Central Maine: Maine native returns to uke it up.

Everybody has this preconceived notion that I’m going to be singing songs about beaches and rainbows and playing all happy songs. That’s really what people think about when they think ukulele — ‘Aww, it’s that cute little guitar from Hawaii.' Instead, he brings rock, blues, tongue-in-cheek and a catalog as varied as “You’re the One,” a sweet song to his wife, Dixmont native Lindsey, to “Two Ply,” a Stevie Wonder-ish ode to toilet paper.

KAMUKE: Talk Story Ukulele Russ

When you think of the ukulele, you immediately think of... Alaska? Hailing from The Last Frontier, one-man band Ukulele Russ plays everything from rock'n'roll to funk, bluegrass and hip-hop. We caught up with the Wild Man Of Uke between moose hunts (no, really).

Central Maine: Ukulele Russ to perform

Russ plays the axe (or, as he refers to the diminutive instrument, the hatchet) and he does some innovative stuff with a loop pedal and a bass ukulele that he secures to a stand with DeWalt clamps. Also, he’s an engaging storyteller.

Ukulele Russ - “Big Truck”

Ukulele Russ and the Parks Highway Band perform at the Howling Dog Saloon on Halloween night in Fairbanks, Alaska.

UkeMarket: Ukulele Russ Live Performance Review

Not only is Ukulele Russ a great musician and performer, but his schtick is perfectly suited for the venue in which he performed. He engaged the audience, talked to the crowd, cracked jokes and even managed to diffuse an obnoxious drunk. He’s energetic, funny and genuinely enjoyable.