Since Christmas, I have learned a lot about Ron Michaels. It turns out he's a professional busker; a street performer who earns a living from tips. They are often found in large cities, so it was no surprise to learn that Ron has spent a lot of time in New York City. Oddly enough, one of the best known buskers' in the world grew up just a couple miles north of my neighborhood. I bet at some point Ron crossed paths with Robert Burck, aka the "Naked Cowboy" who hails from Greenhill's, Ohio and spends most of his time in New York's Times Square.
I discovered a lot about Ron on-line. In a 2008 article, Jessica Hall talked about meeting Ron Michael at his regular spot at 5th and 38th streets. She described Ron as a great musician and a true gentleman. "I was riding my bike down Fifth Avenue and I heard this fabulous trumpet playing from the corner. He told me that he usually doesn't speak to the media, because they always get it wrong. I was extra fortunate, because not only did Ron speak to me, he also bought me lunch!" "It's getting harder to get by as a musician," he told her. "I used to come out here for fun, but now I actually have to come out here to make money to make ends meet." Ron told another writer that he'd make a lot more money at Times Square, but he didn't like to fight with the police there. "They give you a ticket for everything in the world," he said.
Kerry McDonald included Ron in her series of articles titled "Songs from the Subway." She discovered Ron playing on 42nd street. Ron told her about serving in military. "In 1972 I joined the Army because they offered me The School of Music. It was the best school I ever had," he said. Ron served in Vietnam and talked about helping children caught up in the war. "I was the guy that always looked out for people," he told her.
Kerry McDonald included Ron in her series of articles titled "Songs from the Subway." She discovered Ron playing on 42nd street. Ron told her about serving in military. "In 1972 I joined the Army because they offered me The School of Music. It was the best school I ever had," he said. Ron served in Vietnam and talked about helping children caught up in the war. "I was the guy that always looked out for people," he told her.
One you tube video was reminiscent of Ron's Christmas visit to my neighborhood. The description begins "It was a cold dark January night when this guy comes walking into the Waffle House on Highway 221 in Spartanburg, South Carolina. It was Ron and he serenaded the diners with a beautiful song. Another video titled the "Trumpeter of Clarksville" features Ron, sitting in a wheelchair, in front of a store playing the theme from "The Godfather."
