David Andersen photo-davidandersenmusic.com
While the Honky Tonks beckon tourists from all over the world, there are two ambassadors that get right at eye level and can play with skill, discuss and share the heritage of Nashville. That is David Andersen in the lobby of The Country Music Hall of Fame, whose recordings are available in the gift shop and “ Mandolin Mike” Slusser with his weathered mandolin usually somewhere near Gruhn Guitars down on Lower Broad.
Both are top quality musicians. Both tell the story of Nashville through their playing, their interaction and approachability.
“Mandolin Mike” Slusser photo- Brad Hardisty
The difference is Mike is no longer allowed to sell CD’s out of his guitar case when he plays. Never mind the fact that the bands that play in the Honky Tonks, who also play for tips, sell their CD’s at the foot of the stage in the same manner.
Slowly but surely, the true Street Musicians have almost disappeared.
Just four years ago, prior to the recession, a musician could survive on tips while connecting with tourists, other local musicians and figure out how to make it in Nashville.
Townes Van Zandt once commented that he made more money playing for tips on Lower Broad than gigging around town.
J D Simo at Robert’s photo- Collings Guitars
In the last few years, J D Simo did some street gigging before landing a spot with the Don Kelley Band at Robert’s. J.D. has gained notoriety for some great guitar playing and is now seen in ads for Collings Guitars in guitar magazines.
Years ago, Lower Broad attracted tourists because that is where the hit songwriters and musicians hung out. Lower Broad has continued to develop as a tourist playground while the street ambassadors, The Nashville Street Musicians are dwindling and getting no support from City Hall.
The ability to make it as a street musician has been severely affected by The Contributor vendors (not to put down a unique effort), the economic downturn and the fact that more and more tourists and locals do not carry cash.
There has to be a way to support and develop a healthy community of street musicians.
It is possible to develop a hybrid vendor license similar to the system used in Memphis on Beale Street.
“Mandolin Mike” Slusser with tourists Andrew and Rachel Downs from Birmingham, AL – photo – Brad Hardisty
It could be quite simple either by utilizing the downtown ambassadors or a non-profit street musicians union that collects license fees either monthly or yearly for specific locations. The fee needs to be low, as an example maybe $75 per year since musicians earn about 1/3 of what they used to.
The musician or group would receive a license that could be worn like a badge with a strap like a trade show or be displayed in the guitar or instrument case and be assigned to a specific spot like Beale Street in Memphis. A committee could get the spots cleared with the approval of local businesses where they would not be blocking any doors or foot traffic.
There could also be a few spots for weekenders that would need to stop in and get a weekend license and claim the spot.
This would stop random musicians from showing up and creating a nuisance without understanding local ordinances. Musicians would also need to audition to show some sort of musical viability that honors the traditions of Nashville or shows strong performance, songwriting or playing ability.
I feel this could actually help to build on a great Nashville tradition without throwing musicians into the same category as panhandlers and vagrants.
My 1936 Gibson Electric Hawaiian, Soldano cabinet and Custom handmade early Samamp 45 watt all tube head made in Birmingham, Alabama by Sam Timberlake.
When I first came to Nashville, I got out on the block for fun, usually playing in front of Lawrence Record Shop, because, I wanted the experience and it was a way to develop chops and make a little money. One of my personal high points was when Little Jimmy Dickens stood and watched me play my 1936 Gibson Electric Hawaiian (that I purchased at Gruhn Guitars in 2007)through a little Roland Street amp and after about ten minutes, threw a $20 bill in the case and said, smiling,”Keep it up.”
Tristan Dunn at Cash Wall, sometime street musician, sit in with local bands. photo – Brad Hardisty
Their needs to be an advocate for the street musicians, true musicians that bring music up close and can discuss what it is all about with tourists and locals. It could be a benefit to downtown Nashville in the Lower Broad Entertainment District.
While Homeless Photographers and Writers are able to develop talents and abilities through The Contributor, homeless musicians and true troubadours are made to feel unwelcome and have all but disappeared.
