Here ia a video that I'd mentioned in a previous post, about the upcoming BLoomington Busker's Day.....The video highlights me, my son Alex, and a dancer, Tamara..https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mkmQ-oU4HiQ&t=2s     

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Originally posted by buckhenry

You pay taxes...? Is busking a taxable income, not downunder.

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Any income of any type is taxable.  Donations, tips, whatever.  You name it, we lose 30 percent of it automatically.  Employers can't even give a $10 gift card to their employees without reporting it as income.

Tipping is a huge part of the culture here, probably because of pitifully low minimum wages for decades.  Tipping is so prevalent that failing to tip a server is basically a social sin. Now there are just blanket laws that say all donations/tips/etc are considered income.  You can't escape it without cheating.  

Speaking of tips.. A homeless guy approached me today, ( I was sure he was going to hit me up for some of my tip money), to show me a handful of Mexican PESOS...He wanted to know where he could change them to American dollars.. I pointed to a bank a block away... He headed that way.. Five minutes later he returned and said that the Pesos were worth $53 but that the bank wouldn't change them to dollars because he didn't have an account with their bank.. I'd say that that is pretty stupid.. All he wanted to do was basically, make change... Finally he found an acquaintance who had an account in that bank and got the money changed. He was a 'happy camper.'

While it rained on and off all day for the Bloomington Busker's Day, there were some great moments.. In this video you'll see Tymme, a banjo player who dared to busk while only knowing well ONE TUNE...We played that same tune ad-nauseum for over an hour.. Tymme brought in $18 in tips..THERE !!!! Those of you who hesitate to busk because of FEAR..Get over it.. I've challenged Tymme to now go busking by himself (we'll see)... If Tymme can do it, YOU can do it..His lovely wife was also present .. she only knew ONE tune on her harmonica but she Played it.. All in all it was a wonderful event, although WET..youtube.com/watch?v=vMjN1le38Yk

Great job guys. Crow creek right?

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Originally posted by frank rehagen

Great job guys. Crow creek right?

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Maybe,   Liza Jane???

Today, Harry and I were busking as usual and a lady and two gents showed up. They set up a BIG camera..Turns up that that they were from TV Channel 13 in Indianapolis.. It would have been nice if they had come all this way to hear me and Harry, but alas, that wasn't the case.. They were in Bloomington doing a feature article about an addict needle exchange program. I asked the lady if me and Harry looked like addicts.... Anyway. They filmed for a while and that was that. I doubt that we'll make it to TV, but it the needle exchange program is very important and If our busking can play even a little part.. I support that.. It isn't all about US..

"I'm Baack"....Today, it was HOT, but that doesn't deter me.  I played RED STEER for two hours.. Dang, it is difficult in its simplicity....I think I finally have a handle on it.  The tune only take two strings to play so you would think, "no problem".. well, someone put the notes where they shouldn't go and that made it very interesting.  I now have the basics.  Give me a month of busking with the tune to 'own' it and we'll see what happens.

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Originally posted by TuneWeaver

"I'm Baack"....Today, it was HOT, but that doesn't deter me.  I played RED STEER for two hours.. Dang, it is difficult in its simplicity....I think I finally have a handle on it.  The tune only take two strings to play so you would think, "no problem".. well, someone put the notes where they shouldn't go and that made it very interesting.  I now have the basics.  Give me a month of busking with the tune to 'own' it and we'll see what happens.

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BTW, each of the last three busking events brought in two, five dollar bills.. Not bad. The power was out downtown this evening after a large storm went through.  People walked around dazed, looking for a restaurant that was open.  I told them that the only thing that had power was my ENERGIZER powered RABBIT... That made a few friends.   

Today I encountered a man who had a Border Collie pup on a leash.. I said, "Hey, that dog will probably be smarter than you. Border Collies are the smartest." He gave me a strange look and replied, "Will he get a Doctorate from Indiana University?" I didn't reply to that ..but I still think that the Border Collie will be smarter than him. I'll bet that that man will never be able to herd sheep.
Folks, ya cain't make dis stuff up..

Too bad the doctorate cost the guy his sense of humor.

