I have a small Line 6 battery amp too. It works pretty good. I don't know, I am kinda diggin the open mic thing right now. It seems like there are more of those around town than places to busk.
James Higginbotham said:
I have battery powered cigar box amp that would be worth a try also, I bought the parts off of ebay for about $30. I understand about the Clifton thing we only swing by for dinner these days(although I still catch the occasional show at Bogarts).
Joker said:
I did know that. They would busk on Ludlow Street. They would also busk at Findlay Market on the weekends. It could be worth a try. I am funny about Clifton, i don't know if it's old age or what. I was a Clifton rat back in the early 90's. It was the place to hang out when you were a young combat boot wearing punk rocker. Shows at Bogarts, games at the Jupitor arcade, movies at he esquire (Anime marathons and the like), coffee at Kaldee's and The Cove. Very cool when your were between the age of 18 to 21 in 1992. At 36 I just don't see myself in that crowd. Look at most of the folks who are into cbg's. Middle aged white dudes interested in the blues. I could be wrong though. Bands like "The Tillers" have shown that the modern alternative movement, especially in Cinci, are kids that are into acoustic string bands. I think maybe if I could strip down my performance to a complete acoustic set- no amps or electronics- it would make for a cool street performance that would be easy to set up and move around. It could catch the ear and eye of the same group of kids that has propelled the Tillers. It's something I may have to try to work on.
James Higginbotham said:
Joker, just for the hell of it I googled busking Cincinnati, wikipedia listed Clifton and as a side note says "where the band The Tillers got there start".
I have battery powered cigar box amp that would be worth a try also, I bought the parts off of ebay for about $30. I understand about the Clifton thing we only swing by for dinner these days(although I still catch the occasional show at Bogarts).
Joker said:
I did know that. They would busk on Ludlow Street. They would also busk at Findlay Market on the weekends. It could be worth a try. I am funny about Clifton, i don't know if it's old age or what. I was a Clifton rat back in the early 90's. It was the place to hang out when you were a young combat boot wearing punk rocker. Shows at Bogarts, games at the Jupitor arcade, movies at he esquire (Anime marathons and the like), coffee at Kaldee's and The Cove. Very cool when your were between the age of 18 to 21 in 1992. At 36 I just don't see myself in that crowd. Look at most of the folks who are into cbg's. Middle aged white dudes interested in the blues. I could be wrong though. Bands like "The Tillers" have shown that the modern alternative movement, especially in Cinci, are kids that are into acoustic string bands. I think maybe if I could strip down my performance to a complete acoustic set- no amps or electronics- it would make for a cool street performance that would be easy to set up and move around. It could catch the ear and eye of the same group of kids that has propelled the Tillers. It's something I may have to try to work on.
James Higginbotham said:
Joker, just for the hell of it I googled busking Cincinnati, wikipedia listed Clifton and as a side note says "where the band The Tillers got there start".
I did know that. They would busk on Ludlow Street. They would also busk at Findlay Market on the weekends. It could be worth a try. I am funny about Clifton, i don't know if it's old age or what. I was a Clifton rat back in the early 90's. It was the place to hang out when you were a young combat boot wearing punk rocker. Shows at Bogarts, games at the Jupitor arcade, movies at he esquire (Anime marathons and the like), coffee at Kaldee's and The Cove. Very cool when your were between the age of 18 to 21 in 1992. At 36 I just don't see myself in that crowd. Look at most of the folks who are into cbg's. Middle aged white dudes interested in the blues. I could be wrong though. Bands like "The Tillers" have shown that the modern alternative movement, especially in Cinci, are kids that are into acoustic string bands. I think maybe if I could strip down my performance to a complete acoustic set- no amps or electronics- it would make for a cool street performance that would be easy to set up and move around. It could catch the ear and eye of the same group of kids that has propelled the Tillers. It's something I may have to try to work on.
James Higginbotham said:
Joker, just for the hell of it I googled busking Cincinnati, wikipedia listed Clifton and as a side note says "where the band The Tillers got there start".
