New Books Network Cary Baker, "Down On The Corner: Adventures in Busking & Street Music" (Jawbone Press, 2025)
Sep 5, 2025
Cary Baker, a veteran journalist and music-industry publicist, sheds light on the vibrant world of street music. He recounts the transformative journeys of street performers across genres, from blues to indie rock. The discussion covers the historical roots of busking, its cultural significance during crises like the Great Depression, and the resilience of artists facing local bans. Baker also highlights how technology transforms the practice today, making busking a blend of tradition and modernity that continues to thrive in urban landscapes.
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Maxwell Street Discovery
- Cary Baker first encountered Maxwell Street blues as a teenager and followed the music to find Blind Arvella Gray.
- That encounter led him to interview Arvella and publish a piece in the Chicago Reader at age 16.
Migration Shaped Busking
- Baker links 1930s bans on street performance to shifting urban demographics and migration.
- He highlights how Black migrants and immigrant communities shaped American busking traditions.
Maxwell Street As Discovery Hub
- Maxwell Street hosted blues icons like Muddy Waters and Little Walter who performed after late-night bar gigs.
- The market became a discovery ground for musicians before they reached labels like Chess Records.
