Category: Show Biz

So, with Iam Tongi crowned as the 2023 “American Idol,” there’s buzz of all kinds about his potential as a bona fide star of the future.

You know, work his way up to the ranks of a Bruno Mars. Maybe sings on the soundtrack of an island-themed movie. Maybe lands a lucrative recording contract.

Will Tongi, pictured left, join the ranks of the rich and famous? Hope so. However, he needs to chart a plan and secure a skilled talent manager to help oversee his interests and collaborate with the goal of shaping a career path. Tongi requires a vision to match his unique talent

My former Honolulu Advertiser colleague  Bart Asato, a dependable, prolific and spot-on commentator and observer of the tempo and flavors of life, is currently reflecting (on Facebook) on who among the former and even current musicians and entertainers, have charted No. 1 hits.

Because Bruno, pictured right, is very now and very wow, we know Mars frequently on the charts, as himself backed by the Hooligans, and also as one-half of Silk Sonic, a smooth r&b act.

And yes, Asato’s right about  Bette Midler, pictured left, the Divine Miss M. Her credits include “From a Distance,” which peaked at No. 2; “The Rose,” which went to #3; “Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy,” which surprising peaked at #8; and “Do You Wanna Dance” topped out at #17.

“Nothing’s Gonna Change My Love for You” was soooooo popular, even performed by a teen-age Glenn Medeiros on “The Tonight Show” hosted by Johnny Carson.

Medeiros, pictured left, also had a biggie, with rapper Bobby Brown,  “She Ain’t Worth It,” which was #1 in the UK but reached #12 in the U.S.

Other early groundbreaking island talents included Robin Luke, pictured above, a Punahou teen, who wrote and sang an original about his kid sister, and “Susie Darling” was a hottie on “American Bandstand” and peaked at #5.

The Kingston Trio, pictured right on a Life Magazine cover, featured Bob Shane, Dave Guard and Nick Reynolds, was a folk music legend with “Tom Dooley” spiraling to #1. Share and Guard were Buffanblu grads. All are deceased now.

Another star who called Hawaii home, Tommy Sands, was truly “The Singin’ Idol,” a TV film that produced “Teen-age Crush,” Sands’ signature song, which was #1 on Cashbox and #2 on Billboard.  Sands, pictured right, starred at the old Outrigger Showroom at the Outrigger Waikiki, and gigged as a nostalgia star before relocating here.

Martin Denny, specializing in exotic music, became a global guru of what evolved as tiki music, was knows for his reinterpretation of a Les Baxter instrumental, “Quiet Village,” which became his signature. He did periodic Hawaii shows and retired in Hawaii Kai, where he died in 2005 at age 93.

So arigato, Asato-san, for your reminiscence. Doing this bit not to compete with you, but to complement your thoughts…

And that’s Show Biz. …

Jim Linkner, a prolific mover-and-shaker of Hawaii’s recording community, died May 6 in his sleep in his Kailua home. He was in his late 70s.

His son, Dylan Linkner, confirmed his dad’s passing on social media.

“On May 6, my dad peacefully went in his sleep and left us physically. But this man’s spirit will live on forever. (He was) Truly a legend in many aspects of his life, husband, father, grandfather, music producer, mentor, joke teller, storyteller, and friend,” Dylan stated, creating a tapestry of a beloved and versatile figure.

Jim Linkner, pictured above, was also a pioneering and influential behind-the-scenes force at a time five decades ago when Hawaiian music was bubbling in a renaissance in island culture, helping shape the islands with streams of joyous Hawaiian songs. If you check your aging vinyl LPs, 45s, and CDs, his name is likely to pop up amid the credits and define a spark of inspired genius.

Linkner was the right person for the right time, to boost and explore the mele of Hawaii. The artists benefitted, providing tracks for island radio, enabling emerging performers to break out  and find gigs at Waikiki hotels as the hospitality industry also was shaping its future.

Linkner’s  collaboration with Keali‘i Reichel, a Maui-based kumu hula who had a beautiful and undiscovered voice in the Hawaiian strain as well in selected pop tunes, perhaps was his most stunning achievement. Linkner produced and engineered such chart-topping albums like “Kawaipunahele,” “E O Mai,” “Ke’alaokamaile”  and “Melelana,” and helped make Reichel one of the most compelling island acts.

“Jim was our mentor, our business partner and our friend,” said Reichel and his life and business partner Fred Krause, in a joint statement. “Since tracking him down in 1994 to ask if heʻd record an unknown Kumu Hula from Maui, Jim has been at our side as an integral partner in Punahele Productions. Without Jimʻs experience and creativity as producer and engineer, we donʻt think anyone outside our families would have heard Kawaipunahele. We are grateful for his unwavering support, technical skill in the studio and his loving friendship. He was family and he will be missed dearly.”

His remarkable discography tapped a spectrum of other island talent, including Robert Cazimero, Ledward Kaapana, Irmgard Aluli and Puamana, Nina Keali‘iwahama and Charles K.L. Davis, Frank DeLima, Melveen Leed, The Krush, Karen Keawehawai‘i and scores more.

