Ukulele Nation

It has been said, “nobody knows a poet’s alive, until he’s dead.” And in turn, it has also been said that if there’s no money in poetry, neither is there poetry in money. Those of us who write rarely do so for extrinsic worth, for we are compelled by motives which even nature dare not consider. We simply do, until we cannot do so anymore! This book was born in the summer of 2011. After almost 4 months of touring, I came home exhausted, back aching, voice shot, with nothing more than the sheer will to rest, even if it killed me! With little voice left to sing, what I discovered is that I don’t rest well. As soon as I closed my mouth, these poems came pouring out. I did not try to stifle them. So, why a whole book of Ukulele-based poems? Why not? The ukulele is my passion. Its players, history, theory and lore all excite me beyond what any sane individual might consider to be a healthy preoccupation. I am smitten with the ukulele, and that is why! Lil’ Rev was born in Milwaukee, WI, where he resides with his wife and daughter. He tours North America teaching, performing and courting the muse. He is the 1996 National Blues Harmonica Champion at Avoca, Iowa, and he was voted Best Folksinger in Wisconsin in 2004. He is the author of 5 books on how to play the Ukulele through Hal Leonard Publishing Company. Lil Rev is director of the Milwaukee Ukulele Club & Festival founded in 2009