Na Kane O Makuaole Band Expands by Adding Nephews

In September of 2009, The band "Na Kane O makuaole" expanded by adding three Nephews. Jacob Cox, who plays acoustic guitar and keyboards, can also double for the group as a vocalist when needed. "Jake has an excellent ear for music, both instrumentally and vocally." He provides our group with a tremendous amount of flexibilty from many different standpoints. Jake is a very quick learner and is a skilled musician. He is currently single and has a son "Koa" who he loves and cherishes dearly. He is the Oldest of three Sons from Marlin Cox, one of the band originators and is an awesome asset to our band. We welcome Jake and his talents to our band with open arms and embrace him with the Aloha Spirit. Mahalo Jake for coming on board.
Robbie Leffler became a member of our band also and he to has some tremendous musical attributes that he to brings to our band. Robbie also plays the acoustic guitar and is a very quick learner. He loves playing and is very talented with a good ear for music, balance and fresh ideas that help to make each song we do "our own". Robbie is the oldest Son of Kimberly Hyden (our Sister) and has a Brother (Ryan) and Sister (Raegan). He receives much support from them being a part of this band as well from his GirlFriend (Katie Tapp). We are blessed to have Robbie make this committment to being a part of our band and welcome him also with the Aloha Spirit. Mahalo Robbie.

Josh King was the third newest member added to our band in September. Josh plays the acoustic guitar also giving us huge flexibilty in producing full instrumental sounds. Josh is a hard worker and fast learner and spends hours a week rehearsing at home when he gets the chance. He to loves playing and learning new songs and is dedicated towards being a valuable part of our band. Josh has a good ear for music understanding the importance of accuracy and timing as well as tones and patterns. Josh, is the youngest Son of Leah Renae Talkington, our Sister (who pasted away in 2001) and through her blessings will be a very gifted guitarist and band member. Josh is married to Sara King and they have two Children, a Daughter (Leila) and new Son (Leo) and has been blessed with this beautiful family. We welcome Josh with the Aloha Spirit and say Mahalo Josh for being a part of our Band.

Late in September, three more Nephews were added to our band. Part of this came about after having spent 2 awesome days with "Kroon", a Songwriter, Recording Artist, Producer and Performer who resides in Michigan, and now dear friend and member of our Ohana We had obtained a copy of a song written by our Tutu (Grandmother) that she never finished. Our youngest brother Carey, introduced the song to Kroon who, at that point, turned the song into an immediate project for us to finish. We spent two evenings working out lyrics and chords and indeed, finished the song. It was during this process that Kroon invited everyone to join in and sing and thats when we added two Nephews, Jordie Cox and Justin King. Both posess very gifted vocals with awesome pitch, tone quality and range. They bring a flare of modern sound to our more traditional hawaiian harmony we three brothers have developed over the years which have opened up endless potential in our vocal arrangements for future songs. Jordie is the youngest Son of Marlin Cox and lives in Franklin, Indiana. He works construction and has a younger Sister (Taylor) and many many talents. Justin is married to Amara and they have a daughter named "Zoe" and they reside in our home town of Columbus, Indiana. He is the middle Son of Leah Renae Talkington and he to has been blessed as a vocalist. A hard working father, Justin has a great future as a vocalist and we are blessed to have him as well. The Aloha Spirit reaches out to both Justin and Jordie and a big Mahalo to both for being a part of our band.

It was also during this time when we were spending hours working on Tutu's new song, that another gifted and talented musician made the committment to being apart of our band. We had three guitarist, two Uke players, a Bass player, a Keyboard Player and several vocalist, but what we didn't have to finish our ensemble was percussions. Joe King, the oldest Son of Leah Renae Talkington and Brother of Justin and Josh, became a member of our band in early October. We had approached Joe Mid September and we respected the fact that he, at that time, didn't feel he could make the committment needed. Joe came to us and said if we wanted him, he was all in and became our final newest member as a drummer/percussionist. This has added a much needed fullness to our overall sound by helping to create mood, tempo and feel to the arrangements we are working on. Joe has many years of experience as a drummer having played for different bands including his high school band. He was an instructor for band camps for many years and has a tremendous amount of wisdom and knowledge when it comes to beat, style, and percussion sounds. Joe has a son (Kai) and a Fiancee (Lauren) and they live in Columbus, Indiana as well. He has worked for Cummins for several years and is now a valued member of our band. We also embrace Joe with the spirit of aloha and to Joe we say Mahalo for joining us.

Posted by kahunaboto30 - October 18, 2009, 12:30 pm