Posts Tagged ‘busking’
Busker Benjamin Franklin
Benjamin Franklin (American inventor and statesman) was a busker of sorts. He composed songs, poetry and prose about the political situation of his time and went out in public to perform them. As he was busking, he would sell printed copies of them to the public. His father was not happy about his son’s busking…
Read MoreYes, It Shows
As I was waiting for Ron Gibbs to finish his music set at the 14th street subway station’s Music Under New York busking spot, a guy sat next to me on the bench. It was Arnold – the homeless guy whom I haven’t seen for a whole year! Turns out he has been back home…
Read MoreShe Probably Doesn’t Remember Me
Making my way to my busking spot in the subway, as I was climbing up the subway station’s stairs, an elderly gentleman who was going DOWN the stairs volunteered to reverse his steps and help me carry my busking gear up the stairs. He must have been at least 70 years old. He then said…
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 MoreAn Elevator Has Two Sets of Doors
When I was busking at the 14th street subway station, a teenager named Art rubbed my musical saw with his hand three times and said: “can I have three wishes?” He then went on to say: “I wish you’d play that song I like”. As I’ve seen him before many times I knew he meant…
Read MoreI Think of You When You’re Not Here
As I was playing ‘Over the Rainbow’ while busking at the 14th street subway station, Joe Lucas, the homeless guy with the hook arm, showed up. I haven’t seen him in months. He went to Montana to visit a friend and then to Rhode Island to visit his sister. It was wild that he showed…
Read MoreR.I.P Rue McClanahan
As I was dragging my busking gear up the stairs to the subway station, a guy left his shopping cart by the bottom of the stairs and offered to help me carry my stuff up the stairs. He wasn’t even heading to the subway – he volunteered to go out of his way just to…
Read MoreI AM A BUSKER
Every now and then I come across poetry about busking or about musical saw playing. This time a poem was sent to me. And not only was it sent to me, but it was writen especially with me in mind! I AM A BUSKER/Janina Jayme I AM A BUSKER..WITHIN MY HEART AND SOUL..TO BUSKER OR…
Read MoreIf I Murder My Wife, Can I Marry You?
Climbing the stairs up to the subway station with my heavy busking gear, I noticed a guy wearing an MTA shirt who was also walking up the stairs. “Excuse me…” I said to him. MTA guy: “I’m sorry, I can’t help you (motioning to my busking cart) – MTA rules – we can’t touch anything”.…
Read MoreNobody Gets Out of this Alive
As I got off the train at the Union Square subway station two guys who were getting on the train said: “Saw Lady! How are you?” Just as I started to play, Chill, who sings on the trains with his acapella group, came to say ‘hi’. He told me that he was just released from…
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