MediaCorp FM 90.5 invites Unk Dicko for "live" Ukulele performance tomorrow night.

My favourite local radio station is Gold 90.5 and that goes for my wifey too. We simply love to be surprised by the fabulous songs of the good old days that come over the airwave from this station mostly hosted by the incomparable Brian Richmond himself. Recently, his son Mark joined him in a father and son thing and it's definitely a first of sorts in radio folklore.

Yesterday ( Wednesday 30 march ) I received a pleasant surprise...a phone call from Brian himself.
We chatted like old friends for awhile before he sprang the surprise.
He wanted me to be his "Special Guest" on Friday,s programme segment called the "HOT SEAT".
Friday happens to be tomorrow April 1 2011...but this is no April Fools' joke I can assure you!
Apparently there are reports of a surge in ukulele interest among people in Singapore. On Tuesday the New Paper carried a double page write-up about the current ukulele interest level. And on that very night the "Grandpa Uke" duo ( R Chee and Unk Dicko ) were entertaining the shoppers "live" at Fairprice Hypermart at Nex Serangoon.
The topic for tomorrow night: We'll be discussing  the UKULELE and its impact on my life from the early years to the present. That will not be the only thing....there's much more.
Brian has requested me to provide him with a couple of songs that will feature in my personal all time favourites list.
Sigh...I have so many and it will not do justice to leave out the rest !
Nevertheless, the songs I had narrowed down to are the ones that have most emotional impact and meaning whenever they are played or sung.
So which are the songs?

I won't let the cat out of the bag yet...in fact, I think I'll leave all that to Mr Gold  90.5 himself to reveal the mystery.
So whereever you may be...tune in to FM 90.5 tomorrow starting from 8 pm sharp.
It's going out "live".
Those of you who missed my earlier ukulele performances on radio a few years ago will get a chance
to hear solid, pure ukulele sounds and songs.

Friday April 1  from 8 - 9 pm. Don't miss it!

Homestretch

Weekdays: 5:00 PM - 9:00 PM
TIME : 5pm to 9pm
SMS Keyword : HOME
DJ: Brian and Mark Richmond

Gold 90FM makes radio history with the first-ever Father and Son pairing of Brian and Mark Richmond on the evening drive show the Homestretch. Mark makes a return to radio to helm the Homestretch from 5pm to 9pm Monday to Fridays.

You'll be Riding with the Richmonds with great songs and tongue-in-cheek humour spiced with interesting segments to captivate and entertain the senses. With both father and son having credible sports casting experience, you can expect a healthy debate on the English football league and such like. There will also be interactive elements to engage the listeners.

A 'Celebration Surprise call' segment will enable listeners to get the duo to call on a loved one or friend celebrating a special day.

The Playback in the 8 o'clock hour will feature the Top Ten songs in the UK and the US for that particular day for a specific year interspersed with interesting historical events. And once a week on a Friday, Mark and Brian will entertain a special guest in the Hot Seat. They will share their favourite songs and give us an insight into their world.

There will be lots of surprises coming your way as you Ride Home with the Richmonds on the Homestretch. Catch it on Gold 90FM, Monday to Fridays 5pm - 9pm.

Send your SMS to 72346
*Each SMS costs 30 cents. This SMS service is provided by MediaCorp Technologies Pte Ltd, customer service hotline 68777132.
Reach the Richmonds by email: homestretch@mediacorp.com.sg
(  The above is from MediaCorp Gold 90.5 FM website )

Grandpa Uke ...entertaining LIVE tonight at Nex Hypermart, Serangoon.

The last 2 months or so I have spent much of my time going through all my collection of song books, song files, music CDs, music albums for the purpose of re-organising the many resources for easy retrieval based on song index, song type and other such things.

 In doing so, I found it was necessary to look at many of the song lyrics to correct obvious mistakes. Many of these songs did not come with music notes or even chord tabs. So, I had to source for them on the internet. When that produced nothing, I play the song out myself and write down the chord tabs.
It was a time-consuming labour of love.
In doing so, there were many bright moments like when I found better chord arrangements for a previously popular song...with good intro and a good ending as well.

My work is not finished yet. Will require many more months of hardwork.
Tonight,  Tuesday 29 March 2011...something interesting is happening at NTUC Fairprice Hypermart at Nex Serangoon Central. The Hypermart is located on level 3. Nex Mall is above the Serangoon MRT station.

From 7 - 9 pm,  Unk Dicko and Richard Chee my close ukulele partner, will be entertaining "live" within the premises of the Hypermart. Grandpa Uke is what we will call ourselves. Some members of my Minstrel Performing group may also be coming.
NTUC Fairprice has engaged us to provide "live" songs and music within the store.
Why Tuesday ?
I think it's because Tuesday is the day seniors aged 60 + get more discount than other days of shopping.

So come on down to shop and join in the night of music and fun.
We will be playing a very good selection of songs. And if you have a personal favourite just shout it out and we will oblige.

See you there!

Watch. Dream. Be Inspired!

I was browsing at my favourite bloglinks when I saw this video clip highlighted on Ageless Voice, a website belonging to my good friend Eleanor. Apparently she attended an informal meet up of some members of the club SILVER TSUNAMI ASIA ( www.silvertsunami.asia)at the East Coast area a few days ago. This clip was highlighted in their discussion.

Based on a true story of these elderly men, average age 81 years, who decided to return to doing what they had done as a group of close buddies in their young days....riding motorcycles! There were 6 of them originally but unfortunately one had passed away.

Unk Dicko knows and understand what they must have felt when their situation, circumstances and their bodies 'prevented' them from enjoying life to the fullest, especially that of their first love - riding their motorcycles again.
I am still the only one among my peers enjoying the freedom of riding today and everyday. The rest of my riding friends have given up donkey years ago.

As long as I am alive...I will continue to ride the freeways, safely.
This videoclip produced by Ogilvy Taiwan is truly one of the most inspirational clips I've seen.
It has garnered some 1.8 million hits already.

If you are like most seniors and elderly folks leading a sedentary and mundane lifestyle, watching this clip will make you want to jump up and do things. Perhaps even radicalise your
thoughts and actions.

Watch. Dream. Be Inspired!