Born Again Busker Pt. I

Ever since the panel discussion on the "History of Busking" that I participated in as part of the Folklife Workshop Series, I am a born again Busker. It was Artis the Spoonman who spoke so passionately about how special street performing is, this backed up by Jim Page, Jim Hinde, Blue and my own thoughts on the subject really started a new found desire to overhaul the way I look at my art. I had become desensitized to the real magic of what I do, and lost some of what I liked so much about about street performing in the beginning.

I worked the Market yesterday, and in a way; it was like the first time I had ever played there. I was so full of gratitude and humbled that so many people wanted to hear what I had to say. Street Musicians have a gift of saying not what the people want to hear, but what they think they need to hear. It gets tricky when the message is about politics. In comparison, my show is light and fluffy but that doesn't mean I can't use the opportunity to say something.

I have a line I scripted into my coin routine where I am doing the roll out into the 5 coin star (balancing the coins on each finger tip) where I say, "Just as in life, creating the perfect balance. . it may take practice, patience and persistence. . . but in the end, it's beautiful". I follow that up by saying, "I'm one of 5 people in the world that can do this. . . and no one gives a shit".

Yesterday during my pre-pitch, I threw in some new feelings. I wanted the crowd to know how much I appreciated their kind attention. I told them all how much it meant to me that they would take the time to watch my show. Sure people still left before the show was over, and without contributing; but it mattered even less than normal. I loved my audience and I had a great day in the hat.