Having only had Borders for the past 59 years of my 65, that makes me worry about the pup. My Finn sings along when I play musical priest on the whistle. Its good to have smart dogs to take care of you.


Al McC

Yes, the guy was taking himself Way too seriously, and greatly underestimating both the dog and His own need to have a sense of humour...

Todays busking venue was just about ten miles from the John Hartford festival in Beanblossom, Indiana.. Several fiddlers/buskers were in town.. One lady said that she was a fiddler.. I asked if she would like to use my fiddle and play along with Harry Hare.. She said she played Irish tunes.. I loaned her my fiddle...She could NOT play very well, but at least tried.. Frankly I couldn't tell is she was tuning or playing a tune.. but no matter.. she was nice and gave it her best..
I also met a guy who played a ukulele.. He said he had been literally 'run off' from the front of a couple of the storefronts.. I'd hear him play.. He was talented but LOUD.. too loud for the small place he had in the SHADE in front of a store.. Nice guy, but not very experienced at busking... Getting run off is part of learning to busk and also it is part of paying the dues for buskers..I'd like to busk with him sometime but he was here for the Hartford festival and it ends today...
YEsterday, I was just finishing up and had just put my fiddle in its case when I heard someone call my name.. Loe and behold it was a lifelong friend that I'd only see two or three times in the past 50 years.. It was a tearful moment.. Damn, I love busking.....

Poor dear, Harry must of put her off...............

Dang, it was hot today.. A nine year old boy named Brandon came alone out of the local eatery that I was busking in front of, and took up one of the tambourines I have for kids to play. He kept looking into the restaurant's window and waving. I asked if he was with his entire family.. He said, no, his mom was running from the law and trying to not go back to prison and he didn't like his father, so he was living with his 'mamaw'...and it was her who he was waving to through the window. Just as he was about to tell me just why his mother was on the lam, his mamaw came out of the building and Brandon quickly said.. 'can't talk more'.... Life is interesting.

As I was walking back to my car, Harry over my shoulder, I encountered two ladies.. We chatted and I mentioned that I was 72 years old and the heat was getting to me. They said, "Guess how old we are?".. I'd NEVER have guessed that one of them was 75 and the other 79.. How fortunate we are these days that I'd guess because of better diets, we look younger than ever in the past... These ladies didn't look older than me....yep.. Gonna thank my lovely wife for feeding me healthy food that keeps me (and others ) looking young......

Another hot, hot day for busking. I'd found a shady spot and was performing when a worker from a nursing home asked me if I'd play for about 12 nursing home citizens who were sitting in another spot about 100 feet away.. I went there and did my usual shtick. A couple of the senior citizens gave tips and one lady appeared to give a folded check.. Checks are rare in busking...After I'd returned to my normal spot, out of curiosity I picked up the check.. Well, it wasn't a check but a check sized piece of white paper with printed faces on one side. Just about then, the nursing home worker came and apologized for the fact that that lady had given me what appeared to be a useless piece of paper. She went on to say that that lady's family never gives her any spending money, so the Nursing home gives her these pieces of paper as 'money'.. The lady doesn't have the clarity of mind to realize that the money isn't real, so when she gave the bill to me, she was in her mind, giving me something of value... Now, to me, it has sentimental value!!! I'm keeping it.
Also, as often happens, I found a shady bench to sit on while counting my tips before I left town.. As I sat there, an oversized pick up truck stopped right after it rounded the corner. A pre teen girl jumped out of the truck, ran over to me and handed me a dollar bill.....Smiles all around.
Another day, another remarkable story..

I was busking just 20 feet from the front of a bank.(city ordinance requires me to be at least 20 feet from a bank entrance if I am busking)... Three guys jumped out of an SUV and ran into the bank, each carrying a large duffle bag.. I was suspicious..you can imagine.. After a few minutes and after I hear a few gun shots go off....I called 911.. This Can't be good.. Soon the cops arrived, surrounded the place, and when the culprits left the building carrying bags full of money.. they were all arrested by the waiting police.. NO.. this did NOT happen..I made this up just because I had nothing more interesting to post.... nobody believes my other stories so why believe this??  . I just didn't have anything more interesting to post today since it was raining and I had to stay home and clean house.. bummer.

