Aidan James, the 12-year-old ukulele wizard, has recorded three versions of "One of the Ones," which he co-wrote with Nashville composer Jeff Dayton. He’ll get a national boost when the tune is featured on CBS’ "Hawaii Five-0" on Friday. Earlier that morn, Aidan will perform it on Hawaii News Now.
Gaylord Holomalia produced the ditty — a sweet lollipop for his fans — at Island Sound Studios at the Hawaii Kai Shopping Center. It’s available for downloading and purchase this week via iTunes.
This is a major milestone for the youngster and another step up in his quest for stardom. Two other versions exist, one produced by Johnny Helm, and a "club mix" produced by Sebastian Hughes.
Aidan, the son of Angela Laprete, associate producer on "Five-0," is heard on Train leader Pat Monahan‘s Feb. 3 "Patcast" podcast (available on iTunes, YouTube and patcast.com). Monahan interviews Aidan about the role of the ukulele and his emerging popularity; the 48-minute give-and-take is capped by a performance by Aidan and Monahan on Train’s "Hey, Soul Sister."
Aidan was 4 when he started classes at Roy Sakuma‘s studio to learn "the instrument of Hawaii." His "Hey, Soul Sister" video, with its uke presence, has become a YouTube sensation, with 18 million hits to date. Aidan joined Train in the 2013 Pro Bowl halftime show at Aloha Stadium. In recent weeks, he’s been composing more originals and has six private appearances on Maui in April plus a public mini-concert at 3 p.m. April 3 at Ala Moana Center’s Centerstage. Busy!
DATES TO CIRCLE: "Merienda for Maricris," from 3 to 7 p.m. March 16 at the Apple Tree Restaurant (formerly Loulen’s) at 1125 N. King St., will feature the singer who lost her beloved aunt and brother in the Typhoon Haiyan tragedy. Maricris Baniqued, who sings weekends with a band called NightShade at the Apple Tree, will be featured in the no-host food-drink-music event that Emme Tomimbang is coordinating (along with Amelia Casamina Cabatu and Luis and Len Butay) assembling fellow local Filipino troupers like Little Albert Maligmat, Kristian Lei, Society of Seven LV and Charles Degala.
"Merienda" means a meal between meals — like a snack. For information, call 853-2212. …
HERE ‘N’ THERE: That was "The Voice" judge Adam Levine, leader of Maroon 5, performing with his band in a private gig recently at a Wailea resort. Levine is People magazine’s reigning Sexiest Man Alive. …
The Kahala Hotel’s 50th anniversary celebration continues in March at the Veranda with a series of performances — with an accent on jazz — with David Swanson regularly headlining Tuesdays through Saturdays. But stellar troupers join in, too: Sunday, the John Kolivas Trio with Star Kalahiki; Monday, Kolivas with Maila Gibson; March 16, Robert Shinoda with Rocky Brown; March 17, Kolivas with Gibson; March 23, Joshua Kaye Trio with Riya Davis; March 24, Kaye with Rachel Gonsalves; March 30, Makana; and March 31, Shinoda with Gonsalves. …
COLOR HIM GREEN: Keyboarder Don Conover goes green at four St. Patrick’s Day events beginning Friday, when he appears — as Don O’Conover, complete with green beard and joined by percussionist William O’Wiley — at a private St. Pat’s party at the Plaza Club. Then it’s nonstop Irish fare from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Saturday at the Hawaii Yacht Club, from noon to 3 p.m. March 17 at the Waikiki Elks Club and finally March 21 at One Kalakaua senior residence.
The yacht club and Elks shows require guest sponsorship for access; go to donconoverhawaii@earthlink.net for details.
Meanwhile, The Green, the island reggae band, will interrupt its April mainland tour to return home to be Bruno Mars‘ opening act at the superstar’s three Blaisdell Arena concerts April 18, 19 and 21. …
And that’s "Show Biz." …
Wayne Harada is a veteran entertainment columnist; reach him at 266-0926 or wayneharada@gmail.com; read his Show and Tell Hawaii blog at www.staradvertiser.com.
