DaSilva Ukulele Co. Home Page

September 2004

I got to know Phil recently upon joining the Royal Hawaiian Ukulele Band in Berkeley, California. His friend Robert, also a member of the group, kept telling me how Phil always had his old, quite beat up, Johnson soprano with him. It was apparently common to find Phil just playing away on San Francisco street corners on any given day. Robert jokingly complained how when he joined Phil at gigs or those street corners, he became embarassed and wished Phil had a more presentable ukulele. So, Robert nominated him for a giveaway ukulele.

And these guys can play. Phil and Robert are natural talents and can pick up any tune immediately. I then started hearing from other band members about Phil. About his love of uke, his good nature, his unassuming character. He told me he works with kids, how he is teaching a couple of interested youngsters to play. And Robert is always saying how he has to remind Phil not to agree to gigs for free.

Thanks to Robert for thinking about Phil. I look forward to running into Phil on those street corners with his new uke. Phil's ukulele will be a koa CM1, Martin style concert. Currently being built, photos will be posted soon.

mike@ukemaker.com
DaSilva Ukulele Co.
2547 8th Street, Suite 28
Berkeley, CA 94710
510 649-1548

August 2004

July 2004

Her name is Kate, an occupational therapist at a trauma center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Her friend Ann, described her stressful but rewarding work, her tireless efforts and an immediate liking to Ann's new ukulele. It was hardly a stretch for me to imagine Kate strolling the halls of a big city hospital strumming her way to her next appointment. I for one, know of no better therapy for the mind and body. Thank you Ann for the inspiring story and Kate for your commitment to helping others.

For Kate