The Ukulele War of 2007
Hey Folks -
I went to New York to enlist in this April’s Ukulele War. I was armed with a song , “The Lowdown Jacksonville Constipated Pit Bull Blues*,” which was lobbed into the fray a number of times. Friday through Tuesday the Army of Light more than held our own against the Powers of Darkness, and then it was time to come home.
I thought, “That’s that,” but as I prepared for my flight I realized that I would find no closure until I had considered the deeper implications of the battle. It struck me that not until I had made an effort to decipher the metaphysical intimations of it all could I really rest. So, here goes.
As long as I’ve been involved in the ukulele community there has been a “magic” about it – something that connected people of all types and persuasions to one another in a positive, open, accepting, supportive camaraderie; “Ukulele Consciousness” if you will. The War resulted from one individual’s rough departure from and attack upon that community.
Into the warmth of an exponentially-expanding, people’s uke scene; into a free-wheeling, anarchistic, universally humane and accepting ukulele hothouse, was thrust a mechanical, subjectively exclusive, critically opinionated, dictatorial, cold and coercive, financially-driven psycho-wedge.
Good people were pointedly excluded, gratuitously insulted, and publicly degraded. Innocent visitors were puzzled by the unexpected tensions. Worst of all, the machinations of just one misanthropic soul, to some extent, "displaced the mirth, broke the good meeting, With most admired disorder."
So much for Ukulele Consciousness! As one wag put it: “I never met a ukulele player I didn’t like – until now.”
I guess it echoes the eternal, more general human situation. Nothing good can be left alone; nothing benefiting all can escape attack if an individual can make financial or psychological gain by tearing it down; and that’s what this was all about.
A commitment to excellence has been advanced as a defense for all the rude actions toward people whom the perpetrator has labeled “anti-excellence.” Unfortunately, the one making this excuse is in no position to act as arbiter of ukulele excellence. He is no more an authority than the people he has dismissed as unworthy. Neither is he consistent or honest in his judgments, criticizing/excluding better performers than he, while prominently including himself in the main stage performance. It’s pathetic.
I’m glad I was able to make the trip and contribute to warding off this attack upon the magic that is the ukulele community. I don’t think too much damage was done. Many folks there for the weekend may have been oblivious to the undercurrents; and enjoyed themselves. I know that there were others who knew the score and still enjoyed themselves. I can’t speak for anyone committed to the Dark Lord, but I know that many of us unworthy Ukulele Rejects had a fantastic time. Not only did we enjoy marvelous audiences and the pleasure of one another’s company, but we were on the right side, doing good, playing ukulele music of the people, by the people, and for the people.
Power to the People’s Instrument!!! Long live Ukulele Consciousness !!!
- Uke Man
* www.ukuleledisco.com/jacksonblues
I went to New York to enlist in this April’s Ukulele War. I was armed with a song , “The Lowdown Jacksonville Constipated Pit Bull Blues*,” which was lobbed into the fray a number of times. Friday through Tuesday the Army of Light more than held our own against the Powers of Darkness, and then it was time to come home.
I thought, “That’s that,” but as I prepared for my flight I realized that I would find no closure until I had considered the deeper implications of the battle. It struck me that not until I had made an effort to decipher the metaphysical intimations of it all could I really rest. So, here goes.
As long as I’ve been involved in the ukulele community there has been a “magic” about it – something that connected people of all types and persuasions to one another in a positive, open, accepting, supportive camaraderie; “Ukulele Consciousness” if you will. The War resulted from one individual’s rough departure from and attack upon that community.
Into the warmth of an exponentially-expanding, people’s uke scene; into a free-wheeling, anarchistic, universally humane and accepting ukulele hothouse, was thrust a mechanical, subjectively exclusive, critically opinionated, dictatorial, cold and coercive, financially-driven psycho-wedge.
Good people were pointedly excluded, gratuitously insulted, and publicly degraded. Innocent visitors were puzzled by the unexpected tensions. Worst of all, the machinations of just one misanthropic soul, to some extent, "displaced the mirth, broke the good meeting, With most admired disorder."
So much for Ukulele Consciousness! As one wag put it: “I never met a ukulele player I didn’t like – until now.”
I guess it echoes the eternal, more general human situation. Nothing good can be left alone; nothing benefiting all can escape attack if an individual can make financial or psychological gain by tearing it down; and that’s what this was all about.
A commitment to excellence has been advanced as a defense for all the rude actions toward people whom the perpetrator has labeled “anti-excellence.” Unfortunately, the one making this excuse is in no position to act as arbiter of ukulele excellence. He is no more an authority than the people he has dismissed as unworthy. Neither is he consistent or honest in his judgments, criticizing/excluding better performers than he, while prominently including himself in the main stage performance. It’s pathetic.
I’m glad I was able to make the trip and contribute to warding off this attack upon the magic that is the ukulele community. I don’t think too much damage was done. Many folks there for the weekend may have been oblivious to the undercurrents; and enjoyed themselves. I know that there were others who knew the score and still enjoyed themselves. I can’t speak for anyone committed to the Dark Lord, but I know that many of us unworthy Ukulele Rejects had a fantastic time. Not only did we enjoy marvelous audiences and the pleasure of one another’s company, but we were on the right side, doing good, playing ukulele music of the people, by the people, and for the people.
Power to the People’s Instrument!!! Long live Ukulele Consciousness !!!
- Uke Man
* www.ukuleledisco.com/jacksonblues
2 Comments:
Dear Tom - When I discovered the ukulele I found something that gave me pure joy and happiness. It unlocked the key to my soul. And the ukulele community, which I didn't know even existed (until I went to New Uke New York at Joe's Pub a few years ago) was one of the most warm, open accepting communities that I've experienced. There seemed to be the minimum of pissing contests going on. I always saw tendencies towards the dark side, but it seemed to be more than counteracted by the force of pure sunny ukulele good. It has dismayed me, over the past couple of years to see the division in the community - to see some people grab the opportunity for a "career" and use it to push other people out of the way. I have stayed away because I don't ever want this joyful experience to be polluted with darkness and/or anxiety. There is more than enough of that in the world to go around several times. Gary and I were at the NY Uke Fest on Saturday afternoon and saw evidence of the darkness you talked about. Thank you for being the strong honest voice you are.
I'm committed to the anti-dark, anti-sneer, anti-careerist, anti-cynical force. Let's not let the magic die.
Love, Joan
I saw it too. Ugly, cold, mean. The Picture of Dorian Gray.
Kill it before it grows...
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