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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 MrRandomWritings (Backwater Bri) on May 16, 2011 at 8:50pm

Thanks John - the guy who owns the music shop, Paul, will be setting up a stall next to you - probably in the back garden area under cover (in fact they can cover the whole yard if it rains) - see pic and he will be selling small amps, harps and CBG related stuff, including maybe a couple of my guitars if that's OK. There is power there so you can demo your guitars without it interfering with the music events indoors and obviously you can both share keeping an eye on your stuff when you are playing or whatever.

As to the press - this is a tourist area and they and they seem to be promoting local events in the last few weekly issues - I will ask if they have any contacts on the local commercial radio too - you never know.

ChickenboneJohn said:

Blimey mate...this is most excellent good stuff...accommodation and a free breakfast!! Hope you get somewhere with the press..it's always difficult, but looks like you are well on the case.

Permalink Reply by MrRandomWritings (Backwater Bri) on June 1, 2011 at 6:30am

Holy Sh*t - I just googled "Cigar Box Guitar Shindig"!!! Thanks to anyone/everyone who has posted it around the internet. The pub has been getting phone calls about it, and I'll be out there in the High Street bashing out a few songs over the next few weeks so it should be a good attendance and a cracking gig!

Thanks to all for your support

Permalink Reply by LeSaMilano on June 1, 2011 at 8:37pm

UK CBG DOCUMENTARY IS ALIVE AND WELL!

The Shindig should be great fun - much better than the town carnival that will be going on at the same time. Well, except for the tractor pull and the duck race that is! Annual highlights!

For those of you attending / performing at Brian's shindig, I just wanted to let you know that I will be filming the event as part of my ongoing documentary production. Please speak to me if you have any issues with me filming you or your performance.

Look forward to seeing you all in July.

Lesley :)

Permalink Reply by MrRandomWritings (Backwater Bri) on June 2, 2011 at 12:50am

Pleased to announce that Stumblecol have joined the line-up - woo hoo! What a day it will be!

http://newtonabbotmusichub.org/events.php

Permalink Reply by MrRandomWritings (Backwater Bri) on June 15, 2011 at 8:53pm

Hi Guys - just reecived this message via my Guitar website - perhaps I didn't manage to piss off every musician in the area!

"Just came across your video about not getting to play at the Ashburton Blues Fest.

Sorry to miss you there - I did play, though on the stage on Saturday night - sadly I was laid up ill for the rest of the weekend.

Your shindig in N'abbot on 10 July sounds like fun. I have a small email list of local people who are interested in live music - I'll post the details to them. If you have any more info you'd like me to include along with the blurb below (eg line up, any jam session times) then do let me know.

I hope to make it along myself, and will have a 1930 Conn tenor sax in tow - though I'm afraid nothing homemade - unless my white plastic Grafton Alto sax counts?

Regards

Andy"

Permalink Reply by Slowpaw Steve T on June 15, 2011 at 9:14pm

Sounds great, seen some amazing open mics with a sax player!

Permalink Reply by MrRandomWritings (Backwater Bri) on June 15, 2011 at 9:29pm

Permalink Reply by ChickenboneJohn on June 17, 2011 at 10:44pm

Oh blimey..do I have to go on last!!!? If that sax player is a jazzer, I'll bring my copy of "The Real Book" (THE standards book) and work out some old favorites....in Bflat if necessary.

Permalink Reply by MrRandomWritings (Backwater Bri) on June 17, 2011 at 11:11pm

You can switch with HB if you like but I was hoping you might lead a little informal jam thing at the end? Up to you John if it's a problem let me know. Bflat is a key?!?! LOL

Permalink Reply by HOLLOWBELLY on June 17, 2011 at 11:28pm

Godfather goes last-sounds good to me.Personally anywhere on the bill at all is fine with me-first, second..I'm not bothered when I go on.

Permalink Reply by ChickenboneJohn on June 17, 2011 at 11:30pm

No problem..I'm well into jamming and getting everybody on board at the end. Oh yes, Bflat and Eflat....horn players' keys I'm afraid...unlike the The People's Key...in the neighborhood of G, which is a lot more civilised for most guitar players.

Permalink Reply by HOLLOWBELLY on June 17, 2011 at 11:32pm

Hey I live next door-in the 'A' neighbourhood!