Margaret Wilton

It was several years ago that I made the acquaintance of Margaret Wilton. A spunky senior living out at Lewisville Estates, she was avidly interested in all things musical, and especially passionate about the ukulele. She pestered for me to come out and give her lessons. She pestered me to bring our group out to Lewisville Estates. She pestered me to help her find rides to Dallas Ukulele Headquarters events.

In short, she was a complete joy.

Today, I wish we had gone out to play at Lewisville Estates more. Today, I wish somehow we’d been able to arrange more rides for her to DUH events. Not that it slowed her down at all: She formed her own ukulele club at Lewisville Estates, and also taught people how to play just about any instrument you could think of. She did anything she could think of to be an active, vibrant part of the community.

When she developed health problems and moved to a smaller facility, The Sterling House, she was again instrumental in bringing my band, The Douboys, to perform. And again, she’d developed quite a following.  She was teaching the Executive Director to play Dobro, and his wife to play ukulele. She painted bird feeders. We always looked forward to playing there.

Today, unfortunately, I was unable to see Margaret Wilton. She passed away, peacefully, in her sleep, two days ago. Instead of playing our concert today for Margaret, we played in her honor.

The music was rich, our audience was involved and engaged, and the show was great. Perhaps Margaret was hovering about for one last show, influencing our fingers and our voices. It was a glorious send off.

And today, it doesn’t matter what I wished for: She is gone. But I do have one more wish. I wish every senior I encounter was as spunky and persistent as Margaret. If that wish comes true, the world will be filled with beautiful music.

So long, Margaret. Safe travels. And God help whomever you ask for a ukulele if all they have is a harp.

Here’s a link to Margaret performing with DUH at Lewisville Estates: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1JU2CVnqG0o

We were honored to be part of the event, and also got mentioned in the write-up on Pegasus News. You can read about it and check out the pictures here:

http://www.pegasusnews.com/news/2011/jun/26/photos-bolsa-eddie-lucky-campbell-bar-main-st-new/#

Perhaps you need some entertainment to honor your own bartenders?

The first one is a compilation of songs performed through Dallas Ukulele Headquarters, our 400+ member club.

This may not be of immediate use to you, but the some of The Douboys songs do come from this collection, and certainly you might find some there that you’d like to see us add.

Please feel free to look at the songbook in your choice of paperback or hardcover editions:

Paperback: http://www.lulu.com/product/paperback/dallas-ukulele-headquarters-songbook/15983398

Hardcover: http://www.lulu.com/product/hardcover/dallas-ukulele-headquarters-songbook/15983444

And finally, I also published my collection of ukulele jokes. You can look at those hear:

http://www.lulu.com/product/paperback/mark-twangs-ukulele-joke-book/15997336

The Douboys have been are proud to perform for people all over the Metroplex, and that our special style of Tin Pan Alley, Hawaiian, and Novelty Songs have found such receptive ears.
The Douboys are comprised of experienced ukulele performers Mark Levine and Don Aspromonte. Their music is a mix of Tin Pan Alley, Oldies, Hawaiian, and Novelty songs. They provide a fun, energetic, upbeat show, mixed with audience interaction and participation. It is not unusual to find audiences clapping and singing along when The Douboys perform.
Both Mark and Don are veterans of the 380+ member Dallas Ukulele Headquarters, the second largest ukulele club in the country. Mark Levine is the founder and leader of the club, now going on 15 years in the Metroplex. The Douboys performances credits include multiple appearances at The Dallas Museum of Art.
The Douboys are not expensive to book. We can usually arrange to perform for the typical per diem your facility charges. However, in some cases, we have been forced to add a fuel charge to supplement the increased cost of transportation. Contact Mark Levine for bookings at 214-914-7205 or ukulele@tx.rr.com . For more information, go to: http://thedouboys.wordpress.com/

“Music therapists working with Alzheimer’s patients have found that rhythmic interaction or listening to music resulted in decreased agitation, increased focus and concentration, enhanced ability to respond verbally and behaviorally, elimination of demented speech, improved ability to respond to questions, and better social interaction.”

