Gillian Welch, Chris Whitley, Tom Waits, David Wilcox, John Gorka, Neil Young, Lucinda Williams, Buddy & Julie Miller, Robert Randolph, Staple Singers, Carl Perkins, Anything Appalachian, and Frank Allison!
Movies
Not one less, To kill a mockingbird, Captains Courageous (Spencer Tracy version), Cyrano DeBerserac (Jose Ferrer Version), Beyond the gates of splendor, Passion of the Christ, Delicatessen, Vita E Bella, Cinema Paradiso, The Red Violin, Rocky....
Television
Not a whole lot, but I do dig: Mythbusters, Mash, & Little House on the Prairie..
Books
The Bible, The Irresistable Revolution, Nine hils to Nambonkaha, The Heavenly Man, Anything C.S. Lewis...
All SmokeBox Instruments are handmade using mostly hand tools and are 100% playable instruments. The wooden ones sound like a small Dobro and the Metal ones sound like a small National. Sound samples will be posted both here and to the main website shortly.
Instruments that I will be including very soon are:
Busking Organs ("Organ" or "Monkey" Grinders)
Upright Washtub Bass Guitars
Cigar Box Mandolins
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I'm also in the process of learning and perfecting old Sideshow feats as well as learning Hobo Clowning. I'm gaining more and more interest in starting a Michigan (Detroit area) Sideshow. My act (when I have perfected it) will include:
The Human Blockhead ~ (Inserting long nails, screwdrivers and other objects completely into my head through the nose.)
The Bed of Nails ~ Laying completely suspended by a bed of nails with no safety protection whatsoever
Stiltwalking ~ Sort of self explanitory
Unicycling ~ Again, self explanitory
Walking on Glass ~ Walking barefoot on large ammounts of broken glass bottles
Hat Manipilation ~ "Juggling" and manipulating hats in very cool ways
Poi Spinning ~ Spinning flaming balls at the ends of chains in very visually cool ways.
& Hobo Clowning.
If you're interested in discussing the possibilities of being a part of a Sideshow in Michigan, message me... I'd love to connect with you.
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I'm also in the beginning stages of creating a non-profit natural building ministry called "Of These Hands."
There are many different styles of natural built homes. The two styles which you may be familiar with are adobe and straw bale. They employ natural materials that are used in almost all natural building techniques: sand, clay straw and water.
Another style that is getting alot of attention these days is called cob. It is essentially the same thing as adobe (sun dried bricks made from the forementioned materials) but is sculpted in place allowing you to literally sculpt your home any shape you desire.
My hope is to begin by building natural homes within the city of Detroit, and then branch out nationally and then internationally from there - working side by side with the residents of the communities to build homes, schools and clinics in communities that have severe monetary limitations.
I hope to also incorporate the digging of wells to provide fresh drinking water for these same comminities as wel as planting vegetable and fruit gardens.
I worked on a kid's cottage/classsroom at Kensington Metropark's Farm Center in Milford, Michigan that provided a wonderful informal space for learning and experimenting with different techniques. I've posted photos of the cottage in the "Kensington Kid's Cottage" section in my photos area.
Who I'd like to meet: I'm interested in meeting people interested in genuine friendships, Christians, natural building enthusiasts, people into missions, barefooting, hiking, rootsy acoustic music and people that are getting tired with overconsumerism.
Welcome Home Brian! I just went through some of your pictures and they are fantastic!! I'll have to remember that African nickname for you - laughing forest was it? I can't wait to hear your stories - and a side note - completely unrelated...but LOVE your song on your profile - I dance to that!
Hey there Brian, thanks for the invite and the follow up note, yeah it's been many a year since Duckie for sure and you've grown some tats since last I saw ya! I see the face now...Catch you out there and good luck with SmokeBox. Garold Amadon & Amadon Crest
Sorry I have been getting all my teeth pulled, so as soon as I get my new ones in three more weeks, we have a date then you can see my new beautiful smile:) I will b back in touch with you soon
