Summary: Asian-American special features Don Ho in Hawaii in his last face-to-face Public Radio interview with singing, songs and music tunes from the beach in Hawaii before he died in April 2007. This program recorded live from Waikiki reflects the carefree, happy-go-lucky lifestyle of its guest and provides samplings of the Asian-Hawaiian musical contribution that Don Ho gave to America and its unique American music hip & hop styles. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- This program promotes membership of a new audience of public radio listeners. This is a full, NO-Hole format. Audio content revised 30-April-2008. A News-Hole version is available at: http://www.prx.org/pieces/22401. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - CD Available at http://www.PRWW.org/CDHO.html
Hearing Ho?s version of ?Tiny Bubbles? has heretofore been the limit of my Don Ho experience. No more. I am not about to rush out and buy Don Ho?s greatest hits, mind you, but this smoothly produced hour gave me a genuine appreciation for why his audience loved him. I?d never realized how truly beautiful his pipes were.
The program host has a slightly old school style, but it works well in this piece and feels refreshingly different from current NPR voicing. The sound of waves in the background during the warm and relaxed interview is perfect; interview material nicely paced, interspersed with song.
Ho is Jimmy Buffet-like in his good time vibe, and while country music is Ho?s favorite, he knows for his audience he represents a certain spirit and he?s happy to oblige. Spirit is a word that comes up a lot in the interview, conducted a year after a stem cell transplant and heart surgery, and close to a year before he died.
Self-promotion is great, but insert 12 minutes in asking if I?m enjoying the program, urging me to let my public radio station know, falls like a thud. The pledge spot that follows also feels like an annoying interruption. I know, I know, it has to be that way smetimes. But In this piece, being pulled away from the waves is a jolt. Otherwise, really enjoyed this audio altar to the warm heart and generous spirit of Don Ho.
I'm sad to learn of the loss of our unofficial Ambassador of Hawaii. This program presented his a mini auto-biography that makes me feel that I now know Don Ho personally.
The host did an exceptional job of interfacing with the guest and asked just the questions I wanted to hear answered.
What could have been done better here? Maybe you could have made it two hours instead of one.
I love a variety of music from classical to Duke Ellington and I never really heard too much of Don Ho's music before. Your program helped me to see that he's not only Hawaii's Elvis as some call him but Hawaii's Frank Sinatra and Harry Connick, Jr., too, and he was very personable.
I tend to like it when a program gives good insight, such as this program did in an intimate way, into the background and personality of a person in the public spotlight. As a tribute to the life of a man with whom I believe many Americans identify as a legend of this great country, this program is tops! I only wish it could have been longer!
I would like to hear it on the air on New Year's Day or sooner. And, I now plan to become a member of public radio. Your program made me a believer. I love the classical. I love the jazz.
MOST IMPROVED AND OUTSTANDING! Kept me listening all the way to the end and I'd like to hear more.
I tend to like the style of the program's host who I've been monitoring over the years. If an award for ''Most Improved'' could be given, I think it would go here.
On some of the programs in the past, though I felt the host did an outstanding job, it seemed to me that perhaps he was doing all of the work -- the interviewing, the recording, the writing, the editing, the production and post production. I say that because I could occasionally hear the extent of the work effort in the voice -- maybe working to make deadlines. In this one, however, I hear a relaxed yet professional voice that's easy to listen to. And, I am now hearing very much the ''core value'' quality that is desired today in public radio -- but without sounding overly casual as too many do today without quality cerebration or wit.
The host seemed to bring out the best from Don Ho -- stayed right with him and on top of the interviewing -- and did so very well without overshadowing him. The subject matter seems especially timely for an end-of-the-year, new year's eve special (very relevant with Don Ho having died during the year).
The fundraising promos to encourage new public radio membership or renewal of one's membership before the end of the tax year at midnight new year's eve fast approaching was not only potentially very helpful to all of public radio but was very well handled with good balance. I would like to hear more programming done by this host.
Production wise, the musical pieces were expertly fit into the program and very well balanced for a program with exceptionally good flow. When would be the best airing time for this program? I would like to hear it most afternoon or evening several hours before midnight on New Year's eve as producers recommended; however, I might also enjoy it even on Christmas day too.
The enlightening interview with Don Ho was successful in revealing the many facets of this timeless entertainer, who was loved by young and old, alike. Knowing that this was the last live interview given before his death, makes it even more special. The interviewer was very thorough starting with the ancestry which revealed that there was not just one race in Hawaii, but various ethnic groups. The sound effects made the listener feel as if he were sitting in the audience while the singing of "Tiny Bubbles" was taking place. This was a very thorough interview which succeeded in being factual as well as entertaining . I enjoyed it very much.
