Sunset over Mitchell Creek Festival

 

Cigar box guitars

 

Fire ritual at Grotto Fest

 

Cigar box guitars on display

 

• Jamming – learn to play a few songs
• 12 bar blues
• How to use a slide
• How to tune your cbg
• Tips on getting the best out of your cbg

 

Woodford Folk Festival

 

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

Winter special

We’re having a winter special on all our cigar box guitars until 14 July 2013 – a 10% discount with a free slide and CD. Check out the product page of the website (http://cigarboxguitarsaustralia.com/) or drop me a line and I can make one to your specifications: nigel@cigarboxguitarsaustralia.com. Grab this opportunity now to have your own CBG!

Blues on Broadbeach and Cooly Rocks On

Had the pleasure of being at both Blues on Broadbeach and Cooly Rocks On events over the past month. Great music, cars and even more music!

Here’s a few photos…

Blues on Broadbeach – on the Gold Coast, Queensland

Juzzie Smith with a McTrustry cigar box guitar

Cooly Rocks On at Coolangatta on the Gold Coast, Queensland – 50s and 60s nostalgia – music and cars!

Gig – Wollongong, New South Wales

The McTrustry Cigar Box Guitar Explosion will be performing alongside my old band, The Mudfrogs, and Supa Mojo, on Saturday, 29 June 2013 at the Corrimal RSL from 8pm to 11.30pm. If you are down that way, come along!

Blues on Broadbeach

This weekend sees Blues on Broadbeach return to the Gold Coast. Blues music from 23 – 26 May in a number of venues around Broadbeach – all for free. For information, check out: http://www.bluesonbroadbeach.com/

I’ll be at the market during the day (Sat & Sun} and checking out the amazing artists by night. The market is held in Kurrawa Park on the beachfront opposite the Oasis Shopping centre.

Stop by and say hi.

I will be there with Paddy Curley from http://www.learncigarboxguitar.com/

How to play your cigar box guitar videos

I’ve put some new ‘how-to-play- videos on my videos page of this website and on my youtube channel: http://www.youtube.com/user/TheBootlegger007

New cigar box guitars

I’ve been getting ready for some upcoming festivals. Here’s a couple of my latest cigar box guitars.

‘Back in Black’ with Humbucker and African Rosewood (Wenge) neck.

‘Little Red Rooster’ with Humbucker pick up and original Rolling Stones Decca 45