Joker, just for the hell of it I googled busking Cincinnati, wikipedia listed Clifton and as a side note says "where the band The Tillers got there start".
now aint that the shits who would ah thought just follow his lead take off yer clothes and yer all set lol i think outside a ball game would work
Joker said:
Funny you should mention the Naked Cowboy. I went to High School with him. His name is Bobby Burke. Used to eat lunch with him. He was real into body building back in those days, he would eat raw green beans and drink whey protein like it was water. He was the only guy in school who had tattoos. Jesus on one arm, satan on the other. Strange guy. After high school he started an exotic dancing business he ran out of his house until he and his girls were arrested for prostitution. He started the naked cowboy thing here in Cincinnati promoting Larry Flint's Hustler stores
Keni Lee Burgess said:
Location, Location, Location. I mainly play on the subway platforms in NYC. It is legal, but occasionally the Police, not clear about the law, make me leave. I just go to another platform. On the platform, I have to compete with train noise, but I have a new audience every 10 minutes. To be very honest, the uniqueness of the CBG and the bottleneck style are the real attention grabbers. I am no master, but I can get people's feet tapping. Choice of material is very important. PersonaIly, I found a good clear rhythm is best. I sing loud and play loud. It cuts through like a knife. I call out to the audience, and say things like, Be Happy...its Friday or while singing, Come on you people, throw this poor boy a dime. I make a lot of people smile. You got to be interactive. I also talk to a lot of people about the CBG and the style. I have been doing this for years now. It is a lot of fun. I make about $20 per hour, but I have been in locations that I made zip. You pick up and try some place else. I tried playing in Time Square four times. That was not too good. I was like a little light on a giant decorated Christmas tree. Why do you think the Naked Cowboy is out there in his underwear? Again, it comes down to location and being a good attention grabber. Enjoy.
Small world Joker. LOL I never met the Naked Cowboy, but I ran into him a couple times on the street. Last I heard he was trying to sue some corporation for using his trade mark image in a commercial or something like that. Have you seen his site. You too can become a Naked Cowboy or Cowgirl through his franchise. Naked CBG anyone? Enjoy.
Joker said:
Funny you should mention the Naked Cowboy. I went to High School with him. His name is Bobby Burke. Used to eat lunch with him. He was real into body building back in those days, he would eat raw green beans and drink whey protein like it was water. He was the only guy in school who had tattoos. Jesus on one arm, satan on the other. Strange guy. After high school he started an exotic dancing business he ran out of his house until he and his girls were arrested for prostitution. He started the naked cowboy thing here in Cincinnati promoting Larry Flint's Hustler stores
Keni Lee Burgess said:
Location, Location, Location. I mainly play on the subway platforms in NYC. It is legal, but occasionally the Police, not clear about the law, make me leave. I just go to another platform. On the platform, I have to compete with train noise, but I have a new audience every 10 minutes. To be very honest, the uniqueness of the CBG and the bottleneck style are the real attention grabbers. I am no master, but I can get people's feet tapping. Choice of material is very important. PersonaIly, I found a good clear rhythm is best. I sing loud and play loud. It cuts through like a knife. I call out to the audience, and say things like, Be Happy...its Friday or while singing, Come on you people, throw this poor boy a dime. I make a lot of people smile. You got to be interactive. I also talk to a lot of people about the CBG and the style. I have been doing this for years now. It is a lot of fun. I make about $20 per hour, but I have been in locations that I made zip. You pick up and try some place else. I tried playing in Time Square four times. That was not too good. I was like a little light on a giant decorated Christmas tree. Why do you think the Naked Cowboy is out there in his underwear? Again, it comes down to location and being a good attention grabber. Enjoy.
