Ukulele Tales
John Atkins
Ukulele Tales is the ukulele podcast! Every Wednesday I chat face-to-face with one of the top ukulele stars or personalities in the world.
Whether you want to hear how James Hill put together his famous arrangement of Billie Jean, or how Jake Shimabukuro played the ukulele for the Queen, it's all in this podcast. Bernadette Teaches Music (aka Plazi) spoke about the challenges of being a creator and a parent, Bakithi Kumalo talked about how music was his escape from his impoverished South African upbringing and gave him a new life in the USA recording and touring with Paul Simon. Victoria Vox told the story of playing the mouth trumpet on Jay Leno.
There's also stories recorded on-the-go such as my behind-the-scenes account of a local ukulele festival in England.
Plus listener contributions about your favourite ukuleles and what they mean to you.
Ukulele Tales is sponsored by Kala Brand Music - click here for a 10% discount on anything on the Kala website!
Sign up to my Patreon page for bonus content, early access and behind the scenes gossip!
Get bonus content on PatreonHosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
All episodes
Best episodes
Seasons
Top 10 Ukulele Tales Episodes
Goodpods has curated a list of the 10 best Ukulele Tales episodes, ranked by the number of listens and likes each episode have garnered from our listeners. If you are listening to Ukulele Tales for the first time, there's no better place to start than with one of these standout episodes. If you are a fan of the show, vote for your favorite Ukulele Tales episode by adding your comments to the episode page.
Danielle Ate The Sandwich
Ukulele Tales
06/20/23 • 34 min
This week is part one of my conversation with one of the OG's of the YouTube ukulele scene - Danielle Anderson, aka Danielle Ate The Sandwich!,
Next week we'll talk all about her origin story - how she got the name Danielle Ate The Sandwich, as well as her transition into the world of comedy. But today we focus on songwriting - particularly her 24 Album songwriting challenge, and the difficulties she faces as an artist whose life is seemingly settling down.
It's a really insightful conversation and Danielle has lots of wisdom to impart. If you'd like a place on her upcoming songwriting course "Life As A Songwriter" you can find more information here.
If you have any thoughts, comments or guest suggestions for the show please send me a message to [email protected]
---
Ukulele Tales is sponsored by Kala Brand Music! For a 10% discount on anything on the Kala website, just click on my special link!
---
If you want to support the podcast, please share it with your ukulele friends and communities. You can also help fund it by signing up to my Patreon where you'll get additional content, occasional bonus mini episodes and the chance to ask questions to future guests.
---
LINKS:
Kala Brand Music: https://kalabrand.com/uketeacher for a 10% discount on any Kala products.
Danielle Ate The Sandwich:
Official website: http://danielleatethesandwich.com/
"Life as a Songwriter" Songwriting Course: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/life-as-a-songwriter-virtual-songwriting-course-tickets-626641269907
YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/daniellesmagic
Ukulele Tales:
Website: http://www.UkuleleTales.com
Patreon: https://www.Patreon.com/UkeTeacher
Twitter: https://www.Twitter.com/UkeTeacher
Instagram: https://www.Instagram.com/UkuleleTales
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheUkuleleTeacher
Get bonus content on PatreonHosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Sammy Turton aka 4stringboy
Ukulele Tales
12/13/23 • 50 min
Ukulele Tales has been nominated for Best Ukulele Podcast in the 2023 Anarchy In The Ukulele Awards! VOTE HERE!
Today I'm chatting with Sammy Turton, aka 4stringboy about all sorts of things including:
- Writing and recording his first album, Vejr (meaning "Weather")
- How he and his wife ended up living in Copenhagen thanks to Brexit
- Performing live versus performing to a backing track
- The origins of Fingerstyle Fursday
- The importance of learning music theory
- Why he resisted joining Instagram for a long time
- Why he makes his own thumb picks
- Harmonics (aka 'Sparkles') explained!
- The three biggest influences on his playing style
- Collabing with other big stars of the ukulele world
- Why he’s called 4stringboy... and it’s NOT because of the ukulele!
- PRINGLES
If you have any thoughts, comments or guest suggestions for the show please send me a message to [email protected]
Support the show and get bonus content! www.Patreon.com/UkeTeacher
---
Ukulele Tales is sponsored by Kala Brand Music! For a 10% discount on anything on the Kala website, just click on my special link!
LINKS:
Kala Brand Music: https://kalabrand.com/uketeacher for a 10% discount on any Kala products.
