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Last link to big-band era
tells how he got from
there to here

AUTHOR, AUTHOR: Congratulations to Del Courtney, 94, on successfully self-publishing his long-awaited autobiography, "Hey! The Band's Too Loud." Anyone who knows Courtney only for bringing big-band "tea dances" back to Hawaii in 1978, or as a member of the Oakland Raiders organization, will find his book educational as well as entertaining. Courtney opens the story of his life with the sudden attack of Guillain-Barre Syndrome in 1971 that left him paralyzed and written off as "terminal" for several months. That neatly written chapter provides an overview of his life to that point, and he then goes back to describe his childhood, his early years as teenage musician, and his subsequent career as a big-band leader in the '30s and '40s, recording artist, talk-show host, Hollywood actor, television producer/director, and his eventual retirement in Hawaii. Dave Brubeck and John Madden share their aloha for Courtney in brief introductory essays; the 70-plus illustrations include several photos taken during his engagement at the Alexander Young Hotel in 1935. Other people have tried to restart the big-band thing in Hawaii since Courtney retired, but he is the last living link to the original big bands of the '30s and '40s, and his book is a welcome look back at a great career. Here's hoping he gets to see his beloved Raiders win at least one more Super Bowl! ...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY: To Kristi Kashimoto and Palani Vaughan, who are celebrating tomorrow ... also to Makana (Sunday), Ron Klohs (known to oldies fans as The Real Ron O'Neil) and Noelani Mahoe (Monday), and Joanne Rose Banda, Jimmy Borges, Angela Baraquio Grey, and Angela Fernandez Morales (Wednesday) ......

REMEMBER THE GLADES? Connie M. Florez is collecting information on that famous nightclub for a documentary. She's looking for photographs, vintage film and memorabilia of all kinds, and also wants to talk with people who were part of the Glades scene as performers, staff or customers. Reach her at (808)-782-5610 or at info@TheGladesProject.com ....

SHORTS: Kelsey A.S. Kaneshiro, playing Panacea in "A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum" at Diamond Head Theatre, may hold the new record for brevity with her playbill bio. It's just two words, "Semper Fi!" ....