A Babyface Valentine For You

Melissa Moniz
By .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Friday - February 02, 2011
| Del.icio.us
Catch Kenny ‘Babyface’ Edmonds in concert Valentine’s Day at Blaisdell Arena

Kenny “Babyface” Edmonds, a 10-time Grammy Award-winner, is making his Hawaii debut with a one-night-only Valentine’s Day concert at Blaisdell Arena.

Presented by Home Base Live, the concert will feature Babyface’s many hit R&B songs on his 11 solo albums that speak of romance, relationships and love.

The concert is a match made in Cupid heaven, as Babyface explains, “It’s Valentine’s Day in Hawaii and my first time performing here.”

Throughout his career he has crafted songs for artists Whitney Houston, Boyz II Men, Mariah Carey, Madonna, Eric Clapton, Mary J. Blige, Michael Jackson, Aretha Franklin and Pink, just to name a few.


He has more than 125 top 10 R&B and pop hits, 42 No. 1 R&B hits, and 16 No. 1 pop hits, which have produced single and album sales in excess of 500 million units worldwide.

Babyface also will receive a huge honor this month: a star on Hollywood’s legendary Walk of Fame.

Doors open for the concert at 7 p.m. Ticket prices start at $45. Tickets are available at the Blaisdell Box Office, ticketmaster.com and all Ticketmaster locations.

His busy touring schedule prevents Babyface from making his Hawaii trip more than just an in-and-out flight. However, he says that he’ll be back to vacation sometime soon.

“I love Maui,” he adds. For the remainder of the year, he says, “I’ll be doing more touring in the states, producing artists on my label SodaPop Entertainment, as well as working on my new album” ...

Kendra Fisher’s album is already getting radio play.

Waimanalo girl Kendra Fisher has a new album, with songs Wanna Know You, The Best Thing and Haleakala Medley already getting radio play on Island 98.5, Maui’s KPOA, Big Island’s Native FM and Kauai’s FM97.

Her music has been playing on Mento Mele‘s Boom Down Count Down (98.5 FM) for months, well before the songs were released in December on iTunes.

Her self-titled album features 10 original compositions written by Fisher that tell of her emotions and experiences in high school.

“A lot of the songs are about love, things I thought I knew about back then in school,” says Fisher, who is now 22 years old. “The album is kind of a blast in the past for me because I recorded it when I was 17.”

She was 18 when the album was completed and recalls not being ready to commit to a music career.

“At that time I don’t think I was ready for the responsibilities and the work that comes along with it,” says Fisher, a Kalaheo High School graduate. “It was just too much for me at the time. But if there’s anything I’ve learned it’s that all of this is happening on God’s timing, and I want it more than ever now. I think it’s better that I waited and matured and grew into myself and my music.”

On the album, Fisher collaborated with Papa T and JD of B.E.T. in the song For All Time.

Her original compositions are empowered by heartfelt lyrics with a blend of island contemporary, reggae and R&B.

“When I was younger, Keahiwai was a big influence on me,” says Fisher. “I would sing their songs all the time. So some of my songs might sound a little like Keahiwai.”

The two tracks not penned by Fisher include Haleakala Medley written by Kalani Kekona of Maui and one of her favorite songs, You Are The Sunshine Of My Life by Stevie Wonder.

“After I recorded this album, I continued writing, so I have enough material to record a second album already,” she adds. “But I think I’m going to just focus on this album for now and then work on my next album.” ...

John Keawe’s 10th album.

Big Island songwriter and slack key guitarist John Keawe just released his 10th album, Play With Me Papa.

“I think that the CD shows stylistic growth, added instrumentation, different guitar tunings and most significantly reflects where I am in my life presently,” says Keawe.

The album, which consists of all-original compositions by Keawe, includes seven instrumentals and five vocals. The title track, Play With Me Papa, tells of the unconditional and deep love Keawe has for his grandchildren, who are in the chorus. “I have nine grandchildren, and we raise two of our granddaughters full time,” says Keawe. “The song Play With Me Papa is based on the experiences of raising them, and how sometimes your own plans and what God has in store for you aren’t always the same.”


The album also includes The Hawaiian Man, Kauholo, Paniolo Waltz, Kohala Ku’u Home and E ‘Ilima E, a song Keawe wrote for wife Hope, who joins her husband on the album doing background vocals. Other special guests include Barry Flanagan, Sonny Lim, Herb Ohta Jr., Charles Recaido, Dave Moran and Naomi and Shelly Keawe (John’s granddaughters).

“Having my wife and granddaughters join me with some harmony on a couple of songs was very special,” adds Keawe, who resides in North Kohala.

To purchase an album or to learn more about Keawe, visit johnkeawe.com ...

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