(ARIZONA) You wouldn't think Arizona would have come this far - but Downtown Phoenix, Inc. thinks the time is right. Lo and behold, there's music and performing where there once was none. It seems the desert southwest has caught the busker bug.

From flea markets to sporting events to outdoor malls, there are buskers plying their trade and free to now express themselves artistically. The times - they are a changin'.

And why not? Making a more vibrant community can only enhance revenue for the cities thru increased sales in shops and restaurants.

The atmosphere is rhythmically changing into something we can all appreciate when we try. Add a dash of interviews and you've got a nice recipe for explaining Busker Nation.

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(BUSKER ALLEY) Buskers sometimes avoid cities where licensing is required. To them, it doesn't make sense when the hat may be too small to consider a permit. This creates a dilemma.When you think about it, the pay to play scheme actually has it's own valuable benefits. Consequently, it sometimes leaves the door wide open to busk a city where little if any busking is occuring. By asking how many busking permits have been issued, buskers can get an approximation of the competition to be expected.

By being permitted, the busker may also have a selection of top pitches from which to choose.

Since busking is always weather permitting, warm sunny days year-round really helps the tourism industry as well as the busker's pocketbook.

When all the factors are added up, it may make perfect sense to have...

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(PITTSBURGH) Bringing the "Weird, Wild and Wonderful" to the streets, the Busker Street Union enlivens city streets making them safer. It also gives a voice to the voiceless. Busker Street Union is a national placemaking program."We reactivate street spaces. We engage community members through performance. We do research by collecting busking guidelines around the world and we map the safe places to play. The mapping allows us to identify spaces that are protected Free Speech allowing others to use the spaces as a venue for activism. If you are looking for a safe place to play, join the union and sign up here. You’ll get tips on the best places to play and friendly business owners looking to stir up a crowd."

An interesting take on the history of busking, street stages, and busking l...

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(BANGKOK) The International Bangkok Street Show is for professional buskers only. Featuring over 52 acts from Thai and around the world, it's one of the largest buskerfests around. Check out the scene through the link below.Bangkok International Street Show

(NEW YORK) The busker with the golden voice has gained fame after being discovered on the streets of New York City and YouTube.James Percell has gone through the school of hard knocks on his way to soothing vocals he performs on the streets of the Bronx, N.Y.

Taking a page from the homeless announcer Ted Williams who found fame and employment from YouTube, Percell was also homeless when he was discovered singing his sweet soulful tunes.

Using social media websites, he has a MySpace page and Facebook fan page that list several of his tracks with titles like Love 4 a Gangster, Control, Shower, and It's Your Body.

Percell wears a cardboard sign that reads: 'Will sing or vocal train you for food or small donation.'

With his Youtube video going viral with over a million hits, will we see movies and albums...

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