Do You Hear What I Hear?

When we walked in and saw the beautiful cake, we knew we were in for a treat. The Yesterukes work hard all year at practices and at gigs. Oh, yes—there is lots of visiting each time, but much of it is whispered between songs. Or, it's shared conversation as we walk back to the parking lot.

Today was a time just for us. There was much laughter and chatter and good food. There was time to finish whole sentences without having to stop for a song. It was pure pleasure to just relax and enjoy the company of good friends. The photos tell the story.

But wherever Yesterukes gather, there's going to be music. We can't help it. Today, though, it was all piano accompaniment. The ukuleles will have a rest until the new year. Look for us back here on the blog in a couple of months.



Do You Hear What I Hear, Bing Crosby, 1963

Christmas Time Is Here

Don't believe everything you see in a photo! The "humbug" pictured above is anything but grumpy. His hat is just for fun. He was one of several Yesteruke members who came to play and sing in the lobby of St. Francis Hospital to share a little Christmas joy. We played here last December and were so happy that they invited us back. It's a favorite place for us to play.

One lady was being pushing by us in a wheelchair. The nurse stopped a minute to let her listen. She was all smiles. We have no idea why she was in the hospital but we were glad we could bring a little cheer. Another woman was there, waiting while her mother had surgery. If you've ever had to wait like that, you know that those minutes just creep by. We're pretty sure that at least 45 minutes of her wait passed a little more quickly as she moved over to our side of the lobby to watch and even made a couple of videos of our music. 

Some hospital staff members also gathered in the lobby, probably to see what a "Yesteruke" was and to hear what we sounded like. They likely needed a couple of minutes of music as much as anyone. It was fun for all of us.

Christmas Time Is Here, Vince Guaraldi Trio, 1965

You Ought To Be In Pictures

*

Yes, the Yesterukes OUGHT to be in pictures right here on this blog. But the photographer for the group (who is also the writer of the blog) has fallen down on the job. Just know that the Yesterukes have been busy entertaining people across the upstate. Our members are a hardy group--willing to carry on while part of the band has been dealing with assorted illnesses and surgeries. And as we play for groups of senior adults who also have health concerns, we are reminded that a hour of music, fun and smiles is a healthy thing. Music is good for the body as well as the soul.

Yesterday we played for the Joy Club of Riverside Baptist Church. No camera was in sight, but you can use your imagination and picture the beautifully decorated room and tables filled with members and guests. And picture the Yesterukes in their blue shirts, on stage singing and playing favorite songs such as Rawhide and Sentimental Journey along with all the standard Christmas selections. It was a great way to kick off the holiday season. We will try to remember to make photos next time.

*pictured above is Cliff Edwards, better known as "Ukulele Ike"

You Ought To Be In Pictures, Suesse & Heyman, 1934

In A Sentimental Mood

Simpsonville First Baptist Church's Joy Club is a very active group with many, many members. We were happy to be with them for a second time last month. Take a look at a few photos from the day.

 Getting set up before the program.

The main purpose of these gatherings is to get together...

to meet new people...

to enjoy the fellowship...

...and to share a meal.

Like some of the other places where we play, 

there are senior adults from many churches 

who come together here.

And our job is to entertain everyone with a musical trip 

down memory lane.

In A Sentimental Mood, Duke Ellington, 1935

How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved By You)

It is always nice to get home from a gig and have an email waiting for you that reads like this one: 

Today with the yesterukes was one of the most delightful times I have had in quite some time.  Thank you and your ukers.

We enjoyed our time with the folks from Augusta Rd. Baptist Church, too. It was the first time we had played for this group and there is something special about an audience that doesn't quite know what to expect when they turn chairs around after lunch and get ready to listen.

They were so excited when the music was over. Nearly every person there came up to tell us how much they enjoyed what we did. There were lots of smiles and hugs. There were also stories about the songs we sang---like the white-haired man who said he remembered being on a troop ship and hearing the Andrews Sisters sing Sentimental Journey as they pulled away from shore. He thanked us for bringing back so many memories.

And I missed getting this photo up a couple of weeks ago. The perfect blog title would have been We'll Sing In The Sunshine. The sanctuary at Eastminster Presbyterian Church overlooks a beautiful wooded area. We just happened to be there in the very bright setting sun. By the time the music started, the sun had set and the audience thankfully was not staring into that bright sun. We had fun with those folks, too. That evening we sang more songs from the 50s and 60s. It is fun to have such a mix of music in our set list that we can choose what to sing as we see what a particular audience is enjoying.




How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved By You), Marvin Gaye, 1964

Sing For Your Supper

*September 2012 is the 5th anniversary of the Yesterukes.*

We really should think about changing the name of our blog to "EAT Along With The Yesterukes." We are not fed everywhere we go, but we do enjoy many good dinners as part of the programs where we entertain. (Our band truly is not all about food, but it is impossible to make photos and play at the same time, so our photos are almost all before and after pictures.)

We were treated to another fabulous covered dish lunch 

prepared by the members of John Knox Presbyterian Church.

If you are wearing a blue shirt, 

you get to go through the food line first.

And as many times as we say we are going to forgo dessert,

that never happens. It's just too good.

This was a fun show for everyone.

The Yesterukes received a standing ovation.

That doesn't happen very often, 

so we appreciate it when we get one.

One of the favorite parts of any gig 

is meeting people after the program.

Some folks want to try out a strum or two.

And some have a ukulele story to share.

This time we heard from someone who still has the 

Martin tenor ukulele that was a gift about 60 years ago. 

And almost always, someone wants to know 

how to book our group. 

Most of the bookings on our schedule 

come from someone who has heard us 

and tells a friend about the program.

A favorite phone call a few weeks ago was when a lady called to ask about scheduling us and said, "David (from another church) says we just HAVE to book your group! You are the favorite program at his church." So now her group is on our spring schedule. This method of booking new places has worked for us for years. When people stop asking, we'll know it's time to call it quits.

Sing For Your Supper, Rodgers & Hart, 1938--recorded by the Mamas & the Papas in 1967

Around The World In 80 Days

Just a day after our last blog which talked about ukulele groups in other places on the globe, we received the the following email from a group completely on the other side of the earth from us.  How much fun to find ukulele friends in Singapore. 

Hi there,
 
I came across your blog and seen some of your clips....very impressive. We have a thing in common as our group started out a few years ago, all seniors and all volunteers....we play at old folks home and community functions , and we jam every Thursday.
you can go to youtube under Bishan Ukelele Interest Group.....
By the way we are from Singapore......I would like to extend our invitation to you when you are in this part of the woods check us out.
 
Happy Jamming ....and have fun...
Sebastian 

Sebastian told us in a second email that there are other ukulele groups in Singapore...

"... except we are the only ones that wear uniformed Tee Shirts like yours . We've got different tees for different events....The one in green was taken on our Chinese New Year Chingay Parade similar to your Madigras and  the red ones was our performance during one of our national day events."

In this big ukulele world, we all learn from each other. Listen to them here:

Thanks, Sebastian, for taking time to share all of this with us. Please tell your members that the Yesterukes said, "Hello!"


Around The World In 80 Days, from the movie of the same title, 1956