Thursday, October 27, 2011

Got a Favorite Metro Performer?



From Brian N-P:
Alright DC, I know there are a lot of bad things about the Metro, but I just moved here last year, and I have to give the Metro system credit for having some of the most amazing street performers at the stops.

This video is of the guy who plays at Federal Triangle most mornings. He's occasionally there during evenings as well.

I think I've seen him on the Red Line, too.

I've also seen some guys by Foggy Bottom doing four-part harmony.

Sound off if you know of some other ones!

Next time I see this guy, I'll throw him some dough and post a video of him jamming to a more upbeat song, because I can honestly say, I enjoy his performances!
Other items:
Metro finally getting around to analyze Rosslyn clusterf*ck (WaPo)
Suitland robbery suspects arrested (WMATA)
Posted by Unsuck DC Metro at 8:30 AM

Comments (55)

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Alvin's avatar

Alvin · 700 weeks ago

I agree. That guy at Federal Triangle has a great voice.

A limited repertoire of musi,c but I like his tinny-sounding guitar and strong voice.
1 reply · active 699 weeks ago
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Johnb2's avatar

Johnb2 · 699 weeks ago

Sarles gave a lame excuse and solution to the Clarendon mess. He said he would not use the system if there was a back up. WOW ! That means you don't use the beltway if there is a car accident. I don't think VDOT DDOT and MDOT would dare make a statement like that one. How about for example; "We have a poor management staff and the people we have in place are our Buddies and Friends and we just cant't discipline them or let them go".
For example, they do not want to promote others who are qualified and knowledgeable and who are not in our buddy network because they will not lie and cover up the facts when we are negligent and ignorant of the proceedures and policies.
Congress better wake up! and Investigate!
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mmmmm's avatar

mmmmm · 700 weeks ago

Going the opposite way with this one...

I ride the Red line to and from work everyday and Ron Kemp is always playing some sappy crap when I get to Shady Grove... I'd pay him to NOT show up if i could. seriously dude... you're bringing everyone down with that noise! The Peruvian(?) guys that do pan flutes occasionally are much more fun to listen to.
3 replies · active 700 weeks ago
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inDCent's avatar

inDCent · 700 weeks ago

Ahh, Ron Kemp. Thanks for giving out his name, always wondered if this guy had a story. I don't get out to Shady Grove since I moved to Bethesda, but always enjoyed him. I think he has a great voice. Though he did seem to be always playing the same song.
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B and T Crowd Blog's avatar

B and T Crowd Blog · 700 weeks ago

I agree about Ron Kemp and the flutist. Each day I'm closer and closer to buying my own flute and joining in.
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Sizzle's avatar

Sizzle · 700 weeks ago

No, but I have had to deal with 3 or 4 different "organizations" (I don't know what else to call them) ambushing and then hitting me up for money EVERY DAY outside of Silver Spring station. They're either in blue, red, or green shirts and it's incredibly annoying.

Not limited to the Metro station, either. They're crawling all over downtown Silver Spring.
5 replies · active 699 weeks ago
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MadAsHeck's avatar

MadAsHeck · 700 weeks ago

I have the same problem exiting Union Station onto 1st St. It's like running the gauntlet - between the panhandlers, fell-off-the-truck vendors, and newspaper guys, the whole process of exiting the station gets all jammed up.

OK, 1 musician per location would be ok, but we need police to clear out these guys when panhandlers, "charity" orgazanizations, and vendors are too much.
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Ever and Anon's avatar

Ever and Anon · 700 weeks ago

I get hit with the "golden voice" guy panhandling on the train for homeless shelter stuff. I applaud public service for those in need but the fellow has no clue that I am NOT going to open my wallet nor pull out cash on a metro train. He doesn't stop either. Got himself a long litany speech perfected these days.

I have, long ago, heard some young guys singing barbershop quartet style on the trains. They were great. Would enjoy hearing them again.
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anon's avatar

anon · 699 weeks ago

Panhandling on the train is illegal (at least contra Metro rules)..
-3 Vote up Vote down
PabloFeenix's avatar

PabloFeenix · 700 weeks ago

I love giving to the panhandlers in full view of these holier-than-thou petitioners. Their sense of self-righteousness is insufferable
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barb25's avatar

barb25 · 699 weeks ago

They hit me up for money beggin with a cup at vienna and a guy is selling food and candy to. Why can these people get paid and vendors are not allowed to see snacks outside of stations, except a guy sells candy every day outside of vienna station.
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DC Denizen's avatar

DC Denizen · 700 weeks ago

I like the banjo guy that occasionally plays Federal Triangle in the mornings.

