Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by ChickenboneJohn on October 4, 2009 at 6:34am

Well guys, I'm recovering from our very first UK Cigar Box Guitar Festival..and I'm pleased to report it went well - as the organiser I'm sure I have biased view...but few complaints and lots of praise means I'll chalk it up as a success.

I used a venue that I knew well from running my weekly blues club there, a music bar with a max capacity of around 80. I reckoned the worst that could happen was that I'd get zero interest and have to do a no-cost cancellation, or if we got plenty there we'd just have to turn people away if it was over the fire limit.

In the final analysis, it would be my pocket that got hit if it went wrong...but the UK CBG family were absolutely as good as their word...our daytime workshops attracted about 25 players, builders and total CBG virgins..which was a nice sized group to work with for doing group lessons and demos.

We set the ticket price at a modest GBP25 (around $40) for the whole day, including lunch and evening concert, my wife did the lunches, we provided free coffee tea and cookies thru' the day...The gig tickets were GBP5 ($8.00) and we had over 60 in the room for the evening concert..so it was a really warm friendly atmosphere.

It was all pretty modest, but the enthusiasm and genuine warmth of everyone made the day for me...the suport that we had form member of this forum was absolutely rock-solid, no other way of describing it.

I think in conclusion we were realistic and modest in our aims, kept costs totally controllable and aimed high for quality and value. We had an absolute treasure in our headline act of Hollowbelly, and the open mic. support spots were wonderfull..with everything from seasoned performers to total novices..and all accorded the same respect and enthusiastic applause.

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Permalink Reply by Corky Hesler on October 4, 2009 at 7:03am

Kevin,

I'm in for any way I can help. I live in Chillicothe, Missouri and am just getting started on a Richard Johnston one man band rig. After 45 years of drumming, I want to stop having to rely on the whims of guitar and bass players. Am building a Lowebow style instrument that I intend to run through my old Marshall and the bass rig that Bill Clark had when the band Kansas was formed. Loud riddem and blues is my destiny.

What venue are you contemplating? Indoor allows better control of sound, but outdoor would accomodate a larger crowd. Perhaps combining it with a BBQ or hog-roast would draw a larger audience. I love playing in front of people with greasy smears on their faces.... really, I do. Some of the famous guys even complain about how they can't afford this or that item. Maybe one of them could be coaxed into being the headliner. Johnston would be galvanic! Keep in mind that much of the crowd will be from out of town and find driving in KC a daunting task.

Corky Hesler
tooloudentertainment@hotmail.com

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Permalink Reply by Kevin M. Kraft on October 6, 2009 at 4:10pm

I'm meeting with the president of the Kansas City Blues Society on Thursday to talk about adding a cigar box guitar component to next years blues fest! Good suggestion, thanks!

Skeesix said:

I've been involved in organizing the Cincy Blues Fest. I like Wichita Sam's suggestion of piggybacking onto another festival. Festival's often have several stages; you could be one of the stages. If you came to the festival saying you will book and organize the stage, and you have several sponsors to pay for the talent, they may very well take you up on it.

The festival may have a sponsorship packet that explains the different level of sponsorship that you can use.

Next summer should be fine in terms of planning. I would start contacting area festivals now.

If you can't hook up with another festival, there are a lot more logistics to consider. Your venue, whether indoors or outdoors should already have a stage, otherwise you will have to build or bring in a stage. Same with bathrooms/portolets. Don't forget about advertising and publicity . If hold a party but don't send out invitations, you can't complain if nobody comes.

Outdoors also runs the risk of weather - rain or blazing hot.

If it was me, and I was just starting out, I would work out a deal with a local bar, where you would get the money from the ticket sales, and the bar gets the money from the drinks. Or you could rent a hall somewhere.

Figure 150 attendees for your first one, a lot more if you hook onto a festival.

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Permalink Reply by Kevin M. Kraft on October 6, 2009 at 4:12pm

i like that idea of piggybacking too. I think i'm going to pursue this.

Norm Nyburg said:

Great ideas one and all! I really like the piggybacking idea as there are some well established festivals that are probably looking for some new blood to livin' things up!

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Permalink Reply by Kevin M. Kraft on October 6, 2009 at 4:13pm

I hope you can come. I'm well on my way to getting this thing together. Just you attending would be great!

Tony "Bubba" Moore said:

Hey Kevin, I don't know if I could help but possibly could attend , I'm from the Lincoln, Ne area and I would make the trip for a CBG festival.

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Permalink Reply by Wichita Sam on October 6, 2009 at 4:16pm

KC Blues society.... whoaaaaaa! Just tell him you already have people committed to come from over 100 miles in 4 directions.... we'll help him rock the house!!!!

let us know how it goes.....

the best,

Wichita (coming to the KC CBG blast) Sam

Kevin M. Kraft said:

I'm meeting with the president of the Kansas City Blues Society on Thursday to talk about adding a cigar box guitar component to next years blues fest! Good suggestion, thanks!

Skeesix said:

I've been involved in organizing the Cincy Blues Fest. I like Wichita Sam's suggestion of piggybacking onto another festival. Festival's often have several stages; you could be one of the stages. If you came to the festival saying you will book and organize the stage, and you have several sponsors to pay for the talent, they may very well take you up on it.

