Folsom Prison Blues – On The Three Sting Cigar Box Guitar

Hey Cigar Box Pals: I am not sure what to call Y’all at this point, since this blog is so new and I am not sure who my audience will be.

I apologize for not posting here more often, it has been an interesting road that I have traveled with learning how to play the three string cigar box guitar and the Covid thing, however we are getting there!

If you are not sure what a Cigar Box Guitar is, check out this video!

Today I am doing my rendition of Johny Cashes immortal Folsom Prison Blues. Bear in mind that I am still learning this song and having an awesome time with it.

So What’s Been Happening

I started off last spring learning how to play the cigar box guitar, and actually purchased two of them, the first being a 4 string and then adding a 3 string, primarily because most of the training out there is on the 3 string.

However, I never cared for the sound that I was getting out of them, nor the feel of them. I was becoming very discouraged, because I want to be able to y’all an awesome performance and I just couldn’t see it happening with the equipment I had.

I have a really good instructor for the cigar box guitar named Uncle Mark and a couple months ago, I was working a job in Dothan Alabama and messaged Mark, asking where he got his CBG, which I really like.

Mark told me about this guy named Rob Wrobel down in Destin, Florida who hand makes these custom boxes. I checked out his FaceBook page and saw that he had just finished one that morning, so I contacted him and he said it was still available.

Destin was only about 90 miles from Dothan, so I asked him to hang onto it and that I was on my way.

I hooked up the trailer to the bike and Deb and I took off on the great cigar box adventure, that would change how I feel about the cigar box guitar.

We got down there just after noon and Rob invited us back to his shop, which is just a small storage type building with a porch in his back yard.

Rob handed me ‘The King Bee” (which is the type of cigars that came in the cigar box). The minute I felt it, I knew this was something special. The weight, the balance, the beefiness, everything about it felt perfect and I hadn’t even played it or heard how it sounded, however knew this was the one for me!

Rob plugged it in and I only played for a few minutes, partially because, my CBG ability at the time was so limited, however primarily because I was already sold! The fact that Uncle Mark had a few of Robs guitar and they sound great, made the choice pretty easy.

So, I couldn’t get the money out and into Robs hands fast enough! Then Rob gave me a bunch of extra goodies, which included an Uncle Mark guitar pick that I really like and use quite often.

The pick has Marks face on it and his FaceBook address on the back, both of which are starting to wear off due to my constant playing.

We packed er up and headed back to Dothan. When I got back, I started playing this thing and I have never had an instrument that I loved playing so much.

I play it for hours every day and take it with me when I go out, if I think there is going to be an opportunity to jam with someone. I have learned to play it with other guitarists and even jammed with a guy playing a ukulele.

I want to make this point and will curb my enthusiasm and get on with this post: I think that if you purchase an instrument of high quality that has a great feel to it, you will be inspired to work your however off to become the best musician you can be!

Where Are We Going From Here

Let’s face it, the world is upside down right now, what with Covid and the election, however my intention it to build an awesome show in the coming months and to start touring somewhere around mid spring, March or April.

My primary emphasis will be playing in cigar lounges and I will be working on putting together a promotional video featuring Clasic Rock, Country and Blues selections, which I will share on this site.

The plan is to put out a music video weekly until we kick off the tour and then we will be sharing the actual cigar box adventure when we start playing gigs. Kinda like we do with Cigar Pals cigar adventures

So start talking us up folks at your favorite cigar lounge and let them know that we will soon be providing this unique opportunity to have Guitars and Cigars come and put on a show for them.

We can work the financial end out in a way that will be mutually beneficial, since I am willing to receive part of my fee in cigars and by the way, for you the listeners, I also like and encourage you to tip with cigars!

That’s Where We Stand Right Now

There ya go, that’s where we stand right now. I hope you enjoyed Folsom Prison Blues on the three string cigar box guitar and keep checking back for our cigar box guitar video of the week

Feel free to leave comments, suggestions and questions in the comments section below

Until next time Cigar Box Pals

Keep smokin and jammin!