steel Guitar Hoolaulea every year since it began in 1982. Recipient of Hawaii Music Foundation's music scholarship. He plays regularly at the Halekulani Hotel with 'The Islanders', taught steel guitar at Kamehameha Schools (summer school) and St. Louis High School, was assistant bandmaster at Kahuku High School, then at University of Hawaii, and received wide acclaim for his great steel work on Benny Kalama's album. Produced his own album 'How D'Ya Do', then 'Islands Call' with himself, Barney Isaacs and Jerry Byrd as steel guitarists. In 1991 took over producing Steel Guitar Hoolaule'a after Jerry Byrd retired. He continues to shine as another beacon in the future of steel guitar in Hawaiian music, taking leadership in promoting concerts and gala events featuring the steel guitar. In 1992 he returned to Kamehameha Schools as bandmaster, and from 1993 to 2000 he was president of the Hawaiian Steel Guitar. Alan also is now teaching Steel guitar.

OLSEN, CASEY - Born Hawaii 1967, son of Hiram Olsen, grandson of Billy Hew Len. Casey took steel guitar lessons from Jerry Byrd and showed outstanding ability from the start. He went from student to professional in eight years. At age 17 played steel guitar on one of Hawaii's Grammy award winning TV shows 'Hawaii's Super Kids'. Began his musical career upon graduation from Roosevelt High School. Played every Steel Guitar Hoolaulea since his debut in 1983. In 1989 stepped into Jerry Byrd’s very big shoes as Jerry retired from playing with his trio at the Halekulani Hotel's House Without a Key. The group reformed as the Hiram Olsen trio and Casey shines brilliantly as one of Hawaii's stars. In February 1994 Casey replaced Barney Isaacs on the then Sounds of Aloha radio show, previously known as Hawaii Calls. The trio is no longer playing at the Halekulani Hotel if you do go to see them. The trio is now playing casuals through out the Honolulu area so you may see them anywhere.

SARDINHA, GREGORY –“ROCKY" - Born 1953, Honolulu. Another prominent and talented student of Jerry Byrd. Greg has become a successful and popular steel guitarist in Hawaii. He is a frequent performer on the annual Steel Guitar Hoolaulea and has been associated with numerous Hawaiian shows and Hawaii's top artists such as Cyril Pahinui, Karen Keawehawaii, and Danny Kaleikini. The versatility of his playing can be found in his recordings with various Hawaiian artists and bands where he has blended the steel guitar with Hawaiian, contemporary, and rock music.

The following is a sample of the work the three above have recently accomplished as a group.

"Hawaiian Steel Volume 2" (Bobby Ingano, Casey Olsen, Alan Akaka, and Greg Sardinha)
In this second installment of the Hawaiian Steel series from Greg Sardinha's Sma' Kine Productions, you get four of Hawaii's native sons performing 12 selections that they really enjoy playing. Greg provides terrific liner notes that describe the day's schedule of recordings and general "carrying on." Hiram Olsen and Dennis "Bla" Keohokalole provide expert backup in the studio. A must buy for those of you who have enjoyed these performers at many of HSGA’s functions. Contact Greg Sardinha at: 1605 Ulupi'i Place, Kailua, HI 96734, or email him at grock53@cs.com.

SALAZAR, OWANA - Born in Honolulu, Hawaii. After graduating from Kamehameha Schools, she spent two years at the University of Hawaii at Manoa, majoring in music. Owana is an excellent performing artist, including singing, hula, ukulele, both standard and slack key stylings with the guitar, and shows great promise of becoming one of the best wahine steel guitar players Hawaii has ever known. As an HSGA steel guitar scholarship recipient, she graduated after three years of study with Jerry Byrd. Owana began her career as a performer at the age of fifteen as a member of the Concert Glee Clubs at Kamehameha Schools. Throughout her career, she has performed with Ed Kenney, Herb Ohta San, Charles K. L. Davis, Billy Gonsalves, Genoa Keawe, George Naope, Hoakalei Kamauu, Mahi Beamer, and Jerry Byrd. Aside from doing radio and television shows, she has toured to Japan, New Zealand, and to 14 US states. She has been nominated several times for Na Hoku Hanohano awards. Owana has produced several of her own recordings, has been a guest star on the then new Hawaii Calls radio broadcast, and is a regular in the Annual Steel Guitar Hoolauleas. She is a direct descendent of Keoua Nui, father of King Kamehameha The Great, and bears the rightful title of Princess Owana Ka'ohelelani Mahealani-rose Salazar.

Other students of Jerry’s who you can keep a watch out for when you visit the islands are as follows:
Isaac Akuna
Nephi Brown
Pat Carvalho
Vinton Castro
Denny Hemingson
Anela Kahiamoe
Paul Kim
Eric Kinilau
Jacqueline Ululani Visser

Others who have taken some lessons from Jerry over the years but not full time students were:
Fred Barnett
Fred Lunt
Lorene Ruymar
Robert Sanchez
Chris Templeton
Jerry Valdriz

Jerry presently has six students and still is at it at the soon to be age of 82.

[Bob Farlow]

Jack, thank you very much for all this info on Jerry. It is much appreciated. How could our family of steel guitar players have ever survived without the inspiration of such a great player ? Words cannot express my gratitude.

[Paul Graupp]

Jack: Thank you so much !! That was all I asked for and so much more. I've printed out two copies so far. One went into the letter Jerry wrote me last year for safe keeping. The other is for my working file.

I must say, this list is longer than I had expected and that is good. The bios are also impressive and have put my mind at ease. Please send my thanks and regards to Jerry !!

Regards, Paul <FONT SIZE=1 COLOR="#8e236b"><p align=CENTER>[This message was edited by Paul Graupp on 14 February 2002 at 01:36 PM.]</p></FONT>

[Jack Byrd]

Your welcome and I will be sending your regards to Jerry.