Perfect Imperfections

So lately my wife has been on a recycling kick..not just bottles, plastic, etc.  But she’s continually checking out sites that inspire the use of old household items being refurbished to make new items.  So tonight as I look at some of the most recent Slackjack creations recently built, I’ve realized something.  Why do people feel the need to create their version of “perfection”?

Valley Earthfest is coming up this weekend.  It is a zero waste festival held annually in Berryville, Virginia and Slackjack Guitars will be exhibiting..and we’re stoked.  I plan on taking at least a half dozen creations, all of them different…no two alike.  Which brings me to my post.  I left imperfections like worm holes, grain variances, mineral streaks, and this one guitar in particular has an area that should’ve rotted a long time ago, but kiln drying the wood stopped the decaying process.  

So what do I have left? A few really cool characteristics that add a realness to the guitars that I’m building.  It’s kind of like the tye-dye process, you can use the same two colors on many shirts and never have a uniform pattern.  So why would I spend my time cutting or sanding out something so natural and organic?  I wouldn’t.  Because that makes the Slackjack Guitar authentic, real, and imperfect…in a perfect kinda way.

Long Time..No Post

Been a couple of weeks since I checked in..what can I say, business is picking up!  If you are a fan on facebook then you have witnessed “The Godfather”.  My next guitar is going to be Long Tall Sally.  She’s a four stringer…made out of wood..some electronics…ooops I’ve said to much…don’t want to give away all my secrets!    All kidding aside, she’s going to be a beauty! 

 

 

Still have a Carhopper, and a couple of custom boxes..then it’s time to focus on building an inventory.  I’ll be appearing at my first festival in April.  Valley Earthfest is family-friendly, ZERO waste event that will be held in Berryville, Virginia on April 18, 2010.  Because of Slackjack’s nature, the cigar box guitar is afterall a reclaimed product fashioned into something new and improved.  Well, at least newish?  

I’m excited about the showing, and appreciate the opportunity that the event producers are giving me to showcase my wares.  I’m looking forward to meeting others who are interested in sustainable living.   There is definitely a movement for green living in the USA and beyond, it’s very exciting to be a part of that movement!

To find out more about Valley Earthfest and become a fan, click on the facebook icon! 

Long Tall Sally’s photos will be coming soon!  By the way..have you checked out Slackjack Guitar’s website lately?  We’ve added a gallery of some of our previous builds….www.slackjackguitars.com

Live & In Person…

Slackjack Guitars will be attending the Continental Restaurant’s Jam Session featuring the BluesGate Jam on Friday, March 12th.   We received a shoutout on both their social media pages…which Ol’ Slackjack certainly appreciates!  Only problem is, I can’t decide which of my new CBG builds I want to take up to Winchester, VA.   Maybe I should do an online poll?

Also wanted to tell you all about the great place that the Blues Jam is going to take place..it just happens to be a place the Woodall’s have frequented for years.  Great atmosphere, wonderful service and food, and of course there is Natalie who pours the best drinks I’ve ever had!  I don’t get to get up there near as much as I used to..so taking my CBG’s will kinda feel like a homecoming.

I’m feeling a little anxious, and nervous at the same time..but in a good way.  I’m anxious to get my guitars in the hands of a few bonified blues musicians..think I’ll be getting some good video and pics for the blog, website, and social media pages.  And nervous about transporting a few of them up the road..don’t know if I’ll let the wife drive on this trip up! 

The BluesGate is a co-op of musicians who are about 150 strong.  Way to keep bringing good music to the people folks!  To get more information on the Continental Afterhours or BluesGate Jam…click the icons below and you’ll be redirected to their website.

                                  

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO THE MAN IN BLACK

Wanted to shout out to all the Johnny Cash Fans out there.  On February 26th, 1932 The Man In Black was born.  He would be 78 today.  I still have memories of my Dad and my Uncle Bill sitting around the table in the mornings smoking filterless cigarettes (real cowboys back then) and listening to Johnny Cash records.  Ira Hayes, John Henry, Jacob Brown and other songs about real people and their struggles in day to day life.  My Dad, almost 70 himself, still has that booming voice.  He could always sing that low baritone, just like Cash.  I still enjoy visiting with my Martin and playing Give My Love to Rose while he sings along.

Cash’s music is perhaps the most important music written/performed in the 20th century.  He brought rock ‘n roll, old time, gospel and country to a common place and blended them all effortlessly.  His words and songs are, in my opinion, the most honest and authentic ever recorded.  The music John recorded late in his life is perhaps his most powerful.  He knew who he was and he didn’t try to be someone other than John R. Cash.  When people ask me who I would like to meet and have a conversation with, past or present, I can’t think of anyone else.  Check out the song/video in this post.  Unchained is a title track from one of his last albums, produced by Rick Rubin.  These recordings during the Rick Rubin sessions really give you insight as to the depth of the man.  His strong spiritual beliefs, devotion to the love of his life and ability to reflect back on who he was, is, and hopes to be are all easy to admire.  On a side note, Johnny Cash was a close friend of Carl Perkins, one of the original kings of the Sun Recording sessions.  Carl Perkins wrote many of the most popular songs in Rock n Roll history, many of them performed and popularized by artists such as Elvis, Jerry Lee Lewis and Bob Dylan.  What was one of Carl Perkins’ first instruments??  A homemade cigar box guitar!!

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Happy Birthday JC

Think You Don’t Have a Musical Bone? Think Again!

