About this project
Aloha, everybody!
The initial tracks for my next album "Fretting the Small Stuff" have been recorded, and now I'm now ready to have it finished and released. This is my third studio album, and I think it represents some of my best work to date. I promise it will be good, no Tiny Tim stuff here, it's all rockin' and swingin' music with a backbeat to it. I put a lot of my heart into these tracks and I'm confident you will really dig them.
Why the ukulele, you may ask?
While my wife was pregnant with twins in 2005, I decided to teach myself how to play an instrument so my kids would grow up in a house that was always full of music. I chose the ukulele for its simplicity and charm; it's got a really warm, fun feel to it. You can take any song, in any mood, and elevate it to another level with the uke. Now it's a cornerstone of my life and my family, and I enjoy making music to share my joy with the rest of the world.
What will the album sound like, you may ask?
Like this:
These first couple songs from the album are just a small taste. There's lots of different styles/genres of music on this record (rock, bluegrass, folk, pop...) but it all fits together quite nicely.
I'll be posting more exclusive song previews in the "Updates" section throughout the Kickstarter campaign as milestones are reached, so go there now to hear more. Backers will get notified when these exclusives are available.
Pre-orders help get the record made!
All the tracks for the new album are recorded and I'm almost at the finish line; now I need your help getting there. The money raised through this campaign will pay for the remaining studio time, mixing, mastering, and physical CD manufacturing. If we manage to surpass the original $1,000 goal, any extra pledges will go towards more songs on the CD, higher quality manufacturing, promotion, touring, and even getting a jump start on the next record after this one!
This is your chance to pre-order the new album and get some special bonus tracks and other exclusive goodies. Remember, funding on Kickstarter is "all or nothing" deal! If this project doesn't reach its funding goal before time runs out, your personal donation will never leave your bank account and I will not receive ANY funds at all. Only when we meet or exceed our goal will your donation count. So even the smallest contribution helps!
If funding of this project is successful, I intend to release the album in November of this year. Backers of the project will receive their digital downloads a month early.
What other exclusives are available, you may ask?
In addition to bonus tracks, songs written just for you, and personal concerts, you can also get some original artwork created exclusively for this project. Have a look at these one-of-a-kind sketch cards!
The following 2.5x3.5 trading cards are hand-drawn and painted by artist Patrick Scullin.
Card #1 (ukulele frog) [SOLD!]
Card #2 (ukulele raccoon) [SOLD!]
Card #3 (ukulele alligator) [SOLD!]
Card #4 (ukulele parrot)
The following cards were hand-drawn, painted and donated by artist James Riot:
Card #5 (ukulele frog) [SOLD!]
Card #6 (ukulele gator) [SOLD!]
There's only one of each of these, so act quickly and select the donation that specifies which card you want!
You guys are the best. No, seriously.
Thanks in advance for the support and love you've shown these last few years. All the kind words and encouragement mean the world to me, and I really appreciate each and every one of you. If you give as generously as you can I promise to give as generously right back to you, and hopefully we can have some fun with this!
Mahalo!
Your friend,
Ukulele Jim
FAQ
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It looks like this:
http://www.swagazine.com/etc/ukulelefrog.jpg
It was drawn and colored by Eisner-nominated artist David Wachter (http://www.davedrawscomics.com).
Have a question? If the info above doesn't help, you can ask the project creator directly.
42
Backers
$1,161
pledged of $1,000 goal
0
seconds to go
Funding Successful
This project successfully raised its funding goal on September 1, 2011.
Pledge $1 or more Pledge $1 or more
Ukulele Frog sticker + Digital Download of 1 song from the album. Plus eternal gratitude.
Pledge $10 or more Pledge $10 or more
Digital download of "Fretting the Small Stuff" album (with digital liner notes) at least one month before the official release + Ukulele Frog sticker + Digital Download of bonus tracks!
Pledge $20 or more Pledge $20 or more
Signed Physical CD of "Fretting the Small Stuff", mailed to your door + Digital download of the new CD at least one month before the official release + Digital Download of bonus tracks + Ukulele Frog sticker + Digital download of either of my 2 previous CDs (you choose!)
Pledge $25 or more Pledge $25 or more
TRADING CARD #1 (Ukulele Frog original art card, painted by Patrick Scullin) + Digital download of "Fretting the Small Stuff" (with digital liner notes) at least one month before the official release + Digital Download of bonus tracks + Ukulele Frog sticker (designed by David Wachter) + Digital download of either of my 2 previous CDs (you choose!)
