Who is Kaina Kountry?
Kaina Kountry is a well-known authentic Maui country band with over ten years of experience as a group providing unique entertainment for weddings, special celebrations, and corporate functions. Kaina Kountry is Andy Kaina (guitar/vocals), Justin Morris (guitar/vocals), James Somera (drums), and Raymond Cabebe (bass/vocals). We are based on the island of Maui.
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Kaina Kountry's unique interpretations of songs feature Andy Kaina's distinctive vocals backed by some of the island's most accomplished musicians. The band's setlist includes a blend of classic country and classic rock tunes as well as local favorites.
Originally from Hawaii Island, Andy learned country & western songs as a youngster when his family reportedly did not want to teach him Hawaiian music. He taught himself to play guitar and eventually learned to play slack key from Uncle George Kahumoku. His powerful vocal stylings cover rock & roll, ballads, Hawaiian, as well as country and western.
ANDY "BEAR" KAINA
JUSTIN MORRIS
Originally from West Virginia, Justin first came to Maui with the Brown Chicken Brown Cow String Band which he still performs with occasionally. He has performed with various musicians on Maui and brings some authentic country licks to Kaina Kountry.
JAMES SOMERA
James Somera is a highly regarded Maui drummer with a diverse and extensive musical background. He began his musical journey at a young age, displaying an early passion for drumming. To further his musical education, he attended the Dick Groves School of Music and the Los Angeles Music Academy in Los Angeles. He has professional experience playing in both Los Angeles and New York. Returning home, he continues to be a prominent figure in Maui's music scene, performing with many of the island's top musical acts. He is also an endorsee of Sabian cymbals. He is an in demand drummer/percussionist, that has performed and recorded with many local artists.
RAYMOND "RAY-RAY" CABEBE
From Kihei, Raymond began playing in bands after seeing the Beatles on the Ed Sullivan Show. He later joined the Hawaii Gas Company band after moving to Honolulu with the band Rebirth. The Gas Company played dance and supper clubs on the east coast from Florida to Massachusetts, the south from Georgia to Texas and the Midwest from Minnesota to Ohio. Also made stops in Colorado, California, and British Columbia. After returning to Maui, he laid the bottom end for several bands doing casuals, lounge, and luau shows.
Our sometimes keyboard player, David "Kawika" Fraser, hails from California. He is a singer/songwriter and keyboardist with a very soulful and expressive voice reflecting his lyrical ideas with a wide variety of musical styles. David also played concert tours opening for well-known artists such as the Beach Boys, Tower of Power, Journey and Glen Campbell and performed in concert with Johnny Rivers and The BluesBrothers. Kaina Kountry is lucky to have such a talented musician (singer-songwriter, harmonica & accordion) as part time member of our band.
Original member Glenn "G-Man" Cambra is no longer a part of the band due to health issues. Hailing from Kahului, Glenn has been keeping the beat in bands since high school, who along with Raymond, moved to Honolulu with the band Rebirth for a couple of years before taking to the road on the mainland with Bernadette and the Hawaii Gas Company. He returned to Maui, but quickly joined another band and toured across Western Canada.
Wilson Kanakaole is no longer a regular member of Kaina Kountry due to family obligations, but will occasionally sit in. A well respected guitarist and vocalist, Wilson was raised in Lahaina and comes from a musical family, including his father, Eric Kanaka‘ole and uncle, the late ‘ukulele legend, Nelson Waikiki. He has appeared on records by the Barefoot Natives and other island musicians, and attended University of Hawai‘i Maui College’s Institute of Hawaiian Music.
Dave Pszyk, of Haiku (originally from Makawao), one of the original members of Kaina Kountry, has parted ways with the band. Dave’s guitar playing and singing was instrumental (pun intended) to our success. We will miss his audacious playing style and goofy humor. We wish him well and, with his great talent, we’re sure you'll be seeing him around playing somewhere.