>Is busking for money in public places a good or a bad thing?

I think it is a good thing and it can brighten up a town. I also like other forms of street entertainment.

>Is it welcomed where you are or not?

It seems to get a mixed response in Llandudno and I would be inclined to say accpeted rather than welcomed.

>Can you actually make much money doing it?

It became increasingly difficult to make money busking in Llandudno. One factor was the recession. There ware also comments by one prime-minister (? Maggie - or was it John Major) that seemed to change attitudes round here and the New Age Traveler bit didn't seem to help at all.

The best time I had was just after I left Hotpoint in about 1990. At that time, I could pretty well be sure of making between £35-£40 for about 3 hours playing for at least 3 or 4 days a week on the main street in Llandudo which was not bad for a small town but I would be lucky to make £20 for the same amount of playing.

>Have you seen any good ones?

Yes, plenty. The best ones I have heard though have tended to be more organised groups in the cities.

How good you are, and how much money you make are not necessarily related. There used to be a lady in Chester (maybe still is) who had a melodoen and all she did was hold a few keys down and move the bellows in and out and I have seen her raking the money in.

In Llandudno, there was a youngish girl I know who used to dress up in Welsh costume and play the flute who managed to make 2-3 times more money than me on 2 tunes. I am not claiming that I am good but this person was a complete beginner and she had acutally asked me for help in learning tunes which I had given and continued to give.

The conclusion I reached was image is far more important when it comes to making money busking than quality. Unless of coure you are taliking about the more organised groups who can make a big sound.

Jon