Hawaii Tribune-Herald Island Beat Thursday, August 3, 2017 5 Join a sing-along with Larry Dupio Musician to record live song with public on Saturday Big Island independent musician Larry Dupio is finishing his third album, titled “Lighting Strikes Hilo,” and wants residents of Hilo to take part in the recording. On Saturday, Dupio and Mokupapapa Discovery Center will host a live recording fundraiser for the Hilo High Ambassadors, a music program directed by Wendell Ing. Attendees can learn the lyrics to the chorus and become a permanent part of Dupio’s new song, “Aloha Hilo Town.” Tickets are available for $25 at Hilo Ukulele & Guitar and Basically Books. Doors open at 4:30 p.m., and the event starts at 5 p.m. The choral lyrics in “Aloha Hilo Town” are “Aloha Hilo town/peaceful when I think of you/By the ocean of a deep deep blue/Sun blessed, rainbows, too.” Dupio and the band will start the night with a few runthroughs so participants can practice before recording. His wife, Caroline Dupio, encourages everyone to sing no matter their skill level. “Just bring your best shower voice, and have fun,” she said. After the track is laid, Larry Dupio and the band will jam for the rest of the evening. A silent auction also will take place, with donations from local sponsors such as Hilo Ukulele & Guitar, Basically Books and Creative Arts Hawaii. Participants can expect to receive an email containing the finished track. About the Ambassadors The Hilo High Ambassadors are musically inclined students who perform at community events and hold concerts in the winter and spring. Notable alumni from the class include New York music theater graduate Dailee Morrone and Spencer Ahuna, the owner of Big Island Guitar. Ing estimates Hilo High’s music budget has been reduced to a third of what it was a decade ago. As a teacher of music at Hilo High for 25 years, Ing has a passion for sharing music and is grateful Hilo residents are once again stepping forward. “Music is a very wonderful part of life to explore, in terms of culture and connecting with the past,” he said. “We used to have a few pretty vibrant programs in elementary and intermediate schools and, in the last few decades, it’s declined pretty precipitously.” Dupio said music performances give kids an outlet to express themselves and a sense of accomplishment, especially when they perform for their parents. Dupio and his wife think suicide rates — of which Hawaii County has the highest in the state — can be decreased through music education. As Caroline Dupio simply puts it: “We believe that music can help because music heals.” “Maybe we can all work together to make Hilo better. We’re all here on the same island. We’re here to help the kids, because they inherit what we leave behind,” Larry Dupio said. Island Beat Box Dupio: Past and present “Lighting Strikes Hilo” is a mix of blues stylings and will feature contributions from guest artists Willie K, Bruddah Waltah and Rainbow Page. It is scheduled to come out before the Grammy deadline on Aug. 31. With this latest album, Dupio is aiming for the Grammys and wants to win in the blues category. “I thought I should make a more concept-focused album,” he said. “There’s happy blues and sad blues and blues you can jump around to. It’s always so honest.” Heavily influenced by his musician father, Dupio learned to play the ukulele by 8 years old. In 1968, Dupio started his music career at the age of 16, playing with bands on Oahu. After moving to the Big Island, Dupio melted into the freedom of its music scene for many years. Then, in 2001, Dupio and his wife moved to Portland, Ore., where Dupio honed his blues skills for 10 years with New Orleans transplants. But, like many Hawaii residents, the Big Island kept calling, and they moved back in 2011. After returning home, he released two albums, including “Lightning Larry Dupio.” By AJA HANNAH Special to Island Beat What: Live recording of Larry Dupio’s new album to raise funds for Hilo High Ambassadors. Who: Larry Dupio, the band, and ticket holders. Where: Mokupapapa Discovery Center in downtown Hilo. When: 4:30-8 p.m. Saturday. Admission: 180 tickets are available for $25 at Hilo Ukulele & Guitar and Basically Books. HOLLYN JOHNSON/Tribune-Herald Ticket holders will be invited to sing on Larry Dupio’s newest album, “Lightning Strikes Hilo.”
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