Te Aito show coming soon to CITV

Charlie Rani is already filling the airwaves with music – now he’s bringing the tunes to TV.
Rani, the voice behind Sunday’s Classic Hitz programme on Radio Cook Islands, is the host of the new Te Aito Music Show on Cook Islands Television.
The programme will tape each Saturday in front of a live audience at the RSA and then be broadcast during the following week.
“The idea is to help promote our local musicians,” said Rani. “To give them exposure on TV and promote their talent.”
Rani said there is a gap in the talent level in the country’s indigenous music scene.
“The older musicians are on the verge of retirement and there are hardly any young ones coming up to get involved in our local way of music,” he said.
There is a market for local music, Rani said, but artists need to make an effort to push their product.
“If you produce a CD, you have to go out and actually market it,” he said. “Both overseas and here – at the market and the shops.”
Te Aito Music Show is designed to help with that publicity machine.
“If any of the artists have new releases, they can take advantage of the show to promote it,” Rani said. “I love to encourage musicians out there to go further. There are hardly any venues on the island where you can go and watch local bands. At the hotels, they sing cover songs for tourists instead of local songs.”
While Rani is still putting together his artist list for the eight-episode series, Ricki Adamu has been confirmed as the show’s first featured guest.
Adamu will demonstrate the art of playing the ukulele and talk about how he mastered the instrument.
Asked if it’s harder than it looks to play the ukulele, Adamu replied, “Not really. Anybody can learn.”
Adamu’s advice for local musicians: “Be strong and go hard out and see how far you can go.”
The public is invited to attend each week’s 5pm taping of Te Aito Music Show at the RSA to share in the experience and support the local talent.
Rani, a musician in his own right, said he is excited about the new programme.
“I’m really looking forward to it,” he said.

By John Ireland

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