Upgrades to the Fans Only Section
I've just rolled out the first of two major changes to the fans-only section. You'll note that there's a small form up in the right corner of this page. You can now log into the fans-only section simply by entering the email you used to sign up for the Hobbit Howls enewsletter. No more need to remember a login name and password.

Second, if you haven't signed up yet, it's now more completely automated. You don't have to wait for me to send you a login and password. Once you've verified your email address you can log right in.

This is the second of the 4 major changes planned for January (the Bi-Weekly Uke Tips were the first). Some long-promised stuff is actually in view! I'll be sending out a mailing in a couple days (still waiting on word about a booking or two) with more details.

Thanks for your patience! Stay tuned!

Happy New Year!
Welcome to 2007! 2006 was a great ukulele year for me and I hope for you, too. Let's do more strumming in '07, shall we?

To start the new year out right I've just posted the first of my Bi-Weekly Uke Tips. Every other Monday will feature a new tip. Hey! I've got several months "in the can" right now. (It's so unusual for me to be ahead of schedule!)

I've made a special about page for the Uke Tips with further info.

Please feel free to write me and let me know what you think about the tips.

Yet another new recording!
Due to finally getting something resembling an actual home studio together I've just posted my rendition of Moonglow at my Ukeland page. (Thanks yet again, Zathras!)

You can read more about it here and in my blog.

A New Recording
Thanks to Zathras at UkeLand.com I have been able to host a new recording, my take on Don't Get Around Much Anymore.

You can read all about it here.

The Changing of the Blog
If you're a regular reader of my blog, Don't Make Me Uke!, you'll find that I've just made the last posting there.

I'm switching over to a blog software hosted right here on my site. It has some spiffier features but, best of all, it is all under my control... I don't have to worry about whether or not someone else's server has gone down (or is just acting wonky).

A whole new look and feel and a new set of tools and toys to play with.

Check out Ukulele & All That Jazz and let me know what you think!

New "Fans Only" Goodies!
I've just added an mp3 of my new song, Naughty Monkey and a pdf file of its arrangement to the Fans Only section of the site.

You can access the Fans Only section by signing up for the Hobbit Howls e-newsletter. Then you click on the Fans Only login link (upper right of all the pages on the site) and login.

Yes, I know it's been a while since the last Hobbit Howls, but I'm working on a bunch of medium to major changes on both the site and how the email is handled so (knock wood!) that ought to be changing soon.

Line Up Change
Alas, Craig Robertson has had to cancel the Portland leg of his tour. But there is still going to be ukulele in the Rose City!

KingniK has stepped up to the plate as an opener and Snake Suspenderz will be batting cleanup. Check out the details on the shows page!

Time Change!
If you're planning on coming down to Bonney Lake Days tomorrow to see me playing with Captain Swing and the Coney Island Corn Dogs be aware that the start time for our set has changed from noon to 12:30!

Further details are on the shows page.

And a New Pic!

And since I'm on an update kick... check out the new picture (scroll to the bottom) of Snake Suspenderz at Seattle's History house a week or so ago. Featuring the spiffy new Stetson hat.

It's been a while!

Sorry for the lack of updates recently. Life and all that.

But check out the calendar page! It has exploded in the last week or so. From now through late September I'll be playing everywhere from Orcas Island up in the northern Puget Sound to Portland, OR... in four towns with three different bands!

Wow, it's almost like a tour. Hopefully this is a trend.

Yet Another New Song!
I've just posted a little lo-fi gem to my music page called "Too Soon Old". Don't be too late smart... grab it now!

(BTW... you notice it's been two months to the day since my last one? Gotta work on that!)

New Song!
I've just released a new mp3, a "test project" I recorded today to make sure I could use my new Fostex MR-8 recorder. It's called He Might Be A Vampire and you can find it on the music page.

If you're planning on flying with your instrument perhaps you should go to the ukulele pages and check out the TSA/AFM letter. A good thing but, like all things, your mileage may vary.

New Look for the Site!
A long thought of but never acted on idea. I like the "deco" look, don't you? You can let me know what you think via the feedback page.

Please also let me know if you find broken links or other trouble. I think I got it all!

New Song Up!
I've just uploaded my version of Home On The Range. It is a very old song, reputedly sang to a newly elected F.D.R. by a collection of reporters on his front porch. Not my usual fare but it is such a pretty old tune. Features guest vocals by the Chickadee Glen Mens Chorus. And some genuine grizzled, old cowpoke around the campfire harmonica work. Just call me Tex.