New film features island musicians

Free screenings of “Livin’ on a Rock” will be held at Kukuau Studio in Hilo on Friday and at Honokaa People’s Theatre on Tuesday; both screenings at 6 p.m. (Courtesy photo/Special to West Hawaii Today)

In “Livin’ on a Rock,” some of Hawaii Island’s best musicians tell the story of Hawaii’s music scene in their own words. Filmmaker Steve Roby, Snap Judgement Films, interviewed 25 musicians and industry professionals for the new documentary, including North Kohala slack key master John Keawe, Grammy Award winner Charles Michael Brotman and Gary Washburn, the 40-year director of the Honokaa Jazz Band.