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Dear Diary: A singer often in need of a handy practice area, I sometimes vocalize in the subway (in addition to busking). The cathedral-like acoustics of these underground passages are friendly to the voice, and on my lunch break I can loosen my tie and warm up with some scales. I have found a little cul-de-sac perfect for this at a station near work, out of the paths of the Midtown commuters rushing through. Passers-by who hear my tenor coloratura sometimes pop their heads around the corner in curiosity; some smile or wave. But I go there for the architecture,...

Dear Diary: A New York City busker is the recipient of love, affection, cheers, kisses and souvenirs from around the world. Or, sometimes, a plaintive shrug when a commuter cannot locate a dollar. Once when I was singing in the subway, such a man walked away dejected, then came bounding back, beaming, proudly offering a fresh yellow apple from his groceries. Yes, the money makes a difference, but I’m thankful for it all. Bills spend easily, but coins accumulate. On a recent night I sorted and rolled over a year’s worth. Among them were a British 50-pence coin, two 5-cent...

Frisco Bound - 0:00 Fingering with your Fingers - 3:45 Jackson Stomp - 7:05 Egyptian Ella - 10:55 Big Boat - 15:50 Crow Jane - 19:50 Vine Street Drag - 24:10 Savoy Blues - 28:30 Forget Me Not Blues - 32:15

Michael Bublé is making the rounds in New York City this week, promoting his new album "To Be Loved." But in addition to standard TV appearances, he surprised Subway riders Thursday when he performed an impromptu acappella rendition of his latest single, "Who's Lovin' You." Dressed sharply in a suit and tie, Buble sang with the group Naturally 7 at the W. 67th Street subway stop. CLICK ABOVE LINK FOR THE VIDEO

A US busker called Bongo Jesus has been arrested after hitting a man who criticised his playing over the head with his guitar. The busker, whose real name is Brandin Hochstrasser, 31, was playing in the street in Madison, Wisconsin, when his critic approached him. Police spokesman Joel DeSpain said the 54-year-old homeless man had been unable to keep his thoughts about the guitar playing to himself. "The dispute started over some questionable guitar playing," Mr DeSpain told the Cap Times. "He went over to Bongo Jesus and provided some sort of critique which did not sit well. "When police...

COOS BAY, Ore. (AP) - A police survey says panhandlers outside a Wal-Mart here can make $300 a day. Inside, it takes a clerk a week to make that much. Police say people who have a problem with that needn't look to the law--asking for money is considered protected free speech. "We are not going to target panhandlers," said Coos Bay Police Capt. Rodger Craddock, who spoke a recent gathering of business owners about panhandling. "We can't do that. But if they aren't getting money from us, they aren't going to stand on that corner." He said most panhandlers are...