Happy new year!

Lots of big things coming this year! Here's a preview of a brand new song, happy new year! [youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tc6-a8AOztY&w=560&h=315]

Eugene Uketoberfest and more!

Woohoo! What an amazing ukefest... I think it was 4 (or 5?) years ago when I was invited by Brook Adams to to perform at the local Uketoberfest. It was my very first ukulele festival and was the start of many more to come. Looking back, I'm so proud of how much the festival evolved and of how much I changed as a performer and musician. We had an amazing amount of performers this year including the Hapa Hillbillies, Victoria Vox, Mandalin May, Kate & Steve Einhorn, Ralph Shaw, the Refreshments, the Canote Brothers, and a last minute addition: Aldrine Guerrero. We caught Aldrine with Ryan and Aaron on their NW tour promoting UkuleleUnderground.com If you haven't checked out their website yet, please do. There is an enormous amount of videos with tutorials, reviews, performances and a global gathering of members actively involved in the forums. I was featured in this months Uke Minutes (a little teaser lesson) and will be working with the UU crew shortly. I am extremely excited and proud to be involved in teaching with them! In other news, our CD release party is coming up on December 3rd at Luckeys, I can't wait to start really pushing the album. You can find a digital version at http://craigchee.bandcamp.com/ and soon to be iTunes. I will be updating a bunch of new ... er... news soon! I leave you with some photos from the Uketoberfest!

Aloha,

Craig

Milwaukee Ukulele Festival and Physical CDs

I was very fortunately to be invited to teach and perform at the Milwaukee Ukulele Festival a week ago and it was truly a great experience. There were amazing attendees who were eager to learn (this had to be the largest workshop I've taught in one sitting) and a huge cast of performers. It was really fun to see how differently the performers used their ukuleles. I am excited to see how musicians push the instrument in ways I could have never fathomed growing up in Hawai'i. Huge thanks for Lil' Rev, for the invitation and my gracious hosts for putting me up for the weekend. A much needed thanks to everyone who attended and welcomed me with open arms. It was so cool to have people looking out for the UPS truck for me... speaking of which...

Tada!!! The album was completed the day before the festival so I had a small shipment overnighted to the festival itself. I am blown away by the response and I'm still getting emails from people who have been listening to the album since the show. Thank you guys so much!!! It was a wonderful feeling to have this album out for people. I already have big plans in the works for the next one, I'll be sure to keep you all updated.

Here are some photos I took from the fest, I wasn't able to get as many shots in this time but I still hope you enjoy them!

Much love and aloha,

Craig