I spent a couple of years (1971-72) singing on the streets of San Francisco (summer) and New Orleans (winter). It was soty of a "golden age" -- no permits required, plenty of talented people. In SF especially, you could hear any kind of music. Around Union Square, you could hear harpists, string quartets, and other classical-type acts; us folk/blues types did better around Fisherman's Wharf, Ghiradelli Square and (especially) Pier 1 Imports. (It wasn't such a golden age for income, though. I put in a solid 40-50 hours a week for maybe $80-$100. There were better musicians, but very few putting in as much time, and I don't think you could make much more money.) My favorite fellow buskers were three very old, very primitive gospel singers here in New Orleans. They were in it for Jesus, not for the money, and they didn't make much. Youcan check them out if you rent the movie "Easy Rider"; they appear on screen for just a few seconds, but they provide the sound track for at least five minutes during the Mardi Gras acid trip scene. Probably didn't get paid for it either -- ask Dennis Hopper. My busking career ended in Boston/Cambridge, Mass. I had just been busted for draft evasion, and was undecided whether to turn myself in or continue north towards Canada. After a pleasant and lucrative evening entertaining the folks lined up outside the Orson Welles Theatre, I accepted an offer to huddle up inside a VW van to smoke a J. My hosts -- who I later learned were the STP family from Boulder -- sliped me a mickey; I woke up the next afternoon with no wallet, no money, no ID, and my glases broken. They did, however, leave my Martin guitar alone, thank God. I would up spending a year in the Army as a conscientious objector, eventually got discharged "for the convenience of the government," and right now I sitting in a house I bought on the GI bill. Since I made more girls than money as a streetsinger, I had to give it up when I got married. I'm still nostalgic about the good old days, though, and recently got back into a little bit as a vocalist in a PTA oldies roock band. My wife and kids gave me an acoustic guitar pickup and a little practice amp for Christmas, and I'm trying to work up some of my old repertoire for an open mike night or two. I found this site searching for some lyrics I had forgotten -- it's great! Thanks for listening to my reminiscences about the good old days.