Hello Brothers! OK, I'm calling on all who have organized cigar box guitar festivals to PLEASE assist me, as I am in the beginning stages of organizing Kansas City, Missouri's first cigar box guitar festival. I have NEVER done anything like this and don't know where to begin. I only know that I feel like Kevin Costner in FIELD OF DREAMS in that I need to do this. Forget the fact that I'm the only cigar box guitar builder/performer here! I want to bring others to KC. So, I'd love to hear from you St. Louis bottleneckers and those of you revolutionaries in Nebraska, Kansas, even Iowa--anyone willing to make the trek to Missouri. And I especially need help with just planning, because I have no idea what I'm doing nor what it will cost to do it. And I welcome all suggestions and viewpoints. Tell me how you were successful in hosting an event. Tell me what worked, what didn't--anything and everything. I'm not sure what a reasonable timetable is. Is next summer to soon? Help me. please...help me!

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  • I've thought about Knuckleheads; it would be a great place, wouldn't it?

     

    The owner of BB's Barbecue has expressed personal interest in possibly hosting a festival. I've never met him nor seen his place, which I plan to do when the Blues Society board has our meeting there this Sunday. We''ll see, though.
    Astrochimp said:


    Back from the dead?

    Did you try Knuckle Heads?  Sounds like it would be there type of thing.

     

    http://www.knuckleheadskc.com/

     

    Face book-  http://www.facebook.com/pages/Knuckleheads-Saloon/104944246225874?r...


    David

  • Back from the dead?

    Did you try Knuckle Heads?  Sounds like it would be there type of thing.

     

    http://www.knuckleheadskc.com/

     

    Face book-  http://www.facebook.com/pages/Knuckleheads-Saloon/104944246225874?r...


    David
  • Thanks Sam. I'm just really ticked off and discouraged about the festival thing right now...a feeling of failure on my part, which is always a personal weakness of mine. Let me try and clear my head to consider your suggestion, OK?



    Wichita Sam said:
    Kevin,

    I'm still wondering if a "gathering" / BBQ / picnic / jam of and for the hardcore isn't still possible this year? All we'd really need is a picnic ground/campsite registration and a date (Friday/Sat maybe?) and everyone just show up....

    That might give us a better idea of who you can count on to man a real festival next year.....

    just a thought, we could all bunk at your house..... right?.....hehehehehehehe,.... just kidding..... ah, sort a.....

    the best,

    Wichita Sam

    Kevin M. Kraft said:
    Well Everyone,

    Perhaps I'm a trusting fool. Despite the lip service and even being mentioned in their monthly Kansas City Blues News, I am no closer to a date for a Kansas City cigar box guitar festival. I have failed to realize this vision this year, and it's too late, I believe, this being July already, to do so. I know, I know, the KC Blues Society assured me they would champion this venture; I had no reason to doubt them until now. And I fully believe they intended to help me. I remained faithful, even as the weeks passed. But...for some reason, it never happened.

    If those of you who expressed interest in attending or assisting in bringing this festival to pass wouldn't mind waiting until next year, I'm confident we can succeed then. I would sure like to!

    Hit me back here to either join me or lambaste me. Again, I'm sorry for the fact that this didn't happen this year.

    Special thanks and apologies to Wichita Sam and Brady Scott for their continued support. Next year, guys?

    - Kevin
  • Kevin,

    I'm still wondering if a "gathering" / BBQ / picnic / jam of and for the hardcore isn't still possible this year? All we'd really need is a picnic ground/campsite registration and a date (Friday/Sat maybe?) and everyone just show up....

    That might give us a better idea of who you can count on to man a real festival next year.....

    just a thought, we could all bunk at your house..... right?.....hehehehehehehe,.... just kidding..... ah, sort a.....

    the best,

    Wichita Sam

    Kevin M. Kraft said:
    Well Everyone,

    Perhaps I'm a trusting fool. Despite the lip service and even being mentioned in their monthly Kansas City Blues News, I am no closer to a date for a Kansas City cigar box guitar festival. I have failed to realize this vision this year, and it's too late, I believe, this being July already, to do so. I know, I know, the KC Blues Society assured me they would champion this venture; I had no reason to doubt them until now. And I fully believe they intended to help me. I remained faithful, even as the weeks passed. But...for some reason, it never happened.

    If those of you who expressed interest in attending or assisting in bringing this festival to pass wouldn't mind waiting until next year, I'm confident we can succeed then. I would sure like to!

    Hit me back here to either join me or lambaste me. Again, I'm sorry for the fact that this didn't happen this year.

    Special thanks and apologies to Wichita Sam and Brady Scott for their continued support. Next year, guys?