I hear a lot of people say things like, “I have always wanted to play a musical instrument but I just don’t have a musical bone in my body.”  I am going to prove you wrong.  The attached video will show you an instrument that looks and sounds as unique as all of my other cigar box instruments.  I call it a SlackStick.  It is fretted like a dulcimer but held and played like a guitar.  The cool thing about these is that they are impossible to play badly.  There are no wrong notes!!!  Unlike a traditional guitar, it is tuned to an open key.  There are only the notes that pertain to that key so no matter where you fret the instrument it sounds like it belongs.  You can create your own music effortlessly without have to think about where the notes are…it’s as easy as it gets. 

Watch the video for more info and hear how it sounds!!  This particular version is a short scale, meant to sound like a blend between a banjo, dulcimer and mandolin.  Hope you enjoy.

Custom Orders Accepted and Preferred!!

It seems that lately I have been getting a lot of people asking for custom cigar box guitars.  This is a welcomed surprise!!!  I guess I am surprised because no two cigar box instruments that I build sound the same or look the same.  That, in a sense, makes them all custom right??  Well, not exactly. 

When someone contacts me, I assume that they desire an instrument that speaks to them, something that makes it theirs.  This can simply mean, they pick the box or the wood used to make the neck, or the type of electronics.  It may also mean that they want input on the overall design, layout, etc.  Or, they may want a conversation piece, such as a guitar themed after their favorite band, beverage or sports team. 

No matter what you want, I take all requests and try my best to fill all orders.  I already know from experience that a cigar box guitar will get you attention anywhere you go.  Why not make it something really special??

Happy Reading!

Slackjack Guitars, and owner Travis Woodall, is very happy (and grateful) to announce that we have been featured on the very popular local blog Appylove.   The blog is written by Amanda Rigell, who is a songwriter/performer herself in the Johnson City band Count This Penny.  Appylove is an online work of  journalistic art that offers insight into our area from our music to our people.  It is a great resource for locals who have forgotten where to find the beauty in the New Mountain South, and offers a glimpse of what makes our region special to the outsiders who are curious.

After being contacted by Amanda about an interview, Travis and his wife Brandi sat down with Amanda and her husband, Allen, to talk about Slackjack Guitars.  The interview covered all of the bases.  From the inspiration of the company to the vision that the Woodalls have for the Cigar Box Guitars AND their community.  It is a beautifully written piece about this crazy and exciting journey that we are embarking on!

So a BIG thank you to Appylove!   And best wishes in the future for Amanda, Allen, and Count This Penny!  To access the blog just click on the Blogger icon below.  Happy reading!

Slackjack Guitar’s Website Is Live!

The Slackjack Guitars website includes a lot of information, from the history of cigar box guitars, Slackjack’s emerging business, recent media, and of course our online store!  That’s right folks..as we finish a build, it will now be up for sale on our website…unless it sells before we get it on there!  HEY..it could happen! 

Please visit our new online store and give us feedback!  We are always open to constructive criticism..helps us keep getting better!  Thanks to all of those folks who keep supporting what we’re doing!  We’re going to keep on producing guitars we’re proud of, extending our network to include builders of other handmade instruments in the Tri-State area and beyond, and working to offer the best product and service we can to the masses! 

So visit our new website and online store at www.slackjackguitars.com  .  Make sure you sign our guest book so we’ll know you stopped by for a visit!  If you have questions, please email info@slackjackguitars.com or give us a call at (423) 753-0004.

Slackjack Guitars On The Small Screen

So today we arose early, packed up an amp and a Slackjack CBG and headed to WJHL TV 11 in neighboring Johnson City, TN.  For the first time since becoming a “business”, Slackjack Guitars was officially introduced to the public.  And what a great experience it was!

I’m not going to lie, I was a little nervous.  But thanks to Morgan King, one of the show’s hosts, I felt right at ease.  After my soundcheck…I was ready to roll.  I was quite pleased with my performance.  And then it was on to the interview segment..once again with Mr. Morgan King.

After chatting about the history of the CBG, how Slackjack Guitars came to be, and what I’m doing right now…Morgan asked if I could build a bass CBG!  And not only did he mention it during our session, he mentioned it a few times throughout the hour long show.  So guess what?  I’m going to build Morgan King a bass Cigar Box Guitar.  And how about these apples..he worked in a cigar shop back in the 60′s and just happens to have some vintage boxes.  He’s going to pick out a few and we’ll see which one will work best for the build.

What is going on with this new venture is nothing short of mind boggling.  But I am grateful and driven!!  I’ve never been so passionate about doing something like building the Cigar Box Guitar. 

ANYWAY..just wanted to post the video from this morning.  Hope you enjoy, and hope this is the first of MANY times you’ll see Slackjack Guitars in the media!  Just click on the Daytime Tri-Cities icon below, and it’ll take you right to the video.

Historic Jonesborough-My Muse

Today I had a promotional photo session for Slackjack Guitars.  My wife, who just happens to be my Media Director (Brandi Woodall at Positive Approach Events) picked out a few venues downtown to take some photos.  I have to say I was really impressed with how they turned out.  Turns out Jonesborough, TN is a great backdrop for Slackjack Guitars.

There is something to be said for a town that has so much history.  I guess I take for granted that everyone else knows about Jonesborough, but I guess a lot of folks just don’t.  So here’s a little bit about the town that inspires me. 

• It is the oldest town in Tennessee
• Many of the buildings in the town date back to the 1780′s
• Andrew Jackson practiced law here
• We still have ice cream socials and Music on the Square
• The merchants in town know you by name

I could go on and on about what inspires me.  We stopped by the Eureka Inn to visit with the Innkeeper, Maria this afternoon during the photo session.  Feeling a little inspired after strolling the streets, walking the railroad, and sitting on the steps of the Christopher Taylor House, I just wanted to play.  And play I did on the gazebo at the Eureka Inn…enjoy….