Ukulele Russ: Alaska’s Wildest One-Man Band

When host Brad Brock kicked off the latest live edition of Jams ’N’ Cocktails, he promised “treats” for the audience—and boy did he deliver. Broadcasting from the “frozen tundra of Alaska,” Brad welcomed his guest, the irrepressible Ukulele Russ: comedian, one‑man band extraordinaire, and a musician who proves you don’t need palm trees to make a ukulele rock.

From the very first banter, the vibe was set: a live show meant to entertain, to drink, to laugh, and to get real. Brad teased shots, missing crew‑members, and the promise of midweek motivation, while Russ jumped right in with tales of airports named after plane‑crash victims and the legend of the “Alaskan duck fart” (yes, that layered shot made an appearance). Together they created an atmosphere of laid‑back fun—a little bit irreverent, totally genuine.

Meeting Russ: From Maine to Alaska to the Trop Rock Coast

Russ’s story is the kind of musical journey that gives hope to anyone who wants to carve their own path. He grew up in Maine, trained as a classical percussionist—marching band, concert band, the whole deal. But then one day he walked past a music store, saw a $30 ukulele in the window, and just grabbed it. That’s when something clicked.

Some years later, Russ moved to Alaska. He carved out a lifestyle many only dream of: remote land, wide open wilderness, long drives for gigs, a house tucked into 13‑plus acres of forest he’d logged himself. He calls it “the one‑man band on a single engine plane” life—hauling keyboards, ukulele, gear, everything—flying into the wild. He learned what it meant to depend only on you, to call the shots, to show up no matter what.

Landing in Florida’s Treasure Coast scene wasn’t by accident. Russ shared how his parents moved to Central Florida, how a ukulele club in Stewart connected him to the local network, and how he got plugged into a community of musicians (shout‑outs to Ron Hart, The Little Things, Tom, Ryan, Nico, and more). What began as “I’ll play for free, just give me one weekend” turned into a yearly gig, a “happy place,” a second home.

The Ukulele Re‑imagined

Russ is on a mission. He’s not content to play the typical uke‑chord vanillas. He’s re‑writing expectations. With a guitar background, keyboards, loops, self‑made one‑man‑band setups, he brings the energy of full‑sized rock bands to the tiny instrument.

He recounted how a friend (the mysterious “Ukulele Assassin” from Australia) handed him Van Halen riffs—“Jump,” “Panama”—and told him: “You do what you do with them.” So he did. He twisted them. Gave them a ukulele angle. And now, in his setlist? You’ll find unexpected covers, original songs about snook fishing and heavy trucks, and a sound that keeps audiences guessing.

When asked about show requests, Russ didn’t hesitate: the one song he refuses? “Somewhere Over the Rainbow.” Wedding staple, sure—but he wants to bring his own identity, his own voice. And yes, there were stories—about performing at biker bars, playing in 8‑hour drives through subzero weather, and choosing venues where he can be himself.

Wild & Real Alaska

It’s not just novelty that makes Russ’s Alaska angle compelling. He described the vast openness—the “walk off the highway and you might never see another human again” kind of wilderness. The long drives: Fairbanks to Anchorage takes eight hours in good weather; sometimes double that. Logging acres of land, living off‑grid, doing construction, fixing his own cabin, digging outhouse holes—he shared all of it.

It’s part of what gives him authenticity. He isn’t just “Alaska musician,” he lives it. And in an era where many artists fit into pre‑set boxes, Russ stands out because he’s built his life and sound around what he wants.

The Banter, The Shots & The Crowd

This episode wasn’t just interview—it was show. Brad and Russ traded jokes about damp cake vs. moist cake, bike bars, FBI vans (yes they joked they were being watched), and the secret pleasures of layering shots in front of a live feed. The “Alaskan duck fart” shot segment alone is worth your time: coffee liqueur, Irish cream, Canadian whiskey, served for showmanship and quick hit — a nod to Russ’s northern roots and wild sense of humor.

They shifted gears into a quick game of Name That Tune (“You Can’t Handle the Cold” themed ukulele/Alaskan hits) and then slid into a cheeky “Inside the Lipton Tea” rapid‑fire segment where Russ revealed his favourite word (“moist”), his least favourite (“graascilus”), the job he’d never do, and what he wants God to say when he arrives at the pearly gates.

Why It Resonates

What makes this episode so much more than a musical guest slot is the human mix: music + stories + real‑life choices + humour. You’ll walk away laughing, sure—but also thinking: What would I do if I embraced the unexpected? Russ is the example of the musician who didn’t wait for the perfect situation—he created it. He didn’t wait to be handed the fill‑in role—he carried his own show. He didn’t accept the usual ukulele path—he smashed it.

For viewers and listeners who love live‑show energy, for those who chase road stories and remote gigs and artist authenticity — this one is a gem. And for anyone who just wants to laugh, learn, sip something weird, and hear the ukulele kick ass… you’ll love the ride.

What’s Next

Russ gave listeners a peek at his upcoming gigs: Orlando at the Lucky Lure, Friday at The Stamp, fishing Saturday, and a big anniversary performance on Sunday for Terra Fermata. If he’s in your town, go catch him. He’ll bring the big sound, the absurd humour, and yes—the ukulele ringing loud.

Pro tip: Visit jncpodcast.com (yes, he plugged it) for merch, shot recipes, and links to the episode. Subscribe, follow, share — because episodes like this deserve the spotlight.

Until next Wednesday night at the lounge, take care of yourselves, keep your drink tall, and don’t let the moose with fangs get you.