Diary Of A Busker Day 151 Thursday September 1st Winchester High Street (1. opposite Millets, Time: 12:50-3:126pm, 2. opposite Vodafone, Time: 3:45-4:40pm).
There’s some guy juggling bowling pins on a tightrope at The Buttercross (famous Winchester landmark/meeting place) and two “strummers” halfway down the High Street so I end up down at the “arse” end, in front of Debenhams.
A few weeks ago, I was in a charity shop and the lady behind the counter said the old ladies that sort the clothes out upstairs really like what I play, so I’ve set up opposite their shop. A man at least 80, very tall and thin talks to me. He used to play the saxophone – untill he had a stroke, which affected his right side – he waves his hand – “This one’s pretty useless now.” He used to play in South Africa. I ask if he ever played professionally – after he asks ME, whereupon I relate my “hard luck story” – loud rock bands, destroyed hearing, tinnitus… “Oh yes” he says, “used to be out almost every night”, he pauses, “drank alot of beer, smoked alot of fags, chatted up alot of birds. Trouble was, by the time everything was packed away, they’d all gone! You know – course we’d help the drummer with his kit, come back, all the birds gone!”
Song Of The Day – Chinatown, My Chinatown. I was playing something slow – Edelweiss, and a lady with a baby stopped in front of me. The baby was staring at me, which is what all babys do, so I thought I’d play something more upbeat – baby’s like fast music. I played Chinatown and got about £5 in a couple of minutes.
After my break, I go for the busy middle of the High Street. I’ve done alright – about £11 an hour at the not-so-busy part so I’ll see if I can beat that at a place where I should get more. A woman about 50 comes up. “Hi, I bought your album last year. I just want to say it’s great, I listen to it all the time.” However, I don’t recognise her, which is unusual as I make a point of remembering the face of anyone who does the rare thing of buying an album off me. I decide to quiz her. “Last year? Are you sure it was me?” “Oh yes.” “Hm, ’cause I’ve only been doing this for well under a year, here. “What was the album called? Did it have a balloon on the cover?” Surely someone would remember if they bought an album with a big balloon on the cover, but no, she can’t remember. I pull out my album from my bag, “Was it this?” “Oh no – it wasn’t that!” “Then it was someone else!” I say. ” “Well, he looked like you – and he sounded like you” she says, clearly in a confused state. “Well, it must be my double – poor chap!”
Earnings: £32.37p.