Mike Kassel's new video, his anthem for the ukulele, made up of images shared by members of www.ukuleleunderground.com. 

After seeing what Brittni Paiva, Abe Lagrimas Jr. and Jake Shimabukuro have done with ukulele, Mike Kassel put down the guitar and bass, which he had been playing for over 30 years, and downsized his sound.  Since that time, Mike has come up with a number of catchy original tunes and performed in a variety of venues.  His most famous original song, which is slowly building a following, is "Middle Aged Guy with a Ukulele"  (see Mike in the news on this one).

Mike's original ballad, "Andi," was performed live in the Local Talent Showcase of the 2010 Ypsilanti Songwriting Festival of which Mike was proud to be a part.  Not nearly as happy as "Middle Aged Guy with a Ukulele," but it's actually the one Mike is most proud of.

Mike is loving every minute of his journey into ukulele and would like to take you along with him, whether it's watching his original YouTube tunes or performing live.  If you would like to book Mike for a show or event, or if you just want to talk with him about ukulele, he'll be happy to hear from you.

This ain't your father's "Tiptoe Through the Tulips."

Every now-and-then, Mike will pick up a guitar.  This is a re-recording of his new song, "Happy with Your Lot."  Mike thinks it sounds a lot like a Cat Stevens' song and is quite proud of the lyrics and sentiment behind it.  Check it out:

OK, Mike's now going for the multi-instrumentalist category, working out on the String Dulcimer, a guitar-like version of the Mountain Dulcimer, this one called the Sweet Stick and made by the Mole in the Ground Studio in Northern Michigan.  Here's Mike reliving his clawhammer banjo days in a "Kinda Clawhammer" piece: