Samantha Fish Photo: Savas Mallotides
The New Orleans Cigar Box Guitar Festival was founded in 2016, has gained a reputation for outstanding entertainment during its first four years in existence. For 2020, Samantha Fish and the The New Orleans Cigar Box Guitar Festival have partnered to expand the growth and outreach of the festival and the Cigar Box guitar. It is now called The Samantha Fish Cigar Box Guitar Festival.
Taking place January 15 through Saturday, January 18 2020, the newly renamed festival sticks to its original celebration of cigar box guitars and other homemade instruments. Historically, Western pioneers, Civil War soldiers, rural farmhands, street singers and other resourceful musicians found ways to build these expressive devices from household items and random hardware. Many musicians throughout the world are currently using them to record and perform live, making the unique instruments and their sound a staple of today’s Americana music scene.
“I have included the Cigar Box guitar on a song or two on most of my albums (including my last single ‘Bullet Proof,’ says Samantha Fish. “The instrument may look limited but there are so many sounds and styles that we haven’t discovered yet. I am looking forward to making this one of the biggest events honoring the instrument as well as other acoustic instruments that can Rock.”
“The partnership of Samantha Fish and the New Orleans Cigar Box Guitar Festival is a marriage made in roots music heaven,” says Festival Producer, Collins Kirby. “She’s a contemporary artist who’s fully in touch with the traditions that inform today’s music. We’re delighted to work with her spreading the word about the art and music of handmade instruments.”
The focus of the event is to celebrate the great music and rich cultural history of the Cigar Box guitar and similar homemade instruments.
The festival is excited to present top homemade instrument performers April Mae & the June Bugs, Sugarcane Jane, John Nickel, Cigar Box Serenaders, Steve Arvey, Cash O’Riley, and others. Workshops, demonstrations and interviews will comprise the educational component of the event.
In addition, the Festival will host special sets which will include the legendary John Mooney, New Orleans icon Big Chief Monk Boudreaux and the Golden Eagles, Jonathon Long, Waylon Thibodeaux, Johnny Sansone, Damon Fowler, Jimbo Mathus (Squirrel Nut Zippers), and more. On Friday and Saturday, Samantha Fish and guests will be performing, closing both nights at The Howlin’ Wolf with a special concert.
A portion of the proceeds will benefit the New Orleans Blues Society. Details and ticket opportunities are available here.
Samantha Fish has added the Cigar Box Guitar to her sets since 2014. The video below from the 2019 New Orleans Cigar Box Guitar Festival
The Samantha Fish Cigar Box Guitar Festival – New Orleans 2020
Samantha Fish
John Mooney
Jimbo Mathus
April Mae & the June Bugs
Sugarcane Jane
Big Chief Monk Boudreaux and the Golden Eagles
Jonathon Long
John Nickel
Cash O’Riley
Cigar Box Serenaders
Damon Fowler
Steve Arvey
Johnny Sansone
Waylon Thibodeaux
Amzie Adams Band
Christopher Davis-Shannon
Grey Goat Collective
Too Sick Charlie
Is the poster for sale by chance? Would look amazing in our music room
Mary,
Maybe contact the festival or Samantha Fish. It might be for sale at the festival
Poster is for sale for $30.
It would be helpful if you would identify the clubs and dates where this festival will be held. Your site has zilch on this.
John,
My site has “zilch” because this is all I was provided. Check the website included in the post, and on the flyer. Dates are also provided on the flyer.
Read the poster, also on Facebook
Hi Martine
Please can you send me details if Samantha Fish is performing at the festival next year ??
thanks
Jeremy,
Sorry I don’t have that info. You might try her website or Facebook page.