June 2010 Volume 3, Number 6

Stars Shine at MELE Workshop More than 75 songwriting hopefuls gathered at Honolulu Community College’s Loui Center to listen to the experiences of songwriters who had successfully started a career in songwriting. Presenters included Mark Bright, Bob DiPiero, Katie Herzig, , Kawika Kahiapo, Kainani Kahaunaele, and Dan Keen. Chancellor Mike Rota and MELE Coordinator Keala Chock mingle with island musicians and local music business professionals at the opening event for the 2nd Annual MELE Mark Songwriters Workshop. Photo by Nancy Daniels, Outrigger. Bright has produced hits for stars , Cowboy Crush, Sara Evans, , , , and Jamie O'Neal. Bob DiPiero, who has had 15 Number 1 country hits, with major artists including George Strait, , Reba McIntire, , and Tim McGraw. DiPiero’s talent has resulted in more than two decades worth of ranking chart singles. His many awards include CMA Triple Plays, Country and Million-Air awards. of the Songwriters Hall Country Radio Music Song of His service to the music industry of Fame. He is married to Leslie the Year, Nashville Music includes membership on the board Tomasino. Awards of the Year, of the Association, Sony/ATV Songwriter of the former president of Nashville Continued on Page 2 Year, and three dozen BMI Songwriters Association International, and a 2007 inductee MELE Songwriters Second Annual MELE Songwriters (Continued from Page 1) Workshop Features Free Concert at Grammy-nominated singer and songwriter Katie Herzig Hawaii State Art Museum wrote “Holding Us Back,” featured on the season finale of “Grey’s Antomy.” A Minneapolis, Minnesota native, Kyle Jacobs moved to Nashville in 2000 and three years later achieved success with Kimberly Locke's Top 10 adult contemporary single “8th World Wonder.” Kyle was later responsible for ' 2007 number 1 hit single, “,” which saw the fastest rise on the country music charts. Other artists who have recorded Jacob’s songs include Tim McGraw and . Kawika Kahiapo, Na Hoku Hanohano-award-winning musician, has performed with the legendary Gabby "Pops" Pahinui and Pahinui family. A A free concert, titled “Make A Joyful Noise! - The Songwriters Sing,” slack key artist on Jack will take place on Saturday, June 26, from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at the Hawaii State Johnson’s Curious George Art Museum. The concert features music by presenters from the MELE soundtrack, Kahiapo and his Songwriters Workshop. group Kaukahi’s perform their The Hawaii State Art Museum is located at the corner of Hotel and version of Johnson’s Richards streets, Ewa of the Hawaii State Capitol building. Public parking is “Constellations” on their CD available at Alii Place with the parking entrance off of Alakea Street just Life in These Islands. before Hotel Street. Kainani Kahaunaele, Hawaiian singer and songwriter, has received Na Hoku Hanohano awards for 2004 Female Vocalist of the Year, 2004 Hawaiian Performance of the Year and 2004 Most Promising New Artist. Kahaunaele is also a respected Hawaiian language scholar. Dan Keen, vice president of the American Society of Composers Authors and Publishers (ASCAP), has taught Music Publishing at Belmont University.