Mr. Harada, I am writing regarding Danny Couch's Fan Appreciation/Tribute Site, Danny Couch Fanaddicts, which I have on-line.   I am an avid reader of your columns here in Seattle via the internet which some are featured on my website for Danny.  
     I was interested to see if it were possible to get some information and comments from you about Danny and his music.      Especially since his new CD "Danny Couch, Then and Now" is dedicated to both you and his father, due to your love of the songs from Phantom of the Opera. I have heard some of the story but would enjoy it if you would enlighten us somewhat.

I would love to feature something from you on the website if possible, connecting to the new Cd.

 Attn. Please Mr. Harada, regarding Danny Couch

 Lea:
Some info you might be able to use, re: Danny couch...

I first met and heard Danny, decades ago, when he joined The Aliis, the now-defunct musical ensemble once associated with Don Ho (like in Don Ho & The Aliis).
Danny's voice always has been a stand-out; jumps out at you, from within the ranks. With The Aliis, his smooth ballad style became a highlight of what the group did in nightclub shows. In recordings, he finally was able to strut his stuff after he left the group. After all, he is a solo trouper at the core.
Anyway, I've long been a fan of Broadway and Broadway music; I make an annual trip to New York, to get my fill of musical theater. I gravitate to shows and acts that perform this genre of music on the local scene, and Danny recognized and realized my admiration of "Phantom of the Opera" tunes when he was in the audience last spring, when I was honored by the Manoa Valley Theatre, a local theater group, in their annual fund-raiser endeavor, in which two good performer friends, *Craig Schulman and Cris Groenendaal, were guest artists from the big apple. Schulman starred as Jean Valjean in "Les Miserables" here and on Broadway; Groenendaal was the Phantom in that show's visit here, and he's played the part in New York, too. Anyway, these two stellar musical theater acts enraptured the audience, Danny included, with their evening of show and some non-show tunes, and they both did the biggies from their respective productions. Well, it was magic -- which prompted Danny to dust off "Phantom" tracks he had done earlier, to revive and include in this "Then and Now" Cd. I was flattered and honored and even humbled to learn that he quietly, without my knowledge, dedicated the two songs to me. His versions are very, very faithful to the spirit of the originals but more importantly, his voice suits the tunes and brings new magic and breadth to the stage classics.
and that's the story...   * Go to This Page for some follow-up information on these two Phantoms.

Go To Wayne's Review on "Then and Now"

Go To Wayne's Review on "I Love Hawaii The Journey"

Go To Wayne's Review on "Christmas In Hawaii"

Go To Wayne's Stellar Review on "Danny Couch Sings The Great American Classics" '06

Kit Samson

Back in the early 70's, Prior to The Aliis, Danny was found at the Kahala Hilton's Maile Restaurant. Danny would pinch hit on drums in the Maile Lounge when the regular drummer couldn't make it. A short time later he actually joined the band. Kit Samson, who plays strictly by ear, was the band leader of Sound Advice. Kit, of course, featured Danny on several songs. It was here that members of The Ali'is heard him and saw him play drums,  and convinced him to join their group in Waikiki. Kit Samson, who was born to play the piano, has long endeared himself to Honolulu following his three-decades-long career as a versatile keyboarder and the mastermind of Kit Samson’s Sound Advice (a staple in the glorious days of the Kahala Hilton and still seen around town at various special events) and as a soloist at the Ala Moana Hotel’s Mahina Lounge.
 

Hawai'i pianist Kit Samson releases 'Encore' of favorite romantic tunes

Danny Couch has performed early on in his successful career with Mr. Kit Samson. Now offering a new Cd. Mr. Samson has been featured on our website at
www.dannycouchfanaddicts.com/introduction.htm
 Musical Artistry extraordinaire!
Kit Samson's piano artistry is unmatched, and a new CD proves it once again.
Meanwhile, two re-issues on CD bring back fond memories of growing-up-time songs and of a Waimanalo chorus.

"ENCORE!" BY KIT SAMSON; SAMSONATA RECORDS

 LISTEN  Listen to All Selections (Thirty sec. of each song, 7 min. total, streaming MP3 format.) © 2005 Kit Samson

"Somewhere In Time" Genre: Piano instrumentals.
Kit Samson is perhaps Hawai'i's most celebrated pianist; with an international repertoire, his musicianship is admired by listeners and savored by singers. He personalizes movie tunes and standards with heartfelt tenderness. On this record, "Clair De Lune" projects passion, "Moon River" suggests romance and "The Impossible Dream" reflects hopeful quests. The most expressive cut is "Linus and Lucy," offering joyful playfulness with a jolt of jazz elements. You're a good man, Samson! A medley of Carpenter tunes shows off Samson's precise touch on the ivories and skill at arrangement. Don't forget that this is the same keyboarder who played at President Bush's inaugural this year.

