Sitting On Top Of The World

Technically Prince Edward Island, Canada isn't all the way at the top of the world, but when you start out from South Carolina it's pretty darn close. For a few years the Yesterukes have been online friends with SMUG (Saturday Morning Ukulele Group) and the leader of the Yesterukes decided it was time to go meet the leader of SMUG--a ukulele summit.

David, who directs SMUG, arranged a day for everyone to get together to visit, play music and share a meal. For Dianne, who directs the Yesterukes, it felt much like being at home with her own group. We hope it won't be the last visit. SMUG members, please know you are always welcome here down South.

Sitting On Top Of The World, Mississippi Sheiks, 1930

The More We Get Together

Finally. It was time to get back together after summer break. As much as we need a good break, it felt good to be back with friends. Visiting. Eating. (You know us...there's usually food.) Talking. Playing. Talking. Singing. More talking.

The photos tell it best.

 And yes, we really did practice a little...

The More We Get Together, traditional children's song

Feeling Good

The Yesterukes are on vacation. But that doesn't stop people from contacting us for performances (which we love) or stop them from sending us things they think we will enjoy. Today's email included one with a link to this video and said, "You can share this with the Ukesters."

We've played programs in many, many retirement communities but never have we encountered one like this! Love the sense of humor these folks have. It's too good not to share with you! The video has been up for four days and has had over a quarter of a million views.  (Warning: no ukulele content. Just good fun.)

Feeling Good, Anthony Newly & Leslie Briscusse, 1965 
(This version recorded by Michael Buble, 2005)

When I'm Sixty-Four

"this is so amazing, Im only 22 now and when I watch this video I always imagine myself getting older like you and have so much fun :XD" connie

As much as we'd like to pretend that we are not old---or hope that no one notices that we are old--this young person did notice. Her comment today on one of our YouTube videos affirms that, yes, we are old. (It might be that all the gray hair is a give away.) But the important part of her comment is dead on.  

We are having so much fun!  And we are so happy that you think we are amazing. We also hope that when you are our age that you find something that brings you this much joy. Thank you, Connie, for taking time to add the comment.

When I'm Sixty-Four, The Beatles, 1967

After You've Gone

It is always sad to say goodbye, but Ron & Betty, two very special people, have decided it is time to move on to other endeavors. Both have so many talents and interests that there was not enough time to do them all.

They were part of the original five people who completed the "Learn To Play The Ukulele In 8 Weeks" class. Those five people were the beginning of the Yesterukes. If memory is correct, in one of the first news articles about the band, they were quoted as saying they did one new thing each year. Ukulele was the new thing for 2007. So we can't complain---they've been with us for four wonderful years.

We will miss Ron's sense of humor (read his experience about his stay at Mepkin Abby after playing with us for a while. It was not the same as "before ukuleles"!) Ron was also one of our whistlers, one who wowed each and every audience. And no one will ever hit the high notes like Betty. Her true soprano voice will be missed in our vocals.

And Martha Franks Baptist Retirement Center will miss the great photo ops of these two in their blue shirts! They've been featured in assorted PR materials over the years. They always looked like they were having such great fun.

So here's to Ron and Betty! Enjoy your new adventure. We can't wait to hear what you do next.



After You've Gone, by Layton & Creamer, 1918

You're Nobody Till Somebody Loves You

If the song is true, we are definitely "somebody" because the folks at First Baptist Spartanburg really loved us. First Baptist Church in Spartanburg, SC is a huge congregation--about 7,000 members. If all of them are as friendly as the 150 or so we met, it's a fantastic place to be.

It might be the most enthusiastic audience ever. If we gave prizes for singing along with us, this group would win, hands down. It's so much fun for us to play when everyone listening gets into the music.

We love meeting new people and everyone here was so nice. We even met some old friends that had moved to this area. That was unexpected but it was fun to catch up after many years.

The Yesterukes never turn down a dinner invitation. Guess we truly "sing for our supper." 

When the evening was over, this crowd jumped to their feet (well, as fast as a group called Young At Heart can jump.) Another standing ovation! They all left humming and singing and there was a smile on every face.

We were all smiling, too. It made us glad that we do what we do. All of our hard work was so appreciated. This was a perfect place to end our season. Yes, it was the last performance before summer break. The Yesterukes have worked hard this year and will be taking a much deserved break. We'll be back on the road in the fall. 

There will be some blog posts along the way, but if we skip several weeks, don't give up on us. We're just resting.

You're Nobody Till Somebody Loves You, written by Morgan, Stock & Cavanaugh, 1944

Time After Time

For years we had an encore song in the back of our notebook, just in case. We practiced it time and again so it would be ready. Just a bouncy little song. But after many performances the song lanquished in the back of the book, so we took it out. Today we got a standing ovation from the crowd and a request for another song! And we didn't have one. 

Maybe if we put the song back in, five years from now another group will shout, "Encore, encore!" 

This was a huge group at Monaghan Baptist Church and we had a wonderful time visiting with them after the program. Several folks had heard us play at other churches and had brought friends to hear us today. We have fans!

We are fans of the good folks at Monaghan Baptist, too. They fed us well and told us over and over how much they loved the program. One man said several times, "You've got a good thing going here." We think so, too.


Time After Time, by Sammy Cahn & Jule Styne, 1947