(USA) Yes, folks - It's time to start planning where to perform for Spring, Summer, and Fall this year.While it seems more and more cities are actually encouraging busking and street performing these days, there are some staples in the USA that are guaranteed to please.

New cities allowing busking include San Antonio, Cleveland, and Chattanooga among others. Honorable mention includes Santa Fe, Aspen, Clearwater, and Key West.

There are bound to be some rules and regulations along the way so be on the lookout and be sure not to get caught!

These are the top 10 cities featured on the busker trail. They are expecting to be entertained so don't let them down. ...

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(SINGAPORE) An article on Singapore's TodayOnline website examines busking and braving the elements and social prejudice. Indeed, busking is not for the faint-hearted. The growth of busking has also resulted in greater competition for space, especially for the popular and more lucrative spots.More than two decades after a plan was introduced in 1997 to allow performers to add more colour to the streets of Singapore, the busking scene has grown by leaps and bounds.

Baey Yam Keng, Senior Parliamentary Secretary for the Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth, told Parliament that the number of younger performers has more than doubled since 2008.

Along with busking comes opportunities as well as setbacks. Most busking 'laws' between buskers have been traditionally unwritten with buskers preferring to...

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(WWW) Before the advent of the internet, buskers had to figure out which songs were popular enough to perform in public. Now, we can simply surf the net and and learn in a matter of seconds.Of course, sprinkling the list with an original here and there is always an option. But it all depends on the pitch and audience. Some songs are drunken sing-alongs and others are thoughtful hits. One thing most have in common is a upbeat rhythm.

Two lists we've found cover the "best" songs to play. One list has 31 recommendations and the other has a top 7.


TOP 7:

1. Friends in low places
2. Summer of '69
3. Sweet Caroline
4. 3a.m.
5. When I come around
6. Free Fallin'
7. Livin' on a Prayer

These are mostly 1990's songs that tend to go over well. However, the seasoned busker will have at least one song by the Beatles...

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I remember I was busking on a popular outdoor mall at a commonly used pitch. As a muse, I played and sang between an outdoor cafe and restaurant. Buskers had used the stage for several years. I usually got a coffee at the cafe while on breaks and was familiar with the staff.

One day, a new staff member came outside and asked me to move down the way. When I asked the blond middle-aged woman why, she simply said she didn't appreciate me singing outside on a beautiful day while she slaved away inside. I told her it was my choice in life to busk rather than being a server and I really couldn't help her. She again requested me to move on and left with the satisfaction of having told me 'what for'. I ignored her request and continued performing.

As a mature busker, I had seen the like before. They have a problem with someone busking because they can't do it. After several other altercations, I had...

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(WWW) We all start out playing songs we like (covers) from other established artists. It's when we reach a certain plateau that we realize that in order to go further, we're going to have to write songs that the public enjoys. When busking, however, familiarity is king when your cover is recognized as tip-worthy. So, how do we handle our creativity yearning to be heard? Busking can be a very useful tool when first starting out writing songs. It is here that you can get instant feedback if the public is relating to your new song. If people are enjoying themselves, dancing or even singing along, you've really got something worthy of developing.

Try writing a song with a beat or speed up a slow song you've already written. People are out to have a good time and, generally speaking, really don't...

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