Hawaiian Steel Guitar Assn Convention near Chicago - Other Events

T Tiki_Bong Member Huntington Beach, CA Joined: Mar 25, 2002 Posts: -16	T Tiki_Bong Posted posted on Mon, Sep 29, 2003 4:12 PM Swanky, I'm a member of the HSGA and Jerry Byrd is one of our high members. The organization does meet in Hawaii in the odd numbered years. This year it was in April in Honolulu. Members get a hotel rate of $37/night at a specific Waikiki hotel. It may not be 5 star, but it's still $37! The odd thing about Hawaiian steel guitar is its huge popularity all over the world, especially in the USA. As such, the meeting place in Illinois makes perfect sense. As a matter of fact, the steel guitar is probably more popular on a per capita basis, outside of Hawaii. The Kamehameha Schools had a course for its students in steel guitar, but it was dropped due to lack of interest. Jerry Byrd was a Nashville studio steel player for years before moving to Hawaii in 1972. As he said "I went home". I could go on and on about the steel guitar as it's my passion, but I'll leave you with this interesting fact: there are only 2 instruments native to the USA - the banjo and the Hawaiian steel guitar (which was invented by Joseph Kekuku in approx 1898).

Swanky,

I'm a member of the HSGA and Jerry Byrd is one of our high members. The organization does meet in Hawaii in the odd numbered years. This year it was in April in Honolulu. Members get a hotel rate of $37/night at a specific Waikiki hotel. It may not be 5 star, but it's still $37!

The odd thing about Hawaiian steel guitar is its huge popularity all over the world, especially in the USA. As such, the meeting place in Illinois makes perfect sense.

As a matter of fact, the steel guitar is probably more popular on a per capita basis, outside of Hawaii. The Kamehameha Schools had a course for its students in steel guitar, but it was dropped due to lack of interest.

Jerry Byrd was a Nashville studio steel player for years before moving to Hawaii in 1972. As he said "I went home".

I could go on and on about the steel guitar as it's my passion, but I'll leave you with this interesting fact: there are only 2 instruments native to the USA - the banjo and the Hawaiian steel guitar (which was invented by Joseph Kekuku in approx 1898).

Post #53145 by Tiki_Bong on Mon, Sep 29, 2003 4:12 PM