My second official busking adventure is now behind me! I learned a few more important things.
A big shout out to Jarred Albright for coming to busk with me with his brand new violin!
I learned if I know my tunes really well a really great musician can jump right in and add a wonderful finesse to my songs. That's exactly what Jarred accomplished! Thanks!!
I had a great time and learned that working with another musician on the fly is a great opportunity to work on focus and to stay in the moment even when there are so many distractions. (We performed a bunch of original country tunes that Jarred didn't know). I loved it when we did lock in and we got some really nice feed back from people who stopped to pay attention.
I learned - always pack your clothes pins!! Luckily I did and it saved the day since we were working from a song book and the pegs kept the pages from blowing.
I noticed again that lots of people try very hard to pretend that they don't see us. Once again the audience that stopped to listen and dance were mom's with children and seniors with time to spend! Once again the work force was on a mission and didn't have the time or the inclination to stop.
I learned if you play a waltz you have a good chance of getting dancers.
I learned that if I have a good high protein breakfast and set up in the shade I can play for two hours!
I learned that the buskers with experience are amazing people who are more than willing to help a beginner!
A big thanks to Dan The One Man Band. He helped me with my new Bose amp and gave me tips on how to set up my space. We both agreed that the loud music from the restaurants was a big competition to buskers. Dan has been busking for years and said the busking audience has changed.
A big thank you to Busker James who stopped and indicated that I needed my vocal turned up and then got out his accordion and joined Jarred and I on a tune!! James also said that the busking world was different now. He busks in a Plus 15.
Thanks to the three moms with the lovely group of dancing girls! Such fun!
Thank you to the fellow who approached me and told me that I sang for him at the Drop In Centre! A very special moment for me! (I have great band members who gave their time and talent to perform at the Drop In Centre several times before they closed that stage).
I learned that even with a payment from the Calgary Downtown Association to prime the pump, (and even though it is fun), it is not financially worthwhile to work with another musician on Stephen Ave in June and early July. Stampede and summer time with tourists might be different. I'll let you know. Jarred is not available for my next booking so I have made a scary decision.
I will go next week during the hight of Stampede and do solo busking for 2 hours!!
I have pulled out all my original country tunes including Borrowing a Heartache, Bury Me In A Jukebox, Waltzing With A Memory, Country In My Soul, Heartache Lost and Found and Two Timing One Time Too Many!!
If you are downtown look me up, Thursday, July 11 from 1 - 3 near the ATB! (that rhymes!)
Happy Stampeding!!