Ukulele’s Historic Journey!

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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.

Uke Orig 3            Uke original

 “THE ORIGINAL KONTNER UKULELE”

Your Time To Shine!

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Morgan County Has Talent is scheduled for Saturday, April 13th at 7 pm and we need performers! If you sing, dance, are in a band, play an instrument, juggle, do magic tricks or just something you think is an award winning talent, we want to hear from you.

Submit your video between NOW and February 28th by going to the Morgan County Has Talent Facebook page.  Practice, practice, practice. All ages and acts will be considered. Morgan County Has Talent will be held at the Berkeley Springs High School Auditorium.

Morgan County Has Talent is a co-sponsored event to benefit The Morgan County Partnership and The BlackCat Music Cooperative. Check this website and the BCMC Facebook page for updates!

 

Dad’s trumpet for a guitar!

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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.

Holiday Sing A Long, Special Evening in Hancock!

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The Tri State Ukeclectic Orchestra and The Young Yukes presented a wonderful holiday program on Friday, December 21st at the Hancock Performing Arts Center. The festive mood filled the room, as audience members gladly sang along to many of their favorites and even added a few dance moves here and there.

This is the second concert The Young Yukes have performed with The Tri State Ukeclectic Orchestra, since the after school group was formed in September.

Uke winner Dr. Dan with Mike from Tri State Ukeclectic Orchestra

The Young Yukes and Uke winner, Dr. Dan Murphy, with Mike of Tri State Ukeclectic Orchestra

“From a Stutter to a Star!”

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Our “Music in Your Life” series continues…

Carly Simon began stuttering severely when she was eight years old. A psychiatrist tried unsuccessfully to cure her stuttering. Instead, Simon realized when she would sing, the stuttering stopped. So, she began writing songs and learning to play the piano and guitar to help with her self- confidence. In her early teens, she teamed up with her older sister, Lucy, to form the singing duo, The Simon Sisters. Carly would embark on a solo career after Lucy got married and wanted to start a family. Carly Simon’s work has included such great songs as “You’re So Vain,” “Nobody Does It Better.” “Anticipation,” and more, earning her Grammy awards and induction into the Songwriters Hall of Fame and The Grammy Hall of Fame.

With her 1988 hit “Let the River Run,” from the film Working Girl, she became the first artist to win a Grammy Award, an Academy Award, and a Golden Globe Award for a song composed and written, as well as performed, entirely by a single artist.