The Royal Hawaiian Troubadours  
"Aole Wau E Paoina Iaoe" 

Hear the sounds of the very first commercial recording session of a Hawaiian band! The Royal Hawaiian Troubadours perform “Aole Wau E Paoina Iaoe” on this 10.5 inch blue shellac American Record Company 78 from 1905.  

Perhaps more info has come to light on the details of these disks. However, currently its my understanding these very rare disks were recorded in New York City or at the 1904 St. Louis World's Fair where the group appeared. They were released on American Record Company and Odeon Record Co. Identified performers are: Annie Hila, vs; James Kita, vt; Sam Kupanihi, vt; and Louie Thompson, vbar. I also understand that Segis Luvaun was involved with this troupe.  

This is only the third disk from this rare series I have been able to obtain through a hard fought trade with a friend.  

It’s a thrilling experience to listen so far back in history! I did a quick scrubbing of a sound transfer to bring a bit more music out of the hiss. I hope you enjoy some truly Antique Aloha!

Toots Paka's Hawaiians 
"Ninipo" The FIRST recording of the steel guitar! 

I’m very excited to add this historic cylinder to the Antique Aloha collection shelves. Years prior to the Hawaiian Pavilion at the Pan-Pacific Expo and the start of the “Hawaiian Craze” of 1915 Toot’s Paka Hawaiians entered the studio for Edison on 10/23/1909 and made history. 

This wax cylinder recording contains the very first appearance of a steel guitar on a commercially available issue. At this session the band recorded 5 songs. “Ninipo” was the earliest to be issued on Edison wax 11500. It would take another 4 years years for the steel guitar to appear on a 78 RPM disk! 

As with all recordings of this age many personal records are lost or were never accurately created. However it’s understood that Toot’s husband Iolai "July" Paka plays the steel parts on this session. Steel guitar inventor Joseph Kekuku was likely in the band on standard guitar. Joseph would do his own session as a leader on steel guitar for Edison two days later. 

It’s taken years to find a prime copy. And in that time searching I’ve only seen one other copy (which unfortunately I forgot about bidding on). As a bonus this one is pristine, with its original tube and label cap! 

Toots Paka's Hawaiians prob. Iolai "July" Paka, sg; poss. John K. Paaluhi, g; poss. Joseph Kekuku, 2nd g; Toots Paka, uke, poss. f; unk. uke; unk. v(m), v-1; poss. unk. personnel

CLICK HERE to hear a well transferred copy of this historic cylinder recording while I work to transfer and restore my copy!

Hawaiian music introduced the resonator guitar to the world through Sol Hoopii's use of a National Tricone prototype in his first sessions for Columbia in 1926. Remarkably it also brought the first recordings of an electric guitar to the world's ears through these amazing sides!

On February 22 1932 history was made in Victor's Studio B in New York City, both in the Hawaiian music word and in the electric guitar world. These Noi Lane (Noelani "Joseph" Lopez) Hawaiian Orchestra sides from Victor issue V-92(International series) are the first two songs ever recorded for commercial distribution that feature an electrified guitar.

I would assume that an early pre-Rickenbacker "Ro-Pat-In" Frying Pan electric steel guitar was used for the recording, as there weren't any other choices for instruments like this in the very early 30s.

During "The Hawaiian Craze" of the 1910s, 20s, and 30s, Hawaiian music was one of the most popular genres in the world! At that time, it thoroughly permeated the popular music of the day and introduced its signature sound, the steel guitar, into country music and other styles. Ukulele and steel guitar schools popped up in towns across the United States. This new, exotic, exciting, upbeat acoustic music was played on home phonographs across the world and by live bands at parties. 

Join professional musician, avid record collector, and Hawaiian Steel Guitar Association (HSGA) president Christo Ruppenthal for a vintage record listening session. Christo adds historical context and significance to the 78 RPM records you will hear. They will be played on original circa 1910 Victor Monarch IV and 1913 Victor III horned phonographs, and a vintage portable tube powered record player. Step back into this "Golden Age of Hawaiian Music" for some Antique Aloha!

He has done Antique Aloha phonograph record presentations online and in person in various locations, including at the 2016 and 2019 Hawaiian Steel Guitar Association (HSGA) festivals in Fort Collins, CO. 

He is now also offering Antique Aloha Live! music performance workshops and concerts. For booking please fill out the Contact form.

Antique Aloha 78 Workshop for HSGA (Hawaiian Steel Guitar Association) 2021 Virtual Steel Guitar Festival

"Sophisticated Hula / My Little Grass Shack In Kealakekua, Hawaii" 
The Happy Valley Boys  

Jerry Byrd (as Gerry Byrd) - Steel Guitar  
Ernie Cornelison - Guitar  
Recorded 10/09/1940  
Atlanta Georgia  
Bluebird B-8776   

Today I’m thrilled to be able to share steel guitarist Jerry Byrd’s fist ever recorded solos. The Happy Valley Boys was a county duo comprised of Jerry Byrd (then Gerry) and guitarist / singer Ernie Cornelison. They recorded and released 4 78RPM singles for the Bluebird label in late 1940. These sides were also issued on the Montgomery Ward label in the following months. Six of the eight recordings were originals and county music covers featuring vocals by Ernie. But this very special disk has Jerry shining on two classic instrumental Hawaiian Steel Guitar solos!  

Although I was able to track down one of the country disks relatively quickly after hearing of their existence it took a full six years to find Jerry’s Hawaiian steel guitar solo disk from this session! I am not currently aware of any CD to LP reissues of these tracks. I may be mistaken but I believe most of you will be hearing these lovely sides for the first time here. Enjoy the sounds of a very young Jerry Byrd!