Diary Of A Busker Day 214 Friday March 23rd 2012 Winchester High Street Opposite O2, Time: 2:05-3:05pm
A short but lucrative session at The Buttercross end of town. Fabio from London likes my Ol’ Man River – says it reminds him of Scott Joplin which, although I can’t quite understand, I’m flattered by. He’s interested in busking down here and maybe taking a guitar lesson from me, paying me from his takings… Dangerous Dave turns up, sits on the bench opposite and shouts over ‘Have you played it yet?’ He’s talking about his favourite – The Third Man, so as I’m in the correct tuning for the authentic zither version (in G – having just played my Yellow Bird/Wheels medley), I can oblige. At the end, I inform him that he’s never heard that version before – can he tell the difference between that and the other one? No.
A man walking by says, ‘You should team up with that singer down there.’ Apparently there’s a lady down at the crossroads but she must be singing without a microphone – I can’t hear a thing. I get another £5 note – I had one a few days ago – just before I stop. Always a great moment as it usually takes twenty-five minutes, sometimes longer to accumulate that amount. I can’t think of the last time someone gave me a tenner. Still, a good hour, at double the usual hourly average.
Earnings: £21.96
