St Louis Blues by Bob Armstrong on Baritone Uke

Ladies and Gentleman, Robert Armstrong, playing a new bari made by Keith Cary:

"It's made out of wood native to, and harvested in California. Redwood top (recycled from our old farmhouse), CA walnut back, sides and neck (cut and milled locally by a friend's stepfather), mesquite (from a dead stump found in the Mojave by friends) and oak binding from a big tree that fell in Roseville."

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The Ukalope

Have you ever seen a Ukalope? Link

I knew this

From Yahoo News: Link

In 2004 on my first CD Practical Hypnotism, I did this song;Link

Besides all the other stuff at the Listening Party...

...there will be the world premier of my new video for "Tarzan's Song" shot and edited by Hugh Mackay.

Craig Robertson to perform at Northridge Music

...in Citrus Heights, California. I don't get out to the Left Coast that often, and this will be the first time I've ever performed anywhere near Sacramento...so come on out. Tuesday, December 20th at 7pm. (I'll be the one in the nice fedora)(this is my 'arrogant attitude' photo!)

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Hamlet's Soliloquy as a Song

Via Neatorama:

"Courtney Welbon had to memorize the “To Be or Not to Be” soliloquy from Shakespeare’s Hamlet for school and decided that she’d have an easier time at it if she turned it into a song. It’s now a light and cheerful work."

Now: to pick or not to pick. Not. Srsly. No picks, please.* Link

* The only Thou Shall Not in my book. Unless you have arthritis, which compels one fellow I know to use a felt pick. I'm even beginning to (grudgingly) turn the blind eye when professionals who insist on playing Red Mahalos neglect to properly tune up. (Amanda P, are you listening?) But picks? I'd prefer they be banished to that undiscovered country from whose bourne no traveler returns.

High Praise from the Master

We are okay in Loudon Wainwright III's book. Link

Uke Sales Hit $42Million

This article from Hawaii Business Magazine includes sales stats from 2009 and 2010. I've always wondered what the uke market looked like. And here it is. Link

Amanda Palmer at Occupy Wall Street

Great shot by Neil Girling. Link

Under Creative Commons License.

Wolfelele Ukelele Kits

These look like a lot of fun, and might be just the gift you're looking for next month. The Wolfelele Ukelele (sic) Company offers kits for several triangular uke models. Wolfelele claims that the ukes can be built in about 30 minutes. Their site features materials for teachers and festival organizers who'd like to offer ukulele building activities.

Shown here is a soprano model, which sells for $49 Canadian.

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