More Uke 2020

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​I’ve seen several people online (my wife included) picking a word or a theme for the new year. My theme for this year is “More Uke 2020”. I didn’t play as much in 2019 as I have in recent years and I’ve missed it.

In 2006, I started playing music again, after about a 20 year break. I formed a “Jimmy Buffett Tribute Band” with my wife, Linda, on steel pan and friend, Kevin Garrelts, on congas. For over 10 years we played some really fun events:

• - Several tailgate events before Jimmy Buffett concerts
• - Minor league baseball “Parrot Head Nights” (Augusta GreenJackets/Rome Braves)
• - Carmike Theatre’s national manager’s convention
• - Key West Meeting of the Minds (big Parrot Head festival)
• - Truett’s Luau (Hawaiian-themed Chick-Fil-A)
• - Chick-Fil-A corporate events
• - Opening of Hurricane Harbor (Atlanta Water Park)
• - Numerous corporate and country club events

The list goes on but it’s a pretty good list! We traveled from Maryland down to Key West and all around the Atlanta area.

I have also written and recorded 3 CD’s (I date myself by still calling them “albums” occasionally). Our CD, Parrot Island Ukulele, was nominated for the “2015 CD of the Year” category of awards by the Trop Rock Music Association. You can find our CDs on Spotify, iTunes and other places on the Internet under Parrot Island Band.

As this year begins, I will be looking to play more solo ukulele events (although hopefully we can find some events where Linda and Kevin can play as well). One of the challenges I am facing is where do solo ukulele musicians play? This is still a part time endeavor for me and the opportunity to travel for gigs is limited but I look forward to discovering the types of events that are most enjoyable and maybe even think about how to expand on this as I head towards retirement in the next few years.

If you have any thoughts or suggestions, please send them to me at bryharrisukulele@gmail.com. You can find out more about me at bryharrisukulele.com.

Aloha,
Bry
bryharrisukulele.com