While I'm doing so many busking posts, it turns out that Hangout member Mike Walters is also a prolific busker and I didn't know this until I met him at Clifftop.. I politely scolded him for not telling his busking stories on the Hangout topic.. He is a really NICE guy and has stories to tell.. SO, Mike.. get on here and tell your stories soze we can all hear them!!
Seems that if I give up busking I could make a lot more money by selling mufflers to the Harley riders who pass by so loudly that nobody can hear me play my fiddle...
Enjoyed crashing the Hernando Farmers Market again today. Me and my banjo friend - Doug. No one has run us off yet.
Today - among all the normally expected stuff - we had a "grandma" and her grown daughter get out in front and dance to our music. What a treat. Stuck around and chatted a bit - then told us to play some more. They danced again - gave applause after the tunes (infectious, others joined in).
Emma showed up again (a regular with her mom) - and gave us 2 cucumbers each for her tip. ...and then danced around with a child's abandon. (She's the little girl who put a leaf in our instrument case when she saw other's giving "folding money". Imitation. Precious heart.)
We were videotaped again. They asked for permission. Don't know what will be done with the video, but it's flattering that they made the effort to do it.
We are regularly making right at $100 dollars in tips for a few hours. Very gratifying - considering these days and the economy.
...and more stories that could be told.
Blessed. You can't buy this stuff. And... if we weren't there playing - none of that would have happened.
Edited by - tonyelder on 08/19/2023 21:03:49
It was an interesting busking session today.. I will be paid to busk for one hour plus get to keep the tips. A University organization set it up. I arrived on site only to find that the busking spot was set up in full sun on an 85 degree, sunny day.. I went to the local theater and asked to see the person in charge and the people there had no idea what I was talking about.. So, I went to the restaurant that I was supposed to be busking in front of. Nobody there knew anything about the busking event.!! I took matters into my own hands and found a suitable shady spot near the restaurant and started to play.. Eventually I surmised that one woman milling about and watching me was a person in authority.. I called her over to let her know why I wasn't in the designated spot. She understood and said that this was the first time they had set up an evening of buskers.. I need to remember to remind them that asking buskers to 'busk' to a captive outdoor restaurant audience is not what buskers usually do.. Busking to 50 diners is less profitable than busking to 200 passersby... But, hey, they PAID me to fiddle for an hour.. so I may just let that slide..
Problems all solved. I had a good time, made nice tips and got a check. All turned out well.
Edited by - TuneWeaver on 09/01/2023 17:22:09
I mentioned Jamie Snider recently, in a post about a collection of fiddle tunes. Here he is busking in Vancouver, BC: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WtN4J15whTo
And here's another: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=htoQ9dnAgZQ
Good fiddling there. I think that second clip is a three tune medley - the last tune is "Little Burnt Potato." (Which I now hear he sings at the end).
quote:
Originally posted by Old ScratchAnd here's another: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=htoQ9dnAgZQ
That is great. You can just tell he has a great 'state' presence... and is obviously having fun with the tunes.. I wish I could play my fiddle in that position..
Jamie Snider makes me want to quit.
quote:
Originally posted by farmerjonesJamie Snider makes me want to quit.
Here I thought that he would inspire you!!
Yes, that's the attitude!
The restaurant busking I did last night reminded me that many people don't fully understand busking. Sure there are great performers who can do an hour set of music to a captive audience but many buskers don't work well that way..Me, for one. I was fortunate last night in that on one side of me were passersby and on the other side, seated diners, and yes, I can do an hour set of music for a captive audience, but I really, really prefer just playing to people walking by. With pedestrians I can stop and talk and do silly things. A seated audience doesn't seem like the kind of audience with which a performer can just stop in the middle of a piece of music and chat.. I THINK I'm speaking for most buskers in saying that the free flow of music that comes from playing to people walking by is much more of what people think a busker is. I realize that there are a Zillion (capital Z) exceptions ..but what do you think about this? Buskers? speak up please..
I thought about this the other day. I knew a fellow fiddler that busked Navy Pier in Chicago. He played so enthusiastically. He played like his playing was feeding him, and it was. He had a fire. He came home for a weekend to see his father, back in Iowa. His father's friend asked him to play a tune in the living room. He complied, but you could see it in his eyes, he usually didn't expend this kind of energy for free. I was just a bystander. But I never forgot it.
quote:
Originally posted by farmerjonesI thought about this the other day. I knew a fellow fiddler that busked Navy Pier in Chicago. He played so enthusiastically. He played like his playing was feeding him, and it was. He had a fire. He came home for a weekend to see his father, back in Iowa. His father's friend asked him to play a tune in the living room. He complied, but you could see it in his eyes, he usually didn't expend this kind of energy for free. I was just a bystander. But I never forgot it.
My son is like that. On stage he is like Elvis on steroids, but ask him to play a tune for me and my jam mates and he's subdued and hesitant.. Sort of like I can play for a contra dance with high energy but if a home visitor was to say, "Play something"....I'd respectfully decline to even get the fiddle out of its case. Context is everything......
Two interesting things today.. One, a polite college girl asked is she could take some photos for a class project.. Sure!! She was wearing the trendy jeans with HUGE holes in them..you know, the kind that I'd have thrown away when I was doing remodeling.. Anyway, I told Harry, that we'd not get a tip from her because she was saving her money to by some "jeans whats got no holes".... She gave us a $10 tip.. and made a liar out of me..
Then, (and I swear this is NOT meant to start a political debate, really) a young man (seems that everybody is young these days) asked if I'd like to sign a petition to get Chris Christie on the ballot .. I said SURE... I'm an ardent Democrat but in my thinking Christie makes more sense than other Republican candidates and I think it might be a fair fight to see a Biden/Christie battle.... Please.. just relating what happened..not wanting to debate it..