Does anyone remember when the Washington Post had Joshua Bell busking in disguise at L'Enfant plaza, and only one person really noticed him? I think he made like $30.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/arti...
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One take's avatar

One take · 700 weeks ago

Hmmmmm…..

There is a performer that I like – an older gentleman who works the Farragut north station on Friday mornings sometimes. Among his play list is an acoustic version of ‘Use Somebody’ – that in my opinion he should be playing in a venue other than a Metro station. Nevertheless, When he’s there, I’ll actually stop and listen for a while and, of course, leave him a tip. He’s very talented.
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Bob The Builder's avatar

Bob The Builder · 700 weeks ago

I have several favorites. There is a violinist (not Bell) who plays at Federal Center SW in the afternoons, down at the mezzanine level. There is also a Bob Marley-inspired keyboard player in the mornings I enjoy. West Falls Church often has a harpist in the afternoons on the north west bus station side.
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Carla's avatar

Carla · 700 weeks ago

I absolutely love this guy! He is very talented and I happily gave him a tip this morning.

What I don't get it the guy who stands about 50 feet from where this performer plays. He graciously offers every single person a friendly greeting. I have seen SO many people give him money and I just don't get it. I don't mean to start a debate about giving money to panhandlers, but I am just wondering...does this guy have some compelling story?
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dude's avatar

dude · 700 weeks ago

I love the guy who plays the nylon stringed Godin at Woodley Park... or at least he used to always be there.
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barb25's avatar

barb25 · 700 weeks ago

There are a couple of "pandhandlers" at vienna station with a pandhandler selling candy . I thought metro transit would stop sales since you have to have a Permit to sell products. If this is the case then how about Venders setting up Hot Dog stands. I don't like grown men asking me for money when mcdonalds is hiring.
1 reply · active 700 weeks ago
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Matt G's avatar

Matt G · 700 weeks ago

There is a panhandler one man flea market that sets up outside East Falls Church. He always blocks some of the bike racks...really irritating.
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perkinsms's avatar - Go to profile

perkinsms 75p · 700 weeks ago

electric guitarist at eastern market. Mornings. He's got some cool licks, he just needs to put them together into something resembling a chord progression and he'd really have something.
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perkinsms 75p · 700 weeks ago

trumpet player at east falls church. plays over jazz standard backing tracks. he's pretty good too.
1 reply · active 625 weeks ago
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guest's avatar

guest · 700 weeks ago

"Cool" Jazz keyboardist at Fed center not so cool.
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guest's avatar

guest · 700 weeks ago

what about the male singing group at crystal city? i love those guys! and they dress to impress!!
1 reply · active 699 weeks ago
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M-Z's avatar

M-Z · 699 weeks ago

It's been a while since I last saw those guys, but they're awesome. I was killing some time in Crystal City, waiting to meet up with someone maybe a year and a half ago, and I hung out to listen to their stuff. It really brightened up my day to hear their a cappella work.
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Ms. Blasé's avatar

Ms. Blasé · 700 weeks ago

- Male violinist who plays at the bottom of the escalators at Capitol South.
- Female harpist who plays at the top of the escalators at Capitol South.
Both are very talented musicians.
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B and T Crowd Blog's avatar

B and T Crowd Blog · 700 weeks ago

I've been disappointed with the musicians around my regular metro stations of Judiciary Square and Shady Grove. At Judiciary Square, I've only heard one guy who plays guitar over some recorded tracks, but he doesn't do anything with them of note.

At SG, there's Ron Kemp (as mentioned above) who's average and does play the same songs. I bought his CD as a way of saying thanks, but the tracks were very slow and long. I like the Peruvian flutist if only b/c he changes up his songs. The other day he played the theme from "The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly" which was fun.

