OokTown - The Ukulele Podcast

Guest: Jodie Lee

Hosts: Stuart Yoshida, Doug Brown

What summer songs have you been listening to? On this episode, we take a deep dive into songs with Jodie Lee and my co-host Doug Brown as we dig into the top ukulele songs playlist, then later try to guess who’s playlist we’re looking at, and talk about John Atkins and Grace Vanderwaal, deconstructing and reconstructing songs, and so much more!

Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/ooktown

Shoutouts:

• John Adkins - cool twitter pics with Grace!

Links:

• Paddleboard & Ukulele Lessons on the Water: https://paddleandstrum.com/

• Blue milk: https://starwars.fandom.com/wiki/Blue_milk

• Parker Palmer ("When Way Closes"): https://onbeing.org/blog/when-way-closes/

• News about barack obama summer playlist on Twitter: https://twitter.com/search?q=barack+obama+summer+playlist&ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Esearch

• Grace Vanderwaal talks about John "The Ukulele Teacher": https://www.facebook.com/TheUkuleleTeacher/videos/853775638116912/

• Dougs Picture (you need a Facebook account): https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10156344231038639&set=t.1466114992&type=3&theater

• Planet Waves Ukulele capo: https://www.amazon.com/Planet-Waves-PW-CP-12-Ukulele-Capo/dp/B00GTSM8CK/ref=sr_1_4?keywords=waves+capo+ukulele&qid=1566763950&s=gateway&sr=8-4

• Grace VanderWaal Takes the Stage with ‘Moonlight’: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ULdxpGzfx20

• Can't Help Falling in Love: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Can%27t_Help_Falling_in_Love

• House Of Gold - twenty one pilots (Ukulele Tutorial): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=APc11dBFjtQ

• Ukulele Underground: https://ukuleleunderground.com/

• Bridal Chorus (Here Comes the Bride) on Ukulele: http://ukulelehunt.com/2012/04/04/bridal-chorus-here-comes-the-bride-on-ukulele/

• Wonderstruck Ukulele Academy: https://www.wonderstruckukuleleacademy.com/

• Can't Help Falling in Love (Elvis): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Can%27t_Help_Falling_in_Love

• Jake Shimabukuro - "Missing Three": https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1kn2gJ3CGfA

• Sarah Goodroad: https://www.goodroadmusic.com/

• Rocky Mountain Ukulele Orchestra: https://ukuleleorchestra.org/

• The Stowaway Ukulele: https://www.amazon.com/Stowaway-Ukulele-Revealed-Richard-Expeditions/dp/1495099482

• Women of Folk Ensemble with Jen Hitt has something for everyone - Swallow Hill Music: https://swallowhillmusic.org/women-of-folk-ensemble-jen-hitt/

• What Makes This Song Great * The Police: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZB_bJAllmV0

• What Makes This Song Great * Rush: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4P-yUOlOC5M

• What Makes This Song Great * Steely Dan (check out Rick getting into the song at 5:30): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BXH7cqrTbmM

• What Makes This Song Great * Yes (Roundabout): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SFisOTDzGuE&list=PLW0NGgv1qnfzb1klL6Vw9B0aiM7ryfXV_&index=35&t=666s

Guests: Mary Agnes Krell, Gerald Ross

Hosts: Stuart Yoshida

We’re all about the 50th anniversary of the landing on the moon, Zero-G ukuleles, GNUF awards, and welcoming back two of my favorite guests, Gerald Ross of geraldross.com and Mary Agnes Krell, one of the driving forces behind GNUF. Plus, we talk about ukulele festival workshops, creating “experiences” at ukulele festivals, and much more!

Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/ooktown

Watch us on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2CD7vDdJIU4

Shoutouts:

* Doug at the Denver County Fair - let us know how the ukulele contest goes!

