British Members of the Nation! How was the CBG Festival?

Thought about you folks all day yesterday! I'd have come if you all did not live so far away.

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Permalink Reply by Ponkster on October 5, 2009 at 8:02am

fantastic event , great fun and a great crowd - lets not leave it 12mths to all get together again!

ps . steep learning curve - train travel is trial which i think I have now failed - 9 hours in one seat is a bad idea!!!!

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Permalink Reply by Mark on October 5, 2009 at 8:24am

I was so enthused by this event that I posted my initial reactions directly after getting back home at 2am. For some reason the thread I posted in seems to have disappeared so I'll reiterate here. The day was enjoyable and truly invaluable and it looks like it might be the start of something which takes CBGs and similar instruments to a whole new level in the UK. John, and the others at the Crossroads Blues Club who made it all happen, did a heroic job.
While it's great that we have internet resources such as Cigar Box Nation, there's no substitute for getting your hands on real instruments and hearing them played live. (Speaking as a builder who isn't a great player, it's always rewarding to hear someone with real talent play something I've created). And while the various planned sessions were the backbone of the event, one should never underestimate the value of merely meeting people and chatting with them - I certainly learned a great deal from that side of things.
With reference to the question about Birmingham - it seemed like a good location as it's reasonably central distance-wise within the UK. My journey was a couple of hours by car in each direction, however there were others who travelled much further. Hopefully, though, this first event will lead to things in other places as well.

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Permalink Reply by Peter Jackson on October 5, 2009 at 11:22pm

I just wanted to add my positive comments - I'm new to CBG's (I won mine about 2 weeks ago in a raffle at the Crossroads Blues Club where the festival was held). I was very inspired by the whole day. Chickenbone John was a great host and leader for the event, but everyone who helped out made the day really smooth. I met a lot of great guys, was blown away by the instruments on display and being played, and the enthusiasm was infectious. In terms of playing ideas I have already come on in leaps. I'm a player not a maker (me and tools have an agreement never to mix) and as I say I found the day a great inspiration. There HAS to be another!