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A Tribute to Barney Isaacs: 1924-1996
Master of the Hawaiian Steel Guitar
Master Hawaiian steel guitar player Barney Isaacs
was born in Honolulu in 1924. His career spanned six decades
and for 25 years he was the steel guitarist for the "Hawaii Calls"
radio program.
Born: July 18, 1924
Died: February 12, 1996
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The Life of Barney Isaacs
Master steel guitar player Barney Isaacs was born in
Hawaii in 1924, and his full name is
Alvin Kalanikau Isaacs Jr. but he went by the name Barney Isaacs.
Barney's father was Alvin Kaleolani Isaacs, Sr.,
bandleader for the Royal Hawaiian Serenaders, a dance
band that performed the the Royal Hawaiian Hotel in the
early days of tourism in Hawaii. All of Barney's
seven brothers and sisters learned to play musical
instruments, including his brother Leland "Atta" Isaacs.
When Barney was 24 he joined his father's
band and began touring and collaborating with other
Hawaiian musicians, including Alfred Apaka, Gabby
Pahinui, and many others. In addition to performing
concerts and recording, Barney Isaacs was a regular on
the "Hawaii Calls" radio show for 25 years. In the 1950's
he worked at Waikiki Records and in the 1990's he
recorded an album and toured with slack key guitarist
George Kuo.
Barney Isaacs Died in 1996
Barney died February 12, 1996. In 1997 Barney's wife and widow Cookie Isaacs
traveled to Japan with Barney's proteges
Scott Furushima and Ed Puuna to take part in
a tribute and memorial program organized
by Canopas steel guitar manufacturer yasu Kamia.
He
was inducted into the
Steel Guitar Hall of Fame
in 1999.
The Recordings of Barney Isaacs
Barney played steel guitar of many many recordings over the years.
In 1995 Barney recorded an album with slack key guitarist George Kuo.
the album, entitled "Hawaiian Touch", won the
1996 Na Hoku Hanohano Award for best instrumental album released in 1995.
Articles About Barney Isaacs
Dancing Cat Barney Isaacs Profile
Answers.com Barney Isaacs Bio
See also:
Other Hawaiian Steel Guitar Musicians
Hawaiian Music Artists A to Z
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Related Links
Hawaiian Music Artists
Hawaii Music - Main Menu
Hawaii for Visitors
(online travel guide)
Hawaii for Visitors
(email publication)
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Editor Kathie Fry
All Hawaiian Music Awards Since 1978
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