59th street & Lexington Subway Station
Was There a Musical Saw Player in the Subway in 1905?
As I entered the subway station a gentleman said ‘hi’ to me and mimed as if he was playing the musical saw, to indicate that he knows who I am. While I was setting up my busking gear two guys sitting on the bench came to ask me what musical instrument I play. A young…
Read MoreThe Dogs are Great, It’s the People That are Difficult
While busking in the subway, on the platform of the 6 train: Guy: “I saw you before, at the 14th street subway station”. Saw Lady: “That’s my favorite busking spot”. Guy: “You seem to always enjoy what you do”. Saw Lady: “I’m very lucky to be able to do what I love and to share…
Read MoreEast Side Access
On the subway train, travelling to my Music Under New York busking spot of the day, the guy I sat next to saw the sign on my busking cart (which advertises my CD and said: “You should sell t-shirts with that on”. Turns out he is a track safety worker for the MTA and he…
Read MorePlaying for Pocket Change
When I was playing at the Music Under New Yorkbusking spot at 59th street & Lex subway station, Mark and Michael of ‘Suddenly Tragic Productions’ stopped by to chat with me. They asked me a lot of questions. Of course I knew they were filming, but what I didn’t know at the time was that…
Read MoreHe Needed It More
At the subway station MTA personnel were working on the station, clearing the walls and hanging up new subway maps. They recognized me as I passed by. “Hey, it’s ‘Saw Lady’”, one of them said. They told me that they will be at the Times Square subway station on Wednesday and asked me if they’ll…
Read MoreYou See Me Here All the Time
A nice couple helped me bring my busking gear up the stairs at the subway station. Turns out he is a bass player and she is my friend on MySpace! As I was setting up at the 59th street subway station, a Norteno musician was waiting for the train, practicing his guitar quietly on the…
Read MoreOne Good Deed Deserves Another
A young guy helped me bring my busking gear up the subway stairs. When we reached the platform there was an unusually large number of people there, because the train wasn’t working. I forged my way through the thick crowd and the guy who helped me before followed behind me. When we got to the…
Read MoreYou Gotta Still Be Nice
As I started to play on the subway platform, a sanitation lady wearing glasses said ‘hi’ to me while she emptied the garbage can on my right. As she pulled out the can from the receptacle a lot of garbage came tumbling down onto the floor. Usually, it stays contained in the bag. So, she…
Read MoreOccupational Hazards
The train rolled slowly into the subway station, on account of the track workers repairing the tracks. As the first car went by me the train driver smiled and nodded at me. Two track workers passed by me as I was waiting to get into the train. One of them asked me how I was…
Read MorePeople Showed Me Their Hands
As I was setting up to play on the platform at 59th street, a guy asked me how much it costs to get a permit to play in the subway. He said he busks in Boston, playing guitar and singing, and that its very different the way busking works over there. Buskers don’t have to…
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