A respected musician (then) living in Galway asked me to learn a song her father always sang, because she liked my singing.

Shane MacGowan gave me a quid when I was busking (and he was sober-ish)and more Pogues followed with contributions.

An old Uillean (sp?) piper heard me busking with my bodhran and (I am told) commented, "well at least he has the damn thing in tune".