Back in the Saddle

I took a few weeks off from busking on the streets of Corpus Christi.  I had to regroup after being shut down by the police after a restaurant owner complained to the police about bums in front of her restaurant.  Meaning me.  The building had been under construction for months and I had found it to be a suitable location to play.  People responded positively to my music and even the police and parking authorities gave me a thumbs up.  But the new restaurant owner seemed to be worried my playing would detract from her new business.  Part of me can understand her nervousness about opening a new business and wanting nothing to impinge on her success.  So the police told me I had to leave and get a permit.  $30 a month.  Time to regroup.
Fortunately I met the owner of a new sandwich shop and he loved my playing and was gracious enough to  extend an invitation for me to play any time in front of his restaurant.  It's a good location and I'm being received well.
Thank You Shoreline Sandwich Shop.
I am now back in business.  Some people even remember me from the old location.
Onward an upward.

Finding My Way as a Busker in Corpus Christi

The experience of finding my way as a busker in Corpus Christi has been very interesting and rich.  I had started out singing on the street uptown on Leopard St. near the food court at lunch time.  I had a good reception from people taking their lunchbreak.  Many people stopped to chat and offer support.  People from all walks of life from street people to judges and everyone in between.  Even the police were very supportive.  I even got over the fact that I was robbed once by a young man who probably needed the money more than me.  Bless him.
Recently, however, a new sandwich shop opened up and the owner came out onto the street and told me to leave.  They didn't want any bums playing in front of their establishment.  I moved further down the street.  Shortly thereafter a cop on a motor bike screeched to a halt in front of me, demanding to see my permit.  Well, didn't know I needed one, I responded.  We had a polite conversation about panhandling, soliciting and the difference between the two.  I needed a permit he said.  He told me to pack up and leave and he waited till I did so.  I checked with the city about the permit.  $25 a month.
This same week I started playing at the Farmer's Market, located at the Art Center on Wednesdays from 5-8 PM.  I also started playing at the Farmer's Market on Everhart and Holly on Saturday mornings from 9-12 noon.  In both locations no permit is required.  There are many people strolling by, shopping for organic locally grown food, as well as oils, soaps, hand-crafted jewelry and more.  I am very happy at my new locations for sharing my music.  I'm sorry to all the lunch crowd who enjoyed my music uptown, but I won't be returning there.
Join us at the Farmer's Markets and on the Art Walk, first Friday, downtown CC.
I feel I'm just beginning.

Attention Must Be Paid

Sometimes it's just about the kids.  In my years of busking in Philadelphia and now in Corpus Christi I find it very rewarding when I can reach out to kids.  Maybe the elementary school teacher in me is still alive.  When I see a child coming with parents, either walking holding hands or being carried or rolling in a stroller, I can help but stop playing Neil Young or David Reichenbacher and segue into a children's song. My go-to song is "Itsy Bitsy Spider."  I also can do a mean rendition of "The People on the Bus."  Of course there's always "Old MacDonald" or "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star."  What's interesting is to see the kids suddenly become aware of the music. I've noticed when I don't sing to them specifically that they just roll on by, oblivious to the music.  But when I zero in on THEM, they perk up, literally, and make eye-contact and smile.  Their eyes sparkle. And once in a while they even want to show me what they're made of and sing along.
 Maybe it is the first live music they have ever heard. I'd like to think they will never forget it.
I surely won't.

The Generosity of Strangers

I am grateful for the generosity of strangers.  I see some people frequently.  Some are very warm and friendly.  They want to stop and chat, but realize I'm there to sing and play guitar.  Besides, they are usually on their lunchbreak with an eye on the clock.  Sometimes they tip, sometimes they don't. It's all good.  I've had a few requests, songs I might be familiar with, othertimes I don't know them.  I usually know the song, but not the words.  "Knockin' on Heaven's Door" by Bob Dylan has come up a few times.  It's such a great song.  I've sung it many times at gathering and the Journey to Damascus retreat, and you'd think I would know the lyrics by now.  It's one I definitely have to work on.  It's a great song to sing in groups.  Breaking it down, no instruments, three-part harmony.  It becomes a chant, people clapping to the beat.
I am grateful for the generosity of strangers.  Those who fish around in their pockets, pull out a few coins, pick out a few, not all, and deposit them in my tip jar.  One man stood and listened, slowly smiling with a toothless grin.  Warmly nodding to the beat.  At the end of the song he raised his hands toward the noon sun, and proclaimed "God bless you on this wonderful day."
He didn't leave any money, but his blessing was worth a million dollars.
I am grateful for the generosity of strangers.  This is why I busk.

