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Raised on Maui, Willie Kahaiali`i (a.k.a.Willie K.) has been playing
music and entertaining audiences since the age of 10. His father Manu Kahaiali`i, one of Hawaii's most respected musicians, recruited Willie and his
brothers to perform in his band. From the very beginning, Willie was influenced by and exposed to a myriad of musical genres; from the Hawaiian,
Jazz, and early R&B he heard at his father's side, to the sounds emanating from the radio and TV from musical giants such as B.B. King, Santana, Jimi
Hendrix, and Willie Nelson. It is no wonder why Willie has evolved into such an eclectic and charismatic singer/songwriter/entertainer. By his
high school graduation, Willie was playing in as many as 8 bands from country and western, salsa, rhythm and blues, rock, and of course Hawaiian. A few
years later he moved to San Francisco determined to make it in the music scene there. After
several years in California, Willie gained some notoriety opening for groups such as Cecilio and Kapono, but after one too many earthquakes, decided to
return home. Back on Maui, with renewed determination, Willie focused on recording an album of his own. His first three albums changed the direction of
contemporary Hawaiian music. He swept up Na Hoku Hanohano Awards (The Hawaiian
Grammy's) from the Hawaii Academy of Recording Arts, and continued to record for a new company, Round Island Records. After two more recording
efforts, he took a break from recording his own music and teamed up with a new talent, Amy Hanaiali'i Gilliom. He has produced three albums with Amy for
The Mountain Apple Company. He earned 2 more Na Hoku Hanohano Awards for Producer of the year, while Amy won Album of the Year, Female Vocalist,
Song of the Year, and Hawaiian Album of the Year awards.
In 1999, while working on Amy's new album, Willie filled the studio with his own music. Between takes
and on breaks, Willie kept the recorder going and finished a Christmas album, "Willie Kalikimaka."
"Willie Kalikimaka" reflected Willie's favorite songs for the season and fulfilled the public's demand
for his version of "O Holy Night" recorded some years back as a single. "Away in a Manger" was almost completely recorded when Willie K ran into
Willie Nelson on Maui. The conversation resulted in a duet on this incredible rendition of this
Christmas classic and an experience that will be etched into Willie K's musical career. The common language of music created an instant friendship.
"Willie Kalikimaka" ended up being the biggest selling Christmas CD in 1999 and hit local sales charts at the #1 spot, beating the new recordings of
Mariah Carey and Santana, while rising to #11 on Billboard Magazine's Worldbeat charts.
The beginning of 2000 also brought forth a new CD, "The Uncle In Me", which compiles the best of
Willie's music into a single recording. The songs, which have been Willie's trademark pieces, have been unavailable on the market for years. "The Uncle In
Me" brings these songs back to the ears of Willie K fans, digitally re-mastered to highlight the musical and vocal talents of Willie K.
Willie K. performs every Monday night at Hapa's nightclub in Kihei, Maui. Willie K. performed in Austin
Texas on July 4th at Willie Nelson's annual bash. In addition, Willie has played with and/or
opened for such musical giants as B.B. King, Santana, Al DiMeola, Willie Nelson, Prince, Crosby, Stills and Nash, Elvin Bishop, Bonnie Rait, Jackson
Browne, Mick Fleetwood, George Benson and Jimmy Buffett……just to name a few!
The end of the century and millennium brought some very exciting changes for Willie K. After 5 years
devoted to the advancement of Amy Gilliom's career, Willie has decided to re-launch and pursue his own solo career again, while also developing other
talent. In December, Willie announced the formation of his new company, Maui Tribe Productions - an independent entertainment enterprise. On Christmas
Night 2000, Maui Tribe Productions was proud to announce the release of Willie K's first ever live CD, "Live at Hapa's" and held a CD release party at
Hapa's in Kihei, Maui.
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