Daily Inspiration: Meet Ben Hassenger

Today we’d like to introduce you to Ben Hassenger

Hi Ben, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Ben’s Ukulele Story

On a totally unrelated visit to Hawai’i in July 2009, I happened to stumble upon a ukulele festival – who would have thought?! It was Roy Sakuma’s Ukulele Festival Hawai’i and I was immediately attracted to and seduced by the aloha communal experience there. Everyone had smiles on their faces listening to variety of artists such as Jake Shimabukuro “The Hendrix of the Ukulele”, the theatrical shredder Taimane Gardner, 101-year old Bill Tapia; even four women from Sweden playing ukulele and singing songs in Swedish!

What really got me intrigued and motivated was watching an energetic conductor leading a group of what looked like a high school choir; singing like angels and playing ukulele to boot! It was Peter Luongo and the Langley Ukulele Ensemble from Langley, British Columbia. That was it; I was hooked!

From a hotel room in Honolulu, I emailed my good friend, Stan Werbin of Elderly Instruments in Lansing, MI, Stan had been promoting the ukulele since the ’70s as “the instrument of the decade” and we created the Lansing Area Ukulele Group (LAUGH) with fellow ukulele aficianado Dave Pasant and began meeting in the basement of Elderly that September. We soon outgrew that space and moved to nearby Sir Pizza, which could accommodate up to 80 people and served food and drink as well!

One thing led to another, and in May of 2011, LAUGH hosted a showing of “Mighty Uke: The Amazing Comeback of a Musical Underdog”; a documentary that nicely captured the supportive and shared experience the uke creates and nurtures. Filmmakers Tony Coleman and Margaret Meagher drove in from Toronto and presented the movie. Afterwards, we wrapped up the day with an open mic and strum at Sir Pizza. I was happy that it all went well and then someone said, “That was so much fun; what are we going to do next year?” From this first “Mighty Uke Day”, a tradition began.

Each year since, Mighty Uke Day has grown from its humble beginnings to one of the premier ukulele events in the country; presenting the top performers from North America and around the world such as James Hill, Anne Janelle, Craig Chee, Sarah Maisel, Lil’ Rev, Gerald Ross, Danielle Ate the Sandwich, Victoria Vox, Kalei Gamiao, Abe Lagrimas Jr., Cynthia Lin, Ukulenny, Heidi Swedberg, Daniel Ward, Steven Espaniola, Bryan Tolentino, Herb Ohta Jr, Gracie Terzian, Daniel Ho, and many more. What began as a laid-back Saturday afternoon grew into a three-day event over an extended weekend. Even through the pandemic years of 2020 and 2021, Mighty Uke Day stayed alive as a virtual festival through the heart and dedication of the ukulele community.

Mighty Uke Day’s success brought about the creation of Music is the Foundation, a 501(c)(3) non-profit that underwrites music programs in Michigan classrooms and communities. Music is the Foundation has brought the joy of the uke to over 30 schools, libraries, and senior centers. In addition to facilitating these experiences, I have personally taught and performed at various festivals and events across the US and Canada solo and with my trio The Ukulele Kings. All of this activity helped incubate the formation of over two dozen ukulele groups across the “Great Uke State of Michigan” as well as launching Midwest Uke & Harmonica Camp (with Stan and Lillian Werbin) and Uketoberfest at Interlochen. Another favorite project of mine is the Ashokan Ukulele Weekend in the foothills of the Catskill Mountains near Woodstock NY.

To say the ukulele has changed my life would be a tremendous understatement. From happening upon my first festival in 2009 to becoming “Michigan’s Ukulele Ambassador”, the ukulele has brought me many new friends, furthered my understanding and appreciation of music, and gave me a renewed sense of purpose. I believe the ukulele is the most folk of folk instruments, because it brings folks together. As Jake Shimabukuro once said, “If everyone played the ‘ukulele, the world would be a better place.”

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
As with any adventure, you’re bound to run into a few potholes along the way. None of my festival issues have been catastrophic; although those reoccurring test anxiety dreams from college have now been replaced with ones about festival hosting. All in all though, it continues to be an interesting and rewarding journey.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I like to call myself “The Ukulele Ambassador of Michigan” as most of my time spent musically has been spreading the aloha sprit of the ukulele across Michigan and beyond, teaching at libraries, schools, and senior center with enthusiasts of all ages. The ukulele has opened doors for me to discover new music and become friends with some of the most amazing musicians I’ve ever heard. It’s also inspired me to relaunch my personal music endeavors and perform solo and with The Ukulele Kings trio at other festivals and events.

What makes you happy?
In no particular order: my partner Rhea, grandkids, our dog and cats, and the camaraderie of the ukulele community. I’m also happy that I’ve been able to spend most of my entire working life involved in music one way or the other whether it’s performing, teaching, organizing and promoting events, selling hi-fi and musical equipment, and other endeavors. Yes, it’s all work – but it’s also what I would want to do if I was retired; I’ve made my job my passion.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.benhassenger.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/benhassenger/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/benhassengermusic
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@benhassenger
• Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/benhassenger
• Other: @ukuleleben.bsky.social