Hi Eric. I did some busking in Arizona while travelling through. I did pretty well in Flagstaff, on a few corners in the downtown core. I didn't see any other buskers, and I didnt have any trouble with cops, although one pedestrian did warn me that I might.

I also tried Casa Grande, but I think it was too low-traffic to be worth it. The only spot that looked to me to have potential was already taken by a jewellery stand the day I was there.

I never did try Phoenix, as its bus station wasn't central and I made a point of choosing towns where I could walk around starting at the bus station.

One other thing, since you mention hiking... I took the fiddle with me on a dayhike into the Grand Canyon (the busiest trail, Bright Angel) and played several times. I didn't have put my case out, as I was just playing to take breaks and hear the acoustics, but a number of people gave me tips anyway and stopped to chat. If your instrument isn't too heavy, bring it along sometime.

Cheers, Marion