The Ukulele Band

I'm not a musical person.  But I loved to rock and sing to our daughters when they were little.  As soon as Laurie and Amy were old enough to talk, they covered my mouth with their sweet little hands and said, "Hush, Mama!"

A few years ago, Chuck was pastoring a small church in Prospect, Tennessee.  They had a ukulele band with about a dozen members.  We had never heard of a ukulele band before.  Prior ukulele experience was not required so we joined!  They quickly dug up two spare ukuleles, two music stands with cute homemade carrying cases, and two notebooks filled with music and diagrams of the chords.  It was official...we were in!! 

We practiced once a week spread out among the wooden pews surrounded by beautiful stained glass windows.  These folks were really good, but they did not take themselves too seriously.  They knew that having fun together was the real reason they all came.

Bill, our leader, had a dry wit and loved to tease.  There was no pressure to be perfect.  After seeing us sing and play, they knew there was no pressure for us to even be good! Yet, they loved us anyway and made us feel a part of the band.  Singing and playing those old hymns and a few silly songs was the most relaxing thing I've ever done!  It was an hour of laughing, singing, and trying to make our fingers do the impossible! 

We had a performance shortly after we joined.  The band performed an amazing combination of toe tapping tunes, prayerful spirituals, and spontaneous vaudeville!  The audience loved it.    Chuck and I just played the chords we could, and when we came to a hard one we hadn't figured out, we just sang and smiled!

I've missed our friends in the ukulele band.  I'd say they had pretty well figured out what was important in life.  They played hard, laughed often and loudly, accepted each other completely (even new folks like us with little or no talent!)   They also didn't keep all the fun to themselves but shared it everywhere they performed. 

Thanks friends, for letting us be a part of it!  Thanks for teaching me that joy comes in getting out there and trying something new, not in waiting for perfection!  Every now and then when I'm painting , I sing the song Bill wrote to begin each show.  It always reminds me to relax and feel the love!

We are the ukulele band.

We play the best that we can.

We sing, we strum, sometimes we hum.

We are the ukulele band...oh yeah...we are the ukulele band!

Comments

[Christy]

Maybe you and Chuck could start one at your church now....

[Debbie]

You obviously haven't heard us play and sing!

[Christy]

I can't even imagine it!!! ha ha

[Donna]

Hi! This is Donna Harper, Christy's friend again. She gave me a framed picture of your bluebird painting that is playing the guitar and I love it!! It looks so cute in my house! I just love your page - you are very encouraging. I love the Ukelele Band because I began playing on the Uke at age 7 when I got one for my birthday...also I've never heard a Uke Band - I think that would be something cool to hear - ha! Have a great day! Love, Donna

[Debbie]

Hi, Donna,
I'm so glad you like the bluebird picture! Christy told me she was getting it for you. That's great that you learned to play the ukulele at 7...I thought it was a lot harder than it looks! If you google ukulele band you'll see that there are a lot of them all over the world. There might even be one near you. Thanks for your comment...join in the conversation whenever you can.
Debbie

[Jane Dzelzitis]

Hi Debbie,
Your Ukulele band story is very much like ours here in Laurens, SC. We started out with one teacher teaching me and now have 15 other folks who come from all over the SC Upstate to practice on Thursdays. Our mission was to play in retirement centers, nursing homes, and assisted living venues but we soon were in demand in other places. We have played in a Pub, a Coffee Shop, the hospital system atrium,for kindergartens, the SC Annual Agricultural dinner and the Grove Park Inn in NC. Last year we played 34 programs for over 1700 people. The Uke is back! We are on YesterUkes You Tube, and our blog with pictures, write ups and schedule is YesterUkes.blogspot.com. Enjoy!
Jane

[Debbie Warnock]

Hi Jane! I'm so glad to hear about your ukulele band! Sounds like you're making a lot of people happy with your playing and singing. If your playing at the Grove Park Inn...you've really made the big time! I love the video on your blog. I hope everybody checks you out on YesterUkes.blogspot.com It's really worth watching.
Thanks for sharing your story...let me know if any of you move to southern Virginia...I'm still looking for a director!!
Debbie