Sammy '4stringboy' Turton
Official Website: https://www.4stringboy.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/4stringboy/
Ukulele Tales:
Website: http://www.UkuleleTales.com
Instagram: https://www.Instagram.com/UkuleleTales
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheUkuleleTeacher
Get bonus content on PatreonHosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
11/15/23 • 38 min
Today I'm really excited to be chatting to BBC star Nick Cope, of Nick Cope's Popcast fame! (And so is Percy!)
We discuss:
- Making the transition from indie pop star to kid’s tv presenter
- The secret of writing a good song for the whole family to enjoy
- Perfoming for young children
- Getting his show on the BBC
- Growing up with a famous dad
- How he got started playing music
- Not being able to remember the notes on a fretboard
- Adding the ukulele to his songs
- What guitars and ukuleles he uses
- A trick for keeping his ukulele in tune while recording
- Having a song banned by the BBC!
If you have any thoughts, comments or guest suggestions for the show please send me a message to [email protected]
Support Ukulele Tales on Patreon for extra content and behind the scenes info!
---
Ukulele Tales is sponsored by Kala Brand Music! For a 10% discount on anything on the Kala website, just click on my special link!
This episode is also sponsored by the Vidami Blue foot pedal - control YouTube with your feet and make your practice time more efficient.
Visit https://vidami.com/?ref=uketeacher and use the coupon code UKETEACHER10 for a 10% discount on the awesome Vidami Blue foot pedal.
---
LINKS:
Kala Brand Music: https://kalabrand.com/uketeacher for a 10% discount on any Kala products.
Vidami Blue Foot Pedal: https://vidami.com/?ref=uketeacher (discount code: UKETEACHER10)
Nick Cope:
Official Website: https://nickcope.co.uk/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cope.nick/
Ukulele Tales:
Website: http://www.UkuleleTales.com
Instagram: https://www.Instagram.com/UkuleleTales
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheUkuleleTeacher
Get bonus content on PatreonHosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Marc Gallagher
Ukulele Tales
03/27/24 • 45 min
This week I chat with the awesome British musician, Marc Gallagher about:
- Memorising songs easily - he has over 700 learnt off by heart!
- His numerous collabs
- Perfect Pitch - how he found out he had it, how he puts it to good use, and why it's a blessing and a curse
- How many different instruments he plays
- Attending GNUF as a teenage sound engineer and stealing the show at an open mic set
- Being proud to be an openly bi musician, and how that effects his music
- Minorities in the ukulele world, and trying to eradicate hate speech in music
- Receiving negativity for being open about his sexuality
- Starting the ukulele at 11 to learn the Crazy Frog theme!
- Why he’d rather play Led Zeppelin than George Formby
- Writing and recording his own music - and his nightmare debut performance at a school talent show
And much, much more!
If you have any thoughts, comments or guest suggestions for the show please send me a message to [email protected]
---
Ukulele Tales is sponsored by Kala Brand Music! For a 10% discount on anything on the Kala website, just click on my special link!
---
Check out my Patreon page to help support the podcast and get access to lots of backstage info and bonus material!
LINKS:
Kala Brand Music: https://kalabrand.com/uketeacher for a 10% discount on any Kala products.
Marc Gallagher:
Website: https://www.marcgallaghermusic.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/marcgallaghermusic
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/marcgallaghermusic
Ukulele Tales:
Website: http://www.UkuleleTales.com
Instagram: https://www.Instagram.com/UkuleleTales
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheUkuleleTeacher
Get bonus content on PatreonHosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
James Hill & Anne Janelle
Ukulele Tales
12/24/23 • 47 min
Merry Christmas! This week I'm chatting with James Hill and Anne Janelle about their terrific new festive album, The Midnight Clear.
We also discuss:
- What it's like to write and record an album with your significant other
- The importance of Christmas music in today's increasingly fragmented society
- The lengthy incubation period for so many creative projects
- Has 2023 been a good year for them
- Plans for 2024
- Christmas traditions
- Touring with a full orchestra
- Balancing the ukulele against an orchestra - how?!
And lots, lots more.
If you have any thoughts, comments or guest suggestions for the show please send me a message to [email protected]
---
Ukulele Tales is sponsored by Kala Brand Music! For a 10% discount on anything on the Kala website, just click on my special link!
---
Check out my Patreon page to help support the podcast and get access to lots of backstage info and bonus material!
LINKS:
Kala Brand Music: https://kalabrand.com/uketeacher for a 10% discount on any Kala products.
