Busking for the Passion, Not the Money
A Country Boy’s Love of Performing in the Big Apple
At West 4th Street subway station in Manhattan, New York, many performers can be found “busking” on the train platform.
Originally from Chickasha, Oklahoma, Stason Bobo, 25, started busking when he was 18 years old. Now he performs in the New York City subway to build networks, gain an audience, and earn some extra income.
Bobo prefers performing on the train because his audience is “very present” and he finds them to be more captivated. “People can feel the passion [on the train],” he said.
One of his favorite memories was when a hearing-impaired couple gave him a dollar inside a note that read ‘Your passion is louder than your voice.’
“Getting notes like that doesn’t compare to getting money on the train,” he said.
He always appreciates tips, but his real intentions for performing in the subway is for networking and building an audience. “I meet everyone on the train.”
Bobo has gained a large following on social media by performing for commuters on his way to and from his work in Manhattan. He loves seeing his audience take pictures and videos of him performing and always encourages them to sing along with him.
“If you busk, do it for the passion, not the money,” he said. “This is my passion.”
Get in touch with Stason on: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, & YouTube.
The BUSK Stop: NYC provides a sneak peek into New York City’s vibrant busking scene. Fostering communication, collaboration, and networking.
