Back South frontman Todd Cecil explains his Memphis-made instrument as “an electrified variation of a very old instrument called a “diddley bow,” in which a wire is pulled across a board and then played with a broken wine-bottle neck on the string to create a voicelike tone.” Although it’s fashioned from two broomsticks and uses both guitar and bass strings, Cecil’s instrument competes with bandmate Willaye’s 100-year-old percussive chicken coop for Asheville’s most original repurposing project. The two musicians, plus Andy Applegate on a standard drum kit — ironically, the odd man out — bring Back South’s danceable, Appalachian-crafted and blues-inspired rock set to The Bywater Sunday, Sept. 13, at 5 p.m. $5 suggested donation. bywaterbar.com. Photo by Sadi Schuldt
Smart bets: Back South
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