I live about 4.5 miles from downtown. Downtown Nashville is a pretty hot spot these days, lots of action and more than it’s fair share of street performers and entertainers.
The thing about street performers is that they’re ALL downtown. The number doesn’t steadily dissipate as you drive further away. Tons of buskers downtown and then nothing as soon as you get about a quarter mile away.
But in the last two weeks, one guy has been throwing off the system.
There’s a short four lane tunnel going under some railroad tracks really close to my house. The road gets insanely backed up during rush hour, stand still traffic. Trust me, I was in it today forever.
Well, the last couple times I’ve been stuck in that tunnel, there is a homeless looking man playing tuba…and he has a tambourine on his foot so he can stomp out the beat. The reverb in the tunnel is amazing.
People love it! They can’t believe it! They roll down their windows and take video, give him money, smile at him, smile at the people in the car next to them. It’s amazing. It’s actually a modern miracle…he actually makes people forget their hatred for traffic…and gives them a moment of joy in return.
A mere four miles further into town and no one would care, no one would stop and take video and celebrate a tuba player. Too much noise, and the expectations are different of people downtown.
But this guy found a sweet spot of exceeding peoples expectations for what it means to be stuck in traffic 4.5 miles outside of downtown Nashville.
He probably won’t ever get a tuba record deal, or play with the Nashville Symphony, but this guy understands and exemplifies some pretty foundational marketing and relational principles, and is giving us all a gift.
What do you see here?
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I’m always interested in your perspective, whether affirming or dissenting. Continue the conversation anytime: gabethebassplayer@gmail.com