When Brunswick-Balke-Collender sold its radio and phonograph interests to Warner Brothers on April 9, 1930, it established the Brunswick Recording Company. They opened a new venture to revitalize the radio market, and Norman Brokenshire was hired as part of this new venture. He produced pre-recorded radio programs on discs that could be sold around the country. Since he was only paid when his ability to produce these shows was completed; he made a series of quickly produced radio shows on open-ended transcription discs so that commercials could be played in between. One of these radio shows was called "The Mirthmakers", with Jerry Macy. Brokenshire gathered trumpet player, Manny Sax; violinist, Lou Raderman; pianist, Jack Shilkret; saxophone player, Andy Sanella; guitarist, Sammy Herman; xylophone player, Joe Green; and accordion player, Charlie Monyanti. <"Hawaiian Shadows" was a part of this series.
Hawaiian Shadows, created in New York in October 1930, is an adaptation of Brokenshire’s production of the NBC radio show called Coral Islanders. Hawaiian born, Bill Lincoln, who he had met in Forest Hill, introduced Brokenshire to Hawaiian culture and music. He was particularly inspired by the first stage production that featured Hawaiian songs called Bird of Paradise. Seeing the potential for the show to equal or surpass in popularity the show, South Sea Islanders, he came up with Coral Islanders. Besides the help of Bill Lincoln he gathered Hawaiian born musicians like Walter Kolomuko, Jimmy Bird and Al Green to help translate and create the show.
Brokenshire, Norman. This is Norman Brokenshire: an unvarnished self-portrait. D. McKay Co, New York: 1954. Online
Laird, Ross. Brunswick Corporate History. Brunswick Records: A Discography of Recordings, 1916-1931. http://adp.library.ucsb.edu/index.php/resources/detail/196
Laird, Ross. Brunswick Records: A Discography of Recordings, 1916-1931 Volume 2: New York Sessions 1927-1931
Songs