Diary Of A Busker Day 2515 Friday March 28th 2025 Winchester.
Walking the bike into the high street, Don Lavelle’s on the bench opposite the Buttercross, having his snack. He says no one’s been playing here all day, which is unusual for a Friday. Oh well, looks like it’s up to me to break the peace. Don kindly gives me a pound coin to start the proceedings. Weather-wise, it’s still that weird period between winter and spring – the temperature’s getting up there but it’s still quite chilly, especially after an hour’s playing, which is when Gordon emerges from his flat opposite. Like he sometimes does, he offers to buy me a cup of coffee, and like I always do, I politely decline, adding ‘I’ll take you up on it soon, though.’ Gordon goes off, on the way to a pint of cider at The Eclipse in The Square.
Well, all that’s very exciting but nothing compared to what happens next, which is…I SOLD AN ALBUM!!! Yes really, and I couldn’t believe it myself. A woman in her thirties with child in tow suddenly appears and says ‘Oh, can I have one of your albums, I love vinyl.’ In fact, I was so unbelieving, I asked her to repeat what she just said, so she said it more or less identically and I knew then it was true. It’s been so long since I sold one, I had a hard time remembering how much profit I make from the £20 but I think it’s £13 because each album cost around £7. Anyway, I did remember to issue the usual warning – ‘I have to tell you that this is my ORIGINAL music and doesn’t sound anything like what I play out here. There’s singing on it, lots of 12-string guitars, not much drums or bass…and I hope you like it! If not, you can have a full refund – here’s my card so you can contact me. I mean it, full refund if you don’t like it.’
She went for the “limited edition” red vinyl. In fact, everyone does. No one wants the black ones. After she paid using the “any amount” QR code, I did try and interest her in something else from the “merch” stall – ‘I’ve got CDs – two different ones and even some books – two volumes of my busking diary that’s been published by a small company in Cheltenham. So I’ve got records, CDs and the books. A little shop, really.’ But she just wanted the album, which was certainly fine by me.
Anyway, a great moment which came at just the right time because in the last few days I was thinking of not bothering to pack the two albums in the guitar case because I sell one in a fucking blue moon, or even less.