A True Axe Man...Kind Of

RTH is back with some Friday fun! When you think of guitar greats you think of Eddie Van Halen, Slash, and Mick Mars. But I met a guy in Vegas who can strum with the best of them. He doesn't play your typical Gibson or Frankenstrat...nope...he plays lunchbox-a-leles. If you think this is a joke, he is a Celebrated Fender Artist. His name - Ukulele Ray, aka UkaRayRay.  

My wife and I were in Vegas to see Tommy Lee and Dave Navarro at the Hard Rock Hotel. Before the show, I, of course, was at the bar and saddled up next to Ukulele Ray. He had flowing black hair, neatly cropped eyebrows and a fashion sense like no other. At first I thought he was some crack-pot who loved the Beatles or Michael Jackson but once I started talking to him he was one of the funniest guys I had ever met. He asked me what type of music I liked and I challenged him to play Van Halen...he obliged. At this point I knew he was serious about his artistry. He actually allowed me to strum a few licks. We proceeded to drink shots of Jagermeister as he entertained us.

So here is his story - Ukulele Ray is a San Francisco-born native and is a multi-talented, muti-faceted entertainer and artist. He better be an entertainer to strut that Sergeant Pepper jacket! Ukulele Ray also totes a repertoire of over 1,000 celebrity voice impersonations. He started his uke craze by creating a ukulele out of a Campbell's Soup can (The Warhol Soup-A-Lele) and inventing the "Lunchbox-A-Lele," (a ukulele/lunchbox... suitable for playing and carrying your sandwich and music book). I think he needs a cooler-lele that holds a six pack. He has amassed a collection of lunchbox-a-leles like no one has ever seen.

After becoming a worldwide sensation, he began doing concerts, started a band called the KoKoNutz and fronted a Traveling Wilburys tribute group called "The Traveling Wildberrys." His fans gathered by the dozens as he graced the stage with melodic harmonies only comparable to Tiny Tim. He is so popular that he is one of Amazon and iTunes' best sellers.

UkaRayRay is not one of those artists who expects other people to write his songs. Nope...this guy can put pen to paper like Carol King, John Lennon and Bob Dylan. UkaRayRay has had such hits as  "Anybody Seen Ukulele Ray;" his tribute song, "My Mom - A Hero Always Be;" and his life-lesson song, "Take It Slow." If you don't believe me, check out his Myspace.com page. http://www.myspace.com/ukarayray

Ukulele Ray has put out albums like "My Heart Belongs To Uke," "Makin' Love Ukulele Style" among others. Frankly, my personal favorite is "Ukulele Ray's Punny Farty Thongs." Comedic genius!

I could go on and on for days about the talents of the Ukester. I don't know how rock n' roll UkaRayRay is, but I can confidently say that he should go down in history as one of the greatest lunchbox-a-lele entertainers in the world. UkaRayRay is scheduled to perform next on June 12, 2009 at the Anthem Retirement Home Country Club in Anthem, Arizona.

 

Rock on.

http://www.fender.com/artists/index.php?id=295

PS: If you are interested in starting a Ukulele Club in your area check out this site.