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Cigar Box Shindig anyone?

Hi everyone

Down here on the English Riviera there are quite a few music pubs but I have yet to see a Cigar Box player in the spotlight (apart from when I braved it playing in the town square a while back with the ukulele club!) despite the esteemed Hollowbelly being a local resident. So I was thinking about organising a sort of open mic but a little more polished than that.

Perhaps like me you have a set that could last 20-30 minutes but feel that a whole evening of your stuff might be a bit much – after all variety is the spice of life and all that. I have agreed with a local publican that we could put on a little event at her pub here on a Sunday afternoon/evening (at a push I could make it a Saturday but she usually has acts booked well in advance) – no fees for players I am afraid but maybe a beer or two. I am planning to call it a “Cigar Box Shindig” for want of a better name. It’s not a big pub so it would be quite an intimate affair – not too daunting for the newbies. I know there are some local players as I have sold them guitars through our music shop but I am buggered if I know who/where they are!

I am thinking sometime in late June or July and may tie it in with a local festival or something to attract more punters. Maybe you fancy a weekend in Devon? If it takes off we could have another one and possibly tie in with the blues festival next year which is held at the end of May a few miles down the road and there are usually skiffle bands playing but no CBG’s yet!.

So if anyone is interested in taking part and helping educate the locals please get in touch. I am thinking me plus four or five others (depending on your set) would make a nice mini fest with something for all tastes. I can't provide accomodation I am afraid but we live round the corner form the pub so will have a local base to meet up beforehand. I can lay on some basic equipment and may be able to borrow a decent PA. Let's see if a bit of team effort can pull it off! All the best Brian

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Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Barry "Backwater Jack" Nova on July 7, 2011 at 12:57am

man its sucks arse so much that i cant get there this weekend.bloody brothers wedding and being broke.lol.hope it all goes really well you guys.looking forward to some vids being uploaded...but fear not im intending on getting drunk and trying to get some CBG music played at some point at the party after the wedding.in honor of the shindig im missing out on...have a good one you lot.

Permalink Reply by MrRandomWritings (Backwater Bri) on July 7, 2011 at 1:24am

Thanks Barry - yep it would have been good to see you there supporting the team. I am sure there will be some footage flying around the internet early next week and it is also being filmed for the main documentary which Lesley is still working on. My nephew is still determined to stream it live although I am not sure how as we don't have a wifi connection (though he muttered something about his sister's mobiel phone!) but we shall see and if he does I'll publish the link beforehand

Barry "Backwater Jack" Nova said:

man its sucks arse so much that i cant get there this weekend.bloody brothers wedding and being broke.lol.hope it all goes really well you guys.looking forward to some vids being uploaded...but fear not im intending on getting drunk and trying to get some CBG music played at some point at the party after the wedding.in honor of the shindig im missing out on...have a good one you lot.

Permalink Reply by Barry "Backwater Jack" Nova on July 7, 2011 at 1:33am

wow.live stream.thats cool.hope shes got a good phone.lol.yeah mate il be wearing my colors in someway this weekend.its sunday that you guys are playing aint it?

MrRandomWritings (Brian) said:

Thanks Barry - yep it would have been good to see you there supporting the team. I am sure there will be some footage flying around the internet early next week and it is also being filmed for the main documentary which Lesley is still working on. My nephew is still determined to stream it live although I am not sure how as we don't have a wifi connection (though he muttered something about his sister's mobiel phone!) but we shall see and if he does I'll publish the link beforehand

Barry "Backwater Jack" Nova said:
man its sucks arse so much that i cant get there this weekend.bloody brothers wedding and being broke.lol.hope it all goes really well you guys.looking forward to some vids being uploaded...but fear not im intending on getting drunk and trying to get some CBG music played at some point at the party after the wedding.in honor of the shindig im missing out on...have a good one you lot.

Permalink Reply by Brian Tin-Pot Pearse on July 11, 2011 at 1:00am

CIGAR BOX SHINDIG, SARACEN'S HEAD, NEWTON ABBOT, DEVON - SUNDAY 10th JULY 2011

WoooooHooooo!!! Great event, (MrRandomWritings) Brian, amazing organisation, thank you. A big thanks also to the stars of the gig (obviously includin' yerself!): Hollowbelly, ChickenboneJohn, StumbleCol, Lost Tone, Brickdust & Pyno, Steve Trowbridge and Chillicool-Kev for their dedication to the cause, not to mention their fine playin'. That was one hell of a line up. Great to meet y'all and I hope I didn't miss anyone, Guys. Next year? B-)

Permalink Reply by Barry "Backwater Jack" Nova on July 11, 2011 at 6:36am

hope it went well.any footage up yet?

Permalink Reply by ChickenboneJohn on July 11, 2011 at 7:03am

Well done Brian...and well done everyone who turned up and played. I felt I wasn't really "in the zone" at all, so my apologies..and also for heading off home early...loads of c**p going on for me generally so I'm a bit pre-occupied with other stuff. Super performances by everybody....I think this show needs taking on the road for a wider airing. It goes to show that there's a lot of strength in depth. Anyhow, I got home at 1.00am after a 350 mile round trip...definitely worth the drive.

Permalink Reply by Pyno on July 11, 2011 at 8:19am

Thanks again Brian for organising what turned out to be a great 24 hours,good company, superb hospitality,7 acts,7 different styles,it just shows how diverse the miusic can be using similar instruments. Can't wait for the next one

Permalink Reply by Slowpaw Steve T on July 15, 2011 at 1:33am

Yup put me down for the next Shindig - learned a lot from it, promise i'll be wicked next time! (-;

Permalink Reply by Revd Mississippi Mud on July 18, 2011 at 10:06am

Hi Brian,

I was impressed by the guests and camaraderie, friendliness, and non commercialialty of the event, my congratulations on a notable event and follow up with video pictures.

I do not know how many you won over to CBG at Newton Abbot, however I was one. Now to get a guitar and some action going.... Cheers

Permalink Reply by Slowpaw Steve T on July 18, 2011 at 10:53am

That's great to hear Revd ! (-:

Permalink Reply by Revd Mississippi Mud on July 18, 2011 at 11:11am

Thanks Slowpaw Steve !

My comments were just my humble impressions, and I hope they encourage others within the events organisers and the guest players, to go onward with their enthusiatic interest on behalf of others within the movement here in Devon and in the UK and even further abroad.

My Best Wishes to you...

Slowpaw Steve T said:

That's great to hear Revd ! (-:

Permalink Reply by MrRandomWritings (Backwater Bri) on July 18, 2011 at 7:12pm

Hi there - glad you enjoyed it. We weren't sure how it would go down but the event was well received so I will do it again either as an independant gig or latched onto a blues fest or something. I am talking with the organiser of the Ashburton and Torquay Blues Festivals. If you want a guitar....

Revd Mississippi Mud said:

Hi Brian,

I was impressed by the guests and camaraderie, friendliness, and non commercialialty of the event, my congratulations on a notable event and follow up with video pictures.

I do not know how many you won over to CBG at Newton Abbot, however I was one. Now to get a guitar and some action going.... Cheers