Troubadour Collective

Episode 20! That happened fast! I can't think of a better way to celebrate than a 10 song epic performance from Erin Firman. The John Seigenthaler Pedestrian Bridge connects downtown Nashville with East Nashville where Nissan Stadium (Tennessee Titans) is. The CMA Music Festival was wrapping up, while there were some performances downtown, all the headliners were at Nissan Stadium. Erin setup on the bridge halfway between downtown and the stadium which turned out to be an excellent pitch! I am not sure he gets through a full song without getting tipped and stopping to thank his supporters. It was one of those magical moments where you feel like you are exactly where you need to be. The music was excellent and the views are almost as good.

Watch Erin's full performance on YouTube! https://youtu.be/TIwkP1BhUOI?si=NL_AM2DU19W48cOR

00:00 - Simple Man

05:24 - In Color

09:39 - Someone

14:06 - Black

18:58 - Turn the Page

24:47 - Carried Away

28:35 - If You Could Only See

33:27 - Be Like That

37:29 - I'm Gonna Be Somebody

42:33 - Runaway Train

If you are ever in Nashville, going to watch the Broadway Rapper is a must. It's one part freestyle hip hop, one part stand up comedy, and one part fashion show. He's got the ladies strutting around and the fellas laughing, everyone has a good time.

Watch the full perfromance on YouTube! https://youtu.be/YWWnM7cr-H8?si=LQkzs8o71k3VIqua

I was in Nashville in June and the CMT Music Festival happened to be going on that weekend and there were lots of folks out and about. I ran into Rhino at the corner of 2nd and Commerce just a few blocks from Broadway. I was standing on the corner and could here someone playing a drum but I couldn't find them for the life of me. Well, there is a parking garage above the buildings and that's were I finally found Rhino playing a Jimbay! He was in town to busk for the festival, so we walked down to the street and recorded this set. Rock and roll on a Jimbay!

Watch Rhino's full performance on YouTube! https://youtu.be/YWWnM7cr-H8?si=LQkzs8o71k3VIqua

00:00 - Like a Stone

03:50 - Second Chance

06:56 - Man in a Box

10:53 - I Am the Highway

14:54 - Fell on Black Days

18:07 - Back in Black

I was headed back to my hotel and decided to walk South out of Central Park and catch a ride at the Colubus Circle subway station. As soon as I walked in I could hear someone playing piano! I couldn't believe my ears. I looked around everywhere but couldn't find anyone, or a piano. Right as I was about to give up I glanced across the tracks and spotted a gentleman sitting behind a keyboard tickling the ivory. I raced down the tunnel connecting the uptown and downtown traffic and popped out right behind him. It was a busy stop and I didn't want to interrupt. I patiently waited for my opportunity and luckily he agreed to let me record! I could tell he had been there a while and it was close to quiting time, I felt very fortunate to get the three songs I did. We started packing up at the same time, I turned around to say goodbye and get his information, but he was gone. Does anyone know who this is?

You can watch the full performance on YouTube! https://youtu.be/uACFwSETPWA?si=pq1P6wvSZfC0payn

I'm sitting at the lake in Central Park, trying to catch my breath. I had just recorded the West Fourth Trio and it was a hot summer day, I needed some shade. As I'm sitting there I keep seeing this thing pop out of the top of a bush and disappear. I didn't pay it any attention at first but soon realized I had no clue what I was looking at. It looked like a very skinny bird playing peek a boo. I finally pulled out my phone and zoomed all the way in to try to get a picture of what I was looking at. I soon realized it was the top of a bow that kept poking out from the top of the bush. Was there someone playing a instrument back there? I walked around to the get a better look and there was a trio playing guitar, bass, and fiddle! It took me a while to work out how to get to them but when I did I was introduced to the Rachel Herman Trio! They had wondered down one of the nature trails in the park to practice for an upcoming gig, at a liquor store no less! They agreed to let me setup some gear and capture this unique performance.

