Here is the latest news about HIMELE's steel guitar festivals and events.
Veteran musician and steel guitarist Ken Emerson has been added to the lineup of ho?olaule?a concert steel guitarists for the 2025 Kona Steel Guitar Festival.
Ken Emerson is one of the world's most highly regarded traditional Hawaiian steel guitarists. His unique playing style reflects the Hawaiian guitar's grassroots origins of over a century ago. He is the only steel guitarist who is also a virtuoso in slack key guitar, he combines both styles in what he calls "slack/steel" – a self-accompanying style that was popular in the very early days of hawaiian steel guitar.
Ken made a surprise guest appearance at the 2024 Hawai‘i Island Steel Guitar Experience at Mauna Lani on the festival's open stage program.
Ken splits his time between Hawaii and California, and on occasion performs with Jim "Kimo" West.
Steel Guitarist Sebastian Mueller published an article about Ken Emerson in the Squareneck Journal and it can be accessed here.
Patti Maxine unfortunately has withdrawn from the 2025 Kona Steel Guitar Festival program. Due to the recent air disasters, Patti feels that it's in her best interest to avoid air travel at this time.
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