Ghost Town Blues Band
Bradenton Cigar Box Guitar Festival 2027
Ghost Town Blues Band at the Bradenton Cigar Box Guitar Festival 2027
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Ghost Town Blues Band (GTBB), Beale Street's award-winning Memphis blues band, brings its high-energy live show to the Bradenton Cigar Box Guitar Festival 2027. Led by multi-instrumentalist and cigar box guitar player Matt Isbell, GTBB blends raunchy cigar box guitar, B3 organ, a punishing rhythm section and a full horn section. Their sound ranges from traditional Memphis blues to Allman Brothers-style jams.
Their new album Shine debuted at #1 on the Billboard Blues Chart. The band has headlined the blues stage at the Montreal Jazz Festival and played the Lucerne Blues Festival in Switzerland. They have performed at more than 150 festivals across the U.S., Canada and Europe. Their résumé includes a Tennessee Music Award, five Blues Blast Music Award nominations, International Blues Challenge runner-up honors, and the 2020 B.B. King International Entertainer of the Year award from the Maple Blues Awards.
Fans know the show for its second-line horn entrance, homemade instruments (cigar box guitars and electric push brooms) and festival-ready energy. Living Blues Magazine called GTBB "21st century blues at its best."
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Memphis Blues Band
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Beale Street Blues
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Billboard Blues Chart #1
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Tennessee Music Award winner
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B.B. King International Entertainer of the Year
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Blues Blast Music Award nominee
John Nickel, Delta Swamp Rats with Steve Arvey and Stumpy Joe, and Dr Liza Seigido
From the Bradenton Cigar Box Guitar Festival 2026- summary
Bradenton Cigar Box Festival 2026 News
The Annual Bradenton Cigar Box Guitar Festival will take place from February 7, 2026, primarily hosted at Motorworks Brewing. While some secondary promotional materials from other local venues not affiliated with event use the name "Suncoast Cigar Box Guitar Festival," the American Cigar Box Guitar Association (AMCBGA) continues to list and recognize the event by its original name.
Event Venue & Tickets
Contrary to earlier multi-location descriptions, recent official listings for the 2026 festival emphasize Motorworks Brewing as the central host.
Official Venue: Motorworks Brewing, located at 1014 9th Street West, Bradenton, FL.
Workshops & Vendors: The festival features on-site workshops and a market for handmade instruments.
Tickets: Registration and VIP tickets for the 2026 festival are available on Eventbrite.
Festival History & Sponsors
The festival was established in 2018 by the American Cigar Box Guitar Association and local blues artist Steve Arvey to promote grassroots music and handmade instruments.
2026 Sponsors Include:
Motorworks Brewing
Realize Bradenton
Hampton Cigar Company
MLG Law Group
C. B. Gitty Crafter Supply
Killer Strings
For official updates and historical context directly from the organizers, visit the American Cigar Box Guitar Association website at americancigarboxguitar.org or their Instagram @BradentonCBG.