Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow!

Here in our part of the South today, most eyes are glued to the window, waiting to see snow. It's something so rare, that just the mention of snow here sends folks into a frenzy.  It will be a great time to find a cozy spot and settle down with something you enjoy.  For the YesterUkes, it's likely to be a ukulele and a new tune or two.  We all complain of not having enough time to practice, so some "inside time" (it's doubtful this group will be out sledding) will be welcome.  The YesterUkes are working on some new songs in anticipation of several upcoming gigs.

While we never create a program specifically for one event, we might add songs to our set list that are particularly well-suited to a given place.  People always tell us they love our songs and ask how we find them.  We choose ones that we enjoy.  Band members often bring a list of ones they remember and like.  Then we'll pick one or two from each list.  Sometimes old music is pulled from drawers or chests.  Those yellowed, crumbling  pages might yield a musical gem.  

In our group, the age range spans quite a few years, and we grew up in various parts of the country.  So it isn't unusual for someone to shout out "Here's a song everyone knows" to be followed by, "Nope, I've never heard of that one."  We do our best to learn from each other. Many in our group do not read music, so we learn from lyric sheets, chord symbols, and YouTube. (Our kids and grandkids have nothing on us!)  It can be comical to listen to our first attempts, though.  But every now and then, we nail one the very first time.  Our practices are as much fun as our programs.  There is as much laughter as music while we work our way through new pieces.  This week's practice was one of the best, as we had a couple of those "got it right the first time" moments.

At this week's practice,  Ralph came back for a second visit.  Last week, he came --ukulele in hand -- from his home about 45 minutes away.  He had not seen us play, nor did he know anyone in the group, but he had heard about the YesterUkes and tracked us down.  He is quite a player.  And he is such a pleasant fellow that we hope he decides to join us full time.  The more, the merrier!

Update:  It's Monday morning and we have 5 inches on snow on the ground!

Come On Get Happy

The exercise class for seniors was still going on in the gym when we arrived at Buncombe St. United Methodist Church.  As soon as they finished, we began our set up for another YesterUkes program.  We dashed around, unpacking mics, stretching cables across the floor and tucking them under chairs and tuning ukuleles.  By the time we had everything connected and did a quick sound check, it was time to begin the fun.  For thirty minutes we took the senior adults on a musical memory trip, singing old favorites and telling them about our adventures with the lowly little ukulele.  About 50 folks sang along and laughed together, remembering days when these hit songs were played on the radio.  

We enjoyed lunch with the group before it was time to go.  Visiting with people after the program is a always a pleasure.  The favorite comment of this trip was, "That went by so fast, I didn't have time to clap!"  We pride ourselves on presenting a lively, fast paced program, but we love applause, so maybe we'll slow the pace -- but not too much.  

 In conversations with some of our faithful readers we found that not everyone realized that last week's blog post included a video.  If you missed it, scroll down and look again.  The third "photo" in the middle of the article is from YouTube.  Click on the small arrow in the lower left corner of the picture and you should we able to look and listen to the YesterUkes.  You can also find more videos on YouTube.com   Just put "yesterukes" in the search box there.

Also, we would love to hear from you.  At the end of each post, you'll see the word "comments" with a tiny pencil beside it.  Just click on the word "comments" to post your thoughts.  

Let Me Call You Sweetheart

On Tuesday, the first men to arrive at the church fired up the grill and put the steaks on. As others arrived, the hall filled with laughter and chatter. The Methodist Men's Club had invited their sweethearts for a Valentine dinner and music. After the meal, the YesterUkes entertained with some favorite love songs. As always, we included the audience in the singing so that everyone could serenade the one they loved. When the evening was over, people left hand in hand, talking about which songs they liked best.

Later in the week, on the day before Valentine's Day, the YesterUkes brought their special brand of music to two assisted living homes. On Friday morning as we were hooking up the last mic cables at Magnolia Manor, people began rolling into the dining room. We had been here before, but this time the audience was much larger. We were told that residents who rarely came to any program were here today to see what the YesterUkes do. It took some time for everyone to be wheeled into place.

Some of the early arrivals had nodded off before the program started. Some were not able to communicate much, even when they were awake. But as the music started, it was like watching magic. Heads raised, eyes opened and fingers waved along in time with the music. Many sang along, some could only mouth the words, but almost everyone participated in some way. A gentleman on the front row used one hand to "conduct" as we played and sang. He even strummed a little "air" ukulele along with us. We later learned that he had been a choir director when he was younger.

That afternoon we moved to Morningside, where red hearts hung from the chandeliers. Florists were busy making Valentine deliveries to residents. As we were setting up, people came in with canes and walkers and settled in for our sing along. This is a generation that enjoys making music -- not downloading it. About 40 minutes later, when we had finished singing, some headed back to their rooms for a nap. Others lingered, visiting with their neighbors. As we packed up, we could overhear some of the comments: "I knew those songs." "They don't write ones like that anymore." "I remember when we used to stand around the piano and sing some of those." Music and memories -- that's what we do.