James Hill:
Official Website: https://www.jameshillmusic.com/
Uke Heads: https://www.ukeheads.com/
Uketropolis: https://www.uketropolis.com/
Anne Janelle:
Official Website: https://www.annejanelle.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/annejanellecello
Ukulele Tales:
Website: http://www.UkuleleTales.com
Instagram: https://www.Instagram.com/UkuleleTales
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheUkuleleTeacher
Get bonus content on PatreonHosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Plastic Jeezus
Ukulele Tales
04/25/23 • 36 min
This week I'm chatting with Simon and Aaron - collectively known as musical comedy duo "Plastic Jeezus". There's lots to talk about, including how they got their start, their musical backgrounds, their award-winning shows and their attention-grabbing performances at ukulele festivals up and down the land.
But it turns out that Simon and I were actually in the same class at school together and haven't seen each other for over 20 years so there's also a fair amount of chat about GCSE music lessons, underage drinking, and the famous Bournemouth music venue, Mr. Smith's!
If you haven't heard of Plastic Jeezus before, do yourself a favour and check them out - they're hilarious, and they're going to be huge. The video E for Effort, which we discuss briefly in the interview, is a great place to start.
---
Ukulele Tales is sponsored by Kala Brand Music! For a 10% discount on anything on the Kala website, just click on my special link!
If you want to support the podcast, please share it with your ukulele friends and communities. You can also help fund it by signing up to my Patreon where you'll get additional content, occasional bonus mini episodes and the chance to ask questions to future guests.
---
LINKS:
Kala Brand Music: https://kalabrand.com/uketeacher for a 10% discount on any Kala products.
Ukulele Tales:
New website: http://www.UkuleleTales.com
Patreon: https://www.Patreon.com/UkeTeacher
Twitter: https://www.Twitter.com/UkeTeacher
Instagram: https://www.Instagram.com/UkuleleTales
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheUkuleleTeacher
Plastic Jeezus:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PlasticJeezus
Official Website: https://www.plasticjeezus.co.uk/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/Plastic_Jeezus/
Get bonus content on PatreonHosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
CYNTHIA LIN!
Ukulele Tales
11/01/23 • 41 min
We're back! After an extended summer break, Ukulele Tales returns with an exclusive interview with the world-renowned Cynthia Lin.
We discuss:
- Her ambition to perform in a Broadway Musical
- Her new album
- Touring Europe with her band U3
- Finding your people
- Burnout!
- Why Cynthia was ready to step away from YouTube
- The hundred days of ukulele project
- Getting creepy comments online
- The Zone of Genius
- Hiring a cinematographer to take her videos to the next level
There's also an extra 25 minutes of chat with Cynthia available only on my Patreon page - sign up today and help support the podcast!
If you have any thoughts, comments or guest suggestions for the show please send me a message to [email protected]
---
Ukulele Tales is sponsored by Kala Brand Music! For a 10% discount on anything on the Kala website, just click on my special link!
This episode is also sponsored by the Vidami Blue foot pedal - control YouTube with your feet and make your practice time more efficient.
Visit https://vidami.com/?ref=uketeacher and use the coupon code UKETEACHER10 for a 10% discount on the awesome Vidami Blue foot pedal.
---
LINKS:
Kala Brand Music: https://kalabrand.com/uketeacher for a 10% discount on any Kala products.
Vidami Blue Foot Pedal: https://vidami.com/?ref=uketeacher (discount code: UKETEACHER10)
Cynthia Lin:
Official Website: https://cynthialin.com/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@cynthialinmusic
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cynthialinmusic
Ukulele Tales:
Website: http://www.UkuleleTales.com
Instagram: https://www.Instagram.com/UkuleleTales
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheUkuleleTeacher
Get bonus content on PatreonHosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Peter Luongo
Ukulele Tales
06/06/23 • 39 min
This week I'm speaking to teacher, performer, and all-round ukulele great, Peter Luongo!
You may have seen Peter in the 2006 documentary The Mighty Uke, or you may have seen him performing as part of the Legacy Ukulele Ensemble. Or perhaps you know him best as James Hill's ukulele teacher.
Either way, the man is an absolute dynamo, and I was privileged to manage to get him to sit still(ish!) for about half an hour at the end of NaMM and have an in-depth conversation about everything from his thoughts on why it's important to teach the ukulele properly, to how he got started playing music, to his relationship with James Hill.
Peter is headed to the U.K. next week where he will be attending the Grand Northern Ukulele Festival, and also hosting a day-long retreat for ukulele teachers! Sadly I can't make it, but if you guys can please go and tell him I said hello!
If you have any thoughts, comments or guest suggestions for the show please send me a message to [email protected]
---
Ukulele Tales is sponsored by Kala Brand Music! For a 10% discount on anything on the Kala website, just click on my special link!