Also at SG, sometimes there's a man and woman playing harmonica and banjo I believe, but I haven't heard them much. And finally, there's this group of four older men singing acapella. They weren't that good before and have added an amplifier that really distorts them even more.
1 reply · active 699 weeks ago
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anon's avatar

anon · 699 weeks ago

Whoa, hang on... if you're doing well enough that you can have a CD made of your work, then you shouldn't be panhandling outside Metro. Leave that to the people who don't have the luxury of getting a CD made.
-1 Vote up Vote down
Curious George's avatar

Curious George · 700 weeks ago

There is a guy who plays blues guitar in Crsyatl City some evenings. Not a great voice but sounds really good when just jamming around a blues scale.
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Matt G's avatar

Matt G · 700 weeks ago

My favorite performer is actually an Express employee at Branch Avenue. His rhythm of "GOOD Mornin', Blessed Day. GOOD Mornin' Blessed Day." has a nice feel to it...peppered with the occasional "Hey there darlin! How are ya this mornin'?"

This man can make anyone smile.
1 reply · active 699 weeks ago
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RGG's avatar

RGG · 699 weeks ago

His name is George.
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Commuter B's avatar

Commuter B · 700 weeks ago

There are a couple of guys I've seen at Farragut West. One plays the bass and the other plays the violin. They play a mix of cover tunes - fantastic. Wish they would play more often.
1 reply · active 699 weeks ago
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Erin's avatar

Erin · 699 weeks ago

I LOVE those guys! If I have the time, I always stop and listen to them. They used to play at Dupont Circle, but I don't see them much anymore. And for a while they played at Chinatown (Verizon center exit) most Saturdays. And they're really nice, I talked to them one Saturday maybe 2 years ago and they said they were working on a CD, but I haven't heard anything about it since. I wish I knew their name or if they have a website or something.
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JoeB's avatar

JoeB · 700 weeks ago

I have the guy at New Carollton who plays church hymns on the sax... uplifting in the am and the street performer a block from Farragut West on 19th who plays American anthems as well as hymns...

These two gentlemen are not 100% in the the system perse, but they provide the means to set the tone for my day...
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Shal 416's avatar

Shal 416 · 700 weeks ago

There are a pair of performers at the Bethesda metro station who play to the after work crowd that absolutely blow my mind. One is on the violin while the other is on the electric guitar and they literally stop everyone in their tracks as they pass by. I may not be the biggest Coldplay fan, but their version of "Clocks" brought tears to my eyes.
2 replies · active 604 weeks ago
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One take 's avatar

One take · 700 weeks ago

I’ve seen those two at Van Ness. One time they even had a bongo player with them. They're really good.
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Erin's avatar

Erin · 699 weeks ago

Does anyone know they name of their group or their website? Someone else mentioned them above, too. I agree, they're great.
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MetroSongs-JasonM's avatar

MetroSongs-JasonM · 700 weeks ago

Curious... are all these folks you are describing playing in Metro stations, or just really close by?
1 reply · active 699 weeks ago
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RGG's avatar

RGG · 699 weeks ago

Many are playing _in_ the stations, and, at the risk of getting everyone mad at me, are normally breaking the law. It's illegal to play music in any of the stations, and it's illegal to "panhandle" on Metro property in D.C. If these guys are playing at a D.C. station, and collecting money for doing so, by law they're PANHANDLING. The guy the OP posted about is among the "lawbreakers" as he's below ground on Metro property at a D.C. station--he's a panhandler. Giving them money is only "feeding the bears."

The police can't "pick and chose" where to enforce the law. Like vending stuff in the stations. As cute as the little Girl Scout is selling cookies near the escalator, what happens when she sets up her table, only to have a guy selling awful D.C. tourist T-shirts next to her and another one selling "Nation of Islam" bean pies? Police can't move "some" violators along while allowing others to stay. When a "god-awful" musician sets up alongside one that the people tend to like, are the people going to call and complain about the "bad" musician and expect that they'll leave the "good" one alone?

Wait until Christmas gets closer. It'll be a freekin' zoo out there as they'll be all over the system!!

There....go ahead posters, and "down thumb" me for speaking the truth. There was talk a few years ago about allowing them to play at stations but I guess it never really went anywhere.
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Robert's avatar

Robert · 699 weeks ago

Farrugut North: There's a man who I presume to be South American playing what I think is technically a mandolin (shaped like a tiny guitar, but not a ukulele). He is amazing.

