Lightnin' Wells has showcased his deep repertoire of historic music for decades. In our pilot episode, we're focused on his ukuleles.
Lightnin' shares some narrative and history on the instrument and dives deeper into several of the tracks from his latest release, an all ukulele compilation called Foolin' Around.
Stick around after the conversation for a taste of the album-- Lightnin' plays the title song Foolin' Around live in our makeshift studio on his back porch.
Links:
-Photo gallery of complementary images from Lightnin's collection
3:27: Profile on Lightnin's friend, Del Rey. She mentions Lightnin' and describes Sandy Hines' influence. Hines is also quoted.
5:52: Profile on May Singhi Breen, 'The Ukulele Lady'
16:54: YouTube video of Lightnin' playing Cryin' for the Carolines at the Augusta Heritage Center in Elkins, WV
17:54: Animated music video from 1930 of Cryin' for the Carolines played by organist Milton Charles
20:45: Never Swat a Fly performance by Frank Albertson and Marjorie White Just Imagine (1930)
21:13: Video of Lightnin' playing Somewhere Over the Rainbow in Port Townsend, WA
21:43: Music video of Somewhere Over the Rainbow by Israel 'IZ' Kamakawiwoʻole
Cover photo by Rylan Puckett