|
My first subterranean performance was on January 4, 1994, at Park Street station in Boston. The subway system, known in Boston as the T, is comprised of four lines: Red,
Blue, Green, and Orange. Park St., located in the center of town,
is where the Red and the Green lines intersect. With connections to the
other two lines, Park
St. is
always teeming with activity much like Times Square in NYC.
There are three platforms on the Red
line. The center platform between the inbound and outbound sides is the
main stage of the underground scene. This prime real estate, which is
rarely vacant, was where I nervously headed on my first day.
I couldn’t bring myself to play there,
so I went upstairs to the Green line in search of a less conspicuous
location. I settled on a small bench at the far end of the platform. My
knees were shaking. I took forever to set up my gear. Eventually I dove in
with what I considered to be the best song of the few I had written so far.
No reaction. I tried another tune. Nothing. I was about to quit, when a
woman in front of me casually tossed a few coins into my case. Victory. I
played on. I don’t remember how long I stayed, but I played each song more
than once. In the end, I made a total of $5. I was elated. I was hooked.
|
|
