Go for it Bill just setup anywhere put out a tip cup
and start playing and singing..

😎

Actually, Gary, the forecasts up here have been pretty accurate for some time ...

Simply amazing!

Gary

Short story...years ago I was waiting for a train
and in the station I heard "Besa Me Mucho" off in a distance.....
It sounded so beautiful keyboard & a Trumpet.....
I had to see where it was coming from so I walked to the other end
of the station platform and there sitting on the floor was
an older man with a battery powered Casio arranger KB across his lap
accompaniment being played with his left hand.....
and he was playing the lead melody with a real Trumpet in his right hand
I was blown away at his performance and tossed
$5.00 in his case and told him when he finished how enjoyable it was.
As soon I returned home I sat down and learned and played that song as it stuck in my head to this day.
There is some amazing talent in the streets.....
enjoy it, embrace it, learn from it.

take care


Although this is not the player in my story it gives
you an idea of how he was performing..

Are my able to send the PDF attachment to Paul via Synthzone personal email? Can't find the magic button that makes it work!

Can I legally post the Style Musette here, as an attachment, and not get in trouble with copyright laws....does anyone know?

Chas...that clearly calls for an apology on my part, because you CLEARLY didn't make any derogatory "accordion" remarks. So....I do apologize!



No, I'm NOT "always the king of warm fuzzies," but...if I'm correct, though I might use strong words, I've always tried to remain a gentleman when I'm letting loose with a "fuzzie."

Cold weather!!! That was part of the bad memories.

I busked almost every single day. Locally during the week, but on Friday's it was "pay day." I would get up at 6 am, and strap the accordion to my back, get on my motorcycle and head for Waterloo Station. There I would greet the morning rush hour who were most generous with their cash on "pay day."

Hand warmers were an essential part of your gear. And...gloves with open fingertips were standards for everyone who worked outdoors.

Cold weather!!! After a day of busking, you came home to ice water coming out of your faucets when you wanted to clean up. No central heating and no hot water to bathe in if the landlord didn't remember to stoke the fire. No showers...only ice cold, frigid baths. I think that's where I started learning "mind principles." You had to imagine real hard....think that the water was hot as you poured it over you with a bucket. You'd be amazed how after some practice sessions, it really works. One of the rules: what you think in your mind becomes true in your environment. Sorry....I DID promise myself no more mention of "mind principles."

The thing most transplants here miss about the Northeast is the food which is why this new restaurant is a breath of fresh air.

Yes...if I were to move that's the first thing I would miss...food....genuine food and genuine sub sandwiches. But that BBQ they serve down there...I'd sell my dog to the Arabs for more of that. Ate at the Golden Coral quite frequently. I spent a few weeks in Charlotte NC and Columbia SC. BTW...there were a total of about 2 nursing homes in Charlotte. I played in one of them as a volunteer and when I asked if they would like me to play again, they were "pleased to have me there" while they were handing me about 3 inches of paperwork to fill out as part of the program. I exited their volunteer program rather quickly!

Also I would love if you could send me some of your "Hits" from other coountries. I'm thinking about trying to get a gig in this new place. I can play more ethnic music than anyone here.

Bill, I'll do whatever I can to help you if you really want to land that gig. I'm an old hand at performing European music. The only glitch here is...I have so many song sheets (that I scanned into my computer), I wouldn't know WHAT to send. German alone there are about 150 of them...all good, recognizable songs. Then the French ones and the rest I mentioned. But to be honest, I can play and sing two hours of German music, which I do at Oktoberfest time, but for the most part, after I show I know my "stuff" it gives me license to settle back into American tunes. The trick is every few tunes remind them that you DO know the real thing by playing something authentic.

I'm trying to say don't knock yourself learning the European stuff because most Americans don't really buy into it. Just do a standard repertoire and throw the foreign stuff here and there to keep yourself "honest."

Having said that...think about it and if you still want to go forward with it and DO want some sheet music or just advice let me know and I'll help you as best I can.

your buddy Mark

Loved it Mark! Thanks for sharing ... I'm inspired to practice ... unfortunately, it will pass before I get 'round tuit.

Mark, a big thank you. Polkas, French waltzes, classical music, they were a big part of my enjoyment playing.

About fifteen years ago I stopped playing them I had to focus on music that was in demand. (at parties) Back in New York, Jewish and Italian music was a must.

Your post brought beautiful memories. I have my old books out again.
Thanks my friend, John C.

PS, your love for this music is to be admired. Nice