Opening for Ledward Kaapana, June and July of 2014

Welcome to Kaleponi Records, my musical home on the web. My name is Fran Guidry, and I play kika ki hoʻalu or Hawaiian slack key guitar.

Kaleponi is the Hawaiian word for California, where I live. Ki hoʻalu, or slack key, has a direct link to California history. The guitar was carried to the Big Island of Hawaiʻi by vaqueros from California. You can read more about the history of slack key guitar on the Dancing Cat Records web site.

Slack key guitar is named for the retuning that characterizes the style. Most of these new tunings feature loosened, or slackened, strings which give a deep rich sound.

My personal slack key history goes back to 1999 and my first visit to Hawaiʻi. When we turned on the TV in our Waikiki hotel room I was captivated by the playing of Keola Beamer. I knew in an instant that I had to learn to play this beautiful music. Over the years I've learned from great players and teachers like Ozzie Kotani, Keola himself, Patrick Landeza, Kevin Brown, Cyril Pahinui, Kawika Kahiapo, Raymond Kane, Dennis Kamakahi, and Ledward Kaapana.

Opening for Ledward Kaapana, June and July of 2014

Sunday, June 8th, 2014

OK, I am one lucky guy, and believe me I’m grateful for all the good fortune that comes my way. I have a lovely and supportive wife, lots of terrific friends, and plenty of sweet guitars. But my feeling of of good luck really overflows when I get a chance to go on tour with the ever amazing Mr. Ledward Kaapana. I get a chance to share my love of Hawaiian music with friends around Northern California and I get one of the best seats in the house for Ledward’s performances. I hope we’re playing somewhere that’s convenient for you and that you’ll join us for some good old slack key style.

Friday, June 27 – Throckmorton Theater, Mill Valley – 8 PM
Saturday, June 28 – Mildred Owen Concert Hall (former Sanchez Hall), Pacifica – 7:30 PM
Sunday, June 29 – Benefit-One World Children’s Fund, Unity Church, Palo Alto – 4 PM
Wednesday, July 2 – Don Quixote’s Internations Music Hall, Felton – 7:30 PM
Sunday, July 6 – McNear’s Mystic Theatre, Petaluma – 7:30 PM
Wednesday, July 9 – Armando’s, Martinez – 8 PM
Thursday, July 10 – Palms Playhouse, Winters – 8 PM
Friday, July 11 – World Fest, Grass Valley – 11:30 AM & 3 PM

We’ll have an extra special guest with us at the Mystic Theatre in Petaluma, the charming and talented Faith Ako and her trio will add their talents to the bill.

In addition to these shows Ledward will hold a workshop at the legendary Gryphon Strings in Palo Alto on Saturday, July 5 at 11 AM and I’ll tag along to help in any way I can. This is a great opportunity for folks looking to learn slack key from a master, taught in the old Hawaiian way.

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