Singing on the streets

[Clark]

I hope someone can help me. This is probably the craziest question ever! There is an older black man that sits on the streets in downtown Nashville who sings and plays when you pay him. I know there are a lot of people who do such as this, but this man has been there for years. Over the past 5 or 6 years I have made many trips to Nashville, and that is the one memory that stands out in my mind more than any other. We paid him to sing to us, and he did the funniest song. I think thats what makes Nashville what it is. Yeah you've got the greats, but just as important are the ones aspire to be 'greats'. I look up to those people for having the courage and will to do what they do. Anyway, I really want to know his name, nickname, what street he sits on (I can't remember) and what he sits in front of. If you can help me I would greatly appreciate it. Thanks!

[Jojo]

Hello Clark! This sure is a tough one , however, we are doing some research to see if we can find out the name of this person for you.

Give us a couple of days and we'll let you know what we find out. In the meantime, if you can remember where in Nashville this person sings, please let us know!

[Jojo]

Hey there Clark -

Unfortunately, we could not come up with a name, but we found out his location. Apparently, he's still belting out the tunes on 2nd Avenue between Wildhorse Saloon & Graham Central Station in downtown Nashville.

Be sure to visit him next time you're in town and let us know his name!

[Charliy]

I haven't seen him in a while. You're talking about Chocolate Thunder, who can usually be found on Second Avenue.

[will]

First, this is a rare RARE...case, but ....and I speak as an agent with the drug task force here in Nashville and the county....Street performers seen downtown are absolutely a unique and yes admirabe thing. May are not even there for money, they just love music and performing..and there's always that chance a certain someone searchg for new talent may walk by. thats downtown though

This is the exception here ough....We know of at least 2 individuals in the Music row/ Demonbreun near the ASCAP building, and generally midtown areas so far that do some singing for purposes not so admirable.
One specific male, white..mid 30's and skinny likes to randomly select a corner or sidewalk along music row and wil sing . But his voice is not the best, and it's obnoxiously LOUD...
He only stays for a few minutes and then relocates to continue this .
After extensive surveillance, it turns out this man and one other at least, ue this a a "callling card " to announce their presence....those who are drug users , and there are many!, know this as an advertisement that he is here and has the substances to sell.
In a sense..its the strategy of th old ice cream trucks that drive through neighborhoods with a louspeaker playing familiar tunes to alert the children heis there and selling ice cream or whatever.
Pretty clever marketing really...instead of a ice cream can and treats for kids...he travels by bicycle and has other sort of "treats".
The danger is that he is also a user...and a user if in a bad spot for owing a distributor a large debt, or if he himself cant come across his druc of choice and is craving....these situations will cause addicts to make irrational and spontaneous decisions of using violent measures to obtain money by reobbing and attacking innocent tourists and locals...or in some cases rob a pharmacy for a fix.
Get in the way of an addict in a spot like that is extremely dangerous.

Just FYI...it could be a new trend and may spread out...or this may just be isolated instances. But it's good to know for your own safety, especially if you are not familliar with the city.

Hope it helps .
will