Fans of cigar box guitars are legion and they are passionate -some call it a revival, some call it a revolution, some call it a nation. Cigar box guitars represent exactly what they are – something old becoming something new. This writer’s journey through the cigar box nation has been circuitous and fascinating. My first [...]
Archive for Category: "Cigar Box Guitar"
Cigar Box Nation: Blues Roots Revisited-an Interview with Shane Speal
What is the origin of the Cigar Box Guitar? We have dated the cigar box guitar back to the 1850’s. That’s about the time the US Government imposed a tax on cigar makers, forcing them to ship the cigars in smaller boxes instead of big crates. If you look at every cigar box you’ll see [...]
Richard Johnston: the One Man Band
Richard Johnston is the street performer who wowed Devon Allman on Beale Street years ago. He has taken his one man band to Europe and been the subject of a documentary on his incredible street show. Talking with Richard, one thing became very, very clear – he is just as excited about his cigar box [...]
Devon Allman- on Breaking All the Rules…
Inspired? Yes. Intentional? Not really. Beautiful? Absolutely. Devon Allman’s first evening spent with his own cigar box guitar inspired a melody in a quiet moment that soon became a fan favorite – “Yadira’s Lullaby.” Devon spoke with American Blues News about how the gift of his cigar box guitar reconnected two families and the [...]
Custom Lowebow Cigar Box Guitars
> (Memphis, Tennessee) I am on the road with the Reba Russell Band this week playing blues festivals and clubs in Tampa and Jacksonville Beach, Florida, but stopping for a bit to write a few lines before my long drive back to the Home of the Blues. Thanks to all our friends in Florida for [...]