* GNUF for the Duke of York Community Initiative Award 2019, Epic Award for England from Voluntary Arts in 2018, and Queen's Award for Voluntary Service in 2017

Links:

* GNUF: http://northernuke.com/

* Mary Agnes: https://www.maryagneskrell.com/

* Gerald Ross: http://geraldross.com/

* Milo Fultz, bass player: https://www.milofultzmusic.com/about-me

* Mauloa Ukuleles: http://www.taiyuanmusical.com/en/products/All-solid-series.html

* Ukulele Kids Club: https://theukc.org/

* Planet Waves ukulele capo: https://www.amazon.com/Planet-Waves-PW-CP-12-Ukulele-Capo/dp/B00GTSM8CK

* Rob Collins ukuleles: https://tinguitar.com/portfolio/standard-ukuleles/

Guests: Victoria Vox, Hope Dunbar

Hosts: Stuart Yoshida, Doug Brown

YouTube link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WWBPlOeJiuU

As the heat and allergies of summer roll in, we welcome back two great singer-songwriters to the show: Victoria Vox and Hope Dunbar! We follow a circuitous path while we talk about ukulele travels, tackling writers block, ideas on expanding listernship, collaborating on songwriting, and much more! 

Shoutouts:

• Swallow Hill for hosting the OokTown Podcast at the 12th Annual Denver UkeFest - especially Lindsay Corbin and all the hard working folks at Swallow Hill that made the festival great! 

• Congrats to Na Hoku Hanohano winners Herb Ohta Jr. for instrumental album of the year, Kris Fuchigami for instrumental composition of the year for his song “Life Is,” and Taimane for performer of the year - all fabulous ukulele players! 

Links: 

• Victoria Vox: https://victoriavox.com/ 

• UKE Magazine — World of Ukes: http://worldofukes.co.uk/uke-magazine-shop 

• Prompt Queens: http://promptqueens.libsyn.com/ 

• Hope Dunbar: http://www.hopedunbarmusic.com/ 

• Star Belle Ukulele Band: https://www.facebook.com/events/crescent-moon/star-belle-ukulele-band/1028167157273765/ 

• Take It Easy: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Take_It_Easy 

• Mandy Harvey - Deaf Singer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZKSWXzAnVe0 

• Jackson Browne "Take It Easy": https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Take_It_Easy 

• Carl Jung article: https://thefirstgates.com/2014/01/02/jungs-tower-simplicity-and-the-inner-life/

Guests: Aldrine Guerrero, Aaron Nakamura, Stu Fuchs, Casey Cormier

Hosts: Stuart Yoshida, Doug Brown

We’re back at Swallow Hill for our annual spring Denver UkeFest Podcast with first time guest Stu Fuchs, plus Aldrine Guerreo, Aaron Nakamura, and Casey Cormier. Our conversations go from song arranging using a fish bowl, to ukulele festival cruises and sea sickness, to Scandinavian blue grass heavy metal, and so much more.

Watch the show on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H-BXfinXBAs

Shoutouts:

• Ben Hassenger: best wishes for a quick recovery and healing! http://mightyukeday.com/

• New Patron Michael Kohan of the CC Strummers (https://calirose.com/wackyworld/the-cc-strummers/) out of the Culver City Senior Center led by Cali Rose, and  their “We Will Uke You” (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JRPtFOPZ_4w&feature=youtu.be&fbclid=IwAR1tDnYcUcltSboDAyL7qdtK981GOKXt-Vs4TaECYpuXHUSoy298rVxZw5g) 

• New Patron George AnzivinoI of The Unlikely Strummers (https://unlikelystrummers.weebly.com/about-us.html). They did a fundraiser for UKC and raised $12,500!

• Daniel Ate The Sandwich and V&P: Their next Wonderstruck Ukulele Academy is Nov 7, 2019 - Nov 9, 2019 (https://www.eventbrite.com/e/wonderstruck-ukulele-academy-2019-fort-collins-co-tickets-61610281009)

Links: 

• Aldrine Guerrero & Aaron Nakamura - Ukulele Underground: https://ukuleleunderground.com/ 

• Stu Fuchs: https://stufuchs.com/ 

• Ukulele Zen: https://www.youtube.com/user/StUkulele 

• Swallow Hill UkeFest 2019:  

• Casey Cormier: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC6O2RF03lDDcoZjkqTRVOpQ 

• JoCo Cruise: https://jococruise.com/ 

• 'Ukulele Cruise — Craig Chee & Sarah Maisel: http://www.cheemaisel.com/ukulele-cruise 

• Steve ’N’ Seagulls (https://stevenseagulls.com/) version of “Thunderstruck”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e4Ao-iNPPUc 

• Grand Northern Ukulele Festival (GNUF): http://northernuke.com/ 

• Kalei Gamiao (ukulele) and Milo Fultz (bass ukulele) (go to 32:30): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OLFiElwJUcI&t=2107s

Recorded May 11, 2019.

