Ukulele Stories

In this episode of Ukulele Stories , Cameron Murray speaks with Mike Upton about his journey from a family musical background to founding Kala and helping shape the modern ukulele market. Mike reflects on the influence of his father, his years in Hawaii, the early days of Lanakai, and the timing that led to Kala’s launch in 2005, just as the ukulele boom began accelerating. They also talk about the challenges and pivots along the way, including legal pressure, manufacturing decisions, and the transition from strictly imported instruments to boutique USA-made models. Mike shares insights into creativity, ukulele education, signature collaborations, and why the instrument continues to bring people together across generations and cultures.

In this episode, Vince Esquire shares his journey through music, from his early days in Oakland to becoming a funk-loving ukulele artist based in Hawaii. Discover how his collaborations, gear choices, and passion for pushing musical boundaries fuel his innovative sound and inspire others. Follow Vince on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vinceesquire1985/ Kala Desert Storylines: https://jacarandamusic.com.au/

Born in Liverpool and raised in Scotland, talented singer-songwriter Zoë Bestel talks about overcoming self-doubt, finding confidence through live performance, and using music as a creative and reflective outlet. Our thoughtful conversation also explores her upcoming album Reverence , the role of environmental themes in her work, and the inspiration she draws from uke communities around the world. And we invent a new musical genre: blanket punk! If you're enjoying Ukulele Stories , you can support the show by buying me a coffee! Simply go to buymeacoffee.com/kamuke

Back in the '90s, Troy Fernandez and Ernie Cruz Jr sparked a ukulele revival that still echoes today. Their show-stopping style brought local Hawaiian culture to the world stage and their influence still echoes today. In this short, fascinating chat, Cameron Murray talks to Troy about those heady early days and the evolution of the international ukulele scene.

Alex Beds isn’t just a shop owner – he’s a musician, innovator and passionate ambassador of the ukulele who believes this humble instrument can heal, inspire, and connect. With decades of experience, he offers a fresh perspective on where the ukulele is heading and why it’s more exciting than ever. Whether you're curious about the latest trends, looking for expert buying tips, or inspired by the power of music, this conversation will leave you motivated to pick up your uke and make your own magic.

First released in 2019, this episode features my chat with great Australian entertainer Mic Conway. Unfortunately, some of the early episodes of Ukulele Stories don't seem to be available on all pod and streaming services, so I've decided to re-release a select few over the coming months. Mic and his brother Jim were recently the subjects of a fantastic documentary called Whoopee Blues , so I thought now was a good time to revisit our interview. Tune in for a brand-new episode in April! Cameron

Oregon-based Dani and Perry are two of the most generous people in the ukulele world. In our fun chat, we discuss their experiences in teaching and building a community around music, as well as their stewardship of the excellent Reno Ukulele Festival. We also talk about our shared friendship with renowned artist Daniel Ho and luthier Pepe Romero Jr, as well as advice for uke players of all levels. Enjoy! And don’t forget to subscribe to Ukulele Stories so you never miss an episode. https://starlightukes.com/home https://buymeacoffee.com/kamuke

Brisbane-based David Megarrity is an artist's artist. As his stage persona Tyrone, he's been a regular on the Aussie uke scene for the past 25 years. With his collaborator Samuel Vincent, he's one half of Tyrone and Lesley, whose projects are always fascinating. On the cusp of the release of the duo's tenth studio album, I had a chat with David about the evolution of Tyrone, creativity, the impact of performance spaces on musical expression, and many other topics. I hope you enjoy it! Cameron https://www.facebook.com/tyroneandlesley/ https://tyroneandlesley.wordpress.com/ https://buymeacoffee.com/kamuke

Jim Beloff was at the vanguard of the Third Wave of Uke. He and his wife Liz founded Flea Market Music in 1992 and the company has helped countless people around the world discover the magic of the instrument. Here, we chat about those heady early days, Jim's brushes with famous uke fans such as George Harrison and Bette Midler, and his brilliant new album mid-century modern . Enjoy! Cameron Flea Market Music

I've known Seattle-based uke pro Matt Dahlberg for about 15 years, so it was great to finally catch up with him for a chat! He gave me three great tips for beginners, as well as one of the best definitions of success I've ever heard... Hope you enjoy it! Cameron https://mattukulele.com/ https://www.youtube.com/c/mattdahlberg https://www.patreon.com/cw/mattukulele

In this engaging conversation, Christopher Davis-Shannon, aka The Tin Man, shares insights from his musical journey, chats about the creation of the fantastic Magic Ukulele Club, and offers practical tips for effective practice.

One from the Kamuke archives! An interview with Roy Sakuma on the eve of the 32nd Annual Ukulele Festival Hawaii in 2002.

My first encounter with Peter Luongo is etched in my memory...

Meet Sam Muir, the first person in the world to do a PhD on the ukulele!

To most people, the ukulele is simply an easy-to-play social instrument. But to Shawn Yacavone, it’s much more important than that. To him, it’s a powerful cultural icon and a vital link to the Kingdom of Hawaii.

Modestly dubbed the "King of the Ukulele", Ralph Shaw is one of the originals - a pre-internet star who honed his craft in front of dubious, bemused audiences in the early 1990s.

In 2019, Bernadette Plazola was unemployed, her marriage had collapsed, and she was on the verge of homelessness. Fast-forward six years and she’s now one of the world’s most popular online uke tutors, with more than 640,000 YouTube subscribers and 208,000 Instagram followers.

“My job is to put smiles on people’s hearts,” says Bryan Tolentino, one of Hawaii’s busiest and most sought-after musicians.

Matt Stead is a man of many talents. Not only is he a great uke teacher and player, he's also the new director of the Ukulele Festival of Great Britain

After 31 years touring the world with the incredible Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain, Will Grove-White is quite literally building a second career as a luthier.