- Carol Prickett and Randall Moore, “The Use of Music to Aid Memory of Alzheimer’s Patients,” Journal

of Music Therapy, 1991.

I know you have not heard much from us lately, but The Douboys have been busy!

Don and Mark  were part of a group of ukulele players that performed for Ebby Halliday’s 100^th birthday party with Tony Orlando. They also performed with a group on WFAA for the Lone Star Ukefest, which just completed this past weekend.

You can click here to see our performance on WFAA:

http://www.wfaa.com/good-morning-texas/3rd-Annual-Lone-Star-Ukulele-Fest-119401259.html

With all of this activity, The Douboys are still available to perform for your residents. Don’t hesitate to ask us about bookings.

The Douboys have been are proud to perform for people all over the Metroplex, and that our special style of Tin Pan Alley, Hawaiian, and Novelty Songs have found such receptive ears.

The Douboys are comprised of experienced ukulele performers Mark Levine and Don Aspromonte. Their music is a mix of Tin Pan Alley, Oldies, Hawaiian, and Novelty songs. They provide a fun, energetic, upbeat show, mixed with audience interaction and participation. It is not unusual to find audiences clapping and singing along when The Douboys perform.

Both Mark and Don are veterans of the 380+ member Dallas Ukulele Headquarters, the second largest ukulele club in the country. Mark Levine is the founder and leader of the club, now going on 15 years in the Metroplex.  The Douboys performances credits include multiple appearances at The Dallas Museum of Art.

The Douboys are not expensive to book. We can usually arrange to perform for the typical per diem your facility charges. However, in some cases, we have been forced to add a fuel charge to supplement the increased cost of transportation. Contact Mark Levine for bookings at 214-914-7205 or ukulele@tx.rr.com . For more information, go to: http://thedouboys.wordpress.com/

Nice turkey, eh?

The Douboys want to wish you and your residents a very happy Thanksgiving!

This is the season for giving, and The Douboys are grateful to all of you who have helped us give our music to residents all over The Metroplex.

Many of our performances have come about because of referrals: If your residents have enjoyed our music, why not send this email on to others you know who might have need of The Douboys music?

The Douboys are comprised of experienced ukulele performers Mark Levine and Don Aspromonte. Their music is a mix of Tin Pan Alley, Oldies, Hawaiian, and Novelty songs. They provide a fun, energetic, upbeat show, mixed with audience interaction and participation. It is not unusual to find audiences clapping and singing along when The Douboys perform.

Both Mark and Don are veterans of the 330+ member Dallas Ukulele Headquarters, the second largest ukulele club in the country. Mark Levine is the founder and leader of the club, now going on 15 years in the Metroplex.  The Douboys performances credits include multiple appearances at The Dallas Museum of Art.

The Douboys do not charge any fee for performances, but do accept per diem to offset the cost of gas, equipment, and materials.

Contact Mark Levine for bookings at 214-914-7205 or ukulele@tx.rr.com . For more information, go to: http://thedouboys.wordpress.com/

There are still a limited number of dates left for Holiday performances in December, or even a handful of dates left in November: Please inquire if you have an need for entertainers.

The Douboys are comprised of experienced ukulele performers Mark Levine and Don Aspromonte. Their music is a mix of Tin Pan Alley, Oldies, Hawaiian, and Novelty songs. They provide a fun, energetic, upbeat show, mixed with audience interaction and participation. It is not unusual to find audiences clapping and singing along when The Douboys perform.

Both Mark and Don are veterans of the 280+ member Dallas Ukulele Headquarters, the second largest ukulele club in the country. Mark Levine is the founder and leader of the club, now going on 15 years in the Metroplex.  The Douboys performances credits include multiple appearances at The Dallas Museum of Art.