Guests: Ben Hassenger, Andrew Nufer, Cynthia Kinnunen, Steve Espaniola 

Hosts: Stuart Yoshida, Doug Brown

Ahhh… spring time in the Rockies! With april showers, snow and hay fever, all is new again. And speaking of new, we have new guest Steven Espaniola, Clark Holmes of the Naked Waiters, plus returning guests Cynthia Kinnunen of the Royal City Uke Fest, and Ben Hassenger of the Might Uke Day festival. So you bet we’ll be talking about ukulele festivals, plus the JHUI program, NAMM 2019, and so much more.

Shoutouts:

• Michelle - thanks for getting in touch with Nataly Dawn! I’m working on contacting her


• Sabrina of the Grand Paname Ukestra of Paris

Links: 

• Cynthia Kinnunen: http://www.cynthiakmusic.com/ 


• Royal City Uke Fest: https://www.royalcityukefest.com/


• Ukuleles In The Classroom: https://ukuleleintheclassroom.com/

• The James Hill Ukulele Initiative (JHUI): http://www.jhui.org/


• The Naked Waiters on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tnwaiters/ 


• The Boring Song: https://youtu.be/_anFZZZGRI8 


• On the Balcony: https://youtu.be/daVhCVu3RIA 


• Lee Lee Bear: https://youtu.be/nJECnX3xN7Q 


• The Cat Song: https://youtu.be/Rs2tL_kGBaQ 


• Good ol Days: https://youtu.be/Cv6yfeUbTxI 


• Dear Ida: https://youtu.be/1oFTSmOOFC4 


• Dance With You: https://youtu.be/tmsJLyrol3g 


• Steven Espaniola: https://www.stevenespaniola.com/ 


• Doug Brown: https://den-uke.com/

With returning guest Jodie Lee of Baristas Unfiltered, plus co-host Doug Brown, we have first time visitors to the Podcast George Bartle and Mandi Harkett (aka Opera-lele) for some laugh snortin' good fun as we meander through talking talking about performing, finding your style, Huffle Puff, new stuff we’ve seen or gotten, and more!

Shoutouts:

• Hope Dunbar - how about coming on the show in April? 

• Ben Hassenger - ditto!

Links:

• Opera-lele: https://www.opera-lele.co.uk/ 

• Barista Unfiltered by Jodie Lee & Austin Miller: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/barista-unfiltered/id1440211101?mt=2 

• Paddleboard & Ukulele Lessons on the Water: https://paddleandstrum.com/ 

• Rocky Mountain Ukulele Orchestra: http://ukuleleorchestra.org/ 

• Prompt Queens Podcast — Hope Dunbar: http://www.hopedunbarmusic.com/prompt-queens-podcast 

• Czech Ukulele Festival: http://ukulelefestival.cz/domains/ukulelefestival.cz/index.php/home 

• Victor and Penny Victor and Penny: http://www.victorandpenny.com/ 

• Opera-lele on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Operalele/posts/1376991745775907?comment_id=1378353292306419&comment_tracking=%7B%22tn%22%3A%22R%22%7D 

• Danielle Ate The Sandwich: http://danielleatethesandwich.com/ 

• Wonderstruck Ukulele Academy: https://www.wonderstruckukuleleacademy.com/ 

• This Week @ the Lodge: https://boulderelks.com/2017/02/23/this-week-the-lodge-36/ 

• Frome Ukuklele Festival: http://www.fromeukulelefestival.org/ 

• Burlesque Festival 2019: http://hebdenbridge.org/burlesque-festival-2019-line-up/ 