Pledge $25 or more Pledge $25 or more
TRADING CARD #2 (Ukulele Raccoon original art card, painted by Patrick Scullin) + Digital download of "Fretting the Small Stuff" (with digital liner notes) at least one month before the official release + Digital Download of bonus tracks + Ukulele Frog sticker (designed by David Wachter) + Digital download of either of my 2 previous CDs (you choose!)
Pledge $25 or more Pledge $25 or more
TRADING CARD #3 (Ukulele Alligator original art card, painted by Patrick Scullin) + Digital download of "Fretting the Small Stuff" (with digital liner notes) at least one month before the official release + Digital Download of bonus tracks + Ukulele Frog sticker (designed by David Wachter) + Digital download of either of my 2 previous CDs (you choose!)
Pledge $25 or more Pledge $25 or more
TRADING CARD #4 (Ukulele Parrot original art card, painted by Patrick Scullin) + Digital download of "Fretting the Small Stuff" (with digital liner notes) at least one month before the official release + Digital Download of bonus tracks + Ukulele Frog sticker (designed by David Wachter) + Digital download of either of my 2 previous CDs (you choose!)
Pledge $25 or more Pledge $25 or more
TRADING CARD #5 (Ukulele Frog original art card, painted by James Riot) + Digital download of "Fretting the Small Stuff" (with digital liner notes) at least one month before the official release + Digital Download of bonus tracks + Ukulele Frog sticker (designed by David Wachter) + Digital download of either of my 2 previous CDs (you choose!)
Pledge $25 or more Pledge $25 or more
TRADING CARD #6 (Ukulele Gator original art card, painted by James Riot) + Digital download of "Fretting the Small Stuff" (with digital liner notes) at least one month before the official release + Digital Download of bonus tracks + Ukulele Frog sticker (designed by David Wachter) + Digital download of either of my 2 previous CDs (you choose!)
Pledge $30 or more Pledge $30 or more
Handwritten Lyrics to your favorite song from the new record (complete w doodles!) + Digital download of "Fretting the Small Stuff" (with digital liner notes) at least one month before the official release + Digital Download of bonus tracks + Ukulele Frog sticker + Digital download of either of my 2 previous CDs (you choose!)
Pledge $50 or more Pledge $50 or more
2 stickers (each with a different design) + 2 Signed Physical CDs of "Fretting the Small Stuff", mailed to your door + Digital download of my 1st CD "Ukulele Jim's Authentic Down Home Marital Aid" + Digital download of my 2nd CD "Ukulele Jim's Jumping Flea Circus" + Digital download of my new CD "Fretting the Small Stuff" at least one month before the official release + Digital Download of bonus tracks + Digital Music Video download
Pledge $75 or more Pledge $75 or more
Signed CD + Digital Pre-Release + Digital Bonus Tracks + Digital Music Video download + Ukulele Jim voicemail, something like "Hey this is Ukulele Jim, Steve says ...leave a message” or anything that you would like said or sung (no profanity, please) + 2 birthday phone calls for friends/family where I will call and sing a little song for them
Pledge $100 or more Pledge $100 or more
Signed CD + Digital Pre-Release + Digital Bonus Tracks + Digital Music Video download + Stickers + I will write and record a special song just for you (you pick the subject)!
Pledge $200 or more Pledge $200 or more
Everything in the $100 package + Special mention in the liner notes + a 30-minute Personal ukulele lesson or Live In-Person Performance at your home or event (in Santa Barbara or Goleta only, or elsewhere via Skype)
Pledge $400 or more Pledge $400 or more
BIG KAHUNA PACKAGE: Everything in the $100 package + Credit as "Executive Producer" in the liner notes + Signed Physical CDs and Digital Downloads of my 2 previous albums + Stickers + a ONE HOUR In-Person acoustic concert at your home or event (in Santa Barbara County only, or elsewhere via Skype)
Project By
Connected as Jim Clark (288 friends)
Don't let the name fool you -- this is no novelty act! With music that combines the soulfulness of James Taylor with the pop sensibilities of Jack Johnson, Ukulele Jim will treat you to an ear pleasing, heart stealing, joyful feeling good time!
