Joseph "Joe Boss" Ridolfo plays the banjo across from the Chattanooga Choo Choo on Sunday, Sept. 2, 2018 in Chattanooga, Tenn.On a bright Sunday afternoon, a white-haired, moustached man stands on a downtown sidewalk and strums his banjo. Across the street, the bustling Chattanooga Choo Choo provides a steady stream of passersby. Some smile at the man, some toss a bill into his tip bucket. Others avoid eye contact altogether.
"It doesn't happen often, but there have been times when I have touched other people's lives or they have touched mine," folk musician Joseph "Joe Boss" Ridolfo says about busking, an art form in which musicians play for donations on the street.
Ridolfo is just one of Chattanooga's many street musicians, dedicating hours each weekend to such pop-up performances. These artists play for tips most of the time, and their connections with passersby may be few and far between. Still, they take to the streets and pick their banjos, beat their drums and clack their spoons, committed to sharing their songs with the city.
The next time you spot one of these songbirds, why not slow down and take in a tune or two? Your time may be as meaningful to them as they hope their art is to you.
Christian "Kofi" Mawuko performs near the Tennessee Aquarium on Sunday, Sept. 2, 2018 in Chattanooga, Tenn.Kofi Mawuko
Age: 53
Style: Upbeat African percussion
Favorite spot to busk: The Tennessee Aquarium
"[I was] busking at the Aquarium once when a lady handed me a piece of paper. [On it was] written, 'God bless you! Thanks for making me smile and bringing joy to my soul!' I still have that note in my wallet for almost three years now. That's what I like about busking. Meeting people who just need someone to talk to, or need something to brighten their day. You get to connect with people closer and to experience their mood of the day, [pausing] and [talking] to people in between playing. And the best part is having kids play drums with me - makes my day with the smiles on their faces makes it worthwhile sitting outside playing in the heat. It's the spirit of music that brings us all together."
Street music, Laura Walker, was photographed in North Chattanooga for Chatter Magazine on September 3, 2018.Laura Walker
Age: 57
Style: Bluegrassy Americana
Favorite spot to busk: Walnut Street Bridge on the North Shore
"I enjoy busking because you can really connect with people, you can play whatever you like and you get immediate validation/acceptance/approval from the passersby in the form of compliments, smiles, singing along with and, of course, the always appreciated tip. When busking, there are no real music rules (except no amplification) so you can be free and experiment with your craft."
Joseph "Joe Boss" Ridolfo
Age: 68
Style: Traditional folk music
Favorite spot to busk: Chattanooga Choo Choo gardens or the downtown side of the Walnut Street Bridge
"We meet homeless people, transients, mentally ill people, and see what drug and alcohol use can do. Yes, there are panhandlers and con artists on the street, but sometimes I meet someone - usually a young local student - that is really in need of a meal. Some of us dip into our bucket to buy a meal for someone. I know there are some verses about 'lest any man should boast' and not to ring bells or blow trumpets while doing good deeds. But these folks really touch my heart."
Street performer Emi Riemer, 9, who plays both fiddle and mandolin, poses for a portrait on the Walnut Street Bridge on Saturday, Sept. 1, 2018, in Chattanooga, Tenn. Emi Kate Riemer
Age: 9
Style: Bluegrass and folk
Favorite spot to busk: The downtown side of the Walnut Street Bridge
"[I like to busk at the] downtown end of the Walnut Street Bridge because lots of people come by and [I] get to go to The Ice Cream Show when [I'm] done. [My most memorable interaction while busking] was when my best friend from school moved to Alabama, and after several months gone, her parents saw where my dad posted where I'd be playing and she (Tempe) showed up to surprise me. Then we got to hang out after I finished and catch up."
Matt Downer poses for a photo at the Chattanooga Choo Choo Thursday, August 31, 2018 in Chattanooga, Tennessee. Downer plays fiddle and banjo. Matt Downer
Age: 44
Style: Old-time "good time" music
Favorite spot to busk: The streets of Hill City
"I really enjoy taking music to street level and the up-close, spontaneous, personal interactions that are created. I love playing unamplified acoustic music and bypassing the barriers of stage, cords, speakers and such that so often separates musician and audience. Overall, busking has reinforced my belief that music is truly a universal language. I continue to be amazed and inspired by the power music [has to] cut right through so many divides - social, economic, racial, etc. - and connect us all."
Trinity "Elizabeth Sax" Sharpe
Age: 28
Style: Classic jazz to hip-hop
Favorite spot to busk: Walnut Street Bridge and on Broad Street next to Baskin-Robbins
"Music found me when I was a baby. I remember being 3 years old, playing my father's piano. I would teach myself simple songs like 'Mary had a Little Lamb' and 'Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star.' I joined band in middle school and picked up the flute at age 11. I was so excited about all of the instruments, I tried every instrument in the band! My band teacher told me, 'You are going to be a jack of all trades and a master at none.' I didn't like that, so I decided at age 12 I would be a master at saxophone.
"Busking gives me a chance to really be free and express myself. It's a deeper relationship with music and gives me more confidence. While busking, people get really involved. They will come right up and join in. That's what I love about it, being up close and personal with people. They can feel it when I play and I can also feel their energy."
Musician Justin Hall plays bucket drums on Broad Street on Friday, Aug. 31, 2018, in Chattanooga, Tenn. Justin Hall
Age: 13
Style: Rock-infused jazz
Favorite spot to busk: Walnut Street Bridge; outside of Songbirds; Hamilton Place mall
"I've been playing for four years but I got really serious and into it about two years ago. [When busking,] I can meet lots of new people and get feedback on my drumming. One time, somebody came up to me and said, 'I don't have any money but I have this,' and then handed me a framed picture of Spock (Leonard Nimoy) that just happened to be in their backpack. I still have it in my room. Pretty awesome tip."