The last couple of weeks have been an adventure. Mid-August, I headed up to Yeppoon, which is about an 8 hour drive up the east coast of Australia from Brisbane, for the Village Festival. Yeppoon’s only a small place but the characters were BIG! And the music was great. Because it is a smaller festival, I got to meet a few of artists who popped in to say hi and have a go at the cigar box guitar – like Goat Boy from the Hill Billy Goats.
Goat Boy from the Hill Billy Goats
At Yeppoon Village Festival
the stall
market street at the Village Festival
It’s coming up to the end of Winter here and the days have been pretty much perfect. Here’s two photos of the beach at Yeppoon, which pretty much sums it up.
While at Yeppoon, I had a journalist interview me about cigar box guitars. Here’s the result:
http://www.abc.net.au/local/stories/2013/08/19/3828943.htm?site=brisbane
After the Village Festival, I headed back down to the Amamoor State Forest just south of Gympie for the infamous Gympie Muster. People converge on this beautiful forest weeks in advance of the Muster to get their spot, set up camp (and bars!) and get ready for the music. This is my third time at the Muster and I have to say it only gets better. Traditionally, a country music festival, it now has lots of blues/roots and rock artists coming from all over. And despite freezing temperatures, the punters (and me) were out in force to watch them. Particularly liked Mental As Anything, Don Walker and Billy TK Junior and Groove Shakers. It was also great to see Damien Lovelock there with Torn and Frayed celebrating the roots of country rock.
Some photos from the Gympie Muster:
The stall at dusk
Catfish Voodoo
Billy TK Junior
Billy TK Junior and the Groove Shakers – awesome band
Don Walker
With Johnny Cash
Now, back home in Brisbane and building time again. The next festival is the Mitchell Creek Rock n Blues Festival on 20-22 September in the Noosa hinterland about 2 hours north of Brisbane on a private 90 acre property. It’s in its second year and looks set to really be amazing with artists like Dallas Frasca, Devil’s Kiosk and Mojo Webb. Check out its website: http://www.mitchellcreekrocknbluesfest.com.au/
A week later, we’re packing up the van again and heading down the east coast of Australia to the Great Southern Blues Festival in Narooma (4-6 October) about 5 hours south of Sydney – where Chris Cain, the Holmes Brothers, the Backsliders and Two Rivers Blues will be performing along with many more stellar acts. We plan on having some stops on the way down, including at Yamba and the Gong. http://www.bluesfestival.tv/
Another cigar box guitar event coming up is the ‘Get Rooted’ event on 14 September at the Royal Mail at Goodna:
I’ll be playing a short set on the busking stage. They’ll be great music with Two Rivers Blues and The Blue Skillet Rovers. Should be a great day at a great Pub.
How-to-play cigar box guitar DVD
I’m working on a ‘how-to-play cigar box guitar’ DVD – well, I’ve started thinking about it and have friends who are filmmakers who are ready to go when I am. I’ll keep you updated on its progress. Meanwhile, check out my youtube channel for some ‘how-to-play cigar box guitar’ clips.
http://www.youtube.com/user/TheBootlegger007
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