Busk Break: Michael Stutesman plays “Waltz of the Wooden Horses”

Accordion-player Michael Stutesman may hail from Morganton, but he’s a regular visitor to Asheville. Unlike many of our local buskers, Stutesman isn’t looking for tips, performing without so much as an open case or upturned hat, insisting he’s only playing outdoors because he loves doing it. Here, he performs a traditional tune known by many names, including “Waltz of the Wooden Horses,” on his Hohner Erica.

Busk Break: Mary Sparks

Mary Sparks may not have a name for this new work, but she’s adamant that it was inspired by the creative atmosphere of Asheville. She should know. The hammered dulcimer player relocated here a few years ago, in large part because of the active local busking community. Here she is performing outside of Malaprop’s Bookstore/Cafe earlier this week.

Busk Break: Baby Alice

The Asheville-based duo of Keelan Vinson and Lennon Medvick aren’t exactly settled on a band name—you may know them as The Fagabonds, for instance—but for the moment they’re performing as Baby Alice. They’re also not completely comfortable performing their originals yet, and instead opted to perform this cover of the Wingnut Dishwashers Union tune “Urine Speaks Louder Than Words.” As you might expect, the tune is not safe for work due to language.

Busk Break: Isaac Alexander Johnson and Jim Barton perform “The Highway Song”

There was something approaching a reunion of the gone-but-not-forgotten 90’s epoch Asheville band The Spoonbenders on the streets of downtown over the weekend, as Isaac Alexander Johnson and Jim Barton busked in front of the BB&T Building. Although significant cajoling couldn’t convince them to perform one of their older tunes, Barton (on acoustic bass guitar) joined in on an unrehearsed version of Johnson’s tune “The Highway Song.” Let’s have a listen.