• London Ukulele Project: https://londonukuleleproject.co.uk/ 

• World of Ukes: http://worldofukes.co.uk/ 

• League of Ukulele Gentlemen: https://www.leagueofukulelegentlemen.com/ 

• A Proposed New Event for 2020 - A Ukulele River Cruise on the Danube: http://worldofukes.co.uk/blog/2018/12/11/a-proposed-new-event-for-2020-a-ukulele-river-cruise-on-the-danube 

• Jodie Lee: https://jodielee.com/

Guests: Mary Agnes Krell, Heidi Swedberg and Daniel Ward

Hosts: Stuart Yoshida, Doug Brown

t’s a mid-Winter Podcast, and it’s great to have back regular guests Heidi  Swedberg and Daniel Ward, along with Mary Agnes Krell of GNUF. And Doug is back after surviving the National Western Stock Show. There’s lots of discussion on ukuleles and public libraries, upcoming events and guests at GNUF, the Denver Ukulele Fest, finding the “Why” for your ukulele groups, and much more.


Shoutouts:

• John Campbell - a listener from down-under - Thanks for checking on the Brandy Chords from Jeff Thomas!

• DATS - congrats on the five songs in 24 hours! 

• Hope Dunbar - invite me to your Podcast! 

• Rose from Ukulele Highway - I’m looking forward to being on your show 

• Operalele - looking forward to having you on in March! 

Links: 

• Heidi Swedberg: http://sukeyjumpmusic.com/ 

• Daniel Ward: http://danielward.net/ 

• GNUF - A Grand Northern Ukulele Festival: http://northernuke.com/ 

• Danielle Ate The Sandwich: http://danielleatethesandwich.com/ 

• DATS 24 Hour Album: http://danielleatethesandwich.com/dats-4th-annual-24-hour-album/ 

• Hope Dunbar: http://www.hopedunbarmusic.com/ 

• Ukulele Library Program: https://sukeyjumpmusic.wordpress.com/2019/01/13/ukes-in-libraries-check-it-out/ 

• Library Contact: [email protected] 

• Welcome - Music for Life: http://www.musicforlife.org/ 

• Events | Jefferson County Public Library: https://jeffcolibrary.bibliocommons.com/events/search/q=ukulele&local_start=2018-12-31%20TO%202019-02-28 

• The Duke of York Award: http://www.thedukeofyorkscommunityinitiative.org.uk/ 

• The Queen's Award for Voluntary Service: https://www.gov.uk/queens-award-for-voluntary-service 

• Bad Mouse Orchestra: https://www.facebook.com/badmouseorchestra/ 

• Ralph Shaw: http://ralphshaw.ca/ 

• Stanley Brinks & Freschard — Fika Recordings: https://fikarecordings.com/stanley-brinks-and-freschard 

• Denver Ukulele Festival 2019: https://swallowhillmusic.org/ukefest/ 

• Ukulele Festival of Great Britain: https://www.facebook.com/Ukulele-Festival-of-Great-Britain-307157506649/ 

• Uke Ohana: https://ukeohana.com/

Recorded February 24, 2019.

Just ahead of the arctic vortex (which thankfully didn’t reach Colorado), it’s a mini-summit on Ukulele Podcasting! My guest and ukulele paddler, Jodie Lee, comes aboard to talk about her experiences starting a podcast, the shared experience of Wonderstruck, and we even had a guest appearance by Doug Brown as he takes a break from the last day of the National Western Stock Show. PLUS, I reveal the name of the 15 year old singer-songwriter prodigy.

Guest: Jodie Lee

Hosts: Stuart Yoshida, Doug Brown

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rc4XBZKCkNE

iTunes: http://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/ooktown-the-ukulele-podcast/id436722774

Shoutouts:

* Toby - for asking about the 15-year old prodigy we saw at Wonderstruck… because I can finally report back that:

* Julia Kirkwood is the phenom we saw and heard. Thanks to her mom Andie for giving us the “ok” to give a shoutout to Julia. Here’s the link to her website: https://www.juliakirkwood.com/

* John Campbell from Oz - mahalo for contacting me and suggesting a guest!

