Behind the Scenes of The Busker of Cherry Grove

Adam Burns told me that he never claimed to be a saint. Well, he sung it actually, during one of his songs that didn’t make the final cut of the movie. In fact, there were a lot of things Adam said or did that were edited out for time constraints, which by the way, is probably my biggest challenge in telling someone’s story through film.

The journalist-historian in me would prefer to upload all the raw footage and be done with it, essentially archiving each person I meet – but nobody has the time or attention span for that.

By now, hopefully you’ve seen my Beechmont Stories debut film, The Busker of Cherry Grove, featuring the young man who plays guitar for tips in Cherry Grove and Eastgate.  If you haven’t, check it out below.  Oh, and while you’re there, be sure to like the video and subscribe to my new Beechmont Stories YouTube channel.  I think this is where all my future videos will be shared, including my next one coming soon.

Adam was very open about his past during our interview, including the time he spent in jail or in emergency rooms following a brutal street fight. To put it simply, Adam had what most of us didn’t have: an actual hard life; one of violence and loss – and then more violence.  If struggle sharpens a man, then Adam is a razor blade among marshmallows in Anderson Township, yet today he paves his way peacefully through music. There’s something special about that.

During the scene where we took shelter from the thunderstorm in Gabe’s, Adam asked for permission to play his guitar in the vestibule for stranded guests who were waiting for the rain to subside. The manager, a nice woman just doing her job, said that he could not, and then offered him a job doing maintenance work instead. Adam politely declined.  

Earlier during our interview Adam was very honest about his perception of steady employment.  He said he didn’t want to work at a job he hated.  He said he was at peace with his decision to busk for money and that it made him free.  

I agree with Adam that salvation does not necessarily lie in a pay stub.  Some people are born to break the rules and go their own way.  Their search for meaning and happiness transcends comfort, and even stability.

My Advice

I’m not necessarily a “pick yourself up by the bootstraps” kind of guy. Well, I guess I am sort of, but my bootstraps are a somewhat different. My advice for Adam would not be to look for a full time job he’s forced to drag himself into everyday. I think the idea of a part time job may be a good idea. A part time job will pay a bill or two and he can meet new friends and perhaps learn a skill. But more importantly, a part time job will allow Adam time to study his craft. And there is my bootstrap.

Adam has skill. He has talent. My daughter hounds me constantly to play Adam’s movie so she can hear “the jazzy part” of one of his songs. It’s the one at the end of the film when Adam accepts food from a generous young lady in a car. There’s a riff Adam plays that makes my daughter smile every time she hears it.

So I say keep busking. Live free if that is what you truly want – but throw your heart into your music. Learn new songs, new techniques. Go to the library and learn how to start a website or a store to sell your music. Practice, practice, and then practice some more. Don’t live day to day; but strive for something instead.

Five or six years ago I may have considered Adam to be a freeloader or a bum, but I was a different person back then.  I was overworked, tired, and hated my job.  Part of me would have been jealous of Adam and I would have been forced to justify my unhappiness by expressing resentment toward him.  But people change.  Now here I am, busking in my own way, telling stories for donations. The only difference is that my guitar case is online.  

So are you feeling generous? Have you enjoyed Beechmont Stories’ free content? Do you want to support this project by making a donation? Every donation is greatly appreciated and helps justify the massive amount of time spent to bring you these stories.  Please use the buttons below to donate through my Givebutter account. Anything is appreciated.

Related article: Anderson is Disconnected and Disengaged: Here’s How We Could Fix That and Save Lives