Eric Gilliom

All the buzz lately around Get a Job the movie and its two stars Eric Gilliom and Willie K. actually started years before the duo hit the silver screen together…before they starred as Merton and William, they shared the stage as the critically acclaimed, award-winning musical duo, The Barefoot Natives.

The duo produced amazing music, delivered outrageous comedy, and presented an unparalleled series of concert performances. The concept of the show, a musical theater, has two Hawaiian musicians (Eric and Willie) trying to make it in the big time. And much like Gilligan’s Island, every time they are about to get their big moment, one half of the duo does something to blow it, and they end up playing back at the baby luaus and poolside at the hotel. “In the show you see us playing, and it’s incredible, but we just don’t know that it’s incredible because our image of success is much bigger – like going to Hollywood,“says Eric. “But really we have already made it because we are happy living in this perfect place with the incredible culture and music.”

In early 2007 the Barefoot Natives self-titled debut CD was nominated for five Na Hoku Hanohano awards, and went on to win “2007 Best Contemporary Hawaiian Album of the Year.” The album created magic with a solid nod to tradition and a fresh treatment. Even in the midst of two highly successful solo careers, Willie K. and Eric Gilliom could not ignore that together they ignite. The raw soul of Grammy nominee Willie K, complimented with the finely tuned voice of Eric Gilliom, together they blend remarkably. Throughout, both guitars splash and play like water rolling in the glistening sun. The magic was captured at the highest level by engineer Dave Russell, a Grammy award winner for his work with Steely Dan.

Later that year, The Barefoot Natives released ”Slack Key Circus” in late October of 2007, and the CD has enjoyed widespread critical acclaim. The Hawaii Academy of Recording Artists (HARA) honored the Barefoot Natives again with six nominations for the 2008 Na Hoku Hanohano awards. The categories included: Favorite Entertainers of the year, Engineer of the year (for Nick Fournier and Milan Bertosa), Group of the year, Song of the year (for “Ke Aloha A’u E Hali’a Nei”), Island music album of the year (formerly “Contemporary Hawaiian album of the year”), and Album of the year (for Producers William Kahaialii, Eric Gilliom, and Brian Kohne).

The Barefoot Natives exude a rare crossover appeal that promises to make waves in the Hawaiian music industry. People who would like to hear their CDs in their entirety can do so online at: www.barefootnatives.com.

The duo, a favorite amongst all ages, also appeared in the Audio CD of a children’s book: ”Old Makana Had a Taro Farm”, which was written by Kauai’s Dr. Carolan, illustrated by Joanna Carolan, and distributed by the Islander Group. For more information on “Old Makana”, please visit: www.bananapatchpress.com.