Another busking day, another interesting day.
You know, of course, that what she's probably saving for is jeans with more holes. Always cracks me up how the youngsters these days pay extra for a pair of jeans that will last about 1/10th of what a proper new pair last so they can look like someone they're not.
Also, not a political reply, very much, but both parties need new faces.
quote:
Originally posted by Brian WoodYou know, of course, that what she's probably saving for is jeans with more holes. Always cracks me up how the youngsters these days pay extra for a pair of jeans that will last about 1/10th of what a proper new pair last so they can look like someone they're not.
Also, not a political reply, very much, but both parties need new faces.
Years ago I went into Macy's to buy new bluejeans because I 'blew out' the knees on mine. I looked up and saw demo jeans hanging on the wall...with premade holes in the knees. I thought, "Darn, I'm ahead of the curve with my jeans."
Back in my day, if we wanted jeans with holes in them, we had to wear them out ourselves. Self-reliance, that's the ticket.
quote:
Originally posted by boxbowBack in my day, if we wanted jeans with holes in them, we had to wear them out ourselves. Self-reliance, that's the ticket.
EXACTLY... and the new jeans with holes show no signs of dirt. But, hey, for a $10 tip I can overlook a little dirt..
Edited by - TuneWeaver on 09/08/2023 14:03:44
quote:
Originally posted by TuneWeaverquote:
Originally posted by boxbowBack in my day, if we wanted jeans with holes in them, we had to wear them out ourselves. Self-reliance, that's the ticket.
EXACTLY... and the new jeans with holes show no signs of dirt. But, hey, for a $10 tip I can overlook a little dirt..
You'll be happy to note that not only do my jeans have rips and worn holes, but they look like I smeared silicone caulk on them and then wallowed in soot. My secret? Showing up for work. There is also paint, adhesives, grease, and things best left unnamed. Never fails! In mufti, however, I now prefer intact trousers.
Yesterday I had an epiphany experience after busking downtown. One of my favorite street/homeless friends gave me a nice tip and proceeded to sit nearby and chat and sing and drink from a large bottle of vodka.. Another street person joined the two of us and even more passersby who either knew me or one or the other of the other guys all had an extended visit/session.. I tried to busk through all of this and surprisingly tips didn't seem to be effected. The epiphany? I felt fully immersed in the experience and felt part of the entire street scene, not just as an observer/busker, but as a full fledged participant. I felt that even though I'm not homeless, the street is part of MY home and I felt welcome. Words can't describe how great that made me feel.
PS.. A young man came over from the "Baked" cookie store and offered us free cookies.. He asked if I was homeless (I've GOT to start dressing better)... and I replied that no I wasn't but thanks for the compliment....I did explain that not every busker is homeless ( a common misconception among many young people who I meet here in Bloomington.. I try to educate)...
Edited by - TuneWeaver on 09/12/2023 12:41:09
Great day of busking todayl.. Two hours at the market in the morning and two hours downtown were about all I could do.. It was a record day for tips and I crashed at home.. THEN, the Alaskan Fiddling Poet, Ken Waldman came to spend the night and he suggested we go ...BUSKING... So, we went.. Fortunately enough hours had passed that my hands weren't wiped out and playing with a second musician made the event very pleasurable..Me, Ken and Harry drew and held a nice crowd..
You might recall that the other day I mentioned that a homeless friend gave me a nice tip..Well today, he approached me saying he was short of cash and would like to sell me a pocket knife to get some money. I told him to just keep the knife and that I'd give him the same amount of money that he had given me a few days earlier..SO.. He gave me money, and then I gave him money.. If we keep giving each other money we'll both get rich... Don't cha tink?
Edited by - TuneWeaver on 09/19/2023 18:29:47
How lucky can a busker get? Last week Ken Waldman wanted to go busking, so we did. This week, Deb Shebish called and said that she is passing through town on her way to Asheville and that she is playing for the contra dance on Wednesday night and wants to meet up with me earlier so we can do some busking.. Deb is one of those rare fiddlers who can play Classical, Celtic and Old Time, all WELL..
I've known her since she was 19 and now, 30 years later.. she still looks 19 and I look 30 years older.. Anyway, I want to point out that I don't recall (except for my daughter ) a fiddler who I can play 'tighter' with.. it is not Me but Deb..She said just play what you play and I'll blend in...and she did. Typically by the second time through one of my busking tunes she was able to match my style and it sounded as if there was just like ONE fiddle playing.. It was THAT tight.... She is amazing..!!
Edited by - TuneWeaver on 09/21/2023 13:57:08
Sometimes my heart just wants to burst when I see my homeless friends on the street. Today there was Gene, a quiet guy who Never panhandles but just paces the sidewalks day after day, looking into garbage cans for food...Once I yelled his name from 100 feet away and he RAN to me to see what I wanted.. I gave him $5 and said go find something to eat.. More than once I've brought food from home and gave it to him..He just walks and walks obviously with some issue on his mind that he just can't resolve..
Then, Steve! Steve is hunched over worse than any person I've ever seen. He tries to walk with a walker but just inches by.. Last week he fell and wound up in the hospital....lost about 15 pounds that he didn't have to lose and now needs $50 for some insurance payment..
David.. a guy I hadn't seen before had a sign about his medical condition regarding his feet.. I saw him painfully walking earlier....We chatted for a while. I gave him the $2 I'd gotten as tips.. It won't help in the long run but he and I both felt a little better after the exchange..
Another day, another peek into the lives of the street people...
I practiced Grigsby's Hornpipe and Queen of France, gave out a few bunny tattoos to tipsters and went home.
That was all after just one hour of being out on the sidewalk. Boy, if sidewalks could talk!
Edited by - TuneWeaver on 10/03/2023 12:25:44
