Here is “Justice Through Music Project” has done a good video on street performing, focusing on its history, politics and giving some recommendations, before examining life in one of America’s best busking scenes: Nashville Texas.
Nashville is one of those places that buskers travel to from all over America, and tourists know it. But, there are issues growing between buskers and the cops.
From Justice Through Music Project’s website:
So, Justice Through Music Project went down there with a guitar, a camera, busked, and talked to the local buskers playing on Broadway Street. Justice Through Music Project is happy to report busking in Nashville is alive and well , and I saw there were still many street performers keeping this American tradition alive.
Many of them are also working with the city of Nashville and the merchants to try and preserve Nashville busking on Broadway, to find a way for all to coexist, such as Mandolin Mike of Nashville (pictured above).
I won’t get into the subject too much anymore, our video below says it all pretty much, but I will add that one day your buddy may bring a guitar to the picnic at the park so you and your buddies can sing an Eagles song or two, and a cop will ask him if he has a “permit” and he will have to leave the guitar in the car.
Justice Through Music Project recommends that our supporters watch our Busking Video, and make sure your local police and elected representatives are aware that busking is a free speech right. Tell them US courts have routinely upheld that busking is covered by the First Amendment, no permit required, allowing for only minor regulation like restricting the hours or sound level.
Also…support your local busker! If you see a busker as you walk to a bar, throw a dollar in his guitar case, he may just be the next Townes Van Zandt!
Their recommendations (which seem to be more pragmatic than political):
- Check local laws; some cities require permits
- Don’t bring a stool, amp or furniture, as most cities ban that stuff.
- Don’t sell merchandise. You are a street performer, not a retail store. Most cities ban it, or you need a permit.
- Don’t block the sidewalk, or panhandle to people. If they like your music, they will stop and listen to you.
- Don’t busk too close to other performers
- Be mindful of your decibel level. You shouldn’t be heard more than 50 feet away
- Respect local businesses, and if they ask you to move, please do so
- Don’t misrepresent yourself; collecting for charity requires proof or license.
- Busking is street performing – you must perform in some way.
