Yab Yum Records
Tenderoni - The Honolulu Treat:
Left to right, Dee Williams, Jay Williams,
Tee Kaleiopu and Max Williams.

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Tenderoni in the groove
for diva-hood

By John Berger
Special to the Star-Bulletin

Attention, Nickolas: Tenderoni misses you!

"He's a little boy who would come to every one of our performances. I don't know how he knew about them all, but he'd always be there," Tenderoni's Dee Williams explains. "There's only one Nickolas and we love him!"

The other 'Ronis -- Jay, Max, and Tee -- second the emotion.

The Yab Yum/Epic Records recording artists were talking outside the I-94 studios last week while their entourage hung out at a respectful distance -- available if needed, but not intruding on the conversation.

Tenderoni came home from Los Angeles -- where they have been artists in training -- to celebrate a milestone. Their first Yab Yum recording, "Baby I," is part of the "Soul Food" movie soundtrack.

The song was written and produced by multi Grammy-winner Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds. The creative relationship is continuing as " 'Face" and his wife, Yab Yum CEO Tracey Edmonds, oversee work on Tenderoni's first national album.

"It's the bomb," Jay Williams said of the movie, of being part of the LaFace Records/20th Century Fox soundtrack album, working with " 'Face," and -- perhaps most of all -- coming home after almost six months in Los Angeles.

"The most difficult thing (about L.A.) was missing our family and friends (although) we also miss performing in Hawaii and all the love and support we feel when we're on stage here," she adds.

Tenderoni got plenty of hometown love when they performed in conjunction with I-94's premiere of "Soul Food."

First at Cinerama Theatre, then at World Cafe, the girls proved adept at selling the nuances of a contemporary song. Lead vocalist Jay delivered the sexy Babyface lyric with confident authority; her partners provided effective support, proving Tenderoni is a national-caliber act.

Their first full-length album, "West Side Harmony," earned critical acclaim here less than a year ago. They were Hawaii's top Pop 40 "girl group" when they signed with Yab Yum/Epic Records and Sony Music.

Months of artist development at the Edmonds Entertainment facilities in Los Angeles accelerated their progress. Dee says they can spend up to eight hours a day working with choreographers, vocal coaches, costume designers, arrangers and producers.

Other consultants provide tips and training on everything from stage presence to maintaining good relations with the media. They also have personal trainers. The results show in the 'Roni's new look, sleek and streamlined.

"We're working hard to do our best to represent Hawaii and get ourselves prepared for what's ahead of us," she adds.

Less than two years ago Tenderoni beat Forte for top honors in a local talent contest. Some called it an upset, but the Waianae quartet -- sisters Dee, Jay and Max Williams, and cousin Tee Kaleiopu -- proved the win was no fluke.

They were signed to a local recording contract almost immediately and spent much of 1996 refining their harmonies in studio sessions backing other artists. They were showcased on several local anthologies and displayed talent as song writers as well.

"The way it happened for us isn't going to happen for everybody else," Dee said. "God was watching over us. He answered our prayers and guided us. The competition in L.A. is great, but we want to tell the youth of Hawaii to not give up on their dreams. Support Hawaii talent and keep the love."

And so they're wishing Forte and every other local recording act the best of luck. Dee shared her "Support Hawaii Talent" message when Tenderoni performed at the House of Blues for the "Soul Food" premiere in Los Angeles several weeks ago.

Their first album for Yab Yum/Epic is on track and should be out "early next year" Dee says. Meanwhile, Tenderoni is working full time. From here they go to Washington D.C., for a "Soul Food" premiere, then back to L.A. to resume work on the album."

"It's the love and the support that we feel from home that carries us through each day. We're grateful to everybody for always being there for us and supporting us."