Thanks for responding InOBU. Of course you understood I was trying to be symbolic. Your points are well taken and I gather that you are speaking from experience.

I think you can open yourself to abuse, but no one is going to turn up their transistor to drive you away. Some friend with posted songs are getting lots of "pats on the back". And I guess you are hoping that the greats will run into you. That is also not likely I guess.

Are the rain, sunburn, cops and cramps such fundamental factors that they make the anology completely moot?

mp3.com seems a lot to me like performing in front of an open guitar case. But you don't get to pick your street corner and the audience has to come looking for you.