The festival may have a sponsorship packet that explains the different level of sponsorship that you can use.

Next summer should be fine in terms of planning. I would start contacting area festivals now.

If you can't hook up with another festival, there are a lot more logistics to consider. Your venue, whether indoors or outdoors should already have a stage, otherwise you will have to build or bring in a stage. Same with bathrooms/portolets. Don't forget about advertising and publicity . If hold a party but don't send out invitations, you can't complain if nobody comes.

Outdoors also runs the risk of weather - rain or blazing hot.

If it was me, and I was just starting out, I would work out a deal with a local bar, where you would get the money from the ticket sales, and the bar gets the money from the drinks. Or you could rent a hall somewhere.

Figure 150 attendees for your first one, a lot more if you hook onto a festival.

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Permalink Reply by Kevin M. Kraft on October 6, 2009 at 4:31pm

You know it, Sam!

Wichita Sam said:

KC Blues society.... whoaaaaaa! Just tell him you already have people committed to come from over 100 miles in 4 directions.... we'll help him rock the house!!!!

let us know how it goes.....

the best,

Wichita (coming to the KC CBG blast) Sam

Kevin M. Kraft said:

I'm meeting with the president of the Kansas City Blues Society on Thursday to talk about adding a cigar box guitar component to next years blues fest! Good suggestion, thanks!

Skeesix said:

I've been involved in organizing the Cincy Blues Fest. I like Wichita Sam's suggestion of piggybacking onto another festival. Festival's often have several stages; you could be one of the stages. If you came to the festival saying you will book and organize the stage, and you have several sponsors to pay for the talent, they may very well take you up on it.

The festival may have a sponsorship packet that explains the different level of sponsorship that you can use.

Next summer should be fine in terms of planning. I would start contacting area festivals now.

If you can't hook up with another festival, there are a lot more logistics to consider. Your venue, whether indoors or outdoors should already have a stage, otherwise you will have to build or bring in a stage. Same with bathrooms/portolets. Don't forget about advertising and publicity . If hold a party but don't send out invitations, you can't complain if nobody comes.

Outdoors also runs the risk of weather - rain or blazing hot.

If it was me, and I was just starting out, I would work out a deal with a local bar, where you would get the money from the ticket sales, and the bar gets the money from the drinks. Or you could rent a hall somewhere.

Figure 150 attendees for your first one, a lot more if you hook onto a festival.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Kevin M. Kraft on October 8, 2009 at 4:44pm

Excellent report, John. I'm proud of you and hope to duplicate your success next year at our first festival here in Kansas City, Missouri, USA! I may tap you for advice, if you don't mind.

ChickenboneJohn said:

Well guys, I'm recovering from our very first UK Cigar Box Guitar Festival..and I'm pleased to report it went well - as the organiser I'm sure I have biased view...but few complaints and lots of praise means I'll chalk it up as a success.

I used a venue that I knew well from running my weekly blues club there, a music bar with a max capacity of around 80. I reckoned the worst that could happen was that I'd get zero interest and have to do a no-cost cancellation, or if we got plenty there we'd just have to turn people away if it was over the fire limit.

In the final analysis, it would be my pocket that got hit if it went wrong...but the UK CBG family were absolutely as good as their word...our daytime workshops attracted about 25 players, builders and total CBG virgins..which was a nice sized group to work with for doing group lessons and demos.

We set the ticket price at a modest GBP25 (around $40) for the whole day, including lunch and evening concert, my wife did the lunches, we provided free coffee tea and cookies thru' the day...The gig tickets were GBP5 ($8.00) and we had over 60 in the room for the evening concert..so it was a really warm friendly atmosphere.

It was all pretty modest, but the enthusiasm and genuine warmth of everyone made the day for me...the suport that we had form member of this forum was absolutely rock-solid, no other way of describing it.

I think in conclusion we were realistic and modest in our aims, kept costs totally controllable and aimed high for quality and value. We had an absolute treasure in our headline act of Hollowbelly, and the open mic. support spots were wonderfull..with everything from seasoned performers to total novices..and all accorded the same respect and enthusiastic applause.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Rinnie Stokley on October 11, 2009 at 4:38am

well, first off, you should have said, hello brothers and sisters....lol
I would come to Kansas City....keep us posted

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Permalink Reply by Kevin M. Kraft on October 31, 2009 at 8:46pm

Word is getting out among the blues elite at my attempt to organize Kansas City's first CBG festival. Stay tuned all you interested parties, as I get more help in making a dream a reality!

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Permalink Reply by Wichita Sam on November 1, 2009 at 1:02am

Kevin

I'll be traveling thru KC in about 2 weeks, flexible schedule... any time work for you except Sundays?
I'd like to buy lunch and talk about how Wichita can help KC....

the best,

Sam

Kevin M. Kraft said:

Word is getting out among the blues elite at my attempt to organize Kansas City's first CBG festival. Stay tuned all you interested parties, as I get more help in making a dream a reality!

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Kevin M. Kraft on November 1, 2009 at 3:57pm

Definitely, Sam!!!! Keep me informed and remind me, as I have so much going on, it'd be easy for me to forget! Yes, let's meet up when you come through!

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