You can watch their full performance on YouTube! https://youtu.be/zwr0BCXXcdk?si=oTuge1fKUMe_KOsm

00:00 - Blue RIdge Cabin Home

03:08 - St. Ann's Reel

05:14 - Old Joe Clark

07:08 - Roll in My Sweet Baby's Arms

The West Fourth Trio are regular buskers in Central Park with Drummer Alex at the core and a revolving cast of musicians. They are regular fixtures at The Mall. The group is Alex, Billy (Bass), Andres (Sax), Michael (Valve Trombone!). Alex's girlfriend, Nina, joins the group on drums for the first song, Their set includes four jazz standards and it's some great listening.

Watch their full performance on YouTube! https://youtu.be/X7hv7cWUgtY?si=yk4yfxZmYCbUdUx1

00:00 - "Sunny"

07:53 - "It's You or No One"

14:45 - "My Shining Hour"

22:57 - "Close My Eyes"

Central Park is like a buskers paradise, especially in the warmer months. I ran into Eli and Marc about halfway down The Mall and was fortunate enough to catch their last few songs. There is nothing like some easy listening on a lazy afternoon. This episode not only features the first duo for Troubadour Collective but also the first Sax. Enjoy as these two cover some jazz standards.

You can watch their full performance on YouTube! https://youtu.be/FxpJDEbmCno?si=S3bNNfSOfIuyynhM

00:00 - Caravan

06:36 - Stella by Starlight

12:11 - Anthropology

Damien is an indigenous person from Ecuador who represents his home country and culture while performing. He uses a Quena (bamboo flute), Panpipes and a Pan Flute (several hollow bamboo pipes), plus Chajchas (percussive instrument usually made from shells) during his performance that are all native Ecuadorian instruments.

Damien also sold a variety of handmade goods including bracelets and dreamcatchers. I was fortunate to purchase a bracelet that is still attached to my kit today, as well as a sweet old lady in the video.

Damien was very gracious in explaining all about the instruments he was playing and their significance in his culture. I was honored he was willing to share so much of his music.

This was recorded in the 42nd Street (Times Square) subway station in New York City.

Watch Damien's full performance on YouTube! https://youtu.be/tYSWjjinSvU?si=p0GPhRqCd4X8Fgov

00:00 - Inkas Wambra

03:48 - Native Rhythm

08:49 - Indio Irlandes

15:21 - El Condor Pasa

18:45 - Ponchito

26:53 - Caminemos

For as long time there was a makeshift pedestrian tunnel constructed along Broadway between 41st and 42nd street on the South side of Times Square. That is where I found Jay The Bucket Drummer. I heard Jay's drums booming out of the tunnel as soon as I got to the hotel. I quickly dropped my bags and rushed out to record him. I was lucky enough he agreed. Scores of people would stop to watch him and his performance made almost everyone walking through the tunnel dance a little. You can find more of Jay on TikTok (@jaythebucketdrummer ) and Instagram (@the_famousbucketdrummer !

You can watch Jay's full performance on YouTube! https://youtu.be/-NcZ2lnhf08?si=tYxivl9JuiRgnZUv

00:00 - Unknown Beat

03:54 - Showtime

07:41 - Get On Up

12:59 - Personally

15:33 - Showtime

I met Jose on Cherokee Street in St. Louis. Cherokee Street is a cool area with lots of music, food, and local shopping, kind of an arts district feel but less commercial somehow? It had a very cool neighborhood vibe that you could feel knew how to party.

I saw Jose walking down the street with his guitar but by the time I could turn around he was gone. I decided to look around for him and as soon as I parked he emerged from a small taco shop with a couple friends and to my amazement they quickly setup next to a truck. Jose started playing guitar and everyone was singing. I quickly rushed over and explained what I was doing and everyone agreed to record, the taco shop owner even got involved. Jose offers up some traditional Ranchera style Vicente Fernández, to Norteña Cumbias, and even some Huapango.

Watch Jose's full performance on YouTube! https://youtu.be/mg8iYpqhUpo?si=KmvqwkKjWpBCbz4P

00:00 – El Polvorete

03:00 – Borracho te Recuerdo

05:16 – El Hijo del Pueblo

08:07 – Que Vuelvas

10:00 – Me Caí de la Nube

12:20 – Sin Fortuna

14:07 – La Bamba

16:39 – De Ramones a Terán

18:42 – Pídeme

21:09 – Guantanamera