I just want to endorse the comments of M.Ted and Chaos Cat. I've been busking in Europe for over twenty years now and the day I need to start begging or playing for sympathy will be the day I should get tossed on a bonfire along with my guitar and drum.You should only do it with dignity and respect for both your audience and yourself. You can gear yourself up to making money by stripping down your show to the parts that work most effectively. If you deal with the police politely they are very rarely your worse problem. Other street traders who threatened by you are far more likely to cause you trouble. You have to get on the best possible terms with them.If you do good shows, you can light up someone's evening or day. It comes as a surprise to them and can send them home in a completely diferent mood.It's worth doing for that reason alone. If you are lucky you can make friends and some of the punters will remember you for years. I like what you said about Seattle, Chaos Cat. Maybe I'll get to see it one day. Good luck to the next generation of buskers! alan.free-pop.com