well i'm going to revive this thread. i have been busking for thirty year--i ought not to admit that, and have a few tales, but for now let me say it is the people who you actually cheer up in the midst of depression or grief who are whorth the hasles of the job. there are lots of hassles at times but every few weeks someone tells me of their personal disaster that was getting them down untill they heard me palying a tune that cheered them up or a sad song. now we do rather get treated like gypsies from time to time. i was in new brunswick a few weeks ago and tried to busk the noncton market and some self important fat head kicked me out--even though they permit busking. i went to the street near the entrance and still got most of the crowd. i was making a lot of money as they don't see much but a singer guitarist there, and i was playing harp or mandolin in turn. didn't the jerk try to get the police to arrest me. this can be a touchy situation as even if you atre right when you are on the road you can't wait around for a court date to prove it. luckily for me the bicycle cops who tour the market came over listened to me and told the market boss he didn't know class when he saw it. so they left me alone.

i wassinging a few somgs in french as well . something i thought i ought to do as i am a quarter acadien and the response from the local acadiens was terrific. they could tell by french was sketchy but they were very appreciative all the same . so busk on