Everything Old Is New Again

Today's program at Christ Church Episcopal ended with enthusiastic applause and a standing ovation. The first performance after time off is always a little unnerving, but these folks were so into the music that we couldn't help but do well.

We had some teens in the audience who were here visiting and had come to hear Granddad sing. We commented that maybe they hadn't heard these old songs we love so much. After the program a lady rushed to the front to tell us that the first song we sang, "Ain't We Got Fun"(1914), was on TV last night. It was dance music for a finalist couple on "So You Think You Can Dance." So maybe they have heard these songs--and just not known how old they were! Good music is good music. And will come back again and again.

Another lady, just beaming, came to tell us how much fun she'd had. She said, "I knew the words to every song...until you got to that one from 1949. That was the year after I finished school and I don't know any songs after that!" But she liked listening to the "new" songs from the 1950s & 60s.

So, we left with a standing ovation, good CD sales, and a return date booked. Not bad for the first day back.

"Everything Old Is New Again" by Peter Allen, featured in "All That Jazz"

Where Did We Go Right?

Everywhere we play, someone wants to know, "How did the YesterUkes get started?" For those who have asked, here is how it began... The original five members were part of a ukulele class taught at Martha Franks Baptist Retirement Center in Laurens, SC. We didn't start out to be a band. It was just fun being together. In fact it was so much fun, that the first five members invited friends to join us. And we quickly grew to ten.

After we played a couple of programs, the ball started rolling. Word of the "ukulele people" began to spread. A huge article in a Sunday edition of the Greenville News last summer brought a flood of requests for programs---and brought us Susan who read about us and called to ask about joining. Chandler drove his wife to weekly practices, and always sat in the back, reading a book. But he decided that we were having entirely too much fun! He learned to play ukulele and is now in the band.

Bruce, a baritone uke player, heard us perform at his church and asked if he could join. (And we quickly said "Yes!) After retiring, Dick told a friend he would like to play with us. And the word was passed along to us and he soon belonged. A YesterUkes business card given to a stranger was passed along to his ukulele-playing friend Jim, who called to ask if he could come visit a practice. He did. And he stayed.

The last person to join had heard about the YesterUkes and simply kept asking around until he found where we practiced. And then Ralph showed up, ukulele in hand. There are now 17 members who come from seven towns in three counties in upstate South Carolina.

Thanks to YouTube, you can be a part of our group, too...if only for a few minutes. Join us at a recent practice as you listen:

Where Did We Go Right, by Johnny Cash, 1958

We Are Family

The YesterUkes are a family of sorts, bound by a common interest. We see more of each other than we see some of our own children. And with that shared time has come caring and concern for each other. Today was the first day back after a few weeks off for a summer break. Folks, glad to be together, greeted each other with hugs and excited chatter. What happened in our time off?

• Chandler has been sidelined for a while by his doctor. We hope he's back soon.
• Bob will head back to specialists next week for more tests to do with the recurrence of his melanoma. Extra prayers would be appreciated.
• Jim found a ukulele in a junk shop for $5. He refurbished it and gave it to a surprised member today. Generous, as always.
• Petra, age 8 (an honorary YesterUke), moved to a new town, but she was back for a visit and played one song with us. She's welcome to come anytime.
• Jane made a trip to Cuba. We forgot to ask if she saw any ukuleles while she was there.

Sharing and caring, just like all families. We celebrate the exciting and the fun things and worry about the problems. But the music is therapy. And getting back to business is good for us all.

We were a little rusty after some time off. But we found the groove after a couple of songs. Good thing, because calls for us to perform continue to come in. We'll be back on the road in a couple of weeks, entertaining senior adults in the Upstate. Maybe you'll hear us in a location near you. Check the schedule on the sidebar.

"We Are Family", by Sister Sledge, 1979

When It's Sleepy Time Down South

The YesterUkes are currently on a summer break, taking time for travel, vacations, family time or just sitting on the porch resting, with a glass of iced tea in one hand and a good book in the other. But the calls for bookings continue to come in. Some dates have been added and several new dates are pending. Our current schedule is always listed here on the blog.

