Ukulele group brings island vibes to popular South Carolina vacation area
Musicians in Hawaiian shirts and panama hats perform uplifting music throughout South Carolina’s Grand Strand community
MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. (InvestigateTV) — A ukulele group in South Carolina’s Grand Strand is strumming its way into the hearts of listeners with tropical vibes on the East Coast.
Donning Hawaiian shirts, Panama hats and flowers in their hair, the musicians who make up Ukes by the Sea transport audiences to paradise with their breezy sound.
“We say that it’s difficult to play a ukulele and frown at the same time,” Tom Woodle, director of Ukes by the Sea, said. “And it’s got such a happy sound.”
Back to the beginning
Woodle began playing the small-stringed instrument at 4 years old, and his talent quickly blossomed. He started playing on live radio when he was 6, joined bands at 11 and began making money from music at 16.
He even made it onto the top 100 chart with his group, The Reedy Creek Band, playing country and bluegrass in Nashville.
The musician traded spotlights for stained glass and returned to the Grand Strand, where he taught at Coastal Carolina and served as senior rector at The Well by the Sea.
He created the uplifting, toe-tapping ukulele band almost three years ago for all to enjoy.
Diverse repertoire and growing membership
“A lot of rock and roll from the ‘60s and ‘70s, and we do some folk songs, and we do some more contemporary things like Africa,” Woodle said. “It could be anything that hits our fancy.”
The band has 25 members, including seasoned musicians and others strumming for the first time.
Woodle scouted out talent like Kristen Toben, who plays the ukulele and now the steel drum.
“I purchased it, and at least with my musical background, it somehow came easy to me, and Tom has always wanted a steel drum in his band,” Toben said. “It really brought my spirits up, and I remembered how much I love music, and it was just a way for me to just continue on my love of music.”
Woodle taught his wife how to play bass so she could be part of the group.
“And to think that most of these people have never touched an instrument two years ago, I think they should be very proud of themselves,” Toben said.
Community performances
When members of Ukes by the Sea are not practicing, they perform with a purpose throughout the community.
“To spread the love of Jesus with happy music,” Woodle said. “And they love it. They have a good time, and people seem to love watching us, so that’s just a good thing.”
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