Even though today was HOT, HOT, HOT, I went out to busk (I'm behind in busking hours)..It used my time to practice Catharsis and Tam Lin, two amazing tunes. I truly don't know how I would be able to keep up with tune practice if it weren't for busking.....https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R7nze0aRetU

Of course I don't sound as amazing as these guys do.. It was nice to find ONE video that featured both tunes...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NU44v94fQTg&feature=youtu.beMy granddaughter, Ella, is now a busker..!

WOW, new blood, new money.. I've been busking around this town for a couple of years now but it has always been at the same old places on the same old days. Yesterday, the 3rd of July was the date of the Downtown Fireworks display and other events. I was busking for just ONE hour and made $63. Even as I was walking away, Three kids came up to me, each holding a dollar bill. The point is that at THIS event most of the attendees had Never seen me and Harry Hare, so they were amazed and didn't take us for granted as do people who see us regularly...It is neither a good nor bad thing..just todays observation.

'Fool me twice, shame on me." Well, I fooled myself today.. It was hot but the sidewalks were busy.. I did well.. I counted my tips and had estimated $40 before the count..When I got to the bottom of the cash pile I found FOUR $5 bills.. While my basic estimate was correct, ($40).. the $5s made my total , $60..
Later, while driving home 'gloating'...It occurred to me that earlier in the day, at home, I had stuffed four, $5 bills into my pocket...DUH... When I finally got home I looked and, sure enough, I had counted those $5s with my tips.. Bummer.. "Live and Don't learn." That is my motto..( ya cain't make dis stuff up.)

Also, I saw that Dave, the guitar player who resents me being in HIS town,  was busking when I arrived.. He is the guy who thinks that out of town buskers should 'stay away'.. He forgets that 99% of his TIPS come from people OUT OF TOWN...To him it is ok if out-of-towners Give tips but it is not ok if out-of- towners  Get tips.. Anyway.. I refuse to not be kind to him.. I gave him the block and went waaay to the next corner..I don't have time for enemies..

I went on a wonderful vacation and was sure to take a fiddle.. I got to busk at Alki Beach in West Seattle and again in Astoria, Oregon..two great places to visit. No, I didn't 'clean up'.. frankly, made virtually NO money but the experience of busking in those two places was priceless...

I found a shady spot for busking that faced the street. Across the street, about 80 feet away was a park bench placed in front of a shop..On that bench sat a lady who maintained her seat for well over an your. Even at 80 feet I could see that she seemed to be laboring mentally about some issue. At times she appeared to talk to herself, gesture, and generally was unsettled. When it was time to go home I walked right across the street and said, " I've been watching you from across the street for a long time any you really seem to be working over some issue." Nearly in tears, she said, " Nobody can help me solve my problem."...I should have stayed and engaged her in conversation..She demeanor told me that I probably couldn't be of much help..I reached out and touched her arm and wished her well........

Here is a video of Roger Netherton busking with Harry Hare.. Roger brought is a big dollar.

I’ve watched Harry hare several times and still can’t figure out how he moves his bow. Frank

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Originally posted by frank rehagen

I’ve watched Harry hare several times and still can’t figure out how he moves his bow. Frank

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It is magic, Frank... Trade secret.!!!!!  A few batteries and some gears..you know, the usual stuff..

I can't help it.. THis video of Harry Hare busking at Clifftop.. is really great. Thanks, whoever made it... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jvgAI0oKzqs

Great video. A lot of work went into harry I’m sure. Frank

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Originally posted by frank rehagen

Great video. A lot of work went into harry I’m sure. Frank

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Frank, I was just being 'snarky'.. Harry operates with strings that don't show up in videos.. The fiddler's bow is attached to Harry's...!!! Glad you like it.. BTW.. I have an apartment in Columbia, Mo, and am there from time to time.. if you want to jam/busk sometime I'll let you know when I'm around.. It may be fun..!!

After busking today, I visited a coffee shop.. I had coffee.. I used the restroom..I read the sign on the wall by the sink. "Employees must wash hands." I'm thinking.......How does an employee know when I am ready to have them wash my hands...So.. I stuck my head out of the restroom and asked a young lady employee is she would come and wash my hands.. She came over and "slapped" me.. What did I do wrong? ...............(Fake story, but I couldn't resist)....