Funny you should mention the Naked Cowboy. I went to High School with him. His name is Bobby Burke. Used to eat lunch with him. He was real into body building back in those days, he would eat raw green beans and drink whey protein like it was water. He was the only guy in school who had tattoos. Jesus on one arm, satan on the other. Strange guy. After high school he started an exotic dancing business he ran out of his house until he and his girls were arrested for prostitution. He started the naked cowboy thing here in Cincinnati promoting Larry Flint's Hustler stores
Keni Lee Burgess said:
Location, Location, Location. I mainly play on the subway platforms in NYC. It is legal, but occasionally the Police, not clear about the law, make me leave. I just go to another platform. On the platform, I have to compete with train noise, but I have a new audience every 10 minutes. To be very honest, the uniqueness of the CBG and the bottleneck style are the real attention grabbers. I am no master, but I can get people's feet tapping. Choice of material is very important. PersonaIly, I found a good clear rhythm is best. I sing loud and play loud. It cuts through like a knife. I call out to the audience, and say things like, Be Happy...its Friday or while singing, Come on you people, throw this poor boy a dime. I make a lot of people smile. You got to be interactive. I also talk to a lot of people about the CBG and the style. I have been doing this for years now. It is a lot of fun. I make about $20 per hour, but I have been in locations that I made zip. You pick up and try some place else. I tried playing in Time Square four times. That was not too good. I was like a little light on a giant decorated Christmas tree. Why do you think the Naked Cowboy is out there in his underwear? Again, it comes down to location and being a good attention grabber. Enjoy.
Location, Location, Location.
I mainly play on the subway platforms in NYC. It is legal, but occasionally the Police, not clear about the law, make me leave. I just go to another platform.
On the platform, I have to compete with train noise, but I have a new audience every 10 minutes.
To be very honest, the uniqueness of the CBG and the bottleneck style are the real attention grabbers. I am no master, but I can get people's feet tapping. Choice of material is very important. PersonaIly, I found a good clear rhythm is best. I sing loud and play loud. It cuts through like a knife. I call out to the audience, and say things like, Be Happy...its Friday or while singing, Come on you people, throw this poor boy a dime.
I make a lot of people smile. You got to be interactive. I also talk to a lot of people about the CBG and the style.
I have been doing this for years now. It is a lot of fun. I make about $20 per hour, but I have been in locations that I made zip. You pick up and try some place else. I tried playing in Time Square four times. That was not too good. I was like a little light on a giant decorated Christmas tree. Why do you think the Naked Cowboy is out there in his underwear? Again, it comes down to location and being a good attention grabber.
Enjoy.
Great article Ben. I agree, I think it's context. Plus Bell was playing essentially during rush hour- folks on their way to somewhere. Like you said a recreational location will draw a crowd . I know Keni Lee plays in the subway stations too and will draw people as they wait, but I am sure they are off when their train arrives.
Ben said:
For anyone out there thinking about busking...make sure you pick a recreational location. You'll see that Keni Lee Burgess draws crowd's while Joshua Bell, playing a Strad (not strat), fails to hold 2 people at a time. Are Washingtonians cultureless brute? Of course not...it's all about context. Here's an interesting Washington Post article from a couple of years ago. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/04/04/AR2...
It always seems that the more poor a place is the more giving the folk are - maybe thats how the rich stay rich by being tight fisted with there cash !
juju :)
Replies
James Higginbotham said:
Joker said:
James Higginbotham said:
wes carl said:
Joker said:
Keni Lee Burgess said:
I mainly play on the subway platforms in NYC. It is legal, but occasionally the Police, not clear about the law, make me leave. I just go to another platform.
On the platform, I have to compete with train noise, but I have a new audience every 10 minutes.
To be very honest, the uniqueness of the CBG and the bottleneck style are the real attention grabbers. I am no master, but I can get people's feet tapping. Choice of material is very important. PersonaIly, I found a good clear rhythm is best. I sing loud and play loud. It cuts through like a knife. I call out to the audience, and say things like, Be Happy...its Friday or while singing, Come on you people, throw this poor boy a dime.
I make a lot of people smile. You got to be interactive. I also talk to a lot of people about the CBG and the style.
I have been doing this for years now. It is a lot of fun. I make about $20 per hour, but I have been in locations that I made zip. You pick up and try some place else. I tried playing in Time Square four times. That was not too good. I was like a little light on a giant decorated Christmas tree. Why do you think the Naked Cowboy is out there in his underwear? Again, it comes down to location and being a good attention grabber.
Enjoy.
Ben said:
juju :)
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