Originally Posted by
Yodelgoat
Wow, I had forgotten about this thread.
I have started playing again. On the street, didnt even put out a tip jar until someone brought me one and said I needed to have one. So there's this little town south of me about 15 minutes, and they have a huge old courthouse in a square right in the dead center of a bunch of restaurants - Lots of people just like to walk around the square. They have outlets on the street, and the judge told me I could use them, so I've been "Buskin'" in Granbury Texas. Its great because no one asks me to mask-up. Its outside, and I tell people I'm doing it because there is not much to do out anymore. I spent a chunk of the summer just doing the street thing, and I love it. I can play whatever the hell I want. Originals, covers.... Rush... Seriously - Rush. Make a few bucks, which is not important to me, but it pays for strings (and a Fender Jazz Bass, I might add) So this is what I need to be doing. People seem to appreciate it. Some are surprised that someone has the nerve to just set up and play. I love the freedom. No set hours. Just play when and what I want. I get asked if the city is paying me. Of course not. Its landed me some paying gigs, but I actually prefer the street. My dream is to be able to do this anywhere and just have fun. I'm heading into Downtown Fort Worth tomorrow and I'm gonna play on the street - they have serious laws against busking, but if I dont put out a tip jar, they have to leave me alone, so we're gonna try that, and I will try to shame the city - which claims to be such an "artsy" town, to allow buskers to play and not get shut down by the cops. Playing for free aint buskin'. I dont need the cash.
I get to play out - AND, now I have an antiestabishmentarian cause to fight for.
Since I stopped trying to get set gigs, I've been a whole lot happier, and I think this will work for me for a time. I just need to be patient, and be willing to stick my neck out and just make music happen. Since no one else is doing this - at least in Granbury, looks like its going to work. I tried to follow what other people were doing, and it got boring, and unpleasant. This is pure joy.
I havent tried doing anything live from home yet. Seems like a lot of work for little reward. I enjoy just getting to play and I get to talk to a lot of people. I can stop in the middle of a song and just start up a conversation with someone. You cant do that at a paid gig.
Lots of people take videos of me playing and post them. Nothing's gone viral yet, but I would love to just jump in a car and drive to any small town and do this. Havent convinced the wife that it would be fun.
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