Name: Chad Takatsugi

Age: 27

Occupation:
Professional Student

Hobbies: Sleeping, eating, breathing

Contribution to the group:
Lead & background vocals
12 & 6 string rhythm guitars
4 & 6 string rhythm `ukuleles
Kazoo master
Composer & arranger
Resident butthead

Musical Experience:

Quote to live by:
"Hello, my name is Inigo Montoya, you killed my father, prepare to die."

"Is anyone else hungry?"

The Chad.....

Chad Takatsugi, born December 19, 1977 , is a proud graduate of the Kamehameha Schools Class of 1995. More recently, Chad received his Bachelor's Degree in Communications from the University of Hawai ‘i. A self-proclaimed “Master of All Video Games,” the Chizzad also enjoys an occasional tennis match or volleyball game in his down time.

Professionally, Chad brings to ‘Ale‘a his rich baritone voice and polished rhythm guitar stylings. Having studied Hawaiian language and culture in both high school and college, Chad is also a noted composer of Hawaiian music. Not to be upstaged by his own musical talents, the master professes to be an accomplished hula dancer – with a stellar repertoire consisting of one hula ‘auana and one hula kahiko.

The Chadmeister's musical journey has its humble origins at St. Patrick's Church on O‘ahu. As part of a trio, Chad was called upon to perform a hymn entitled, “In the Palm of His Hands.” With the poise and confidence typical of a true ham, the fledgling performer wedged himself between the other seven-year-olds, assumed his place at center stage, and sang his heart out. “I kinda hogged the mic,” Chad says half apologetically. “Everyone said all they could hear was me.” Chad basked in the thunderous applause. The performance was an obvious hit. From that day forward, not even the palm of His hands could silence Chad . This youngster was on his way to making a place for himself in the world – one stage at a time. Chad had become a boy-band junkie.

While Chad currently enjoys and performs traditional Hawaiian music, this was not always his first love. In his tumultuous teens, Slash Takatsugi was all about glam rock. Poison, Motley Crue and Slaughter were among his prime music choices during intermediate school, while Metallica and Guns and Roses were integral components of his daily music diet while a freshman in high school. The alternative music scene eventually caught Chad 's ear, and he dove headlong into the sounds of Nirvana and Pearl Jam.

But as luck would have it, Slash was “head banged out” by his junior year. “I was forced into early retirement due to numerous incidents of whiplash,” he admits. In search of a new musical interest, Chad found himself studying under the tutelage of Dale “Papa” Noble and Les Ceballos as part of Kamehameha's Concert Glee. Chad credits the two for etching an indelible mark on his life. It was through them that Chad discovered the beauty of Hawaiian music.

Two years after graduating from Kamehameha , Chad found himself in the throes of San Francisco 's hectic city life. It was there that he made his “professional” debut. Encouraged by his peers and several shots of tequila, Chad and a friend agreed to perform in Na Lei Hulu i ka Wekiu's show. For these struggling musicians, the instrumental pickings were slim. The dynamic duo could avail themselves of only one of two options. Option A – “one bus' up, crackah jacks ‘ukulele.” Option B – “nuttin'.” They chose for Option A. “There were no back-up musicians. Just me, my friend, and the aforementioned crackah jacks ‘ukulele,” Chad recalls. Beaming with pride, Chad says in a self-congratulatory manner, “We were so well received. Audiences on the mainland are

so starved for good, live Hawaiian music." After a contemplative pause, Chad humbly concedes, “Okay, it must've been the ‘ukulele.”

Having experienced a broad spectrum of venues and audiences, Chad has a newfound appreciation for those who share his enthusiasm for Hawaiian music. “Venues don't really matter to me as much as audiences. I would rather play to a lanai full of diehard Hawaiian music fans who love and understand all the songs we like to sing than play a huge venue full of people who are only there because there was nothing else to do on a Saturday night.”

Chad gets precisely what he wishes for every week, when ‘Ale‘a performs Marvelous Mondays at Willows.

As he continues on his musical pilgrimage, Tutu Takatsugi cannot resist reflecting on the past. “Really, if I had to change anything, I would be more serious about learning how to play the piano.” Like Gonzo , Chad 's stint with piano lessons was brief. Very brief. Two lessons to be exact. “My children are going to play piano and they are going to freakin' like it,” he says jokingly.

Well, maybe jokingly.

As for aspirations, Chad sums it up this way: “I've always told himself that I want to be one of the greats. I want to be one of those people that young musicians are talking about 30 years from now. With that in mind, I can't really say what my short-term goals are. I know I will still be [involved] in music, but in what capacity, well, there aren't any guarantees.”

While Chad is unsure about his role in the music world of tomorrow, he is certain about one thing. “No matter what happens, Ryan, Kale and I will be friends forever.” With a quiver in his voice, Chad manages to finish, “We'll always be the ‘YAY!! Keep in touch!! Have a cool summer!!' kinda friends.”

A deafening silence falls upon the room as eavesdroppers struggle to hold their emotions in check. They are obviously moved by Chad 's honesty and sincerity.

A cello begins to play a slow, haunting melody with increasing intensity. The camera pans to Chad 's face and switches to slow motion. A tear forms in Chad 's eye as he glances briefly at Kale and Gonzo. He places his hands on his buddies' shoulders and gives them a reassuring squeeze.

Tears begin to stream down Chad 's face. Gonzo and Kale soon follow suit.

What a sappy way to end an interview.

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