| These are my "Uke Songs", composed on my Lanaki concert uke. I've been a songwriter for longer than I care to admit, but it's just been recently that I've discovered the charms of the uke and incorporated it into my music and life! Not surprisingly, I've always had an affinity for Tin Pan Alley & 1930's music and culture. "Somewhere", "A Beautiful Light", and "Open Your Heart" feature internationally acclaimed, Grammy-award-winning electric violinist Jamii Szmadzinski. "Black & White" and "Open Your Heart" are full-band recordings. The rest of these uke songs are with the very talented, multi-instrumentalist Denis Smith. In addition,"Everyone's Gone to the Moon" enlists the talents of Robert Reister: keyboards, programming, bells and whistles. See below for my pre-ukulele songs. |
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| Ukulele Songs |
| Pop'n'Rock Songs |
I worked in a very popular 60's genre
rock band for some ten years called
The Bashers. We opened for many
major touring acts, played a lot of
summer festivals, drank a lot of beer,
and had some radio airplay. Soon
after the band folded their tent, my
wife began a long battle with breast
cancer. The long dark nights of
uncertainty unleashed a renewed surge
of creativity. I started recording
these songs with the band in my studio.
About this time, an old friend from
Hawaii appeared with the gift of a
ukulele. I started playing around with
it (a lot), and it was just what I needed
to lift my spirits while my wife and I
were coping with her illness.
So, while the band and I were
recording the songs I'd recently
written in the daytimes, I was
practicing my ukulele at night and
feeling the need to take a new turn
with my music. I felt it was time to
step it up a notch. I was listening to
a lot of world, celtic, and gypsy
music, and wanted to incorporate it
into my writing, turn the corner, and
reinvent myself.
Besides, I could no longer wear
spandex. Well, I could, but it wouldn't
be pretty.
The results (so far - many more in the
works) are above, in the Ukulele Songs
section.
rock band for some ten years called
The Bashers. We opened for many
major touring acts, played a lot of
summer festivals, drank a lot of beer,
and had some radio airplay. Soon
after the band folded their tent, my
wife began a long battle with breast
cancer. The long dark nights of
uncertainty unleashed a renewed surge
of creativity. I started recording
these songs with the band in my studio.
About this time, an old friend from
Hawaii appeared with the gift of a
ukulele. I started playing around with
it (a lot), and it was just what I needed
to lift my spirits while my wife and I
were coping with her illness.
So, while the band and I were
recording the songs I'd recently
written in the daytimes, I was
practicing my ukulele at night and
feeling the need to take a new turn
with my music. I felt it was time to
step it up a notch. I was listening to
a lot of world, celtic, and gypsy
music, and wanted to incorporate it
into my writing, turn the corner, and
reinvent myself.
Besides, I could no longer wear
spandex. Well, I could, but it wouldn't
be pretty.
The results (so far - many more in the
works) are above, in the Ukulele Songs
section.
|
| Fragments of my world..... come, wander through..... thanks for visiting. |
My uke and me, in front of some of
my artwork.
I hang my art on my fence and let it
slowly dissolve over time.
Like my music, I create it and throw
it to the elements.
my artwork.
I hang my art on my fence and let it
slowly dissolve over time.
Like my music, I create it and throw
it to the elements.
"Is there sombody in there
with you, Ronnie?"
Sometimes.
Rudy Vallee (hello, Rudy),
and Marlena Dietrich, for
sure. ( It's getting
crowded in here!) Where's
Captain Howdy when you
need him?
Film noir, cabaret.... hear
their influences in my
songs "Let's Go Tubin' "
and "Black and White" as
well as others.
with you, Ronnie?"
Sometimes.
Rudy Vallee (hello, Rudy),
and Marlena Dietrich, for
sure. ( It's getting
crowded in here!) Where's
Captain Howdy when you
need him?
Film noir, cabaret.... hear
their influences in my
songs "Let's Go Tubin' "
and "Black and White" as
well as others.
"Take me sailing," says the lady
that emerged from my brushes.
"I'll float you away with my music,"
I say.
But still she waits.
| It's in the genes |
| My other half |
| Links |
| My wife's art website wandacline.com |
| Uke Rocker |
| Life Is Dog-Gone Sweet |
| Neoteny Music Bongo Wanda Productions c2008 |
| Ronnie Hock Muskegon,MI Email: RDHock@msn.com |
| My beautiful wife holds me to this earth, else I would self-ignite and become but a vapor of my fruitless dreams. In addition to being my rock, she is also an exceptional portrait artist. |
| Ronnie Hock Music |
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| Black Umbrellas |
In my latest metamorphasis, Denis Smith and I have joined forces with
Jamii Szmadzinski and Robert Reister. Jamii and I have had a creative
relationship dating back some 30 years, and have recently reunited.
We call ourselves Black Umbrellas after an instrumental song I wrote,
but have yet to post.
All of my music is original, with the exception a recent remake of
Johnathan King's 1965 hit, "Everyone's Gone to the Moon". Jamii's
beautiful string arrangement adds a haunting quality. It seemed so
timely, that I asked my son, Dylan, to make a film to go with it.
You'll find it here on YouTube
Jamii Szmadzinski and Robert Reister. Jamii and I have had a creative
relationship dating back some 30 years, and have recently reunited.
We call ourselves Black Umbrellas after an instrumental song I wrote,
but have yet to post.
All of my music is original, with the exception a recent remake of
Johnathan King's 1965 hit, "Everyone's Gone to the Moon". Jamii's
beautiful string arrangement adds a haunting quality. It seemed so
timely, that I asked my son, Dylan, to make a film to go with it.
You'll find it here on YouTube
| Pop'n'Rock Songs (Click here to listen) |
| For you literary-minded people, check out my son's online magazine. Dylan is an English professor, filmographer, poet, and novelist. |