The Sound Of Silence

It has never happened before. Setting up the sound equipment for a program is a chore but it's just part of the gig. But this time after hooking up all of the cords and plugs and cables, there was no sound coming from a couple of mics and the single plugged-in uke. We had just used it all last week so we were pretty certain the equipment itself was okay.

It more likely had something to do with the spaghetti-like pile of cords piled at the bottom of the main mic. Something was not hooked up right. But finding the problem when you're watching the clock tick down until it's time to start is nerve-wracking. 

Thankfully Simpsonville First Baptist Church has an audio-visual professional on staff who happened to be in the event space. And the Yesterukes' own sound pro got there just before it was time to start. And because they were there, it was all untangled and corrected and the show went on without a hitch. 

After the music (and a standing ovation) so many people came up to tell us how much they had enjoyed the music. One lady told us, "You all are wonderful. We've never had anything like this for a program before." That would be because there is nothing like the Yesterukes! So glad they enjoyed us and have already booked up for next year.

And there is great hope that next time, we will be ready, diagram in hand now, to get it all done right. The first time.

The Sound Of Silence, Simon & Garfunkel, 1964

On The Road Again

The Yesterukes are back! After a very long summer break, we hit the road again bringing songs and memories to the good folks at Fairview Baptist Church. We had new songs in our set list and some new equipment to make things run smoother. Thank goodness there was at least one Yesteruke who knew how to hook all of this up!

And once again, we were well fed. 

The group here numbered over 100, including one beautiful lady who was celebrating her 95th birthday.

The Yesterukes sounded as good as ever, receiving a standing ovation and a request to return another time.

The Yesterukes trade in music and memories. Last night as we were packing up after the program a lady came up to talk to us. She said she had listened carefully as we were singing one of our standard songs, Sixteen Tons. She grew up in W. Virginia where her father was a coal miner. She told us, "As I sat and listened to this song, I thought....they could be singing about my dad. Pretty much every word of that song was true for him." Powerful memories.



On The Road Again, Willie Nelson, 1980

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