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ONE of the most unique characters at the Bendigo Blues and Roots Music Festival is Stringybark McDowell.
With a black hat adorned with pressure guages, long dreads framing a bearded face that sports some dark sunglasses, Stringy has the look of a blues musician.
When he plucks at his guitar while chatting with me, it's clear he has a great sound to accompany his look.
But where did Stringy come from?
"Old blues singers used to give themselves crazy names," he said.
"Muddy Waters' real name was McKinley Morganfield and Howlin' Wolf's real name was Chester Burnett. My real name's Kenneth, which isn't very bluesy.
"I'm big fan of Mississippi Fred McDowell, so I took the McDowell part of that and since I'm Australian I went with Stringybark. And my hair hangs off me like bark."
Stringy started playing in bands in the 1980s but as a more electric style came in he opted for an old-style roots sound.
"I thought if I put a kick drum to it people would dance a bit more," he said. "It was a bit like hot-rodding an old 1930s car. You give it a bit more horsepower and it goes a lot better."
This year's festival is Stringy's third.
He kicked off with a set at The Exchange on Thursday night and one at Puggs Mahone's last night.
"I've been playing Bendigo on and off since the 90s and it's always had a great live music scene," he said.
"Colin Thompson puts this little festival together with his band of merry men and I love supporting it.
"The fact it doesn't cost not hundreds dollars to get through the door, you can choose to walk around and see the acts that are put on by various places is great.
"If you want to see something exclusive, you pay for it and it's your choice. I love festivals like that."
Stringybark McDowell plays at Rocks on Rosalind at 3.45pm Saturday, the Blues Tram at 8pm Saturday and the Bendigo Beer Pop-Up Bar on Sunday at 9pm.