#1 resource for Cigar Box Guitars, Free Plans, How-To, Parts & More!

The King is gone and I don't feel so good myself.

With Shane Speal's announcement this evening that he will be stepping out of the picture for awhile, I am reminded of a couple years ago when I did much the same thing with regard to my festivel, The Cigar Box Guitar Extravaganza, and I finally feel tonight I'm ready to address one of the reasons why I did so.

I didn't get into this CBG movement for any sort of fame or self promotion. Still, it would have been nice to receive what I feel is my due and proper credit for my contributions - namely The CBG Extravaganza, which has been called the epicenter of the CBG movement.

In 2007, a documentary was made centering on the festival I founded, yet I wasn't even asked for an interview. Even among the people who were interviewed, my name was not mentioned on screen a single time. All I got was a listing as the "event coordinator" in the end credits. I have to admit that stung a bit.

A short time later, a major guitar magazine published an article focusing on key players in the so-called CBG Revolution, many of whom either discovered the CBG movement, or were brought together in it, as a direct result of my festival. Yet again, my name was not mentioned.

In the recent CNN article about CBG playing/building surgeon Kirk Withrow, the patient that turned him onto cigar box instruments was my friend, Phil Draper, whom I'd introduced to the CBG. While I wouldn't expect a mention for that, I am indirectly responsible for it.

I don't hold any animosity toward anyone in the cigar box guitar world. I wish you all the best. But in the eight years since I started the festival, only one person, John Lowe, has consistantly thanked me for my efforts. To John, I say thank you back.

0 members like this

▶ Reply to This

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by the anonymous pick on October 13, 2011 at 12:28am

hey .. thank you . ;-)

ps ... be sure to thank whoever introduced you to it .

(i don't see his name mentioned here ) ;-)

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Rev. Nix on October 13, 2011 at 1:29am

I'm proud to call John a good close friend. His efforts in guitar building lead me to birth Lowebow Fest. We had 300 last year and filmed our own doc and doing it again March 9th and 10th with JUKKA flying in from Finland just to honor John. I loved this site when I first came on Shane welcomed me and my radio show with open arms. But I found this is a place of look at me and screw what you do. I have been told I do not belong here by many members never did I expect that. So for you to say they did not give you credit. I believe that. Long live cbg I hope folks get there heads out there ass and see what's really going on.

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Wes "I'm Baaaaack" Yates on October 13, 2011 at 2:35am

So where you getting this from? Would you have given any reason? I'm looking at your comments list and don't see what you're talking about.

See, this is the kind of sentiment that caused the split between Shane, Ted*, John. If you wanna see this happen again, continue. As for me, I could be really happy here without it.

-WY

* Not saying Ted had bad sentiments. Just was what it was.

Rev. Nix said:

But I found this is a place of look at me and screw what you do. I have been told I do not belong here by many members never did I expect that.

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Rev. Nix on October 13, 2011 at 2:40am

Wes I have been gone for a reason...........so you want me to put these people on blast??? They know who they are. Your a good guy the first to welcome me but I'm not going to say Randy has threatened me in public nope not going to name drop...

Wes "Moaning Mule" Yates said:

So where you getting this from? Would you have given any reason? I'm looking at your comments list and don't see what you're talking about.

-WY

Rev. Nix said:

But I found this is a place of look at me and screw what you do. I have been told I do not belong here by many members never did I expect that.

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Wes "I'm Baaaaack" Yates on October 13, 2011 at 2:42am

See my edits above.

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Cigar Box Nation on October 13, 2011 at 3:36am

The first thing I wanna do after ridding myself of this damned Admin status is show up on Johnny Lowebow's doorstep with a case of beer. I hated choosing sides and drawing lines for the sake of a website.

Johnny is the greatest friend you'll ever have. He just sucks at using the internet sometimes...

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by mike anderson Blues Box Guitars on October 13, 2011 at 9:23am

i thank you for your efforts, we never say thanks to the ones who deserve it the most.

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Matthew Borczon on October 13, 2011 at 11:23am

Wow, this has potential to become a giant mess. I will thanks though, for your efforts with the festival for Shanes hard work and talent, and for sharing my whiskey in the rain with me. To Johnny Low for leaving the sweat and guts in his rock and roll and to anyone else who has the stones to build it string it and strangle some noise out of it. I hope this does not degenerate into any bad feelings here. I think everyone deserves a thanks for everything they have done to build this place into the cool little sub culture it has become. Peace to all of you!!!

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Seaman Jay on October 13, 2011 at 11:52pm

I don't think Shane's royal title is connected to his (former) administrative function here. Administrators come and go, but a king is a king.

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by 3 String Blues on October 14, 2011 at 6:15am

Matt Cunck is one of the baddest tattoo artist and creative ink geniuses in the world!

thats worth more than a "shout out" on any DVD or guitar mag story....That cbg poster you did for the fest is awesome!

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Ice Bob on October 14, 2011 at 2:27pm

as a man with out a dog in this fight . ive been enriched by this little guitar and your many angles on it.if you need a thank you mat then thank you ive watched videos from your festival. but why not toss out thanks and atta boys. most people have been friendly to me here ive watched everyone vids and wrote replys. what will kill a movement is drama. not everybody in a room with this many people in it are gonna hit it off. the law of averages but we can try to act like grown ups. thanks Shane Ted Johnny Mat Keni Brian Ben Rev Nix Joker bemusic bestillroy willardj crow nox and 5000 others i forgot