Photo gallery: TTC busker auditions
marcia adair
From Saturday's Globe and Mail
Published
Last updated
You've heard their music wafting through the subway, but how much do you really know about Toronto's buskers? The TTC is holding its annual busker auditions at the CNE, starting Friday, Aug. 19. The Globe and Mail talks to three of the 150 hopefuls who will compete for one of the 75 subway musician licences the TTC grants each year.
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— The Globe and Mail
Sue & Dwight Peters
Sue plays guitar and sings folk music on her own, and with her husband Dwight.
Favourite stations: Union and Bay. “They are safe to play in alone at night,” Sue says.
How long have you been making music?
I came to music late in the game, especially the instrument part of it. Dwight and I always sang together, but when we thought about doing the subway music program six years ago, we needed another instrument to be loud enough.
What’s most interesting thing that’s happened to you while busking?
One day I was busking at King Station and was singing a song with the words, “travelling through this world so fast, if I could make one moment last, I'd choose this one.” One fella went by really quickly to the trains but then came back, repeated those words back to me and went on to explain that in that moment, he realized he was missing out on life because he was so busy all the time. I was really moved by that.
What’s one thing people usually get wrong about buskers?
We are professional musicians and songwriters, not panhandlers.
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— The Globe and Mail
Jimi Greenham
This is Jimi’s first year playing in the subway, where he regularly rocks Led Zeppelin, Jimi Hendrix and Pink Floyd.
Favourite stations: Union, Yonge & Bloor. “[Union] is just another personal challenge – it's like the Romans. They used to have their soldiers out in the freezing cold to train.” The busker spot at Union is right in front of the doors, so in winter, it's freezing.
The most surprising thing that has happened this year?
I had a CD out about ten years ago, and I was playing in the subway with a buddy from that band. While we were playing, this guy came up to us and he knew all the words to the song. We only pressed 100 copies, so it was pretty surreal.
Isn’t it depressing to have people ignore you while you’re playing?
Busking is mostly positive. There are no band break-ups or sketchy club owners. I can set up any time and do my thing.
Why do you busk?
When I busk I feel like a mobile radio station. I can create a new audience, and if you have your own promo material, it’s a good way to pump it. I left a job at General Motors to do music. It was insane to leave, but as a person, my life got better.
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— The Globe and Mail
Roger Ellis
A TTC busker since 1997, Roger plays the Beatles, Johnny Cash and Simon & Garfunkel
Favourite stations: Finch, Queen’s Park, York Mills. “York Mills has great acoustics and it’s really fun to play.”
What is the strangest thing someone has dropped in your case?
I get sandwiches and bread a lot because people think I am homeless. But the strangest was a giant block of cheese.
What is the point of busking?
Our job is to give, not just to stand there and collect money. We have the gift of music and we give it to people on their way home from and to work. We try and make their day a little brighter. Sometimes magic really happens and you can really get in touch with people.
Your most memorable busking experience?
When the Pope came for World Youth Day. There were thousands of kids in the subway. I was singing Let It Be and whole station started singing along with me. It was magic.
