Union Square Subway Station
The Messenger is Alive
As I was climbing the stairs up to the subway platform I could hear the train approaching, so I rushed up the stairs with all my busking gear. I succeeded in catching the train but then had to catch my breath. Luke Ryan, the singer/songwriter/guitar player, was at the Music Under New York spot at…
Read MoreRecycling Souls
When I arrived at the Music Under New York busking spot at the 14th street subway station Salieu Suso, the kora player from Africa, was there. As he was packing up his busking gear and I was setting up mine, he told me about kora playing in Africa. I saw him taking money out of…
Read MoreWithout Them I Can’t Smile
It was 99 degrees. I was sweating buckets just walking to the subway. A nice guy helped me carry my busking gear all the way up the four flights of stairs to the train platform. He told me that he is a musician, too – he plays guitar, and he knows how hard it is,…
Read MoreLike Magic
Like many New Yorkers, I know the exact spot on the subway platform to wait for the train, so that when I get to my destination station I will exit the train exactly where the elevator/stairs out are. I usually wait at that spot, but today was so hot that I decided to wait at…
Read MoreMissing in Action
As I was playing at the Music Under New York spot at the Union Square subway station, Zina, the painter, brought me a large replica of the caricature she made of me. Painter: © Zina Saunders Arnold, the messenger guy, told me that Albert, the other guy who works as a messenger and who is…
Read MoreHe Made Me Laugh
While playing at the Union Square subway station a man with a great sense of humor interviewed me on camera. I have heard many musical saw jokes, but this guy is original and intelligent – he kept making me laugh. Thank you, RenatO!
Read MoreYou Belong Here
It was raining. If I didn’t have the subway near me, busking wouldn’t be a possibility today. Traveling to my busking spot I saw a Chinese musician playing a dulcimer like instrument on the platform at 59th street. He was playing the theme from the ‘Godfather’ movie. Calebe Arruda was playing the violin at the…
Read MoreSneezing, Coughing, Runny Nose
I had severe spring allergy this morning as I was heading into the subway to play. Sneezing, coughing, running nose – the works. I saw Frank playing guitar/singing/whistling on the 59th street platform. Glen Roth, who comes all the way from CT to play in the subway, was playing guitar at the Music Under New…
Read MoreYellow Tulip Hanging on the Hook
When the train doors opened at the 59th street subway station I saw Frank playing guitar/singing/whistling on the platform. Two members of Faustino’s Group (Andean music) were at the Music Under New York spot at Union Square – one guy was playing the pan flute, the other was selling CDs. I sat down on the…
Read MoreMaybe Once in Every Two Centuries
At the Union Square subway station I took the elevator up from the platform with a lady who erroneously thought she was heading towards the ‘L’ train platform. I pointed her in the right direction. As I started to play, Albert, the messenger guy, came by to tell me that he has a delivery to…
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