* Jeffrey Thomas - for sending me his arrangement of Brandy

* Rose from Ukulele Highway - we’ll get you on another Podcast, and thanks for the topics! https://ukulelehighway.com/

* Mike and Caroline - I hope everything went well, and ditto on having you on an upcoming show: http://www.unplugthewood.com/unplugthewood/

Links:

* Rocky Mountain Ukulele Orchestra: http://ukuleleorchestra.org/

* Barista Unfiltered podcast: www.baristaunfiltered.com

* Wonderstruck Ukulele Academy: https://www.wonderstruckukuleleacademy.com/

* Paddle and Strum: www.paddleandstrum.com

* Rock Choir Colorado: http://faceacademyofmusic.com/rock-choir/

* Jodie bought her first serious ukulele - the Ohana Pineapple PK 70G: https://ohana-music.com/product/pk-70g-pineapple-shaped-solid-spruce-solid-mahogany-soprano/

* Clogging: http://www.applechillcloggers.org/

* YouTube Cogging video featuring Jodie Lee: https://youtu.be/eQFNvhxdPXo

* National Western Stock Show: https://nationalwestern.com/

Recorded on January 27, 2019.

Guests: Lucy Laforge, Victoria Vox

Hosts: Stuart Yoshida, Doug Brown

The season of Thanksgiving reminds us to be grateful, and so it’s with deep gratitude that I welcome back Lucy Laforge fresh off her tour of Europe, along with Victoria Vox, ukulele artist and mouth trumpeter extraordinaire. We celebrate Grrl Power, talk about what it’s like being a female ukulele artist, explore the ins and outs of getting onto the Ukulele Festival Circuit, and much more.

Shoutouts:

• Renée for becoming a Patron and being a part of the ukulele group at Spotlight Music in Fort Collins 

• The Plymouth Ukulele Club - thanks for attending the strumming workshop! http://www.plymouthucc.org/

Links: 

• Global Village Museum: http://globalvillagemuseum.org/ 

• Victoria Vox: https://www.victoriavox.com/ 

• Raiatea Helm on OokTown - Ep. 12: Heavy Nylon: https://ooktown.com/2013-shows/ep-12-heavy-nylon

• Raiatea Helm: http://raiateahelm.com/

• Grace VanderWaal: https://gracevanderwaal.com/

• Pomplamoose: https://www.pomplamoose.com/

• Gerald Ross: https://geraldross.com/

• American Federation of Musicians: https://www.afm.org/

• Victoria Vox on Jay Leno: https://www.facebook.com/TheTimeMachine/videos/222018528464/

• A Very Merry Mouth Trumpet Holiday with Victoria Vox: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/victoriavox/a-very-merry-mouth-trumpet-holiday

• Wigs for kids: https://www.wigsforkids.org/

• Locks of Love: https://locksoflove.org/

• Galactron vs Reptar: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7-nkgdhf258

Guest: Gerald Ross

Hosts: Stuart Yoshida, Doug Brown


On our last Podcast of the year, we visit Wendy’s in search of product placement sponsorship, talk about our top five ukulele gadgets and songs; send shoutouts to all our guests in 2018, patrons, listeners, and our families; and in general celebrate our time together just laughing and talking about the ukulele with regular guest Gerald Ross and co-host Doug Brown.

Shoutouts:

• Too many to list! To all my guests, listeners, family, and people who've written to me: MAHALO (THANK YOU)!

Links:

• Ashokan Uke Fest: https://ashokan.org/uke-fest/

• Gerald Ross website: https://geraldross.com/

• Gerald Ross | CD Baby Music Store: https://store.cdbaby.com/cd/geraldross8

• Wendy's: https://menu.wendys.com/

• Carbon Fiber Ukulele: https://klosguitars.com/pages/ukulele

• Zoom H6: https://www.zoom-na.com/products/field-video-recording/field-recording/h6-handy-recorder

• Plymouth Congregational UCC: http://www.plymouthucc.org/

• Xvive wireless transmitter: http://www.xviveaudio.com/productInfo.asp?id=359

• Ukulele Kids Club: https://theukc.org/