If you want to support the podcast, please share it with your ukulele friends and communities. You can also help fund it by signing up to my Patreon where you'll get additional content, occasional bonus mini episodes and the chance to ask questions to future guests.
---
LINKS:
Kala Brand Music: https://kalabrand.com/uketeacher for a 10% discount on any Kala products.
Peter Luongo:
Langley Ukulele: https://www.langleyukes.com/
Legacy Ensemble: https://www.legacyukes.com/
Ukulele Tales:
Website: http://www.UkuleleTales.com
Patreon: https://www.Patreon.com/UkeTeacher
Twitter: https://www.Twitter.com/UkeTeacher
Instagram: https://www.Instagram.com/UkuleleTales
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheUkuleleTeacher
Get bonus content on PatreonHosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Ron Telpner
Ukulele Tales
05/09/23 • 26 min
In 2016 Ron Telpner received a cancer diagnosis and was told he had just months to live. Instead of feeling sorry for himself, he decided to learn how to play the ukulele, posting a new song to Instagram every single day to chart his progress. Now seven years later, Ron is alive and kicking, and he credits the uke with helping him outlive his diagnosis.
This is a must-listen episode, as Ron is full of positivity and has an incredible story to tell which I feel honoured to share with you.
We talk about:
- His diagnosis
- His pre-cancer career working in marketing for several multi million dollar companies
- Learning the ukulele to fight cancer
- His unique dress sense
- His positivity
- Performing at NaMM and nearly getting the entire Kala booth closed down!
- Ukes Not Nukes - his annual virtual flashmob for peace
- The naked ukulele player!
- And lots, lots more
Ron is an absolutely terrific guy, and I think you're going to love getting to know him just as much as I did.
If you have any thoughts, comments or suggestions for the show please send me a message to [email protected]
---
Ukulele Tales is sponsored by Kala Brand Music! For a 10% discount on anything on the Kala website, just click on my special link!
If you want to support the podcast, please share it with your ukulele friends and communities. You can also help fund it by signing up to my Patreon where you'll get additional content, occasional bonus mini episodes and the chance to ask questions to future guests.
---
LINKS:
Kala Brand Music: https://kalabrand.com/uketeacher for a 10% discount on any Kala products.
Ukulele Tales:
New website: http://www.UkuleleTales.com
Patreon: https://www.Patreon.com/UkeTeacher
Twitter: https://www.Twitter.com/UkeTeacher
Instagram: https://www.Instagram.com/UkuleleTales
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheUkuleleTeacher
Ron Telpner:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rontelpner/
Get bonus content on PatreonHosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
11/29/23 • 40 min
This week I'm chatting with Will Grove-White, formerly of the Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain. Will joined the Ukes when he was just a teenager and spent well over half of his life with the band - so why did he decide to step away?
We also discuss:
- Life after the Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain
- Why he decided to make his own ukuleles
- Writing music for hit TV shows like Curb Your Enthusiasm and Fleabag
- Visiting ukulele clubs all over the world
- Solo projects
And lots, lots more.
There's also an extra 5 minutes of chat with Will about David Bowie's history with the ukulele, the book that he wrote, and why he probably won't be writing another one! It's available only on my Patreon page - sign up today and help support the podcast!
If you have any thoughts, comments or guest suggestions for the show please send me a message to [email protected]
---
Ukulele Tales is sponsored by Kala Brand Music! For a 10% discount on anything on the Kala website, just click on my special link!
LINKS:
Kala Brand Music: https://kalabrand.com/uketeacher for a 10% discount on any Kala products.
Will Grove-White:
Official Website: https://willgrovewhite.com/
Will's Book: https://willgrovewhite.com/get-plucky/
Ukulele Tales:
Website: http://www.UkuleleTales.com
Instagram: https://www.Instagram.com/UkuleleTales
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheUkuleleTeacher
Get bonus content on PatreonHosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Show more best episodes
Show more best episodes
FAQ
How many episodes does Ukulele Tales have?
Ukulele Tales currently has 50 episodes available.
What topics does Ukulele Tales cover?
The podcast is about Music, Podcasts, Arts, Music Interviews, Ukulele and Performing Arts.
What is the most popular episode on Ukulele Tales?
The episode title 'Marc Gallagher' is the most popular.
What is the average episode length on Ukulele Tales?
The average episode length on Ukulele Tales is 37 minutes.
How often are episodes of Ukulele Tales released?
Episodes of Ukulele Tales are typically released every 7 days.
When was the first episode of Ukulele Tales?
The first episode of Ukulele Tales was released on Oct 24, 2022.
Show more FAQ
Show more FAQ