About three months ago, Chris Badynee's cardboard bass made it's worldwide debut on YouTube and a half-dozen other sites including here at MB. Frustrated with his one-stringed WashTub bass, Chris created a two-stringed version made with a cardboard box and leftover construction materials from his new home. Add a few trips to the local electronics and hardware stores, some Gorilla Glue and voila!

The Bogdon Box (as it's now known) is taking the world by storm and has already attracted the attention of Good Morning America, and at least one major nationally touring Country act here in the U.S.

Click "read more" below for Chris' latest brush with fame.



by Chris Badynee

I'm the luckiest guy alive.

But it's my Bogdon Box Bass that's getting all the attention - I'm just the valet.

So here's what happened last Saturday...

I called home to talk to my 8 year old son. He said some guy named "Clint" called, but daddy was at work so he hung up the phone. I figured it was no big deal and told him I'd be home after 7pm if anybody else called.

I got another call from my bass-making-partner-in-crime, telling me that somebody claiming to be part of the Clint Black/Dwight Yoakum Tour is inviting me to meet the band if I bring my cardboard box bass. My business partner is invisible in everything I post on the web, so if somebody actually found his number in association with the box bass it must be legit.

So I called the number and had a nice chat with a guy named Brad who took my name and number and asked me to meet him before 7pm tonight at gate #1. I thanked him, but told him that I couldn't get there until after 7pm because I'm still at work. He asked if I could leave earlier. I told him "No, I'm just a regular guy with responsibilities". He gave me his cell phone number and asked me to call him as I leave work, and again as I get near DTE

He called me at 7:15pm asking me where I was because he was waiting outside and it was cold. I assured him that I was getting nearer to the venue (Actually, I was totally lost and asking a 7-11 clerk for directions) Soon, I was on my way again, hoping to get there before anybody got too pissed off. I pulled into the parking lot met with Brad, who directed me to park next to the tour busses. I noticed that Dwight Yoakam was playing that night too. Damn, I thought, this is going to be great.

I was given an all-area-back-stage pass. It was a strange feeling. I kept thinking, "Remember, Its not about you. It's all about the bass. ANYBODY could be holding this box, stick, and twine."

As it turned out, everyone backstage there knew that I was, "The Cardboard Bass Guy" and they were glad I'd finally arrived. Soon, I was in the dressing room jamming with the band, talking about our families, food, and music theory. I got a GREAT upright-slapping-bass lesson from a bass legend as we laughed about cardboard and talked about wood density.

The keyboardist, Dane Bryant, gigged with Clint Black and all the Nashville greats. He told me that I'm the "latest and greatest" thing in his household and asked me if I'd take a picture with him to show his kids. Sure, I said, but I told him I'm really a mailman at heart and that I just play music for now until I make it big in the Postal Business. ;) We laughed and we exchanged numbers and cell phone pics.

The monitor guy asked me if I want to plug into the sound system after Clint Black was done, and told me to be here with my Bogdon Box before the set ended.

The show was fabulous! Clint Black played Hello Goodbye (beatles), Black Curtains (cream) and some hip classic country. I was rockin with my box bass backstage near the monitor board. Clint Black's set ended and the house lights came on.

The monitor guy said he was told NOT to bring me on stage, but Clint Black's bassist (Jake Willemain) grabbed me by the arm, escorted me onto the stage, and plugged my bass into the system!

I jammed as if I were the featured performer at Carnegie Hall. The road crew cheered! Five minutes and a few pictures later, I sensed my time was up. So, I politely unplugged my Bodgon Box, thanked the stage crew and returned to the backstage area.

The bass tech asked if I'd sell my cardboard Bogdon Box for $100. I politely declined and told him that it was going on display in a Birmingham restraunt the following week. So he asked if I'd give it to him instead. Sorry, no, but it was worth a chuckle.

It was a great night. I made a friendly connection with some Nashville musicians who spent a few hours with me and I left with a phone number and some email addresses. I felt very comfortable with that crew. They totally embraced me into their realm and we shared some genuine fun.

But like I said, I'm a Postal Worker at heart. Monday is Columbus Day, a postal holiday, so I'll spend most of the day working on my website updating pictures and after that sales mode should kick in. - Chris

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You can see Chris Badynee's Bogdon Box Bass at Elie's Cafe in Birmingham (263 Pierce St.) where it will be displayed with other local works of art.

If you'd rather see the Bogdon Box in action, come to the Bazooka Jones CD Release Party on October, 14 2006 at The New Ritz (24300 Hoover, Warren, MI 48088) wsg Singer/songwriter Kevin Brace, The Callbacks, Some Assembly Required and OttO Vector. Free CD at the door to first 25 paid admissions who mention us! 18+ welcome $8.00 21+ $5.00 Show starts promptly at 9:00pm.

If you can't make it to either of those events, check out the Bogdon Box over at www.bogdonmusic.com