One of his treasures – a compilation disc,  entitled “Hawaii’s Greatest Contemporary Classics,” released in 1987 – had an all-star track list including Jerry Santos and Olomana, Cecilio and Kapono, Keola and Kapono Beamer, Gabby Pahinui and the Sons of Hawaii, Nohelani Cypriano, Jay Larrin, The Sunday Manoa featuring Robert and Roland Cazimero plus Peter Moon, and The Makaha Sons. The CD reflected the pulse of an artistic volcano, with a dynamite roster of troupers.

While his finger was mostly on the pulse of island songs, Linkner also had an earlier life as an event promoter, an active member of the Elks, and in more recent times, a former president of HARA, the Hawaii Academy of Recording Arts, which produces the annual awards show. His work as a recording engineer and producer spanned the decades and earned him two fistfuls of Hoku awards – 17 at last count.

Circulation problems – he had his right leg amputated – curtailed his activities in recent years.

 “Our family is okay and appreciates everyone’s condolences and prayers,” Dylan continued. “But knowing my dad, he would appreciate you not mourning his exit but sharing your best story/time with him. So, feel free to share. We love you dad and we know you are having fun up there in the heavens.” …

And that’s Show Biz. …

Same show, different title.

Fox has secured the rights to “Rescue: HI-Surf,” a straight-to-series drama about the lifeguard culture on Oahu’s North Shore, with Emmy-winning TV veteran John Wells (pictured below) producing for an anticipated 2023-24 debut.

It’s the same series earlier entitled “Ke Nui Road,”  the name of  that short stretch of beachfront road on Oahu, where dangerous but signature surfing meets have been held for decades. For the past year or so, HBO Max was scheduled to produce the show, albeit with a title that would be meaningless for viewers outside of Hawaii.

Mike Kester, who  was associated with “Animal Kingdom,” is riding the new wave of production, serving as writer, executive producer, and showrunner of “Rescue: HI-Surf.”  The show could become a cult favorite, with first-responding lifeguards pegged to recreate the treacherous high waves that challenge both surfers and  rescuers in the waters sometimes called Hawaii’s Seven Mile Miracle.

Wells, a six-time Emmy winner, will direct the first two episodes of “Rescue,’” which will mark his first series in more than a decade. He is well known for earlier directing NBC’s popular medical show, “ER.” “Rescue” will be his first series for Fox.

According to Fox, Kester has been a sometimes island resident. “I’ve lived on the North Shore of Oahu for most of my life, and these are our heroes, the most extraordinary extreme athletes anywhere,” said Kester. …

Miles is lone local Tony nominee

Ruthie Ann Miles (pictured left), a former Honolulan, is the lone local nominated for a 2023 Tony Award. Ceremonies will be held June 11 originating from a new venue, the United Palace theaterDe in New York’s Washington Heights, with CBS carrying it live.
Miles is nominated for Featured Actress in a Musical, for her role as the Beggar Woman in the revival of “Sweeney Todd, the Demon Barber of  Fleet Street.”

She previously earned a Tony in the same category for her portrayal of Lady Thiang in the 2015 revival of “The King and I.”

She is a graduate of Kaimuki High School. …

Bree Kale‘a Peters dies

Sorry to report the death of Bree Kale‘a Peters (pictured below right), also widely remembered as Bree Bumatai, who lost her battle with cancer a few days ago. Little has been said or shared at this point, but Manoa Valley Theatre, her last employer  in Honolulu before she relocated to the Big Island, posted this terse but fitting tribute on its Facebook page:

“The theatre is a ghost light. It never goes out. It burns brightly, illuminating the empty stage long after the actors have gone home.” Today Mānoa Valley Theatre mourns the loss of longtime ‘ohana member Bree Kale’a Peters. She was light. She was laughter. She was love. And we were all better for having known and loved and been inspired by her. Your legacy will live on through every actor and crew member who steps on our stage. And flights of angels sing thee to thy rest.”

I met her years ago, and frequently wrote about her accomplishments, from the time she was  known as Karen Brilliande, then later as Karen Bumatai, before she became Bree. She was an active, prolific theatrical light, on stage and off, as an actress, a director, and an over-all theatrical advocate.

She was brave and inspirational, as her Facebook friends and theater colleagues will attest, openly sharing her ups and downs with chemo, and earned support and prayers with her endearing postings. Her last one said she was going into hospice care, anticipating her flight with the angels, always with a gentle breeze of hope. …

Broadway grosses, for week ending April 30

With “The Phantom of the Opera” now in the history books, it’s business as usual on Broadway, and the lion’s roar is at the pinnacle.

The Tony nominations are out, so it’s possible that the newbie shows will start appearing in the weekly summation, provided by The Broadway League. We only list The Lucky 7 each week, and the diehards rule. Only one new musical, “Parade,” managed to find a spot on the Top 10. At No. 10.

Here’s the lineup this week:

1 – “The Lion King,” $2.155 million.

2 – “Hamilton,” $1.809 million.

3 – “Sweeney Todd, the Demon Barber of Fleet Street,” $1.783 million.

4 – “Wicked,” $1.732 million.

5 – “MJ, the Musical,” $1.619 million.

6 – “Funny Girl,” $1.580 million.

7 – “Aladdin,” $1.461 million.

The full list:

And that’s Show Biz. …