"Flying" is Kohala's third CD, and was recorded during the summer of 2000 in Kamuela, on the Big Island of Hawaii. Here, in their classic Kohala style, they perform instrumental arrangements of Hawaii°s contemporary hit songs. Kohala°s style reflects the gentle life and natural beauty of the region after which they were named. Guitarists: Charles Michael Brotman (heard in the center) plays the lead on his nylon string classical guitar; Kevin Teves (heard on the right speaker), and Charlie Recaido (on the left) play acoustic finger-style guitar. The handmade guitars used on this recording were made by Eric Sahlin and James Goodall. KOHALA BIOGRAPHY (pronounced Ko hall ah) KOHALA's music - instrumental arrangements for acoustic and classical guitars - reflects the pristine beauty of the Kohala region on the Big Island where the trio lives. Kohala fans are people of all ages who appreciate the beauty of acoustic instruments and great guitar playing. Lead guitarist, Grammy Award winning Charles Michael Brotman, is a classical guitarist who began playing contemporary jazz after completing graduate studies in music. Kevin Teves and Charlie Recaido grew up in Hawaii playing island music with a finger picking style on steel string acoustic guitars. The combination of the trio's diverse musical influences creates their own distinct sound - an acoustic blend of contemporary Hawaiian, folk and jazz. Grammy Award winner Charles Michael Brotman has lived in Hawaii since 1976. He grew up on Mercer Island, Washington, his first introduction to formal music lessons was at age 8 as a violin student, and at age 12 he discovered the guitar and performed with various bands throughout Washington State during his teens. He attended undergraduate school in music at Cornish Institute and The Evergreen State College and received an M.A. degree in music from the University of Hawaii at Manoa, where he taught classical guitar at the University of Hawaii for nine years. While Charles is known throughout Japan and the US for his role as the lead guitarist for KOHALA, he is also known internationally as a composer and producer. Charles is the first recipient of the Grammy Award for "Best Hawaiian Music CD" (Producer, Slack Key Guitar Volume 2, Various Artists), is a multi Na Hoku Hanohano Award winner, and has won Producer of the year (2005) at the Hawaii Music Awards. His recordings have reached #1 on the Billboard World Music Chart and the Billboard New Age Music Chart. Five of his guitar recordings have charted in the top 10 on national radio charts in World, Smooth Jazz, and New Age. Charles works out of his Lava Tracks Recording Studio in Kamuela, Hawaii and is the President of Palm Records. Recaido, born and raised in Hawaii, performed and recorded with the group Summer, which toured in the US and Japan in the late 70s with Kalapana. Summer was a headliner at "Toppe Ada Shoppe", the hotspot in Honolulu in the 70s that spawned the contemporary renaissance of music in Hawaii. Recaido also lives in Waimea in the Kohala region and works as an independent engineer and producer in between KOHALA tours and recording projects. Recaido has performed on a Grammy Award winning CD. Teves grew up on Oahu, and like Recaido, frequently performed at the "Toppe Ada Shoppe" in Honolulu. He performed and recorded with the group "Akona", played in the band "Solbrea" with Brother Noland, and played and recorded with Recaido in a band called "Pahoehoe". Teves lives in the coffee growing belt of Hawaii near Kona on the Big Island. AWARDS:  GRAMMY AWARD (2005): Charles Michael Brotman, Producer, Slack Key Guitar Volume 2 (Palm Records)  HOKU AWARD (2005): Charles Michael Brotman, Producer, Hula! Big Island Style  NAMMY AWARD Finalist: "Best World Recording": BACK TO KOHALA (2003)  HOKU AWARD Finalist: Kohala, Cool Breeze (2003), Lullaby (2001), Flying (2000) RADIO CHARTS:  USA: Top 10 on New Age Reporter and NAV  Japan: Top 10 on Oricon KEY VENUES HEADLINED:  Japan: The Blue Note, Osaka; Sweet Basil, Tokyo; The Blue Note, Fukuoka  Hawaii: The Hamakua Music Festival; Maui Arts and Culture Center; McCoy Studio Theater; Aloha Theatre; The Atherton Theatre RECORDINGS: "KOHALA" (Palm Records1998), "ISLAND TREASURES" (Palm Records 1998), "FLYING" (Palm Records 2000), "LULLABY" (Palm Records 2001), "BACK TO KOHALA" (Palm Records 2002) "COOL BREEZE" (2003) REVIEWS  Honolulu Advertiser "This collection assembles songs that have been favorites in Hawai'i for the past three decades, and hearing them without lyrics, you gain new respect and appreciation for their unbridled simplicity. The material includes a handful of Kalapana-linked hits, such as "Nightbird," "For You I’d Chase a Rainbow" and "Juliet," plus a Henry Kapono signature ("Friends") and one by Cecilio Rodrigues ("Summer Lady"). Patrick Downes’ "Flying" (a Peter Moon Band smash that featured Martin Pahinui) and Robert Wilson’s "Follow That Road" (and a trademark for Pauline Wilson) take on new, ethereal beauty with the quiet, uncluttered arrangements. And Wade Cambern’s "Love and Honesty" doesn’t lose any luster without Robi Kahakalau’s missing vocals. Group leader Brotman’s jaunty original, "Mango Cooler," fits well into this family of gentle giants, reflecting - like the rest of the fare - the beauty and the charms that constitute Hawai'i." Wayne Harada  Wind and Wire "These three artists have recorded some of the most beautiful acoustic instrumental tunes I've heard in a few years - this music is fantastic! Kohala are exceptional talents ... ", Bill Binkelman  The Honolulu Advertiser: "KOHALA...A new ethereal beauty with quiet uncluttered arrangements...The beauty and charms that constitute Hawaii." Wayne Harada  The Honolulu Star-Bulletin, John Berger "KOHALA...Call this exquisite!" "The tranquillity and delicacy of their arrangements...the interplay between the instruments...merits attentive listening."  Billboard Magazine: "Palm Records; their top artist is KOHALA, an acoustic guitar trio residing on the Big Island poised to conquer Japan..."  Aloha Joe Radio : "Cool Breeze ... mesmerizing ... KOHALA ... these talented Big Island artists who continue to amaze us with their sensitivity, inventiveness and magical sounds."  Islands Magazine: "For simply beautiful guitar instrumentals, look no farther than ...KOHALA..." Dewey Schurman  Honolulu Magazine: "One of the most soothing CDs we've heard in a long time is KOHALA..." John Alves  Contemporary Jazz Review: "Brotman is certain to have a bright future in contemporary jazz" Dan Margules