History of the Side By Side Ukulele Band

by Don Dempsey

A member of St. Lucas United Church of Christ approached me in 2019, asking if I would help start a ukulele band and a dozen members of St. Lucas gathered each week to practice and offer our musical talents to various churches and made regular visits to Friendship Village. We named ourselves “Luke’s Ukes”.

When and Don and Marlene decided to transfer our membership to Eden, we were welcomed and our band size grew with the addition of Eden members until we had twenty-five showing up for practices and performances. Our schedule for 2025 includes 14 events with an average of 12 players at each performance.  The song, “Side by Side” became our favorite to end each practice and gig and it was chosen as our new name after moving to Eden.

Our playlists come from a songbook that was created by the members.  The songs are familiar hymns as well as contemporary tunes that we sing and accompany ourselves with our ukuleles.

We welcome new members to the band and your musical talents do not have to be of the symphonic variety.  Our goal has always been to use our combined talents to serve the Lord and you with meaningful music.

If you want more information about the “Side by Side Ukes”, contact Don Dempsey at 314-952-0646 or email at:  [email protected] 

Upcoming Practices (Practices are from 6:30-8:00 PM)