SSE0 Suitcase Sessions Trailer - Exploring The World of Cigar Box Guitars

Welcome to the “Suitcase Sessions” Podcast! My name is Bob Bowman and I love Cigar Box Guitars!  From the moment I heard Justin Johnson play a 3-string electric shovel and learned he made and played Cigar Box Guitars, I was hooked.  That was 7 years ago, and since then I’ve been a member of the St. Louis Cigar Box Guitar Club and have built 100 cigar box guitars.  I’ve coordinated and managed museum exhibits for the National Blues Museum here in St. Louis, Missouri and the Mary G. Hardin Center for Cultural Arts in Gadsden, Alabama.  I’ve taught workshop classes on how to make Cigar Box Ukuleles for the Tampa Bay Ukulele Society and for individuals right here in my own community. 

When my passion for woodworking finally intersected with my love for music, I experienced my own Crossroads moment and I’m still walking down that road.  

Join me as we explore the world of the Cigar Box Guitar and cover everything you ever wanted to know about the instrument and those who build them.  If you are like me, you are interested in every aspect of the subject from the artform, to sales.  This is where you will learn new things from the history of the cigar box and its use to the authors who’ve written about it.  We’ll travel the 4 corners of the earth to talk to builders and players, influencers, and innovators, we’ll stop along the way to enjoy some music and together we’ll draw closer as a community and be more informed as we spread the word!  So, for now, its time to pick up our suitcase and our favorite Cigar Box Guitar, and as Son House sang; “…[head] off down the road.” 

Watch the epidsodes on my YouTube channel at: https://www.youtube.com/@BobBowman962/videos

Cover Art by Alice Saurber: Alice Design Studio - 513-907-9878
Cigar Box Guitar Music by Russ Wellington and Cody Goggin