Less that one week after Jake Shimabukuro played the Ark in Ann Arbor, I was given the wonderful opportunity to be chosen to be the first one up for their open stage night tonight, and it was awesome. I mean, one, just to be on that same stage, and two, to be able to play ukulele on it.
I started with "Middle Aged Guy with a Ukulele" and the audience, not to sound arrogant, just loved it. Laughed in all the right places and applauded at the end.
Then I did the new version of "Tiptoe through the Tulips." I screwed up a few parts, but in ways I could tell as opposed to ways the audience could tell, so I was happy with that and honored to get another wonderful reaction.
So cool, a stage with lights, with monitors, and great quality equipment - so much better than anything I have ever played on before.
Now, it's not like I was asked to be there - you show up, put your name on a ticket and if they pull you, you're in - I just lucked out getting to be first, which is important with ukulele, I think, as you can sound kind of thin after a bunch of guitars. Also, I think they are kinder to those who go first, but, whatever, it was fun. I have no pics or video - darn it - but here's previous clips of the two songs I did do, for those who are not already too sick of them.
"Tiptoe..." http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JXqQjScntHM
"Middle Aged Guy..." http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R974ny8zl58
So much fun. Gotta try to get some sleep. My dream is to one day do a whole show there at the Ark - a big goal, but I'm going to try!
All the best,
Mike
I started with "Middle Aged Guy with a Ukulele" and the audience, not to sound arrogant, just loved it. Laughed in all the right places and applauded at the end.
Then I did the new version of "Tiptoe through the Tulips." I screwed up a few parts, but in ways I could tell as opposed to ways the audience could tell, so I was happy with that and honored to get another wonderful reaction.
So cool, a stage with lights, with monitors, and great quality equipment - so much better than anything I have ever played on before.
Now, it's not like I was asked to be there - you show up, put your name on a ticket and if they pull you, you're in - I just lucked out getting to be first, which is important with ukulele, I think, as you can sound kind of thin after a bunch of guitars. Also, I think they are kinder to those who go first, but, whatever, it was fun. I have no pics or video - darn it - but here's previous clips of the two songs I did do, for those who are not already too sick of them.
"Tiptoe..." http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JXqQjScntHM
"Middle Aged Guy..." http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R974ny8zl58
So much fun. Gotta try to get some sleep. My dream is to one day do a whole show there at the Ark - a big goal, but I'm going to try!
All the best,
Mike