Drive-through Busking

I've discovered a new concept: Drive-through Busking.  In Corpus we have drive-through Starbucks, MacDonalds and all the chain restaurants.  There's drive-through beer and drive-through prayer.  So, why not busking?  Pull over, roll your window down, I'll sing you a song.  Here's the sign:

That ought to get their attention.  My wife was my first customer.  She pulled over, rolled down her window for me to serenade her.  Of course, she tipped me generously.  The merchandising with this business venture will include gift certificates, of course.  Not sure if it's legal, but we'll see what happens.

Of course this is all just in the planning phase at this point. 
Busking in Corpus is pleasant in the winter.  It was in the 70's and 80's this past week.  No need for handwarmers here.  Fond memories of busking in Philadelphia in the winter.  Thank goodness for the heated subways.
Anyway, I had a surprise the other day.  A food truck was parked right in front of where I play.  Food trucks are loud with their gas-driven generators which are as loud as power mowers.  Why can't they cook with quiet bottled gas?  Anyway, I gave up competing with the noise and moved half a block down.  Actually this turned out to be a blessing.  Shade, quiet, good acoustics, closer to the food court. 
Things happen for a reason.  I'm in busker heaven.  Drive by for a song.  Roll down your window.  I'll even supersize it for you.

Special Tips

When I'm busking on the streets, sometimes people show me appreciation by throwing a monetary token in my tip jar.  Other times they give me something other than money.  In the past I have been given food, gift cards, lip gloss, bus tokens, medallions, and even a Bible.  At my spot on Leopard and Carancahua a young man reached into his pocket and fished out a fist full of old pennies, a few pills, and a peppermint.  He emptied his fist into the jar, pills and all.  I suggested he take his meds, as they wouldn't do me any good.  He smiled and retrieved them.  I wondered where he was going to get his next meal.
Shortly after a woman stopped by and posted an account of our encounter.  Here it is.
"I was walking down the street from the bus stop near City Hall today when I thought I heard guitar music and then I saw the edge of a lovely acoustic guitar. Thrilled to see and hear a genuine musician practicing the lost art of street-singing, and a talented one at that, I dropped a bundle of my crucifix pendants into his coin-jar. He stopped to look and as he was taking a careful look, I remarked that I hope the crucifix is ok with him and I launched into my standard witness-pitch in which, after asking permission to offer the crucifix, I ask if they know what makes a crucifix different from a cross. But before I could finish, he smiled and said, "good, they are the crucifix" and was obviously happy about that. Then he told me his wife is Catholic but he is going through RCIA. We commiserated about the meaning of Catholic art for a few minutes and I went back to my errands and he back to his singing." 

Singing on the streets is often about the music.  But most of all it is about the people who grace me with their presence.

Busking at Home and Beyond

I'm excited about busking in Corpus Christi, Texas.  Corpus has its own vibe, different from other places I've busked.  I'm beginning to get in tune with that vibration.  Good vibrations.  I've been in Corpus for almost four years now, exploring various locations where busking might work.  It's been hard finding the right spot.  I started out downtown, where there is not much human traffic except on a Friday or Saturday night, but there's a lot of sound competition coming from loudspeakers outside of bars.  I've tried along the seawall, but people are mostly jogging by without time to listen and most of them are not carrying their wallets.
Recently I found a spot uptown near a food court, where people pass by on their way to lunch at a food court.  They are more relaxed, ready to listen, and even tip.
I think I've found my spot.
Thank you, Corpus Christi.
You can find me on the corner of Carancahua and Leopard between 11:30 and 1:30.  Not every day, but weekdays.
Recently a lovely woman who works at the American Bank came out of the bank and said she loved hearing me play while she worked.  She tipped me.  That felt really good.
I think it is important to bring music to the streets.  Music creates peace among people.  It brings people together.  It overcomes language barriers.
I have busked in many cities in the U.S.  My first busking experience was in Boston in the 60's in Boston Garden.  I've also busked in Omaha, Nebraska; Denver, Colorado, and for three years I was a street musician in Philadelphia (see buskinginphiladelphia.blogspot.com).  Recently I've been enjoying hearing buskers in London and Rome.  Not to mention Medellin, Colombia.
Just maybe we can bring the world together through our music and celebrate the vibrations we all have in common.  Below are a few photos of buskers in Rome.