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.
