Lahaina musician Keola Beamer called it "overwhelming" that his own album and "The Descendants" movie soundtrack - which also carries his music - have both been nominated for Grammy Awards.
"So I got two Grammy nominations in one day, I mean geeze," Beamer said Thursday afternoon, a day after the nominations were announced by the Recording Academy. "It's somewhat overwhelming."
Maui resident Jeff Peterson also has music featured on the "Descendants" soundtrack.
Article Photos
Keola Beamer
Nominations ‘overwhelming’
Beamer's album "Malama Ko Aloha," or "Keep Your Love," is nominated in the Best Regional Roots Music Album category. It took the place of the Hawaiian Music category that was dissolved in 2011 along with 30 other categories because of a restructuring effort by the academy.
In the past, Beamer, a composer and slack key guitarist, had been nominated in the Hawaiian Music category.
Beamer said that his album's nomination carried much meaning because it was done in a creative partnership with PBS Hawaii and features the musical talents of his wife, Moanalani, who plays percussion (native Hawaiian instruments) and the voice of his hanai niece, Hawaiian songstress Raiatea Helm.
The album, simply put, tells people to cherish life or aloha in one's heart, Beamer said.
According to PBS Hawaii's website, the album was created from the PBS Hawaii's music documentary on Beamer.
Others nominated in the category are Hawaii's Weldon Kekauoha for "Pilialoha;" Radmilla Cody for "Shi Keyah - Songs for the People;" Corey Ledet with Anthony Dopsie, Dwayne Dopsie and Andre Thierry for "Nothin' But The Best;" and Wayne Toups, Steve Riley and Wilson Savoy for "The Band Courtbouillon."
"The Descendants" album with music of various artists and produced by Sony Classical/Fox Music is nominated in the Best Compilation Soundtrack For Visual Media Category.
The movie was shot in Hawaii and is based on a book by Hawaii author Kaui Hart Hemmings.
Others nominated in the category are Bob Marley & The Wailers for "Marley," produced by UMe/Island/Tuff Gong; various artists for "Midnight in Paris," produced by Madison Gate Records; various artists for "The Muppets," from Walt Disney Records; and various artists for "Rock of Ages," from WaterTower Music.
A musician for 30 years, Beamer said he doesn't necessarily pay attention to awards and their processes, so he wasn't waiting for a call or email regarding his nomination.
"My job should be the music," he said.
As for attending the Grammy Awards on Feb. 10, Beamer said he was trying to figure out what his schedule would allow.
* Melissa Tanji can be reached at mtanji@mauinews.com.
