rodgoodman

I met Randy Stern on the 1 train going downtown one night.  Randy actually prefers to perform on the train instead of the platform.  The strolls through each car playing with a bag hanging from the head of his guitar.

When he came to my studio he told me about his past with a band called "The Nerve", his new album which he produced himself with money that he earns, in part,  playing in the subways.  We also talked about life, love, women, music and lost love. 

When I meet people like Randy I am greatly inspired to continue on with this great personal project.

I'm still working on my Buskers Project.  Slow going.  Many of the performers are a bit suspicious of anything offered for free.  I guess I understand, I'd be suspicious too.  This is Tony Charmz.  I met him on the 1 train platform at the 110th St. downtown stop.  Interesting story, man of the family by a very early age.  Good guy, I run into him from time to time, as a matter of fact I run into all the buskers I've shot.  The other people on the platforms seem curious why I get a warm welcome from these guys working the station.  I LOVE THIS PROJECT!

This is PK.  I met him playing on the downtown 6 train platform at 96th street.  It's so funny how our preconceived notions come in to play more ofter than not.  At first glance this guy looked like he may have been homeless.  When I told him what I was up to he was so excited.  So was I because (unlike some subway performers) he was really good.  When he came to my studio he was ready to work.  He played some of his songs and rocked the place!  After I shot him for a bit, we talked and he was so cool.  He lives in the city in Harlem with his wife, who works at a local market, he plays 5 days a week, preferring the more quiet stations so people could hear him play.  He makes more money than his wife and does his own thing.  He is saving up for a computer and is eager to design a My Space page.  He is newly married and his wife is the love of his life.  He loves making a difference in peoples days with his music and loves New York.  When I see him playing now I go up to him and say hi and he stops playing to talk for a bit.  I am proud to call PK my friend.