The Hawaiian Connection!
The Hawaiian steel guitar was invented in Hawaii by Joseph Kekuku in 1904, he later brought it to the mainland where many Americans made the instrument popular in American music.
In the 1930's, a Hawaiian guitarist named Jack taught Troman Eason the technique of the Hawaiian steel guitar and Troman introduced the instrument to Mother Tates churches, the House of God and the Church of the Living God.
Because of that Hawaiian connection almost 90 years ago, this church organization continues to use the instrument in their church worship services to offer praises unto the Lord under the name of sacred steel!
Kilin Reece who plays and builds Hawaiian guitars in Hawaii, was kind enough to share a meal and even more history with us. We even talked about a possible sacred steel collaboration. God Bless Sacred Steel, Aloha!
Thank you gentlemen, this was my first visit to Hawaii and I was able to enjoy the culture. Special thanks to Kilin Reese, Alan Akaka, and Bobby Ingano.
I love stories of how Hawaiian music spread to other places (and often got integrated into new styles of music, such as when it was introduced in India and quickly became adopted in their classical music)
Waikīkī, at night when the shadows are falling
I hear the rolling surf calling
Calling and calling to me
Can't remember where I read that there was a Hawaiian Guitar School in Philly on Chestnut St in the 30s. Wondering of "Jack" was associated with it....