    - Kevin
  • Hi, I just joined CBG and happened to read this thread. I hate that you worked so hard and the fest didn't happen. I live in St. Joseph, north of KC, and there is a perfect place for a small scale cigar box guitar gathering (we'll call it a gathering until it picks up steam, then we'll call it a fest...). It is called Cafe Acoustic. It's a relatively small joint, but the beer is inexpensive and the owners appreciate folk/country/Americana acts. I think it is the perfect atmosphere for the CBG family. Look, a summer deadline is arbitrary; why not fall? Check out this link http://www.myspace.com/cafeacoustic .
  • Well Everyone,

    Perhaps I'm a trusting fool. Despite the lip service and even being mentioned in their monthly Kansas City Blues News, I am no closer to a date for a Kansas City cigar box guitar festival. I have failed to realize this vision this year, and it's too late, I believe, this being July already, to do so. I know, I know, the KC Blues Society assured me they would champion this venture; I had no reason to doubt them until now. And I fully believe they intended to help me. I remained faithful, even as the weeks passed. But...for some reason, it never happened.

    If those of you who expressed interest in attending or assisting in bringing this festival to pass wouldn't mind waiting until next year, I'm confident we can succeed then. I would sure like to!

    Hit me back here to either join me or lambaste me. Again, I'm sorry for the fact that this didn't happen this year.

    Special thanks and apologies to Wichita Sam and Brady Scott for their continued support. Next year, guys?

    - Kevin
  • Maybe...we'll talk soon.

    Wichita Sam said:
    Kevin,

    We can always do a "Fest in the box".... one night at a satelite venue (bar or whatever), plus stage time at the main fest, plus a BBQ for the faithful, maybe the second day... that way minimum fuss, easy to do quick to put together...

    Won't have the power of a bigger event with plenty of advertising, but it's scalable depending what the blues fest offers and however many CBGers we can get....

    the best,

    Sam

    Kevin M. Kraft said:
    Hi Sam,

    Well, when I spoke with my Blues Society contact, he reassured me that they still intend to help me put the CBG festival together. I can only take him at his word, but it's getting late!

    I don't know. We'll see what happens. I hate to doubt him, but I can't say I'm entirely confident that we'll get this done THIS year. And I don't want to make plans behind his back, if he's definitely planning on coming through. At best, he will, and a date will be forthcoming. At worst, we'll have to put this off until next year.

    I do still plan on sending a CBG event proposal to my local library, though, so that could result in something too. Maybe you could come out and join me for that!

    - Kevin
  • Kevin,

    We can always do a "Fest in the box".... one night at a satelite venue (bar or whatever), plus stage time at the main fest, plus a BBQ for the faithful, maybe the second day... that way minimum fuss, easy to do quick to put together...

    Won't have the power of a bigger event with plenty of advertising, but it's scalable depending what the blues fest offers and however many CBGers we can get....

    the best,

    Sam

    Kevin M. Kraft said:
    Hi Sam,

    Well, when I spoke with my Blues Society contact, he reassured me that they still intend to help me put the CBG festival together. I can only take him at his word, but it's getting late!

    I don't know. We'll see what happens. I hate to doubt him, but I can't say I'm entirely confident that we'll get this done THIS year. And I don't want to make plans behind his back, if he's definitely planning on coming through. At best, he will, and a date will be forthcoming. At worst, we'll have to put this off until next year.

    I do still plan on sending a CBG event proposal to my local library, though, so that could result in something too. Maybe you could come out and join me for that!

    - Kevin
  • Hi Sam,

    Well, when I spoke with my Blues Society contact, he reassured me that they still intend to help me put the CBG festival together. I can only take him at his word, but it's getting late!

    I don't know. We'll see what happens. I hate to doubt him, but I can't say I'm entirely confident that we'll get this done THIS year. And I don't want to make plans behind his back, if he's definitely planning on coming through. At best, he will, and a date will be forthcoming. At worst, we'll have to put this off until next year.

    I do still plan on sending a CBG event proposal to my local library, though, so that could result in something too. Maybe you could come out and join me for that!

    - Kevin
  • Hm...Maybe wondered similarly. Let me give it some thought. We might be able to do a small festival of some sort.

    Wichita Sam said:
    Kevin... is there a park that we could set up some awning/tents and do a BBQ and jam? That might be a good first year event... low cost, good for a "get to know"... just a thought... thanks for your efforts.... Sam


    Kevin M. Kraft said:
    It's been difficult getting assistance from the Blues Society lately. Have heard nothing about the festival since meeting with them last over a month ago, and my repeated emails have gone unanswered! I know that since it's volunteer-run, there's the risk that the individuals involved may drop the ball. I'll continue to attempt to get a response to my hails, though. but...it's getting late. Can't help but wonder if next year might be more feasible. :o(
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