Page 60 - Blues Festival Guide Magazine 2013

BLUES

BUSKING

OmB

By William J. Toll
aka “Sweet Willie Tea the OmB”
Does a “Blues Busking OMB” sound like an
exotic bird? Maybe, but it’s really a very old
tradition. A busker is a street musician working for
tips, or busking, OMB is shorthand for “One-Man-
Band,” and blues, well you know that one. Bob London, European Style OMB
13th century woodcuts show minstrels playing Photo courtesy William Toll
pipe (a small fl ute) and tabor (a drum) at the same
time – obviously a good way to get attention. More
attention equals more tips even then. Remember Bert early blues OMBs in that style like Wilbur Harrison (b. 1929) author of
the 19th century chimney sweep from Mary Poppins? “Kansas City” and “Let’s Work Together,” and Jesse “Lone Cat” Fuller
He sang, played accordion and noisemakers, with a bass (b. 1896) who wrote “San Francisco Bay Blues,” and Doctor Isaiah
drum on his back and cymbals between his knees as an old Ross, “The Harmonica Boss” (b. 1925), author of “Cat Squirrel,”
European-style OMB. They could walk freely through the crowds, “Chicago Breakdown,” “Boogie Disease” and others.
or even run away if needed. This style is still very common in Europe. We are now seeing a revival as audiences discover
The American-style blues OMB has origins in juke joints and on a new crop of OMBs emulating those early artists and
street corners. The earliest singer OMBs like Johnny “Daddy Stovepipe” “taking it to the street.”
Johnson (b. 1867) busked with only a guitar and harmonica, but soon Busking is hard work and can be risky at times. You
others substituted tapping their foot with stomping a bass drum pedal. are often alone with a bucket full of money in plain
Tapping both feet? Add a hi-hat and suddenly you were a self-contained band view. Although often solitary, a certain brotherhood
– no temperamental bandmates or splitting the money. There were many exists with street performers. As a busker myself,
I was mentored with suggestions like: Get a big
tip bucket (commonly referred to as a “hat”) and
don’t be ashamed of it; Defi ne your space with
a big rope, it packs up small and keeps the
audience back a little; Stand up or sit on a high
stool, as you want to be seen behind a crowd of
onlookers; Keep eye contact with your audience,
if you close your eyes they may walk away (with
your tip money); Learn about local laws and
permits concerning performing vs. selling goods
vs. panhandling vs. working for tips. In many towns
there is a big difference. And of course, don’t argue
with the cops if they ask you to move along.
Ah, the cops. My hometown of Flint, MI has a pretty
Dave Harris, American style OMB and his fotdella tough reputation and when I fi rst started busking here I
Photo by Joachim Geiger

58 Blues Festival Guide 2013