Willie K

William Awihilima Kahaiali'i, known as Willie K,[1] is a Hawaiian musician. He performs in a variety of musical styles, including blues, rock, Hawaiian, and opera.[1] Born and raised in Lahaina, Maui, Willie began performing at the age of 10 in his father's band alongside his brothers.[2]

In 1993, Willie began a collaboration with Amy Hānaialiʻi Gilliom that would last for nine years. The pair recorded, performed, and toured together, and also shared a personal relationship.[3] Their recordings won seven Na Hoku Hanohano Awards, part of Willie's total of 18 Hokus as a musician and producer.[4]

In 2005, Willie's reunion album with Gilliom, Amy & Willie Live, was nominated for a Grammy in the first year of the Best Hawaiian Music Album award.[5]

In 2007, Willie K became one of a very few artists to win a Hoku as part of three different acts - his collaboration with Eric Gilliom won Best Contemporary Hawaiian Album, and was added to wins already achieved with Amy and as a solo artist.[6]

References

  1. 1 2 Paul Liberatore (2015-12-03). "Willie K, from Hawaiian Hendrix to Polynesian Pavarotti". Marin Independent Journal. Retrieved 2016-04-09.
  2. http://www.mtv.com/artists/willie-k/biography/
  3. Olena Heu and Melissa Chang (2014-10-26). "Amy Hanaiali‘i and Willie K are reunited". Retrieved 2016-04-09.
  4. http://williek.com/artist/awards/
  5. Wilma Consul (2005-02-11). "Hawaiian Music Makes Its Grammy Debut". Retrieved 2016-04-09.
  6. John Berger (2007-06-21). "Na Hoku honors Gilliom, Kaukahi". Retrieved 2016-04-09.

External links

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