A Solidarity Parody For the Albany Busker -Leif Solem [VIDEO]

You heard me. His stage name is Leif Mulch. I didn't know that until this morning. Love the name, and love the cause. He's the street musician who was almost arrested in downtown Albany for basically -um-doing nothing wrong. So I wrote a little solidarity parody (wow, that rhymes)

This was a very interesting case, and kind of hit close to home (being a musician - although not a street musician, mind you). In case you are unfamiliar with what happened, here's the background from the Times Union.

Sorry, folks, but I just happen to believe that live, breathing musicians in a city just make it seem to be a much more homey, friendly place.

It brings something to mind for me personally. We were out in Denver Colorado for a wedding recently and took a stroll in the city. There was a piano player there and people gathered around him enjoying the day and the tunes. Come on - what's more innocent than a street performer just trying to eek out a living?

THEY PUT PIANOS AROUND OUR CITY TO ENCOURAGE STREET PERFORMING, FOR GOD SAKES!

Ok, I'm getting riled up for nothing here. The case was dismissed anyway, according to the Times Union. But I thought I'd at least show my belated support for his cause.. Here's the parody (to the tune of "Truckin'", by the Grateful Dead - I bet THEY were street performers once!!) Lyrics at the bottom of the post.

"Buskin'"

to the tune of "Truckin'" by the Grateful Dead

Buskin on a city street

that's how Solem earns his salary

playing guitar in downtown Albany

is this supposed to be some kind of felony

Standing in front of an empty store while he's strumming

holy crap looks like a cop is coming

if you were guilty of something you sure would start running

he's a musician how dangerous can he be

Should Lief keep playing or should he quit

could the busker get busted cuz he had no permit