The Douboys do accept per diem to offset the cost of gas, equipment, and materials.

Contact Mark Levine for bookings at 214-914-7205 or ukulele@tx.rr.com . For more information, go to: http://thedouboys.wordpress.com/

Life Enrichment Director, Prestonwood Court

The Douboys HAVE JUST A HANDFUL OF September dates left.  If you are looking for entertainment in September, please contact The Douboys as soon as possible.

Available dates include:              

September 3^rd                  

September 17^th

September 20^th                               

September 24^th

Popular October dates are also going fast – Fridays are almost gone.

You can also reserve dates throughout the 4^th Quarter as well – It’s never too early to arrange the big Holiday Season entertainment.

The Douboys are comprised of experienced ukulele performers Mark Levine and Don Aspromonte. Their music is a mix of Tin Pan Alley, Oldies, Hawaiian, and Novelty songs. They provide a fun, energetic, upbeat show, mixed with audience interaction and participation. It is not unusual to find audiences clapping and singing along when The Douboys perform.

Both Mark and Don are veterans of the 280+ member Dallas Ukulele Headquarters, the second largest ukulele club in the country. Mark Levine is the founder and leader of the club, now going on 15 years in the Metroplex.  The Douboys performances credits include multiple appearances at The Dallas Museum of Art.

The Douboys do not charge any fee for performances, but do accept per diem to offset the cost of gas, equipment, and materials.

Contact Mark Levine for bookings at 214-914-7205 or ukulele@tx.rr.com . For more information, go to: http://thedouboys.wordpress.com/

The Douboys and roasted pig for a luau.

Don Aspromonte

Mark Levine

The Douboys are now booking September dates.  If you are looking for entertainment in September, please contact The Douboys as soon as possible.

You can also reserve dates throughout the 4^th Quarter as well – It’s never too early to arrange the big Holiday Season entertainment.

The Douboys are comprised of experienced ukulele performers Mark Levine and Don Aspromonte. Their music is a mix of Tin Pan Alley, Oldies, Hawaiian, and Novelty songs. They provide a fun, energetic, upbeat show, mixed with audience interaction and participation. It is not unusual to find audiences clapping and singing along when The Douboys perform.

Both Mark and Don are veterans of the 280+ member Dallas Ukulele Headquarters, the second largest ukulele club in the country. Mark Levine is the founder and leader of the club, now going on 15 years in the Metroplex.  The Douboys performances credits include multiple appearances at The Dallas Museum of Art.

The Douboys do not charge any fee for performances, but do accept per diem to offset the cost of gas, equipment, and materials.

Contact Mark Levine for bookings at 214-914-7205 or ukulele@tx.rr.com . For more information, go to: http://thedouboys.wordpress.com/ 

The Douboys (or Dallas Original Ukulele Boys) Have booked all but a handful of dates in August. There are still performance opportunities for only  August 7^th, 16^th, and 27^th available. If you are looking for entertainment for one of these dates, please contact The Douboys as soon as possible.

There are still many dates available starting in September, and through the remainder of the third quarter and fourth quarter.

The Douboys are comprised of experienced ukulele performers Mark Levine and Don Aspromonte. Their music is a mix of Tin Pan Alley, Oldies, Hawaiian, and Novelty songs. They provide a fun, energetic, upbeat show, mixed with audience interaction and participation. It is not unusual to find audiences clapping and singing along when The Douboys perform.

Both Mark and Don are veterans of the 260+ member Dallas Ukulele Headquarters, the second largest ukulele club in the country. Mark Levine is the founder and leader of the club, now going on 15 years in the Metroplex.  The Douboys performances credits include multiple appearances at The Dallas Museum of Art.

The Douboys do not charge any fee for performances, but do accept per diem to offset the cost of gas, equipment, and materials.

Contact Mark Levine for bookings at 214-914-7205 or ukulele@tx.rr.com .