VISTA Member, Stacy Drake, with “The Young Yukes” and instructor Mike Kligerman! This was part of the AmeriCorps “Day of the A” on March 13th. The group is part of the BlackCat Music Cooperative’s after school program, which empowers our youth through music!
Last year’s Morgan County Has Talent was a sellout, so make plans to purchase your tickets now, so you don’t miss this great community show. Tickets are on sale now at:
ROY’S, THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, BLACK CAT MUSIC SHOP AND THE MORGAN COUNTY PARTNERSHIP.
All proceeds benefit youth programs in Morgan County, provided by The Morgan County Partnership and BlackCat Music Cooperative.
Stacy did his donor dip in Washington’s bath tub in Berkeley Springs State Park, on Washington’s birthday, February 22nd at 3:30 pm. Stacy fulfilled his promise to get wet if 1500 dollars could be raised in 12 hours on Giving Tuesday!! Thank you everyone!! We did it for the kids!! Where’s the hot coffee?
Our Music in Your Life series continues with an incredible story about a famous ukulele. Our sincere thanks to Helen Overly, for sharing this story from The Daily News, Huntingdon, PA.
The Konter Ukulele may be the most valuable ukulele in the world. It was owned by Richard Konter, “Ukulele Dick,” who joined Admiral Richard Byrd’s famed expedition to the North Pole in 1926. During the expedition, he obtained signatures at every opportunity, including those of all 45 crew members of the Admiral Byrd expedition and the Admiral himself. It’s the only artifact that traveled to the North Pole because it was smuggled under the seat of the airplane. The ukulele also made a trip to the White House and was signed by President Calvin Coolidge, along with the vice president, the secretary of state, the secretary of the Navy, Theodore Roosevelt Jr., Amelia Earhart, Thomas Edison, Charles Lindbergh and many, many more. The soprano ukulele contains more than 155 signatures. The replica includes all signatures, which have been carefully laser-etched into the beautiful koa wood. The soprano ukulele also features vintage style violin peg tuners and a replica of the original interior label.
“THE ORIGINAL KONTNER UKULELE”
As we continue our “Music In Your Life” series, the spotlight shines on Sir Paul McCartney. Paul’s dad played trumpet and piano and even had his own band, “The Jim Mac Jazz Band.” Jim had a upright piano in the home and encouraged Paul to take lessons, but young McCartney liked playing by ear.
On Paul’s 14th birthday, his dad gave him a nickel plated trumpet, but soon after, with rock and roll music becoming popular, he traded it on an acoustic guitar. Because he is left handed, it was hard to play, so he reversed the order of the strings. One other note from the early days, Paul wrote “When I’m Sixty Four” on his dad’s upright piano in the living room when he was about 16! John Lennon remembers the Beatles singing the song as part of an acoustic set, whenever their amplifiers broke down or the power would go out at the clubs in the early days of the band.
