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“This book wrote itself,” says Cary Baker about ‘Down On The Corner: Adventures in Busking and Street Music.’ Reflecting on life’s transitions — from closing his PR firm to moving to the desert — he delves into the colorful, often untold stories of buskers, from icons like Elvis Costello to street performers like Grandpa Elliott.

He discusses his deep love for the written word, recounts a remarkable tale of Mick Jagger thanking Ramblin’ Jack Elliott for playing in a subway station during a school field trip, and more. It’s these serendipitous moments that make both Baker’s book and his career truly unique.

For the artist who’d soon be known as Fantastic Negrito, busking was not a first step. It was a way to restore a sense of purpose following a disastrous major label experience and a debilitating accident. “There’s a lot of power not caring. not wanting things, and that’s how busking was for me.”

Author Cary Baker shares exclusively a chapter from his new book, ‘Down On The Corner: Adventures in Busking and Street Music.’

John Mayall stood above the British Invasion superstars. The Rolling Stones, Animals, Yardbirds, and Cream may have used blues as inspiration for their rock music, but John stood alone among them. While they had a dotted line connection to the American blues legacies, John had a solid line connection.

First book by music industry veteran Cary Baker traces development of blues, doo-wop, folk and even jazz and classical music on the streets. Features interviews with Lucinda Williams, Billy Bragg, Violent Femmes, Ramblin’ Jack Elliott, Mary Lou Lord, Peter Case, Poi Dog Pondering, Madeleine Peyroux, Old Crow Medicine Show, Mojo Nixon, Satan & Adam, and more, plus eyewitnesses of busking through two centuries.