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Paducah Native Merges Medical and Music Careers with Cigar Box Guitars

University of Louisville School of Medicine trained, Dr. Kirk Withrow, son of Dr. Pat Withrow of Paducah, is distinguishing himself as assistant professor of surgery at the University of Alabama School of Medicine. In addition, he's a father, an artist and a musician, to name just a few of his avocations. He's contributing one of his hand-made cigar-box guitars for the WKMS fundraising campaign. On Sounds Good, Kate Lochte learns more about this 'Renaissance Man' with western Kentucky roots.

Note: We will be giving away this guitar during our American Routes Party on Sunday, September 28 from 2 - 4 p.m. as part of our pledge drive. You don't have to donate to win, but WKMS is listener-funded public radio, and these conversations are made possible with your support. Call 800-599-4737 to participate.

Dr. Kirk Withrow credits his artistic passion to learning how to create and play the cigar box guitar. He says he'd never made an instrument before, but after seeing how it could be done, he thought why not try other mediums, too? Historically, cigar box guitars were something almost anyone could make. Cigar boxes used to be ubiquitous, and all one needed was a stick and some string, tie it all together and you'd have an instrument. Dr. Withrow says the guitars could be made very simply or could be worked on for ages to get a "world class" sound.

 

Matt Markgraf joined the WKMS team as a student in January 2007. He's served in a variety of roles over the years: as News Director March 2016-September 2019 and previously as the New Media & Promotions Coordinator beginning in 2011. Prior to that, he was a graduate and undergraduate assistant. He is currently the host of the international music show Imported on Sunday nights at 10 p.m.
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