Somebody start the discussion! We need to make it possible for musicians to be safe and able to ply their trade, making tips, selling CD’s, photos and buttons (making available, not verbally asking to buy) in the Lower Broad District. It can be tough surviving as a musician even with talent and ability.
It would be simple to kick out random wanderers if we had a vendor’s badge system and there were assigned areas along the route. Police would not have to make it rough for everybody, only those operating outside the guidelines.
– Brad Hardisty, Nashville, TN thenashvillebridge@hotmail.com
The Nashville Bridge 
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NashvilleStreetPerformers.com
ABBY THE SPON LADY
I can see that another couple years have gone by, and nobody in Nashville has actually done ANYTHING WHAT-SO-EVER to help “save” street performing. It’s pretty much gone. I started web sites, tried to rally people together. Whenever I have asked mandolin mike in the past to help, he also has done nothing. Everyone wants to talk, no one wants to help me. Theres no busking on 2nd now…. no 3rd and broad. All gone. And I feel as if I was the only one who ACTED like they cared. SAYING you care does no good. – ABBY THE SPOON LADY
Hey Abby, good to hear from you. It looks like downtown is evolving and street performing is not up there as a priority. I think it will still exist to some extent, but, it really started to change back in 2008 because of the downturn in the economy and less people carrying cash with them and using debit cards instead. I did some busking for fun while I was inbetween jobs from January 2008 to the end of February and made a decent return for my time on my 1936 Gibson Electric hawaiian. I tried it again breifly when I lost my job in June before moving to Memphis at the time and I made half or less after everybody got skiddish on the economy. The homeless newspaper also took a dent on people’s pocket change that they were willing to part with. We will see what the future holds.
I love Nashville…. and street performing in the past has been very important to the city. But now more and more good performers are skipping Nashville…. because honestly….. IT IS A TERRIBLE PLACE TO PLAY STREET MUSIC.
None of the police know what is going on anymore. The rules change from shift to shift and day to day…. The bars having this continuing trend to plop their monitor speakers from their stage and flood the street with concert-volume Journey songs… Forcing more buskers (who haven’t been drowned out by volume already) to use amplification themselves… leaving only those half drunk and trying to get beer money left.
NONE of this is good for Nashville.
Not a week goes by where I don’t have several comments or emails asking when I am going to return to Nashville. It’s hard for me to have t explain that street performing in Nashville is not as it once was. The city does NOTHING to support it, and no one knows what the laws/rules are. I’ve been busking in Nashville over half a decade. I should know, but I don’t.
Maybe I’m ranting or raving about something that is already lost. Nashville deserves better. I don’t know what to tell these folks emailing me, except if you want to see street performing, go to Asheville or New Orleans. Nashville ain’t it.
The fact that people are carrying credit cards has NOTHING to do worth any of it. I’ve been busking in New Orleans, Asheville, Burlington, Boulder. Didn’t make a difference there. It’s Nashville’s lack of love for this great city pastime that is ruining it. I am friends with MANY MANY professional buskers who float a lot between these cities. They all earn a living. They all skip Nashville. – ABBY
Good luck Abby!It’s okay to raise awareness. It’s unfortunate that busking is not as much of a craft that it could be. Who knows, maybe if they change the law to where there will be drinking outside the honky tonks as discussed, they might close down the street to traffic at night and that would make more foot traffic and less car noise and make it more of an environment where street entertainers can prosper and be a part of the future.
One more thing.. There was a scene in the TV show Nashville where Hayden Panetierre is busking at the end of Broadway across the street on the Cumberland side (which doesn’t really happen) but that would be a good area for maybe a small community stage to anchor Broadway and give a platform for the outdoor performers.
Reblogged this on GreenCasaMaryland and commented:
I just visited from DC and busked on Broadway. I agree, keep it alive, keep it unlicensed, and try to make order out of that chaos, but keep it chaotic and spontaneous, and UNLICENSED. Us musicians are scruffy, and we wouldn’t have Townes VanZandt if we require license to make art.