Where have you gone?!

Yeah, I get it. I understand that I pretty much dropped off of the face of the earth. But, it's only because I've been doing important work. That's right, I've been making a difference, y'all.

I've been playing VIDEO GAMES!

No be fair, I've also been crazy busy with work, my old heavy new wave band (VOLUMEN) had a reunion show at the last Total Fest, here in Missoula and I still occasionally play ukulele with Jerry in our novelty act.

But, fret not, ukulele-loving folk, because Jerry and I have been making recording our Tuesday video game sessions and the results are (sometimes) hilarious. Also, each week we switch instruments to play the theme song, so there is still some ukulele up in this piece.

Here, check out the outtakes for this week's episode and you'll see me playing my Kala Pocket Ukulele while Jerry pretends to play bass.

If that tickles your fancy, you should watch the full episode. Or, if 17 minutes is too big of a commitment (believe me, you won't regret it), then check out this 7 minute episode featuring Chicken Lady!

The premise of "Who's Better?" (that's the name of the series, by the way) is that we challenge each other (and occasionally a guest star) to a video game battle. The winner gets bragging rights for the week. I designed the contest because I figured it would just legitimize all of the Jerry-bashing I already do. But... so far it hasn't been going my way.

Ok, well, I hope you join us. I promise to keep putting ukuleles up in there.

Ukulele Guy Video Responses (YAY!)

So, I'm going to just come right out and admit that I know very little about the inner workings of Youtube.  I mean, I'd always seen these so-called "Video Responses" but I guess I didn't really get it.  It seemed like something that people did to argue more with a political video or something.  Imagine my surprise when I realized that I have two Video responses to my ukulele videos!

I have pretty much been smiling for days.  Anyway, the first video response I ever got was from russelljenkinsfearn and it was actually from a little while back.  He responded to my Kala Pocket Ukulele rendition of Ween's "Help me scrape the mucus off my brain".  In all honesty, his version is better.   Doh!  Anyway, check it out:

My next video response came over this weekend.  It was posted by "TacoBum311" and it was a response to my Eleuke Electric Ukulele version of Halloween by the Misfits.  Their version also features an Eleuke (the pretty sunburst one) and they do a rocking version of the best Misfits song of all time, Hybrid Moments.  Check it out!

Like I said, I feel like a proud father or something. I know it's a little ridiculous but I can't help it. So, if you want to make my freaking day then please post a Video Response to one of my ukulele videos.

New Site Section “Ukuleles by Type”

So, I had an e-mail this morning from a person looking for an 8-string Tenor Ukulele. They weren't having an easy time searching my site for such a uke. Well, I could see why. I pretty much just list Ukuleles by Brand. That is... I did. Until today!

So, now if you are looking to buy (or maybe just look at some pretty pictures of) different types and sizes of Ukuleles, then check out these new sections on the site.

Let me know if you think I'm missing a section.  I actually created a section for Tiple Ukuleles as well, but there was only one listed, so I didn't add that to the my Navigation on the side.  So, if you are looking for a new Ukulele, hopefully this makes your quest even easier.

Kala Pocket Ukuleles starting to appear in the wild!

I've been waiting for the Kala Pocket Ukulele to make its appearance "in the wild", so to speak, for a few weeks now.  If you recall, Kala sent me the Acacia model to test and review and I freaking love it.  It's adorable, beautifully made and it sounds fantastic!  But, I've been getting a lot of questions like "Where can I get one?",  "How much will they cost?" and so on.  I had originally heard that list on the Mahogany was going to be around $299 and list on the Acacia was $399.  Yup, don't let the size fool you.  These are beautiful, high quality instruments... they just happen to be teenie tiny.

The first place that I heard about the Kala Pocket Ukulele was Easy Music Center.  I don't see a notice on their site that they have them for sale, yet, but it might be worthwhile contacting them.  (UPDATE: They do have them at Easy Music Center!  In fact, you can even see them in the picture below.  Peter, said if you are interested to just e-mail him at [email protected] and he'll hook you up!  Make sure and remember to mention Ukulele Guy to get the good deal.)  Besides, wouldn't you want to buy a Ukulele from a store that has the WALL OF UKULELES [tm]! 😉  Check it out:

Wall of Ukuleles
Easy Music Center's "Wall of Ukuleles"

But, for those of you who just can't wait, I have seen a few of these beauties popping up on eBay.  So, here's what's currently out there right now.  Good luck!

Video: When I’m Cleaning Windows (with Kala Pocket Uke)

I finally got a few free minutes during lunch to make a video showing off the Kala pocket ukulele.
I think that the powers that be must have known I only had a few minutes, though because they kept effing with me.  I'd play the song perfectly and the cat would run by and mess it up.  Or, the shot was great and my brain turned off.  It seemed like it was something every time, so finally, I just decided that I was going to do one more and that was it.  Of course my freaking knee was covering the pocket uke the whole time though.  Doh!

Next time I'll be more careful to let you see the uke while I'm playing it.  Anyway, this song is one of my favorites to play (even if I can't always remember all the words) and my son Simon really loves it as well.  He usually sings the chorus with me if he's anywhere near while I play it.  So, that's pretty fun.  He and I have a Ramones cover band also, (we're called "Second Verse, Same as the First") so maybe I can convince him to make some videos with me of that action.

Anyway, if you have ever watched George Formby play this on Youtube then you'll notice that he uses different chords.  I learned it this way and I guess it just stuck so there's no undoing it now.