Chickenbone John

07/02/2025

My music theory isn't great, but I know a lot of people messing around with cigar box guitars sort of shy away from even getting near the basics of theory...so here's my own introduction to the basics..

My music theory is very weak, but I thought I'd do a basic introduction for cigar box guitar players, as it is something people often shy away from. I think ...

04/11/2024

Gig this Friday in Birmingham with Chickenbone Blues - full band.

18/10/2024

Boxstock - UK Cigar Box Festival next Saturday!

Saturday, 26th October , Iron House BirminghamFeat. La Durance Blues Band, Stompin' Steve, Chickenbone John, plus special guests Hollowbelly & Jim Simpson.Tr...

17/01/2024

Don't miss The Godfather of The Cigar Box Guitar Chickenbone John this Friday 19th January at O Bar Birmingham!

The moving spirit behind Boxstock Festival will be joined by Harmonica player Ricky Cool, leader of Ricky Cool and the In Crowd.

Free admission | Live music from 8pm

18/12/2023

A couple more pics from Liz and Joe's wedding. The've just landed in New York. Liz said they've got a few things organised, ...going to a jazz club was one of them. I asked which one....the answer was "Birdland", probably the most famous jazz club in the world!!!

01/11/2023

01/11/2023

04/05/2023

BOXSTOCK PROGRAMME, 20th MAY
12.00 noon Doors open
12.30pm Q & A surgery session - building and playing
1.00pm Open mic session
1.30pm How to carve a guitar neck
2.00pm Learn to Play cigar box guitar with Les (GDG tuning)
2.30pm Open mic session
3.00pm Harmonica workshop with Les (key of C)
3.30pm How to fret a guitar neck
4.00pm “It’s all about the Rhythm” guitar workshop with Chickenbone John (GDG tuning)
4.30pm Pickup soldering demo.
5.00pm Open mic / jam session
5.30 - 7.00pm Soundcheck
EVENING (tickets in advance or at the door)
7.30pm Doors open
8.00pm The PHillbilly OMB
8.45pm Bobster
9.15pm Chickenbone Blues
10.00pm Dots
12.00 midnite Event closes
For the gutar workshops, you'll need a guitar tuned GDG -if you don't have one there will be plenty available. For the harmonca workshop you'll need a C harp -if you don't have one we will have basic ones on sale at just £5.00. If you'd like to play in the afternoon open mic, there are still places and it will help us if you could let us know in advance. Full PA and amps available. We are pretty flexible, but it's handy for us to have his sorted in advance rather than doing it "on the fly" on the day. Tickets available on the door or online. For pre-order festival tee shirts, please message me.

It's happening again, the one and only BOXSTOCK, The UK Cigar Box Guitar Festival®! Saturday 20th May 2023 We've held the price the same as last year, and we have a cool new venue. It's the Halton Turner Brewing Company, in Digbeth, Birmingham

25/02/2023

New fret slotting boxes on the bench

27/11/2022

BOXSTOCK - The UK Cigar Box Guitar Festival® - TICKETS ON SALE NOW.

Tickets are on sale for Boxstock - The UK Cigar Box Guitar Festival®, 20th May at the Halton Turner Brewing Company, Digbeth, Birmingham. We've tried to put some useful information regarding getting there, parking, hotels etc. on the website, but if you have any specific questions please get in touch with us. Free admission 12noon-5.00pm. Evening gig, £15.00, doors open 7.30pm. If you want a trade stall, these are also bookable on our website, £40.00 incl. free gig ticket. If you want to play, there are showcase spots during the daytime, please get in touch as we will be programming these sessions. Also if you'd like to do a presentation or workshop, give us a shout. https://www.chickenbonejohn.com/collections/cigarboxguitar-workshop-tickets/products/ticket-boxstock-the-uk-cigar-box-guitar-festival-2023 Anne and John.

01/10/2022

Anne really put in the hours yesterday...finishing nine fretless short scale 3 string cigarbox guitars.