Friendship Heights: Recently, there has been a man who sings like a woman (that is to say, I think he'd be a soprano). HIS VOICE IS AMAZING. Incredible. Not only that, he sings in the concrete dome on the Western Ave side at the top of the first escalator (if you're going out) which gives his voice an amplification and sustain that is almost haunting.
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Sam's avatar

Sam · 699 weeks ago

My favorite performer is the "God is good. Anybody have 40 cents? Have a happy new year." guy that hangs around Franconia-Springfield in the afternoons.
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Guest's avatar

Guest · 699 weeks ago

There is a great guy on the trumpet (looks like a Vet) who I see sometimes playing just outside the Archives station at the top of the escalators - usually plays patriotic songs, mostly in key. Super nice guy who gives you a "God bless" if you toss in some change - you can hear him from a block away!
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Dan's avatar

Dan · 699 weeks ago

I detest every musician paying at a Metro stop that I’ve ever seen except: (1) some kids a few years ago who were playing Bach on violins at the Bethesda stop with a sign saying they needed money to go to music camp (I gave them some, even assuming that their premise was false) and (2) two guys, one with an electric violin and the other a guitar (possibly a bass) who when I first saw them, outside the Dupont Circle stop (19th Street) were playing a surprisingly creditable version of Eine Kleine Nachtmusik (by Mozart) and whom I did not see for a long time but who showed up this morning at the Bethesda stop, playing a less surprisingly creditable version of Ravel’s Bolero. Thus I’ve seen them twice; each time I identified what they were playing to the violinist who in a deadpan way (perfect!) conceded that I’d nailed it. Of course these were pretty easy.
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Metro Ryder's avatar

Metro Ryder · 699 weeks ago

I hate them all except the bluegrass guys who occasionally show up. I really, really hate the people who have amps. I don't want to hear your crap music drowning out my ipod.

bah humbug
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guest's avatar

guest · 699 weeks ago

the girl who plays the harp is good. the rest of them need to leave.

at the risk of threadjacking: metro's report on the rosslyn clusterf-k: it was all the riders' fault.
http://wtop.com/?nid=41&sid=2609869
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Katelyn's avatar

Katelyn · 699 weeks ago

There's a man with an instrument similar to a ukulele that plays at the Farragut North stations early early in the morning sometimes. I rarely have time to stand and listen to him, but when he's there, I always wish that I did.
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Just Me's avatar

Just Me · 699 weeks ago

I like the 3 or 4 black men that sing together at Federal Triangle.
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anon's avatar

anon · 699 weeks ago

Saw some kid playing a GREAT sax outside Gallery Place, F St exit, recently. Gave him money (he was outside, on the sidewalk). Well deserved.
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RedLineRider's avatar

RedLineRider · 699 weeks ago

an earlier commenter mentioned the duo with the violin and electric bass. they also play outside of the Gallery Place stop (and I'm pretty sure they actually played at my friend's wedding too!) I've noticed that there are actually 2 violinists who take turns (on different days, I guess) but whenever I hear their music while I'm riding up the escalator, it puts me in SUCH a good mood. they play anything from classical music to modern pop hits, and everything they play sounds amazing. I would love to get a CD of their stuff -- anyone know if they have a website?
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montagthezine's avatar - Go to profile

montagthezine 51p · 699 weeks ago

There's a fair rotation of players outside of the McPherson Sq Metro in the morning (14th street exit side). I like the guy with dreds who plays the guitar and I think someone already mentioned the South American guy who plays the small guitar who's played around other stations. I like them - they play something that is at least soothing enough for the morning commute and both seem to really enjoy performing. One guy who clearly isn't a skilled trumpet player sometimes shows up and plays a success of four random notes over and over.
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arstkw's avatar

arstkw · 696 weeks ago

I would just like to comment on some of these people who don't know a panhandler from a busker. Just to let you know a panhandler is someone who begs for money; period. A busker is someone who works for it.
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Frankie's avatar

Frankie · 629 weeks ago

Can anybody stand the guy that sings "opera" at the Courthouse Metro station? Never is there an actual word pronounced and the guy just loves the sound of his own voice reverberating off the walls. Sometimes I think he raises his voice to an ear piercing level just to annoy me. It's even more annoying when someone gives him money because he keeps singing and waves his hands to them by holding up his hands and twisting them from side to side. LOL Would love for him to go away.
1 reply · active 612 weeks ago
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Rhodes's avatar

Rhodes · 612 weeks ago

Are you talking about the young Opera guy? I really enjoy listening to him, saw him at McPherson this morning, he had people stopped in their tracks. He has great voice control, which it quite hard to accomplish.

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