We'll start back soon, renewed and re-energized. There are new songs in the works, for certain. Wouldn't be surprised if there aren't some new ukuleles also! Seems to be an affliction--"ukulele acquisition syndrome." (Personally? I only have one new uke this summer.)

Just for information...

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We'll see you back here in a couple of weeks. Rested and ready to go.

Summertime...And The Living Is Easy

Summertime in the South brings heat and humidity that can wilt even the heartiest souls. But summertime also brings a bounty from the garden, such as fresh green beans, cantaloup and peaches. This week the YesterUkes had to sing for their supper (actually, it was lunch) but after the program they were treated to fresh fruits and vegetables served along side fried chicken--a staple at Southern covered dish dinners. These Baptists know how to cook!

Fifteen ukulele players were the entertainment for the monthly meeting of the Happy Hearts Club at Hampton Heights Baptist Church. We sang old favorites from decades past. After the meeting, so many people told us those songs brought back good memories. Several said they hadn't heard those songs in years.

We always ask the audience to sing along with us. One lady told us when a song was announced, she could remember the song but knew she couldn't sing along because she didn't remember the words. Then she exclaimed, "But every time you started, I knew every word and could sing right along with you!" Those songs from our younger days are sometimes buried deep in our brains, but they are there.

While packing up at the end, the director was having the usual "where are you from" conversation with a church member. She discovered that many years ago this silver-haired lady had lived in the same small town where she grew up. In the South, it's customary to find out "who your people are". So as they continued to talk, they discovered that this church member and the director's father had been next door neighbors when they were children! Small world. The director was happy to hear a little about her dad and grandmother when they were young.

Play a ukulele and you never know what surprises await you!

I Feel Fine

When Edna found out she had to have knee surgery, she began the usual round of pre-op preparations--with one big difference! Most people do not include a ukulele band in their pre-op planning. Post-surgery rehab was part of the treatment. When she went to make arrangements for a three-week stay at a nearby facility, she immediately had them schedule the YesterUkes to perform while she would be there for physical therapy.

But she approached her rehab like she does everything else. Full speed ahead! And Edna was discharged a little early, the day before the Yesterukes came to play. But she came back the next morning, dressed in the official blue shirt, ukulele in hand, to help entertain residents she had said goodbye to the day before.

Many residents, with more limitations than our Edna, wheeled into the dining room for the morning program. Others pushed walkers in, looking for a seat. Many family members were there visiting. Staff members also joined the group. The dining room is just across the hall from the therapy room. so people continued to wander in, when they heard music as they left their therapy session. The YesterUkes were in fine form for this excellent audience. It's always easier to play well when listeners respond to the songs. There was even a wheelchair dance during one song. We played jazz standards, some rockin' songs from the 50s, and ended with a gospel favorite.

An email we received after the program said,

"Hey, I sure am glad I came to hear the YesterUkes today. No wonder you are being asked to go all over the place to entertain. It amazed me to watch some of the sad old faces come alive and sing along."

We try hard to present a fun program that everyone can participate in. We think we achieved that today. In great part because we were all delighted to have Edna back with us!

By The Beautiful Sea

So what if we were 265 miles from the coast?  This "ship" sailed anyway.  The residents, all dressed in resort attire, were welcomed by the captain as they boarded and took a lunch time cruise.  A lavish meal (including shrimp cocktail, salmon, crab rangoon, teriyaki steak, oysters and mango sorbet) was enjoyed by residents of Foothills Presbyterian Community as the cruise got underway.  

The YesterUkes were the featured entertainers for the floor show during the meal.   We added some Hawaiian tunes to our regular repertoire, singing Pearly Shells, The Hukilau Song, and Tiny Bubbles.  There were even bubbles floating through the air for the famous Don Ho song.

As the show ended, people gathered on the dance floor for a hula.  The "ship" docked and the cruise director offered everyone a choice of a day trip into town or bingo on the Lido deck.   We hope this "ship" sails next year.  We'd love to cruise with them again.