Traditional Hawaiian Music...On The Mainland
Bill Wynne's music evokes memories of an island paradise - even for those who have never been there.
He could have chosen to pursue a musical life in jazz, classical, or even rock-and-roll. But the music of Hawai`i captured Bill's heart at an early age and hasn't let go. For over 25 years, he has shared the music and culture of Hawai`i with audiences everywhere - from Atlantic City's finest casino/hotels to Carnegie Hall and - most recently - in Hawai`i at Honolulu's historic Hawai`i Theatre, the Halekulani Hotel, and the Royal Hawaiian Hotel as winner of Aloha Festivals Hawaiian Falsetto Singing Contest.
Bill is imbued with the aloha spirit. Read more about Bill and listen to his music and discover that Hawaiian music - and the aloha spirit - are alive and well on the east coast.
Biography
Just how does a guy born in Philadelphia and raised in New Jersey become interested in the music of a culture with roots more than 5,000 miles away? Read about Bill's colorful life.
Listen
Since 1987, Bill has recorded more than 150 Hawaiian songs in his home recording studio. Through these recordings and his live performances, Bill has earned the respect of the living legends of Hawaiian music for preserving and spreading the tradition while moving it forward. Listen to a few examples of Bill's unique blend of Hawaiian tradition and the various other musical genres that have influenced Bill - in high quality MP3 Audio.
Press
In 1996, Bill had the privilege and honor of being selected as an opening act for the Portraits of Hawai'i's Music Concert - featuring legends of Hawaiian music and staged at New York's famed Carnegie Hall.
In 2003, Bill was selected as one of the top ten finalists in the Aloha Festivals Falsetto Contest on O`ahu where he competed for the grand prize of a recording contract with Hula Records. Although he did not place in the final judging, the greatest honor was that Bill was the ONLY finalist who was not from the state of Hawai'i. This distinction earned him radio interviews and other unforeseen publicity and resulted in his being dubbed across the state as "The Boy From New Jersey."
Honolulu Star-Bulletin - July 7, 2003 - 9th Annual Aloha Festivals Falsetto Contest Results
In 2004, Bill was again selected to compete in the Aloha Festivals Falsetto Contests on both the Big Island and O`ahu. He received advance press in Hawai`i as well as from his hometown newspaper.
Honolulu Star-Bulletin - September 10, 2004 - 10th Annual Aloha Festivals Falsetto Contest Preview
The Trentonian - September 13, 2004 - Ewing Resident Sings 'Hula'
When local Hawai`i musicians learned that Bill would be in town during the Aloha Festivals, he was invited to perform in the Aloha Fetsivals Steel Guitar Week at the Halekulani Hotel.
Honolulu Star-Bulletin - September 10, 2004 - Sound Of The Islands
Bill competed in the contests on both the Big Island and O`ahu where he took Third Place and Second Place respectively
Honolulu Star-Bulletin - September 17, 2004 - 10th Annual Aloha Festivals Falsetto Contest Results
In 2005, Bill was again selected to compete in the Aloha Festivals Falsetto Contests on both the Big Island and O`ahu. After taking Second Place on the Big Island, two weeks later he took First Place in both the Falsetto Singing and Hawaiian Language categories in the O`ahu contest - earning Bill a recording contract with Hula Records.
Waikiki Wiki-Wiki Wire - September 29, 2005 - Falsetto Contest Grand Prize Winner
Ewing Observer - November 2005 - Aloha From Ewing
Bill returned to Hawai`i in July 2006 to record his CD. The CD was released in September 2006 and was well received by the Honolulu Advertiser, Honolulu Star-Bulletin, and online media outlets specializing in Hawaiian music news.
Hula Records - September 2006 - What's Hot 2006
Honolulu Star-Bulletin - September 29, 2006 - John Berger's CD Reviews
Nahenahe.net - September 30, 2006 - This Week In Review
Bill returned to Hawai`i again in September 2007. Having already won the grand prize, he cannot compete in the falsetto contests again. But Bill goes to support the contestants and to help promote the contest and the falsetto tradition. This year, he had the privilege and honor of not only performing at the contest but also joining the house band to back-up the contestants - a band led by 2004 Falsetto Contest winner Lawrence Pau. This marked the first time that two former winners teamed up to support the next generation of falsetto singers. Bill also did some promotional media in support of the contest including an interview on KGMB-TV's "Sunrise on KGMB9" morning show. Bill joined the contest's host, local radio personality Harry B. Soria, Jr., for the interview.
Sunrise on KGMB9 - September 27, 2007 - Aloha Festivals Falsetto Contest
In addition to his return to the Aloha Festivals Falsetto Contest stage, Bill performed at any number of other venues during his nearly three-week stay in Hawai`i. Bill was often called upon as a "reliever" for local musicians who were off island on tour, while other appearances were impromptu performances with some of the legends of Hawaiian music who call Bill up out of the audience. One such impromptu performance at the Embassy Suites - with Bill's falsetto hero, Genoa Keawe - was attended by two of Hawai`i's leading radio personalities, Brickwood Galuteria and Kimo Kahoano, who had this to say about Bill on their morning radio show.
Na `Oiwi `Olino - October 1, 2007 - Na Mele O Hawai`i Nei
More
What is Hawaiian falsetto singing?
About the KINE/Aloha Festivals Frank B. Shaner Falsetto Contest
Highlights and Winners of the 2003 Falsetto Contest
While it unusual for a mainlander to become enamoured with the music of Hawai'i, Bill is not the first. He is simply the next in a long line of malihini ("strangers") to fall in love with the Hawaiian sound. Read Keith Haugen's take on this phenomenon.
Bill is a member of the Hawai'i Academy of Recording Arts (HARA) - a non-profit organization founded more than 20 years ago for the purpose of preserving the music and culture of Hawai'i. Each year, HARA presents the Hawaiian music community with the Na Hoku Hanohano Awards - the Hawaiian equivalent of the "Grammies." Read more about HARA's important mission and how you can help support their efforts.