We have a city square, or what passes for one, where musicians and even bands provide impromptu entertainment, usually with an open box or guitar case, business cards and very often with some CDs or Cassettes for sale. I personally welcome this, because I get a chance to hear performers whom I have not heard, and even buy their latest collection. By the same token, they get inexpensive exposure, and perhaps leads for paying gigs. Oddly enough there seems no limit to the variety of instruments being played. I have heard South and Central American bands, players of celtic and baroque music, flautists, and even the odd bagpiper. He generally plays well in the background, but perhaps not far enough for some.

From this, I place such work on the level of introductory albums, a chance to hear something new to me, and for them to advertise their abilities. From this it is plain to see that I don't consider this begging, although the merchants who pay thousands every month for storefronts in this popular location may well feel otherwise, although they're mostly annoyed with the hotdog and sausage carts that may well draw business away from their own coffee and snack shop.

Dave