Webley Edwards

Both because the longtime web host from the regular radio series Hawaii Phone calls and through his many albums, broadcasting pioneer Webley Edwards played a pivotal function in exporting the music of the hawaiian islands towards the continental U.S. Blessed November 11, 1902, in Corvallis, OR, he afterwards attended Oregon Condition University, becoming the very first pupil supervisor of campus radio place KOAC; relocating to Hawaii in 1928 to are a car salesman, Edwards was therefore fascinated with the indigenous musical customs that in 1935 he covered a deal to make a radio present spotlighting authentic isle shows. Broadcast from Waikiki’s Moana Resort, Hawaii Calls produced its debut that July 3; though continued over 400 stateside channels, the present struggled economically during its early years, frequently relying on condition funding in the Hawaii Visitor Bureau to remain afloat. The very first radio announcer to broadcast information of japan strike on Pearl Harbor, Edwards also proved helpful being a reporter for CBS Radio through the battle years, where he arrived exclusives including an interview with Colonel Paul Tibbetts, the pilot who fell the very first atomic bomb over Hiroshima; he was also the lone broadcaster allowed up to speed the USS Missouri to survey over the surrender wedding ceremony that brought the issue to its close. Through the entire 1950s, Edwards put together and produced some Hawaiian music series for Capitol Information; though released under his name, the albums (included in this Fireplace Goddess, Hula Isle Favorites, and Incredible Instrumentals) actually highlighted performances by famous brands Alfred Apaka, George Kainapau, Haleloke, and Simeon and Andy Shiny. In every, Hawaii Calls went for 37 years, on the way popularizing music including “Lovely Leilani,” “Lovely Hula Hands,” “Beyond the Reef,” “Small Dark brown Gal,” and “The Hawaiian Wedding ceremony Music.” The series finished in 1972 after Edwards (who also offered as an associate from the condition legislature) experienced a coronary attack; he passed away in Honolulu on Oct 5, 1977.