Comments for Asian-American Special - Don Ho Tribute (58:59 or 59:59)
This piece belongs to the series "Asian-American Heritage Special"
Produced by Debra Dean, Stephen L. & Lloyd Gilbreath
Other pieces by Public Radio WorldWide - PRWW.org
Rating Summary
5 comments
Sydney Lewis
Posted on April 21, 2008 at 09:07 AM | Permalink
Review of Don Ho Tribute Anniversary Memorial - His Life & Music (Full Version) 58:59 or 59:59
Hearing Ho?s version of ?Tiny Bubbles? has heretofore been the limit of my Don Ho experience. No more. I am not about to rush out and buy Don Ho?s greatest hits, mind you, but this smoothly produced hour gave me a genuine appreciation for why his audience loved him. I?d never realized how truly beautiful his pipes were.
The program host has a slightly old school style, but it works well in this piece and feels refreshingly different from current NPR voicing. The sound of waves in the background during the warm and relaxed interview is perfect; interview material nicely paced, interspersed with song.
Ho is Jimmy Buffet-like in his good time vibe, and while country music is Ho?s favorite, he knows for his audience he represents a certain spirit and he?s happy to oblige. Spirit is a word that comes up a lot in the interview, conducted a year after a stem cell transplant and heart surgery, and close to a year before he died.
Self-promotion is great, but insert 12 minutes in asking if I?m enjoying the program, urging me to let my public radio station know, falls like a thud. The pledge spot that follows also feels like an annoying interruption. I know, I know, it has to be that way smetimes. But In this piece, being pulled away from the waves is a jolt. Otherwise, really enjoyed this audio altar to the warm heart and generous spirit of Don Ho.
Kathy Wedmore
Posted on December 28, 2007 at 02:12 AM | Permalink
Review of Year End Show - A Tribute to the Life & Music of Don Ho (Full Version, NO-Hole)
Aloha! And Fare Well Don Ho!
I'm sad to learn of the loss of our unofficial Ambassador of Hawaii. This program presented his a mini auto-biography that makes me feel that I now know Don Ho personally.
The host did an exceptional job of interfacing with the guest and asked just the questions I wanted to hear answered.
What could have been done better here? Maybe you could have made it two hours instead of one.
When to air it? The sooner the better!
Cathaline Williams
Posted on December 21, 2007 at 02:57 AM | Permalink
Review of Year End Show - A Tribute to the Life & Music of Don Ho (Full Version, NO-Hole)
WOW! Best Public Radio Program I've Ever Heard!
I love a variety of music from classical to Duke Ellington and I never really heard too much of Don Ho's music before. Your program helped me to see that he's not only Hawaii's Elvis as some call him but Hawaii's Frank Sinatra and Harry Connick, Jr., too, and he was very personable.
I tend to like it when a program gives good insight, such as this program did in an intimate way, into the background and personality of a person in the public spotlight. As a tribute to the life of a man with whom I believe many Americans identify as a legend of this great country, this program is tops! I only wish it could have been longer!
I would like to hear it on the air on New Year's Day or sooner. And, I now plan to become a member of public radio. Your program made me a believer. I love the classical. I love the jazz.
David Henrick
Posted on December 18, 2007 at 03:50 PM | Permalink
Review of Year End Show - A Tribute to the Life & Music of Don Ho (Full Version, NO-Hole)
MOST IMPROVED AND OUTSTANDING! Kept me listening all the way to the end and I'd like to hear more.
I tend to like the style of the program's host who I've been monitoring over the years. If an award for ''Most Improved'' could be given, I think it would go here.
On some of the programs in the past, though I felt the host did an outstanding job, it seemed to me that perhaps he was doing all of the work -- the interviewing, the recording, the writing, the editing, the production and post production. I say that because I could occasionally hear the extent of the work effort in the voice -- maybe working to make deadlines. In this one, however, I hear a relaxed yet professional voice that's easy to listen to. And, I am now hearing very much the ''core value'' quality that is desired today in public radio -- but without sounding overly casual as too many do today without quality cerebration or wit.
The host seemed to bring out the best from Don Ho -- stayed right with him and on top of the interviewing -- and did so very well without overshadowing him. The subject matter seems especially timely for an end-of-the-year, new year's eve special (very relevant with Don Ho having died during the year).
The fundraising promos to encourage new public radio membership or renewal of one's membership before the end of the tax year at midnight new year's eve fast approaching was not only potentially very helpful to all of public radio but was very well handled with good balance. I would like to hear more programming done by this host.
Production wise, the musical pieces were expertly fit into the program and very well balanced for a program with exceptionally good flow. When would be the best airing time for this program? I would like to hear it most afternoon or evening several hours before midnight on New Year's eve as producers recommended; however, I might also enjoy it even on Christmas day too.
Gail Christopher
Posted on December 13, 2007 at 04:36 AM | Permalink
Review of Year End Show - A Tribute to the Life & Music of Don Ho (Full Version, NO-Hole)
The enlightening interview with Don Ho was successful in revealing the many facets of this timeless entertainer, who was loved by young and old, alike. Knowing that this was the last live interview given before his death, makes it even more special. The interviewer was very thorough starting with the ancestry which revealed that there was not just one race in Hawaii, but various ethnic groups. The sound effects made the listener feel as if he were sitting in the audience while the singing of "Tiny Bubbles" was taking place. This was a very thorough interview which succeeded in being factual as well as entertaining . I enjoyed it very much.
Gail Christopher