As a constant traveling musician, Ric Hall relies on one gig bag to see him through and Reunion Blues fits that bill. Now we are proud to have him apart of the family. Check out Ric Hall’s Reunion Blues Artist Page Here!

I love everything about the ukulele and the culture that surrounds it. Hell, even the Beatles wrote most of their tunes on ukes before transcribing them to guitar (just imagine While my Ukulele Gently Weeps ) But is it just me? Or does it seem like in the last few years, around every corner, a ukulele pops up. On the radio, on the television, at the beach, in the park, at school ect…

Being a product of both the 80’s and 90’s, ukuleles just didn’t belong with the rock n roll, pop, and other heavily synthesized music of my time. Although bell-bottoms, slit shades, glitter, and mullets have already made a come-back, I don’t think anybody saw this coming (Maybe I’ll look harder in Nostradamus’s writings). Anyways, In an age where Techno music, Dj’s, rap music, and heavy metal bands are flourishing everywhere, the fairly simple yet effective ukulele, has seemed to have found a unique home for itself in today’s music.

Don’t get me wrong, I’m a proud owner of a Kala ukulele myself (that’s for free guys). I enjoy the natural chime of their gut strings, and of course the simplicity of its four stringed tuning. Also as a musical salesperson for years, I’ve helped unite many folks with their first, second, and third ukuleles. I’m also sure the Music industry is thriving on ukulele sales and the CD sales coming from its sounds.

Seriously though, like we used to say with at the local mom and pop guitar shops “How many guitars can we sell? The same goes with ukuleles. I was even reading a music publishing ad the other day and it read something like this,“ Executive Producers are in desperate need of ukulele instrumentals..All other instrumentals will not be considered” Really?

All I have to say is…….. UKE GUYS ARE MAKING ME CRAZY!!

In all seriousness though, as multi-instrumentalist and a uke player myself; All I have to say is, keep up the music with whatever it is you play; from the washboards and steering wheels to the train whistles and kazoos! VIVA LA UKULELE!

Are you uke crazy? What got you started in playing the ukulele? Let us know in the comments below.

BTW, for all you uke players out there we have just released our new Reunion Blues RB Continental Concert Ukulele Case and our Tenor Ukulele Case.

-Jesse

Photo Credit: Richard Holden

Our own Dave Andrus recently sat down with BanjoHangout.com member Craig Evans, aka frailin, to talk about the upcoming Reunion Blues Continental case for banjos.

Banjo players, there’s an RB Continental coming for you!

In ’98, I was working for NAMM (International Music Products Association) and put in charge of hiring the bands for the convention. We were incredibly lucky to be able to book a new jazz swing group by the name of Big Bad Voodoo Daddy, along with the King of Country Swing, Ray Benson and Asleep at the Wheel. Of course, everyone knows about Asleep at the Wheel, and I had heard of these Voodoo Daddy cats but hadn’t seen their live show. I guess I didn’t know what I was in for!

Voodoo Daddy opened the set followed by Asleep at the Wheel and then both groups performed together for an incredible finale! When was the last time you’ve seen that? The crowd was knocked out and there was a sense of music history in the air.

That was 10 years ago. It never happened again and probably never will, simply based on the chances of both bands being available at the same time for the same venue. I will always be grateful for the opportunity to witness what, to me, was an unforgettable night.

To commemorate, we chased these guys down on the road and asked them to autograph a couple of our premium bags; one for sax and the other for acoustic guitar… and now, we’re giving them away! Both bags are made with full grain leather and feature the dual-density foam interior and luggage-grade hardware that has made Reunion Blues famous.

You can sign up here for this Voodoo Daddy random drawing. If you want to go for the Asleep at the Wheel bag, sign up here.  If you’re a fan, or just like free stuff, this giveaway is for you.

Thank you Scotty from Voodoo Daddy and Ray from Asleep at the Wheel for making this happen.

You guys swing.

JM!