You know I thought there had to be a wire somewhere but couldn’t see it no matter how hard I looked. I live in Taos Mo. about six miles east of Jefferson City. Columbia is about 35 miles from me. Yes, i would like to get together and jam or whatever if you can put up with my playing. I started playing in the 80’s and got going strong then put it down due to personal problems until about two years ago when I retired. Trying to play some every day now. Good days and bad. You know. I also play guitar and can back you up. Going to Europe the first two weeks of Sept. and plan on bringing the fiddle with me. If nothing else to play in my hotel room. Anyone have any suggestions or comments on this. Good or bad. Frank

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Originally posted by frank rehagen

You know I thought there had to be a wire somewhere but couldn’t see it no matter how hard I looked. I live in Taos Mo. about six miles east of Jefferson City. Columbia is about 35 miles from me. Yes, i would like to get together and jam or whatever if you can put up with my playing. I started playing in the 80’s and got going strong then put it down due to personal problems until about two years ago when I retired. Trying to play some every day now. Good days and bad. You know. I also play guitar and can back you up. Going to Europe the first two weeks of Sept. and plan on bringing the fiddle with me. If nothing else to play in my hotel room. Anyone have any suggestions or comments on this. Good or bad. Frank

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Yes.. get out on the street and busk.. you'll have fun, meet people, get to practice, and make some cash.!!!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eOTeol2-B3YHarry Hare and I got to busk at the Indiana State Fair yesterday. My son, Alexander Lee, joined us on his guitar and Bill Baily played the washboard.Bill is nationally famous as a washboard player (really) and is the man personally responsible for scheduling All of the musicians at the Fair's Pioneer Village..It was a very fun, profitable and lOOOONG three hour gig..

After the three hours at the fair, I drove 75 miles to Spencer, Indiana for a 3 hour jam session.. When I got home is was 'wiped'!!!!  Can't wait to do it again.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jYK8-TLkNCUHere is more about washboard player BIll Baily, for those of you who'd like to get into busking ...

It was a tough day emotionally and I thought busking would cheer me up.. I got to my corner, played for 1/2 hour and brought in a big One Dollar Bill...Then, it started to rain... I'm going home.. this isn't working out.. Just as I put my fiddle down and started to wrap up my puppet's strings, some guy puts a $20 in my tip basket.. I said, that is a little excessive, isn't it? He said, "The Lord is my Shepherd." and walked away.......When I got home, I made a much needed phone call and resolved the emotional issue........Ya never know in the morning what the afternoon will bring.

It was the craziest thing.. I was 'packing up' to go home.. Harry Hare was already wrapped up and ready to carry.. THen I heard someone yelling. I looked, and there in the middle of the intersection, a driver had stopped her car and was calling out for me to make the rabbit move because she had missed that ..The other cars were honking for her to move on..but she kept waiting.. I said that I was done for the day and the honking encouraged her to drive forward... Some people!!!!... There have been times when people would drive by and go down the street, park, and come to watch. I'd never had someone stop traffic just to see our performance!! Guess it takes all kinds..

Right after posting a busking story on Facebook, a thought flashed across my mind.. What If I posted a VIDEO of me and Harry Hare busking and asked people to tip electronically??? Do you think it would work?? Of course I'd have to pick a purpose of the funding.. (food?shelter? beer?)... What do you think?  Maybe I could say that 1/2 of the tips would go to help a local charity??

You'd probably get paid in bitcoin (whatever that is). Doubt any wooden nickles, though. They don't conduct well electronically.

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Originally posted by tpquinn

You'd probably get paid in bitcoin (whatever that is). Doubt any wooden nickles, though. They don't conduct well electronically.

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I'm thinking some sort of GoFundMe..????

Well, I DID it.. I started a GoFundMe in which 75% of the proceeds go to help the homeless people in our community ...and 25% goes toward my new hearing aids (boy, they AIN'T cheap)...Last night we went busking and it was a circus on our corner.. 3 homeless guys hung out, I met three people I hadn't seen for a long time and passersby stopped and chatted.. It was a "happy hour'' without alcohol..

It is hard to believe but out of the last 23 posts on this topic, 19 were MINE.. I find it hard to believe that more fiddlers don't busk.. It is so much FUN and the public has no concern about a fiddler's skill...Which of you fiddlers don't want to have fun? Busking is a reason to practice, perform, meet people, smile, and maybe make money.. Hangout members often say that they don't have anyone to jam with... GO ALONE.... Don't wait for someone else to motivate you (OK, I'm trying). Get out there.. Your public is waiting..

I am still working, I retire at Easter then I'll be out busking...………..