Alvin "Kalanikau" Barney Isaacs, Jr. was born July 18, 1924 into an esteemed musical `ohana (or family). His father was Alvin Kaleolani Isaacs, composer, multi-instrumentalist and leader of the Royal Hawaiian Serenaders. His musical brothers (there were many more who were less musical) include Atta (who would go on to become a slack key guitar) and Norman (a popular bassist and falsetto singer). Alvin Sr. was a steel guitarist himself who played for such renowned bands as that led by Harry Owens in the 1930s. So "Papa" Isaacs taught the basics of steel guitar to his musical sons while they were still in elementary school. But when the boys formed a trio, they each had to choose an instrument, and Barney being the oldest got to choose first.
And Barney chose the steel guitar… and did he ever take it far! While Jules may be the greatest steel guitarist who ever lived, Barney Isaacs may be the most heard steel guitarist from Hawai`i in the history of the instrument. First there are the showroom appearances where he played to tens of thousands of tourists backing such legendary Hawaiian voices as Ed Kenney, Haunani Kahalewai, Sterling Mossman, and a 17-year stint at the Kahala Hilton Hotel with Danny Kaleikini. Then there is his more than 25-year tenure as steel guitarist with the Hawaii Calls radio broadcasts heard around the world (a tenure longer than any other steel guitar player who had appeared on the program). And, finally, there are the countless recording sessions which resulted in a resume that is a veritable "who's who" of Hawaiian music including Charles “Kaipo” Miller, Marlene Sai, Ohta-San, Genoa Keawe, Billy Hew Len, Benny Kalama, George Kuo, Chick Floyd, Ray Kinney, Charles K.L. Davis, and even Tennessee Ernie Ford, to name but a few. In the late 1950s Barney would take on the role of musical director at the burgeoning Waikiki Records label. Barney booked such marvelous steel guitarists as Joe Custino and Billy Hew Len, but he often occupied the steel guitar chair himself – affording him the opportunity to record with such greats as Iwalani Kahalewai, Mona Joy, Gabby Pahinui, Andy Cummings, Varoa Tiki, Louis Akau, Iwalani Kamahele, and Fely Gabriel. And through the 1950s and 60s Barney would appear on countless recordings with the cast of the Hawaii Calls radio show, backing such luminaries as Sonny Kamahele, Nina Keali`iwahamana, Pua Almeida, Gary Aiko, Lani Custino, Kalani Kinimaka, Sonny Nicholas, Jimmy Kaopuiki, Boyce Rodrigues, Jeff Apaka, Alex McAngus, and – of course – the priceless duets with his friend Jules Ah See. But unlike Jules, Barney would go on to headline four solo projects under his own name – including two in the last year of life (E Mau and Hawaiian Touch).
Barney passed away in Honolulu on February 12, 1996.
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