Old School

If you ever saw dad's sermon notes, you'd appreciate his lettering as much as you would his messages. He would often put in little drawings to illustrate his points along the way. But it was his headings, the subheads and bullet point fonts were always executed with a little fancier hand drawn font.

Dad had the most beautiful handwriting. Good penmanship is no longer taught, and it's a lost skill to most these days. My brother has an incredible handwriting that echos of our father's influence.

I think dad got his interest in using his fancy hand drawn fonts, like his younger brother Patillo Ainsworth Finlayson, from his older brother Burruss Wofford Finlayson. Dad and Ainsworth were just avid amateurs when it came to hand lettering. Wofford was the seasoned pro. Wofford was an old school commercial artist of the highest caliber. He did his share of painting movie posters and signage for theaters in Columbia back in the 30's and 40's.

One of my life's regrets is that I didn't take his offer of living in Columbia, South Carolina and work for him. I was in my early to mid teens and didn't know what I was being offered at the time. I would've had a Summer to remember and a wealth of knowledge that could've taken me further into my art.

The Late Christmas Present

Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain, Morrow, GA, 04/15/2018

Last Christmas, my family presented me with a computer print out of a receipt for tickets purchased for a very special concert.  I've been a fan of The Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain since I discovered them on YouTube about five years ago.  Since Christmas, Gina started learning to play the ukulele.  It just something she decided to pick up along the way, but wasn't very familiar with the Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain. I knew as the day drew closer that she'd receive just as much enjoyment as I would.  My hunch proved true.  My daughters thoroughly enjoyed the show as well.

Knowing that dialysis would probably wear me out, we broke up the trip into a two day outing. We drove to Atlanta on the fourteenth, stayed overnight and then took our time finding the campus and Spivey Hall early this afternoon. The concert was on the campus of Clayton State University in Morrow, GA.  It's a pretty campus and the hall is a nice venue.

Now all that I had seen of the UOoGB was on YouTube until today. I found out today that none of the videos do this little ensemble justice. The videos that I previously thought humorous and delightful, in person are mesmerizing and beautiful.  UOoGB do not spoof songs, but give wonderful well thought out renditions of loved music with mere ukuleles.  Listening to their take on these old hits are like hearing them again for the first time.

Also.  Not only can they play, they all sing.  Man can they sing.  The harmonies were tight and spectacular.  They are the Blue Angels of the ukulele. Again. The YouTube videos don't do them justice.  If you ever get a chance to hear them live, GO!