Album Notes

Mary Lou Stout Dempler

Kentucky's Ukulele Goddess

Mary Lou, a professional musician, studied music and guitar at Bellarmine University and obtained her Teaching Certification in Music and Dance from the Kahelelani School, recognized by the University of Hawaii. After a 22 year teaching career, she wanted to explore the ukulele world. In 1998 her husband had a ukulele custom designed and handmade for her birthday. Mary Lou fell in love with its gentle harp-like sound. In the Fall of 1998, she accepted an invitation to a ukulele workshop at Harvard University. She is a member of the Ukulele Hall of Fame Museum. Mary Lou in an effort to promote ukulele music recorded two albums to showcase the instruments versatility by performing rock, swing, jazz, folk, country, Christian and contemporary music. The two albums are "Songs From The Heart" and "Unique Ukulele Christmas". Both albums are in the Ukulele Hall of Fame Museum as well as the "Lou Lou" Ukulele made for and named after Mary Lou. Her next CD, to be released in October 2004, is "Praise the Lord". Upcoming releases are "Just Playing Ukulele" and "Christmas - Ukulele Style". Terry Meiners, of WHAS Radio in Louisville Kentucky, asked Mary Lou to be a guest on his show to discuss the ukulele, the albums and received a quick lesson on the air. Meiners branded Mary Lou the "Ukulele Goddess" and she has lived up to the name. Mel Bay Music Publications has published two books by Mary Lou; the "Easy Ukulele Method Book I" and "Easy Ukulele Method Book II". She is presently working on her third book, "Easy Ukulele Gospel Tablature Method Book". The books demonstrate the ukulele tablature method, which she created. The books are designed for anyone, regardless of their musical background, to immediately enjoy playing music on the ukulele. Mary Lou teaches ukulele at Bellarmine University, at her private studios and presents workshops across the country. She is the founder and is president of the Louisville Ukulele Association Unlimited (L.U.A.U.), a ukulele orchestra. Her musical efforts have been featured in the Courier Journal Newspapers, Louisville Magazine, Today's Woman, LEO Magazine, Louisville Music News and more. She has been included in a documentary film for HBO as a musician, teacher and ukulele enthusiast. In August 2003 Capital Records featured Mary Lou in an article with Keith Urban. It noted her unique use of his country music in her ukulele classes. Mary Lou truly believes "If our eyes are the windows to our souls, the ukulele is the door to our hearts".

For more information call Mary Lou at (502) 479-8282 or e-mail her at musiclou42@msn.com