...this is a true story about a week ago. a guy came into the station yelling and cussing at the top of his lungs, threw somebody's bicycle against the doors, started trying to pick fights with people. every one except me cleared out, I figured it was safer to sit where I was than start packing up. then the guy put his fist thru one of the plate glass windows. I had my head down but I shook my head in disgust just a bit. He immediately starts walking over to me shouting 'what are you laughing at' I said 'I haven't done anything to you. He got in my face and repeatedly shouted 'you're a dead man' and shook his bloody fist at me, spattering a little drop of blood on my glasses and a few little spots on my shirt. then he went down the escalator to the lower platform. by that time someone had called 911. well, that kinda spoiled the mood so I went home and washed my shirt. as I was leaving, I could see from the parking lot that 3 cops had chased him down, had him on the ground cuffing him. I went back to the same place that evening and made $45.

in other news, I discovered some strings that can extend my playing time by 45 minutes to an hour if I want/need to. D'Addario recently came out with some new strings called Ascente. My Luthier got a demo pack, didn't get around to trying them out, so his wife gave them to me to try. I'm going to use the G & D, but found the A to be a bit too aggressive so I'm sticking with my Evah Gold A which blends in very nicely. This combo is easier on the fingers, and easier to play, gives me better sound on my busking fiddle...a bit deeper but more focused, less grainey. very happy with them and I can play longer without getting fatigued.

Back in the late 70’s, I would busk with my Banjo on Saturday afternoon in Jackson Square in New Orleans. Usually Pete Seeger type stuff. One day a tour bus dropped off a few dozen seniors. One guy walked over to me and copped an attitude saying “ I’ll give you $10 if you can play ‘Margie’ “. Well... it just so happend that my nana’s Name was Margaret, and you grandpa would sing ‘Margie’ all the time. An easy 4 chord song and I belted it out. His eyes grew wide in disbelief and he started to walk away. His wife grabbed his elbow and said “You owe him $10.” He scowled and threw a $10 bill in the case and walked away. His wife grinned at me for a moment and the caught up with him.

BEST BUSKING TIP EVER!

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Originally posted by stumpkicker

Back in the late 70’s, I would busk with my Banjo on Saturday afternoon in Jackson Square in New Orleans. Usually Pete Seeger type stuff. One day a tour bus dropped off a few dozen seniors. One guy walked over to me and copped an attitude saying “ I’ll give you $10 if you can play ‘Margie’ “. Well... it just so happend that my nana’s Name was Margaret, and you grandpa would sing ‘Margie’ all the time. An easy 4 chord song and I belted it out. His eyes grew wide in disbelief and he started to walk away. His wife grabbed his elbow and said “You owe him $10.” He scowled and threw a $10 bill in the case and walked away. His wife grinned at me for a moment and the caught up with him.

BEST BUSKING TIP EVER!

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Now, THAT is a good busking story..!!!

Ok... now I'm a scratchin' ma head...Today, on my way to my busking corner I passed a sign in the local music store window. It showed picture of a fiddle and read "Stolen Fiddle. Reward offered." Now, think about it. If the fiddle was stolen, then how did they get the photo?? Hmmm?

How do people get pictures of their lost dog if it is lost?

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Originally posted by amwildman

How do people get pictures of their lost dog if it is lost?

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Yes.  That is EXACTLY my point.  How daft do people think some of us are..

So, tonight, I found a cool spot to busk  out of the sun.. Across the street is a beauty parlor...A lady comes out with her head pretty much wrapped in tin foil..(maybe expecting aliens?).. Anyway, she watches me and Harry from across the street.  Then she lights a cigarette and crosses the street and stands ten feet from us ..smoking and watching, barefooted...... Turns out she is an acquaintance who I hadn't seen in several years. I just hadn't recognized her with the foil hat.. We chat for five minutes or so and she leaves...no tip ...and I've been to her house..her kitchen (No joke) is bigger than my 800 square foot downstairs living quarters...She lives in the MOST  expensive subdivision in the county.. She is a multi millionaire....no tip..Guess that that explains why she has money... ''She ain't a spendin' it on BUSKERS."