ON THE RECORD: Music label EMI is set to release "Best of Martin Denny's Exotica" on March 28. It will be the first posthumous CD by the exotic music-maker, who died last March at age 93 in his Hawai'i Kai apartment. In her liner notes about her famous father, daughter Christina says "he'll always be daddy to me." The CD begins with "Exotica," includes Denny's trademark "Quiet Village," and winds up with "Stardust." A taped interview is also included. ...

Daniel Ho Creations, the label that produced the second Hawaiian Grammy Award winner, "Masters of Hawaiian Slack Key Guitar — Vol. 1," will issue "'Ukuleles in Paradise 2," on April 4. It reunites Daniel Ho with Herb Ohta Jr. And who knows? Maybe the 'ukulele will touch hearts (and win votes) in future Grammys. ...

There's been a wave of controversy (mostly through e-mails), challenging eligibility for the Hawai'i Academy of Recording Arts' Na Hoku Hanohano Awards, since preliminary balloting begins shortly. Residency has been a primary issue, though a non-resident could qualify if a CD is recorded here, and distributed here, with Hawai'i being the primary market for distribution. Generally, technicians, artists and composers must live in the state, since HARA is Hawai'i-based and poised to promote the local industry. ...

THE LOCAL ANGLE: At the Republican Party's Lincoln Day dinner at the Hilton Hawaiian Village, where Sen. Bob Hogue was presenting the Lincoln Legacy Award to Sen. Fred Hemmings, Gov. Linda Lingle shared an anecdote: Lingle and Hemmings had gone scuba diving with Jean-Michel Cousteau, and the gov struggled to get into her diving gear, finally seeking kokua from Hemmings. He noticed her scuba suit was on backward. ...

After Lingle addressed the Kona-Kohala Chamber of Commerce at a recent lunch, she lingered with friends at the Sheraton Keauhou Bay Resort & Spa's Kai restaurant. ...

Michelle Rodriguez (Ana Lucia on "Lost") and co-star Adewale Akkinnuoye-Agbaje (Mr. Eko) dined with pals one day at the Ala Moana Center's Makai Market. On another day, Beth Smith, partner and soon-to-be-wife of Duane "Dog" Chapman of "Dog the Bounty Hunter," was shopping at Tori Richard and Cache, with a film crew documenting the spree for A&E airing. And celebrity hairstylist Jonathan Antin was filming his reality TV show, "BlowOut," on Centerstage, for the Bravo network. ...

Out Maui way, Tom Flores (Oakland Raiders coach when the team won the Super Bowl) and Paul McGuire (NBC football broadcaster) dined at chef James McDonald's Pacific 'O restaurant. McDonald joshed with Flores, asking if Oakland won the 1980 game with the Philadelphia Eagles and, of course, Flores said yes, to which the chef responded, "How nice; I'm from Philadelphia and I will personally cook your dinner." Note: McDonald has Bay Area pals, too. ...

CURTAIN CALLS: The cat's outta the bag: You gotta see "Cats" at Army Community Theatre's Richardson Theatre. As the first homegrown production, it is a litter of lovely voices, frisky dancing and inspired artistry. And a big meow to the little kittens, Chandler Cone and Clay McDermott. ...

When the Castle Performing Arts Center staged "The Music Man Jr." last week at the Ronald E. Bright Theatre, Yoshi Wood (who played Prof. Harold Hill) invited his dad, Billy Wood, to a dress rehearsal instead of the public performances, since his dad, a wrestling coach, had to leave for Turkey for a competition. Seiji Wood, younger brother of the leading man, also was in the musical, playing a band member. Both grandmothers (one from Japan) came for a look-see. ...

Kapua Kapu, the King Intermediate student who played the mayor's daughter in "Music Man," is the daughter of Sam Kapu III and granddaughter of Sam Kapu Jr. ...

And that's Show Biz. ...

Show Biz is published Tuesdays and Thursdays. Reach Wayne Harada at 525-8067, wharada@honoluluadvertiser.com or fax 525-8055.