Tea For Two...And 65 More

There has been some discussion that we could change the name of our blog from "Sing Along" to "Eat Along" with the Yesterukes.  Sharing a meal and fellowship with the many wonderful people we meet is always a pleasure.  Now that we seem to be averaging four covered dish dinners a month (well, maybe not quite that many), there is no doubt that the best cooks are in the South.

Today's performance was for a community gathering of senior adults.  There were 67 people present, representing 10 churches.  We had such fun singing and reminiscing.  After singing along with us for about 30 minutes, the audience gave us a standing ovation.  We are always well received but we do not always move folks to their feet at the end!  It's certainly fun to know everyone had a good time.  

Visiting with the audience after the program is a favorite part of the day for the YesterUkes.  Today, a lady commented that we must be very well known in the area because it was the largest attendance they've had in a very long time.  A gentleman said he knew every song we sang but one---and that was because he married his wife just before that one was recorded and he didn't need love songs any longer!  

Someone asked how we found our band members.  The answer is they usually find us.  One of our newest members saw us play at in Greenville in December and called to ask if he could join us.  Another member read about us in the newspaper and called about joining.  She had played with a ukulele group in Ohio before moving here.  And we are delighted that these folks are now part of the YesterUkes.

Thanks For The Memories

On Wednesday evening, the YesterUkes had fun singing and playing for the kind people at Broad St. United Methodist Church. About 90 people came out on a cold, rainy night for sausage casserole, grits, baked fruit...and the YesterUkes! We sang old songs, laughed a lot, and remembered times gone by. We are rarely set up on a stage, but this church has a fabulous facility, complete with a full stage, where we looked and felt like a "real" band. The place went crazy when Dick sang "The Lion Sleeps Tonight".

Earlier this week, the YesterUkes lost one of their biggest fans. (He was my uncle). Uncle Phil loved fishing, the Carolina Gamecocks, and he loved the music we played. I learned much of this music second-hand -- from my parents, their collection of 78 rpm records and old movies on television. But when I would visit Uncle Phil, he would ask what we were playing now, and as we talked about the songs, he would tell me that he remembered seeing Glen Miller play that one. Or, that he and his lovely bride had danced to Tommy Dorsey playing that particular song years ago. And he remembered seeing Nat King Cole singing with a group, before he became famous. Hearing his stories made it all come alive. And most times, he would tell me that his favorite singer was Doris Day. And then he would always say, "You know...she and I are the same age."

Several months ago, he arranged for the YesterUkes to play at Morningside, where he was a resident. I was told that if we had flown in from Hollywood, he could not have been more proud to have scheduled our appearance. We will be back there in a couple of weeks to play again. How sad it will be to play without him there listening. But we hope that now, he is somewhere where the fish are always biting, the Gamecocks win often, and Doris Day is heard on the radio all the time.

Food, Glorious Food!

The YesterUkes are on the road again.  Rested and refreshed after a holiday break, they resumed performing for groups across the Upstate.  The first program of 2009 was preceded by a wonderful lunch provided by the members of St. Matthew UMC, who braved the cold to come today.  The YesterUkes love good cooking almost as much as they love good music! (Or, could that be the other way around?)

After lunch, the band kicked off their set.  Voices joined together, singing bouncy choruses from the swing era.  Ukuleles are particularly well-suited to these jazz standards, breezing through the quick chord changes.  Listeners became part of the music as they sang along with these lively tunes.  How can you tell if they like the music?  Look for smiling faces, tapping toes, bouncing knees and lots of laughter.  A standing ovation, like the one the band received today, is a pretty good sign the the band is doing it right!

After the program comes the best part -- listening to the stories told as folks come up afterwards to speak to band members.  There are so many funny tales and moving stories connected to these old songs.  Every person has something different to share.  The temperature was still frosty when it was time to leave, but everyone went out into the cold with warmed spirits -- many still humming their favorite song.

The Whole World Smiles With You

The start of a new year is a good time to look at what has happened during the one just past.  There was no grand plan to create a successful band. But the YesterUkes just followed the music to see where it would lead. Success has it's downside, though...fatigue was constantly nipping at their heels toward the end of the year. But a few smiles from well-worn faces or warm hand shakes from wheelchair bound listeners would give a much needed boost. And there were exciting moments, too, like playing for a pub audience, at a coffee house and a restaurant. Oh, and don't forget the many excellent covered dish dinners that followed church performances.  

Here are the stats--the YesterUkes grew from 10 members at the beginning of 2008 to the current roster of 15. During 2008, they played 33 performances in five South Carolina counties and made one trip to North Carolina. They entertained just over 1700 people during the year.  They found dedicated folks who followed their performances.  Groupies!  

People genuinely love this group and their music.  Maybe it's the memories that these old songs stir up.  So many after show comments would begin with, "I remember when..."  The YesterUkes are looking forward a new year and new adventures.  Maybe they will play at a location near you.

Like the song says, when you're smiling, the whole world smiles with you.  Not bad for beginners...