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Shallow Hal and his Ukulele Pal
Yes, it’s an older movie and this isn’t exactly breaking news but a dear friend sent me this photo and I had to comment. In Shallow Hal, (2001, Jack Black, Gwyneth Paltrow, Jason Alexander), one of the secondary characters, Li’i Boy, played by Joshua ‘Li’i Boy’ Shintani, plays ‘Never Forget Where I’m From’ on the ukulele. There should really be more ukulele in movies. And Shintani plays the role of what looks to be… himself… beautifully.
What’s up with North Carolina?
In case you were wondering, North Carolina (known better for its mountain music and ‘Carolina Beach music’) is now WELL represented in the ukulele world. You really ought to take time to read this story about a guy who decided to start his own Ukulele Academy at the beach in Wilmington, NC. Check it out at www.alohaU.com. Go to the bottom left and click the part about the ‘kumu’ (teacher), Kent Knorr. Who would’ve figured?
Ready to move to NC and get strumming?
Americans Idolize the Ukulele
Nearly everyone in the ukulele community (and dreadlock community) have heard the news about Jason Castro, finalist on this, the 2008 season of American Idol. We knew he sang. We knew he strummed guitar. We didn’t know… HE UKES! Yep, Jason sent chills of excitement through young girls and ukulele players alike across the country (and in HI) with his April 8th performance on American Idol. He came out swinging with a ukulele, planted himself on a stagestool and played his own rendition of IZ’s own rendition of ‘Somewhere Over the Rainbow’.
To my surprise and relief, all the judges loved his performance though Paula Abdul called his uke a ‘guitar’. We think he did a great job, too. Good work, Jason. Keep that ukulele hot!
Hear Jason do his thing.
SpongeBob Uke Pants
Even the sponge is doing it. Yes, the ukulele fits right into S’Bob’s Bikini Bottom lifestyle so no surprise there. But… it it impressive that the cartoonists have actually drawn the uke properly—well almost. Four tuners, pretty good proportion. And, it seems there is a SpongeBob Ukulele on the market, too. I could only find it offered in the UK. Apparently sponge-themed ukes, like topless women, are more accepted in Europe.
Strum it, Bob!
William H. Macy Ukes
In the category of celebrity ukulele players, there’s a pretty broad range—rockers, songwriters, actors and the generally quirky. William H. Macy is a great actor, a great guy and he’s chosen a great stringed thing to accompany him. Here he is in an impromptu performance on Oprah to promote Wild Hogs. Looks like he’s playing a Flea. Check out the pummelling at the end of his great ditty.
Even Goldfish Crackers…
Not much to say here except this: when a powerful brand uses uke music or references to promote its whimsical and salty-delicious product, that’s gotta mean something. Watch the fishies do their thing.
Little Bill Learns to Strum
Even Nick, Jr’s ‘Little Bill’ has gotten into the act. Well, back in 2003, anyway, when the episode ‘Same Moon, Same Sun, Same Star’ originally aired. The episode follows Little Bill as his next door neighbor, Mrs. Shapiro, says she’s moving away to Hawaii. She eases his sadness by giving him her ukelele and a song that he can sing whenever he begins to miss her. She says that no matter where in the world she is, they’ll always see the “same moon, same sun, same star” in the sky. So, Nick, Jr. and Bill Cosby must agree that a ukulele is a great way to make someone feel better. Add a spunky song and a few strums and it’s better still.
Working on finding this episode online. Meanwhile, it is available for purchase on the DVD, ‘Nick Jr Favorites 3′. Great episode that should be watched by all lovers of ukulele… and Bill Cosby.
Snap, Crackle, Strum
This is old news but people keep hunting for this video online. As far as I know, it’s off YouTube because of third party issues. Anyhow, this website still makes it available. Boy, oh boy did Iz’s haunting version of SOTR create a soundtrack for childhood, the love of parents for their kids, the simple things, the goodness of life. A bit of clever casting and editing by Rice Krispies didn’t hurt, either, I suppose. I usually hate to hear great songs in tandem with a product but this is well done and anything that puts Iz’s music and the ukulele into America’s ears can’t be all bad. Watch and listen to the famous Rice Krispies commercial.
Cinematic Moments in Uke
Steve Martin has always employed ‘less used’ instruments to bring voice to his funny yet sensitive sentiments. Martin is a comedian known for tempering unbounded wackiness with a plain honesty that leaves you thinking, ‘I like that guy’. So…what are the “less used instruments” Steve Martin uses? You’re probably thinking banjo. You know we’re thinking uke. Bernadette plays a mean cornet, too. Steve’s not really playing though he can, and nicely. This tune is strummed by Lyle Ritz. Check out this sweetly absurd love song from The Jerk. 
YouTube: Steve Martin Plays the Ukulele for Bernadette Peters
Filed under Movies
