Ukuleles are... hip !

Hawk · Post by **Hawk** » Monday Jun 11, 2012

A news story about the resurgence of the ukulele.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21134540/vp ... &#47759313

Post by **Jim Price** » Monday Jun 11, 2012

I just bought a new one on Friday (my second uke), and I'm probably not done yet!

And don't be surprised to see one surface during a Backyard Rockers performance in the not too distant future!

moxham123 · Post by **moxham123** » Monday Jun 11, 2012

There have been several big hit songs that have also helped promote the ukulele. Here are two of them.

Francesca Battistelli - This Is The Stuff
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yPEQKIpF ... re=branded

Train - Hey Soul Sister
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3JV74i4y ... re=related

moxham123 · Post by **moxham123** » Monday Jun 11, 2012

Bohemian Rhapsody on the Ukulele

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=snPQ1z5FoqQ

songsmith · Post by **songsmith** » Tuesday Jun 12, 2012

When I started "part-time retail" work in music stores in the mid-80's, every store had a uke... it was usually a Kay-made model from the late 60's that permanently resided in an unused corner of the store, because they never sold. Nowadays, we can barely keep them in stock. We have models ranging from bare-minimum cheapies, to spruce-topped cream-puffs with inlays and Fishman pickups. I started seeing the change when that Hawaiian guy did "Somewhere Over The Rainbow." People really seemed to love that version, and his story. Lately though, it's just viewed as a quirky thing to play, like Zooey Deschanel playing hers.
I say, if it makes you happy, uke on!

bassist_25 · Post by **bassist_25** » Tuesday Jun 12, 2012

I can't remember his name, but I remember hearing this guy on NPR a few years back playing this really progressive jazz-influenced stuff on a uke. He was like the Bela Fleck of the uke. It was awesome.

Post by **Jim Price** » Wednesday Jun 13, 2012

I think I first got interested in ukes from Pennsylvania Musician founder/publisher Whitey Noll, who often used to bring one along when he brought the magazines to me in State College years ago. We'd transfer the new magazines over to my car, and then he'd invite me to sit in the front seat of his car to listen to some new tunes he was working on with the uke. Several of those songs eventually made it onto his CD with Joe Agoglia, Between the Curtains and the Clouds.

And whenever I travel to the Harrisburg area to check out shows, I usually stay overnight at the "Pennsylvania Musician Bed & Breakfast," Whitey and Robin's farm house near Liverpool. Whitey is usually always strumming one of his numerous ukes whenever I wake up the next morning. (I think he has around 15 ukes now.)

Then 3 years ago, while delivering the magazines in downtown Bedford, I happened to see a 'Flying V' uke in the window of Bedford Banjo Shop, and picked it up for $50. I've been strumming away on it ever since!

Then last year (I think), I again stayed over at the 'Bed & Breakfast' after taking in a show, and this time I sneaked in my Flying V uke when I arrived late that night. Then the next morning, while Whitey was strumming one of his ukes downstairs, I came down the steps and surprised him by strumming out "Amazing Grace" on my uke. We proceeded to have a 2 1/2-hour uke lesson/jam session at the breakfast table!