Founder of the internationally acclaimed, contemporary Hawaiian music
troupe "HAPA" in 1983, Barry Flanagan, a self-proclaimed "perpetual
student", is an evolving musical visionary. Born in New York City and
raised in nearby Bergen County, New Jersey, Barry Flanagan came to the
Hawaiian Islands in 1980 to study and explore the art of Ki Ho Alu, or
slack-key guitar, and Haku Mele, Hawaiian poetic song composing. Flanagan
heard slack key master Gabby Pahinui, which inspired Flanagan's first visit
and eventual move to the Valley Island of Maui. Flanagan immersed himself
in Hawaiian culture and art, seeking out poetic language and slack key
guitar instruction, passionately studying both indigenous art forms with
Maui as the backdrop. An "eternal spring of inspiration for artists and
writers from around the world" is how Flanagan describes Maui.
A prolific composer and performer, and one of Hawaii's most respected
and celebrated recording artists and producers, Barry Flanagan has composed
many of Hawaii's most popular and cherished songs. In 1994, the Hawaii
Academy of Recording Arts honored Flanagan, and Hawaiian language
instructor/translator S.H. Kiope Raymond, with the prestigious "Haku Mele"
award. This acknowledgement, for "excellence of song composition in the
Native Hawaiian language", was bestowed for the now classic Hawaiian love
song, "Lei Pikake." Flanagan's production and composing accolades included
single of the year for the hauntingly beautiful "Ku´u Lei, Ku´u Ipo", and
the producer's award for Hapa's initial CD release.
Hapa's benchmark self-entitled initial release swept all six categories
it was nominated for at the 1994 Na Hoku Hanohano Awards (Hawaiian
equivalent of the Grammy's). Produced, composed, and arranged by Flanagan,
"HAPA" still maintains Top Ten statuses on the Hawaiian music charts
ten-year's after it's initial release. Its groundbreaking sales have
established it as the number one selling recording by a group or duo in the
history of recorded Hawaiian music. Both follow up Hapa recordings, 1997's
"In the Name of Love", and 1999's "Namahana", produced and arranged by
Flanagan, debuted in Billboard's Top Ten World Music chart. The troupe
continues to tour internationally, performing to sold-out concert halls from
New York to Tokyo.
In 2000, Flanagan co-composed a song with friend Kenny Loggins for his
Grammy nominated "More Songs from Pooh Corner" release. The song, "Hana
Aluna Lullaby" includes a chorus in the Hawaiian language, making this the
first song utilizing Hawaiian lyrics to receive this distinction.
In 2002, Flanagan released his first solo project "Instrumental Peace"
that was the biggest selling instrumental recording by a Hawaii artist in
2003. "Instrumental Peace" reached the #1 spot on New York Cityıs world
music cable station MP1, prompting Borders Books and Music to commission it
for a nationwide in-store promotional campaign.
Flanagan is currently composing songs for a new HAPA release planned for
summer 2004, spending as much time as possible between touring on the island
of Maui, which remains the "heart of all my songwriting inspiration."
Eric Gilliom was born in Lakewood, California and raised on the valley isle of Maui. He began studying theater, music and dance at age 14 and quickly realized that entertainment was to be his profession. Born into a musical family, Eric's grandmother, Jennie "Napua" Woodd choreographed and starred in over 200 Hollywood films and T.V shows along side the Marx Brothers, Shirley Temple, The Ink Spots and many others.
At 17 he was the first person of Hawaiian ancestry to be accepted to the prestigious Goodman School of Performing Arts in Chicago. He spent the next four years training and performing with Chicago's best and braving the inclement weather of the windy city. After graduating with honors he moved to L.A and landed a role in the movie Hoosiers opposite Gene Hackman. In the years to follow he guest starred on numerous episodic T.V shows like Moonlighting, My Sister Sam and Heart of the City.
In 1989, Debbie Allen (Fame) asked Eric to join the cast of a new Broadway bound rock musical called "Carrie" starring Betty Buckley, The show opened at the Royal Shakespeare Theater in London and then in New York two years later. Soon after, famed choreographer, Jerome Robbins (West Side Story) cast Eric along side New York's finest singers and dancers in "Jerome Robbins Broadway". The sheer volume of shows that he has done is impressive, some 35 musicals, 26 dramas, 13 of Shakespeare's works including the role of Hamlet.
In the winter of 1992, Eric took a singing job with a Los Angeles based band called Danny Turbo and the V8's with famous saxophonist Dave Koz, hoping to bring him a little closer to Hawaii. After 10 years on the road he could shuttle back and forth on a regular basis to see his family.
The mid 90's was a prolific time for Eric, performing at Carnegie Hall with Kealii Reichel, producing, directing and starring in The Rocky Horror Show and lending his writing, arranging and vocal talents to more than two dozen CD's before recording his own in 1996 titled "Into the Mystic". He toured that album opening for Al Jarreau, Earl Klugh and Bobby Caldwell. His second CD "Chow Fun" would bring him even more success, taking him on the road with Actor/Comedian and friend Jamie Foxx as the closing act of his "Somebody Call Security" tour. Jamie then brought Eric back to Los Angeles to guest star on The Jamie Foxx Show and create a variety show for the WB in 2003.
Finally based on Maui, he is currently recording with Willie K as the "Barefoot Natives" and developing film and T.V projects.