I was fortunate enough to have heard about The Big Busk this year before it happened and got on board. Apparently this is the 3rd annual celebration of it in Portland. I later found out about a similar event in New Zealand this year, though it's unclear whether theirs was the 1st annual or not.
I have some great memories of playing on the streets of Salzburg, Munich with Dillon & Chris, the streets of Spain with Kyle, and I'm glad to finally get around to playing in the US. It's quite a different experience! One of my favorite parts of playing on the street are the interesting people you meet and the interactions that result. Each time it seems like fate has a hand in making something magical happen, or having someone toss a buck or some coins into your bag right when you're about to pack it in.
This time I was just about to call it a day and head home when I was approached by a gentleman who very rhythmically tossed five or so coins--one at a time--into my guitar bag. He had an offbeat manner about him, and was walking pretty slowly. Much more slowly than most of the other passersby who were often on their way to something else, or listening to something through their earbuds. He asked me a question, which I sort of nodded to, but I got the feeling it was sort of a rhetorical question, so I just kept listening. After we talked (well, he mostly talked) he reached into his pocket and handed me a dollar, I thanked him, and he went on his way. I don't know if his slower pace was what caused him to stop and listen, but he did listen for a bit and this is what he said:
I don't know if I'm wrong here, because I don't know that much about popular music, but has anyone ever told you you sound like James Taylor? Your music brings back memories. I had this girlfriend who suffered from bipolar disorder. Your music brings back memories of her. Yes, music has a strong way of bringing back memories. Whether it's of the 1960s, of Vietnam, or the memory of a loved one. Thank you for your music.
I had been playing Dishwalla's "Counting Blue Cars"...
2 comments:
Go JT
I guess beauty/music is in the eye/ear of the beholder/listener
Great story!
I like how much he opened up to you ... I'm sure your music stirred up memories in a lot of people who never stopped to tell you what they were.
Adelaide has a busking festival and a pretty developed busking culture, actually. There are always people doing something or other down at Rundle Mall!
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