Known to many in the Busking World as the King of Marketing, David Aiken, aka "The Checkerboard Guy" has been a big fan, player and promoter of street performing ever since he got his start back in 1981 when he taught himself how to juggle. It take more than a three ball cascade to make it as a performer though and you can't really make a career out a fondness for black and white checks but the drive and determination to do hundreds of shows in Ottawa where he got his start were the very organic roots for a career that's spanned over three and a half decades.

Beyond just performing, The Checkerboard Guy has made an effort to share his knowledge and love of the art form with others. In the early days of the internet he established a data base for performers, festivals and prop suppliers. The Superstar Performer Cards that he's designed annually since 1999 are another example of this and of course co-founding of the Busker Hall of Fame with street legend Robert Nelson, The Butterfly Man demonstrate his desire to give back to the community that's given so much to him.

Magic Brian and Glenn Singer sat down with Dave on his Birthday to ask a few questions and dig a bit into his checkered past and find out a little bit more about what makes this guy tick and why, even after so many years, The Checkerboard Guy is still excited about the shows he does, the shows he see and the never ending opportunity to learn.