Every Morning, Every Evening, Ain't We Got Fun?

There probably is a law against having so much fun! Sixty-five seniors rocked out to the rhythms of the YesterUkes when they played Thursday after lunch at the Mauldin Senior Center. For about forty-five minutes, the band entertained the group with tunes from the 40s and 50s. It was the first time that people got up and danced to the music! Can we say we're a dance band now? It would be difficult to say who enjoyed it more---players or listeners.

The afternoon ended with a standing ovation from one of the liveliest senior groups in the upstate. As we were packing up, the activity director confessed that it was hard work to get her members to come that day...there were some very skeptical people when they heard a ukulele band was the entertainment. But comments after the program were mostly of the "best program ever" variety. She was one relieved activity director!

On Saturday night, the YesterUkes played to a full house at the Village Cup. Twinkling lights in the windows and flickering candlelight inside invited folks into this cozy coffee house to sit back, relax with a frozen mocha and enjoy the music. In addition to the big band standards, the YesterUkes played and sang songs from the 50s and 60s. Patrons sang along as the band played familiar tunes. Bob wowed listeners with his rendition of a couple of 50s favorites. All musicians love a good audience and this one ranked right up there with the best.

Why do the YesterUkes work so hard to bring this music to their listeners? One story from Saturday night may explain it best: A lady from out-of-town said she had come to visit her elderly father-in-law. She brought him to the Village Cup for supper and was surprised to find a ukulele band playing that night. She said her father-in-law didn't find much to enjoy these days but much to her surprise, he sang every song we played! She was delighted and very grateful that he was so happy for that evening. These small ukuleles can be powerful instruments for good.

Here A Baptist, There A Baptist, Everywhere A Baptist...

As the sun was sparkling on the water at Lake Greenwood, folks scrambled to set up more tables and chairs just before the annual senior picnic, sponsored by the Laurens Baptist Association, was scheduled to begin at 10:30 AM. The attendance was expected to be about 100 people but it quickly grew to a record 161! (Could it be they came to hear the YesterUkes?) Folks were squeezed into every corner of the building.

In short order things were underway and the YesterUkes led their largest sing-along to date. For about 45 minutes the large audience sang along with tunes from the Big Band to the Doo Wop era. It was so much fun to hear that many voices join together.

After the music folks enjoyed the largest covered dish lunch many had ever seen. Good ol' Southern cooking at its best. The desserts alone covered several tables. And while we ate, we visited with many friends.

We are beginning to get some feedback on the YesterUkes CD. Just in from Virginia: "Loved your CD! Loved hearing those Southern accents." The CDs will be available at the Village Cup in Laurens on September 27 for $10. Or you can contact a YesterUke member or email yesterukes@gmail.com for ordering information.

Rockin' At The Red Barn

Outside a light rain provided relief from the heat and inside diners were greeted with the aroma of sizzling steaks and shrimp and grits. They also were treated to the upbeat songs of the YesterUkes who entertained for over an hour. Songs from the 1920s kicked off the evening and then moved on through the decades to the mid-1960s. There was even a ukulele version of the 60s surfing hit,"Wipe Out"!

Diners joined in, singing along with the band, while they waited for food to arrive at their tables. Smiling faces and tapping feet were evidence that everyone was having have fun. The low chatter of voices and the clinking of dinnerware made a pleasant mix with the music. This was a most excellent evening at the Red Barn Restaurant in Gray Court.

If you missed the YesterUkes this week, they'll be back at the Red Barn in the future. In the meantime, enjoy a fine meal there. You'll find the menu and driving directions at their web site, http://www.redbarnsc.com/

Happy Birthday, Dr. Uke!

The YesterUkes want to send a Happy Birthday wish to Dr. Jim Rosokoff-- better known to us as Dr. Uke. Our entire ukulele adventure began with a single visit to http://www.doctoruke.com/ when Dianne was searching for a way to learn to play the ukulele she bought in Hawaii. A "thank you" email from her to Dr. Uke and a quick response from him began a camaraderie that has grown for the past year. Dr. Uke, who resides in Connecticut, has tirelessly explained, educated and encouraged this fledgling band in South Carolina.

Following his example and using his material, so generously provided on his web site, the YesterUkes began to grow as a band and develop a following of their own. The YesterUkes went from six players who gave the first performance in September 2007 to a merry band of 16 musicians from across the upstate of South Carolina in August, 2008, with performances scheduled into 2009.

It is with much gratitude that a HUGE birthday greeting and good wishes are sent all the way from the sunny South to our mentor in New England. "Happy Birthday, Dr. Uke!"

Start The Day With A Song

Starting the morning with a song is almost guarantees a good day. Residents of Pendleton Manor, along with friends and family, gathered to join the YesterUkes in a song fest today. For nearly an hour everyone took a trip back in time, singing songs that were once favorites. These folks sang right along as a dozen YesterUkes strummed their hearts out. Smiling, they sang out, tapped and clapped along.....and the YesterUkes even got one loud "Amen!"

Maybe this "ukulele crazy" group will visit again and bring another musical memory trip to this lovely place.

The next performance of the YesterUkes will be on Friday, September 5, 6:30 PM at the Red Barn in Gray Court. This restaurant is located just off Hwy 14 near Laurens. The food is always delicious. Steaks are just one specialty. Call 682-2771 for dinner reservations.

I've Got Rhythm...

It's as simple as walking and chewing gum at the same time....or at least it should be. The YesterUkes spent the afternoon with Kiya Heartwood, half of the duo "Wishing Chair", learning about rhythm. Our group is basically an all-ukulele band but a little percussion puts pizazz in our songs.

We worked on rhythm patterns while strumming our ukes. The hardest is getting muted sound at the right time. (First we worked so hard to make the chords sound right and now we only want a little thump sound......geez.) Then we learned about different rhythm instruments. No drum kits here....we need instruments that will fit in a tote bag. Kiya had members shaking, tapping and thumping. Spoons, egg shakers, tamborines, a paddle drum (not all at the same time) rattled, jingled, tapped and boomed. It looked pretty easy until it your turn to try. Learning to make "remedial" spoons might help us add that soft-shoe rhythm that we want.

Like everything else, it's mostly a matter of practice. So if you see someone counting "1-2-3-4" over and over while tapping on their steering wheel or if your neighbor is on the back porch pounding out tribal rhythms, it could be one of the YesterUkes working on songs for their next show.

Greetings to the YesterUkes from Hawaii

Every day is an adventure. Today we received a message from Hawaii. Here is an excerpt:

"Aloha YesterUkes,
One of our ukulele instructors, David Heakulani, sent us a wonderful news article about the wonderful work you're doing! Congratulations and Mahalo (thank you) for being an inspiration to us here in Hilo!" ---East Hawaii Cultural Center

It's amazing that news of the YesterUkes has reached around the globe. Wonder what's next?

Here is one for the memory books. Do you remember the first time you saw these young men? Did your parents approve(or was their hair too long to be respectable)? Enjoy this video from 1994 as they sing a favorite song of the YesterUkes. Sometimes "Keeping it simple" is as good as it gets.