The outlook: Should win quick approval from fans. ~A romantic album.
Fanaddicts wishes our friend a very Happy Holiday '05, and the best with your new release.

To Pierre Grill of Rendezvous Recording Studio. To you and all my friends, thanks for your continuous support and friendship.

LISTEN TO

A Message from Friends                                                        Click on Photos to enlarge

    I have had the privilege of meeting Wayne several times during our Christmas visits to Hawaii. Wayne has been a very close friend of Danny's for many years. And in fact was instrumental in getting Danny to be computer savvy, Thank you for that Wayne...

    His daughter was featured on our Featured Fanaddicts Page 1 since it's onset now they have their own page since I thought those who Serve and Protect should be given our thanks. His daughter was the first to have Danny's song Kuu'ipo from his then new CD "Something to Remember" as the theme song for her wedding the day before her photo was taken.

    Wayne lives in Colorado (my home state) and he has generously added some comments and a photo to our site. I'm sure many will agree with what he has to say.      Mahalo Wayne and A hui hou. ~Lea

Hi Lea:

I wasn't at the New Years Eve show this last year, but I understand it was a sellout.

    I've known Danny for over 12 years and consider him not only the greatest singer on the planet, but also a very endearing friend. Over the years, we have done so many things together, I don't know where to start.

His heart is as big as all out doors and I feel blessed to have him call me Brother and a member of his Ohana. I only regret that all of his fans who enjoy his music, do not know the person behind the music. He is very genuine and what you see is real. Feel free to use this in your site. I attached a recent photo (Taken July). Danny and I have traveled a lot together. Maui, Kauai (helicopter ride), The big Isle and all over Oahu. He is a terrific guide. I make it over there twice a year, except for last year and we just hang out a lot. We try to get him away from the spotlight, but no matter where we go, someone knows him. We even met in Vegas one year and had a ball. Keep up the good work ~Wayne

***     

Kamaka Brown is AlohaWorld's resident comic and roving ambassador. Kamaka Brown has performed in comedy clubs and concert venues in Honolulu, Las Vegas and throughout California. Originally from Waimea Valley, Oahu, he has not forgotten his island roots. He is an editor of an online site containing short stories of growing up in Hawaii. He also hosts an online site called "Kamaka Brown's Kanak Attack" on www.alohaworld.com
 

Aloha Lea:

Kamaka Brown ova hea from AlohaWorld.com ... I am on staff on AW and editor of "Hanabuddah Days" site. If you haven't had a chance to check out "Hanabuddah Days" please do so. There are more than 50 wonderful "small kid kine" stories about growing up in the islands.

    As editor, I am always on the look out for another "Hanabuddah Days" story. Eh... how about YOU??!!

How about a story about the FIRST time you heard DANNY COUCH.

Then the first time you SAW him play and sing live??!! Come on, Lea there has GOT to be a story there!!

    I met Danny back in the early 70's when I worked as maitre'd at the Kahala Hilton's Maile Restaurant. Danny would pinch hit on drums in the Maile Lounge when the regular drummer couldn't make it. For a short time later he actually joined the band.

    Kit Samson was the band leader of Sound Advice. Kit, of course, featured Danny on several songs. I think it was here that members of the Ali'is heard him and convinced him to join their group in Waikiki.

    Danny back then was really, as Hawaiians say "keonimana" .. a gentleman. Always taking time for a kind word with guests as well as employees like myself. Not bad for a boy from Nanakuli, eh?

Looking forward to your "Hanabuddah Days" story.

Aloha and Hauoli Makahiki Hou

Kamaka Brown

editor, "Hanabuddah Days" on Aloha World

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Bringing Aloha to the Internet... Island Comic Kamaka Brown
"Local Style Comedy CD:
Touching Brains...Comedy for the Lolo Impaired"
available online: www.touchingbrains.com

                                                                  Images Donated Page and write-up By Lea Cook                       

With Aloha. Special Mahalo to Kit Samson for some great Danny Memories,

Kamaka Brown for your interest in our site
A Big Mahalo to both Waynes for your contribution and support
 

All contents, text, music, photos used in this website MAY NOT  be duplicated,