Diary Of A Busker Day 28 Tuesday January 18th Winchester High Street (corner of Marks and Spencer, Time: 4:30 – 5:40pm).
A late session. I couldn’t establish myself at the usual places – opposite WH Smiths or Clinton Cards, both along The Pentice – the covered stretch of the high street, as a youngster was vigorously strumming away and belting it out. “You here to perform?” he said. “Yep” I said, “but carry on, bud.” He’d been there 20 minutes. “You might try down near the statue (King Alfred), or anywhere where you can’t hear me.” In other words, nowhere. I should pin a notice up here – ATTENTION LOUD BUSKERS: IF ON ARRIVAL THERE ARE NO OTHER BUSKERS ALONG THIS STRETCH DO NOT REPEAT DO NOT SET UP HALFWAY DOWN AS YOU WILL BE EASILY HEARD AT EITHER END THUS PREVENTING ANYONE ELSE FROM PLAYING. SET UP AT ONE OF THE ENDS. PS: AND DON’T BE SO LOUD.
After wandering about for half an hour, I finally built up the courage to try out a new pitch – the corner of Marks and Spencer, where I’ve seen Frank many times. It’s quite an exposed spot and very noisy due to a bus stop just around the corner. It got more noisy too, as the minute, no – the second I started to play, I was drowned out by workmen drilling in a shop opposite me, next to the flower seller. It went on the whole time I was there. Quite a cacophony I imagine – buses every five minutes, the drilling and The Theme From The Third Man all rolled into one. Still, better make the most of it. I had a guy stand in front of me for ten minutes while playing TTM. At the end he says “Do you know any Bruce Springsteen?”, which is what comes to mind, obviously, upon hearing someone playing a theme from a 1949 film set in bombed-out Vienna. I replied, “No, but there’s a guy up the road who might be able to help you out.” Silly man.
Earnings: £12.86p.