The ukulele’s origins lie in a stringed instrument called the machete, which was imported to Hawaii from Portugal in the 19th century. Hawaiians took the idea and ran with it. Dent May has since taken the ukulele and ran around the world.

“I think [Athens] is the coolest place in the South,” May said. That’s saying something, as May, a Mississippi native who began touring in February, has toured the United States and spent nine weeks touring Europe.

“My mom taught me the ukulele, and one of the songs she first taught me is on my new record,” he said.

He learned how to play when he was young and also plays guitar and piano but only in the past few years has been playing ukulele again.

“The instrument is awesome, so I picked it up again and started practicing,” he said.

May grew up singing in Southern churches and has always had the desire to perform. His line-up of live musicians includes his friends Tommy Toussaint, Bobby Chiz and Carr Chadwick, a former University student.

“I come from a rural town in Mississippi and I write about the stuff I know here,” he said. “It gives me a unique perspective.”

His debut album “The Feel Good Music of Dent May & His Magnificent Ukulele” is aptly titled and contains charming pop songs featuring May’s unique falsetto.

“I love beautiful melodies and harmonies, and my music is full of them,” he said.

May looks to his influences for direction in his musical future.

“Prince is constantly reinventing himself, and they call [David] Bowie the musical chameleon,” he said. “I want to be both of those things.”