Birds sing to claim territory and proclaim their dominance. Frank B. Shaner sees a parallel in the art of Hawaiian falsetto singing but describes it in different terms. Amateur falsetto singers
flock for Shaner shootoutBy John Berger
jberger@starbulletin.com"A falsetto singer is just like a gunslinger. People who can sing great falsetto know that they're armed and at any time they can display this gift that has been afforded them," he said. "Of course, there are a lot of people who might resent this and look at falsetto singers as arrogant, but they're not. They just know that they have this ability, and it's a unique art."
Shaner knows what's he talking about. He's the falsetto-singing founder and namesake of Hawaii's most visible falsetto contest, and although he says that he doesn't "take singing seriously," he'll doubtless be appraising the competitors with a gunslinger's eye as they aim for top honors in the Seventh Annual Frank B. Shaner Hawaiian Falsetto Contest at the Hawaii Theatre tomorrow night.
The winner gets a recording deal with Hula Records, $500 cash and the prestige that comes with winning a major cultural competition. However, being one of the runners-up is also an honor; Bobby Moderow is a perfect example of a runner-up who went on to big things. His group, Maunalua, won Hawaiian Album of the Year at the Hoku Awards in May. Stan Priddy placed third in Shaner's contest a few years ago but then took top honors in the Clyde "Kindy" Sproat Storytelling and Falsetto Contest on the Big Island.
And, because all of tomorrow's finalists survived a rigorous screening process, it's fair to say that making it to the finals in Shaner's contest is a badge of honor.
Where: Hawaii Theatre Seventh Annual Frank B. Shaner
Hawaiian Falsetto Contest
When: 7 p.m. tomorrow
Tickets: $30 for orchestra and loges, $25 for balcony, $20 for upper balcony seating. A $2 fee will be added to all ticket prices. There is a $5 discount per ticket with presentation of 2001 Aloha Festivals ribbon. Order tickets by phone at 528-0506.
Information: 589-1771 or toll free at (800) 852-7690
Shaner started singing falsetto as part of his career as a stand-up comic. He found that late-night crowds rarely expected "a haole boy singing falsetto" and that a verse or two of "I Kona" or "Blue Darling" was always good for a laugh. Someone at the Don Ho Show told Shaner one night that he ought to take his singing seriously. Shaner eventually made his way to the Big Island and entered Sproat's contest, placing "third or whatever," suggesting that he may have placed high simply because there weren't many other entrants.
True or not, he enjoyed the experience so much that he decided to start a similar contest on Oahu as an Aloha Festivals fund-raiser. He didn't expect the Oahu contest to become his namesake, but the Oahu contest quickly became the more visible of the two annual events. Shaner is an accessible and articulate spokesman.
"Kindy Sproat is the grandfather of the presentation of falsetto. I'm just a student of the thing, but I thought our gang over here on this island should sing falsetto and get Aloha Festivals involved. It's a big fund-raiser for a good cause, and we went with it. It's been a great experience."
The Oahu contest has helped demystify falsetto singing and encouraged new talents to come forward. Competition is limited to men 18 and older who have never made a professional recording. The finalists are pre-screened to weed out any well-intentioned but tone-deaf screechers and squallers, but the field each year represents a cross-section of the population. Some contestants enter the contest with previous experience as entertainers. Others are unpretentious but talented blue-collar guys -- truck drivers and forklift operators -- who enjoy singing around the house or at family parties.
Shaner considers himself one of the latter. He enjoys singing most by keeping it separate from his livelihood. "Work" for Shaner is being the star of the Hawaiian 105 KINE morning show and writing material for the sequel to his Hoku Award-winning comedy album, "The Adventures of Leimomi."
"I don't think I take singing seriously, and that's why I enjoy it so much. If I took it seriously, I don't think I'd feel the essence of it. I just enjoy the art form. I'm not being prejudiced or anything, but falsetto singing is probably the greatest form of Hawaiian music to come out of the Hawaiian Islands."
Here are past falsetto contest winners and where you can hear them on disc: Past winners have gone on
to record splendid albums>> Cody "Pueo" Pata (2000) -- His beautiful debut album, "E Ho'i Na Wai," was released three weeks ago.
>> Chauncy Bermodez (1999) -- Recorded two songs for the Hoku Award-winning compilation album "Aloha Festivals Hawaiian Falsetto Contest Winners" in 2000; performed with his group, Ko'u Mana'o, in the 2001 Ka Himeni Ana competition last weekend.
>> Sam Keli'iho'omalu (1998) -- Recorded an excellent full-length album, "Ola Ka 'Oiwi," for Hula Records in 1999.
>> Matsutani Kichizo (1997) -- The Kyoto resident recorded two songs for the Aloha Festivals anthology.
>> Kali'i Stern (1996) -- Recorded solo debut album, "He Mana'o He Aloha," in 1998; joined 'Ale'a and recorded Hoku Award-winning album "Take Me Home" in 2000; resigned from 'Ale'a last month. Currently completing degree requirements at the University of Hawaii at Manoa. Will be seen in Manoa Valley Theatre's production of "Smokey Joe's Cafe" in September.
>> Moses "Moke Boy" Kamealoha III (1995) -- Recorded two albums, "Pahea 'Oe E Kalapana" and "Dream Hawaii," for Tom Moffatt's Bluewater Records.
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