I still remember the sounds that immediately escaped the box when I strung up my first cigar box guitar. It was sonic alchemy. Magic.
Life changing.
That happened 20 years ago on July 4, 1993. My bandmate, Mike Miller had come along with me to my dad's farm in order to use the woodshop. We both had cardboard boxes; his was Blue Ribbon Cigars, mine was Swisher Sweets. We took a broken beam of wood from my dad's 100 year old barn and cut it up to make the necks, added old guitar tuners and other salvaged parts from a junk acoustic guitar.
When Mike completed his, he thought it was a cool little diversion instrument, something to get a neat blues sound. Me...? I was never the same again.
This summer marks the 20th anniversary for me as a cigar box guitarist. Twenty years of songs belted out on 3 strings. Twenty years of woodshop sawdust and stage lights. I've built thousands of these things, played plenty of 'em built by others and turned my passion into a living. (sidenote: God is good.)
But this message isn't about me...it's about YOU.
Take a look at my insane life and think about this: Can you imagine yourself chasing an elusive dream down a 20 year deep rabbit hole? Is there something that has captured your attention, but maybe you've been too embarassed or reserved to chase it? Shane Speal dares you to follow the rabbit.
My 20 year journey has been like a roller coaster. There's the thrill of high peaks, loud stages, jam sessions, cool guitars and more. Yes, it also had some very low lows. (Just remember that I've quit this quest at least 63 times....but I started again 64 times. Always start more times than you quit.) Your rabbit hole is going to challenge you. It's going to confuse you. It also has the ability to radically change your life.
What is that one thing that fascinates you when you daydream?
Go and get it. Please. Life is short and your potential is magnificently high. I wanna see how you can change the world.
I believe I've done it. So can you.
Shane.
20TH ANNIVERSARY GUITARS NOW ON SALE!
Go to ShaneSpeal.bigcartel.com
I wanted to celebrate my 20 years in cigar box guitars by building some of the best instruments I've ever done. Each of these are made from great wooden cigar boxes and feature exotic hardwood fretboards, antique banjo bridges and internal contact mic pickups. Check out the Shane Speal store and browse thru all the models. I had a blast making these.
20TH ANNIVERSARY CONCERTS - Join me in celebrating 20 years of boogie. I'll be performing this Saturday with the full jug band at the massive Cigars International in Bethlehem, Pa. We're delivering a blistering 4 hour show from Noon - 4pm. ALSO JUST ADDED... I will be returning for one live show at Speal's Tavern on Saturday, July 6th at 9pm. No cover, but get there early. It's usually standing-room-only when I play there.
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