"Uptown Funk!" — recorded by Mark Ronson and featuring Hawaii’s Bruno Mars on lead vocals —is this year’s undisputed chart champ. It’s been No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 for 14 consecutive weeks since its Jan. 15 chart debut.
The tune, co-authored by Mars, also is this decade’s longest-reigning blockbuster. The tune marks Ronson’s first time at the pinnacle and is Mars’ first chartbuster to linger this long.
Is it the heavy airplay? The massive downloads? The popularity in dance clubs? The inspiring copycat takeoffs online? Or is it Mars’ smooth, suave dance moves on the sizzling music video in his pink jacket that keeps the ditty in the pink?
"Funk" now ties the Black Eyed Peas‘ "I Gotta Feeling," which logged 14 weeks in a row in 2009. "Funk" easily should pass that milestone, too, closing in on the all-time chart champ, Mariah Carey and Boyz II Men‘s "One Sweet Day," which ruled for 16 weeks in 1995. Stay tuned. …
TRADE WINDS: At 13, Aidan James is the youngest Na Hoku Hanohano Awards nominee this year; his "Live Again" EP is vying for extended play release of the year. The breakaway youngster, from the ranks of Roy Sakuma‘s Ukulele Studio, clearly is making musical ripples galore. When HBO’s children’s documentary series "Saving My Tomorrow" debuts in coming weeks, one of Aidan’s songs, "Back to Where We Came From," will be heard, then released on iTunes the next day.Further, Aidan and Hapa‘s Barry Flanagan have created an acoustic ukulele version and English lyrics to Hapa’s "Tuahine" tune destined for a slot in an indie film being released this year. A full-length CD is in the works. …
That largely pre-teen band from Kailua Music School, billed as Random Weirdos, will be the opening act when Jack White concertizes at 8 p.m. Wednesday at Blaisdell Arena. …
NAME-DROPPING: When the Friends of the Royal Hawaiian Band convene for their annual meeting and banquet, from 5 to 9 p.m. Saturday at Queen Emma Summer Palace, a newly commissioned piece honoring the late Ed Michelman will be unveiled. The tune, composed by former bandmaster Aaron Mahi, will be performed by a combined chorus directed by Nola Nahulu. Singer Ku‘uipo Kumukahi & the Hawaiian Music Hall of Fame Serenaders also will perform. Michelman was a beloved radio voice who was a narrator for the band. Admission is by reservation only: $25 for Friends, $30 for others. Call 222-7853. …
Don Conover, the organist-keyboarder and former interim music director of the Honolulu Chorale, will be the honoree at a chorale fundraiser from 5 p.m. April 19 at Honolulu Country Club. Brother Jim Conover, a baritone soloist and choral director in New London, Conn., will join hometown performers Ernest Harada, Shari Lynn and Buz Tennent. Conover also will mark his fifth anniversary May 18 as entertainer at the Hawaii Yacht Club.
ITEMIZATIONS: Lisa Freeman, daughter of the late "Hawaii Five-O" creator Leonard Freeman and his wife, Rose, is returning to Honolulu (where she spent part of her growing-up years while Dad’s hit CBS show was in production) to promote her coming-of-age young adult book, "Honey Girl." The book signing at 1 p.m. Saturday at Barnes & Noble at Ala Moana Center will assemble the likes of Al Harrington, Kimo Kahoano, Jimmy Borges, TaylorWily and Dennis Chun. Emme Tomimbang will moderate a Q&A session. …
HERE IS HAPPINESS: Harmoni Chinen, daughter ofthe late Teddy Tanaka and spouse Nanci, will tie the knot this month with Dan Cruz in Santa Monica, Calif. Brother Nathan Chinen, a music writer for the New York Times, will attend, along with family from Nanci’s earlier marriage. "We are all ready for some happy news in our family," Nanci said in an email. Teddy, known for "Koko Ni Sachi Ari (Here is Happiness)," died in November. "Our ‘Hawaiian Wedding Song’ recording will be played," Nanci added. …
And that’s "Show Biz." …
Wayne Harada is a veteran entertainment columnist; reach him at 266-0926 or wayneharada@gmail.com; read his Show and Tell Hawaii blog at www.staradvertiser.com.
