With just one lick you’ll recognize him - Troy Fernandez! The surfer from Palolo who inspired a generation of Hawaii’s ukulele players continues to excite fans whose enthusiasm for “the people’s instrument” has kept the demand for ukulele music alive and well. With a voice as sweet as his ukulele picking, this three time Na Hoku Hanohano award winner became highly acclaimed as a solo artist after establishing himself among the ranks of Hawaii’s top entertainers for his work with Ernie Cruz, Jr., in the Ka’au Crater Boys. Strumming My Ukulele, a acoustic collection of Hawaiian and island-style contemporary music, is an expression of his love for island life and the family he holds so dear. Troy’s light and bright signature ukulele style sparkles on these Hawaiian pearls: “Koke’e,” ” Waialae,” and Pua Hone.” His love for island living shines through on local favorites, “Ku’u Home O Kahulu’u” and “Haole Hula. Troy gives us a bit of that Ka’au Crater Boys flavor with “Wild Side of Life” and “Spiders and Snakes” while his originals, “Local Girl of Mine,” “It’s For Our Children,” and the title track, “Strumming My Ukulele,” confirm his ability to stay on the cutting edge of Contemporary Island music. Accompanied only by his ukulele mastery, Troy performs a delightful rendition of the medley popularized by Bruddah IZ, “Somewhere over the Rainbow/What a Wonderful World,” and Olomana’s tender “Lullaby.” With a little help from seasoned musicians, Jeff Rasmussen on bass, Phillip Akau on guitar, Robi Kahakalau, and daughters Tia and Tory on background vocals, Strumming My Ukulele is full of the island style sounds of a masterful ukulele artist, Troy Fernandez.