AFTER 10 days of capacity crowds along Tamworth’s Peel St, yesterday it was quiet again, save for the music of Charlie Saliba, the last busker in town.
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When The Leader caught up with Mr Saliba yesterday, he was preparing to pack up his gear for another year and make the trek home to Budgewoi.
The singer, MC and some-time actor has been to the past 34 festivals and busked in Peel St for 33 of them.
He arrived in the city on January 16 and was outside Mathers every day, the business which has retained his services for many years.
He loves what he does, but fondly remembers the “good old days” when the Tamworth festival was “just country music, not a mixture like it is now”, and each busker could make themselves heard.
“It’s all about big amplification now and there’s just no need for it,” Mr Saliba said.
The financial rewards weren’t as great anymore either, he said, although this year had proved more lucrative than the last.
Still, Mr Saliba loves to entertain and Tamworth is a chance to catch up with old friends and new.
“For the past few years I’ve said this’ll be my last, but I always come back ... and I’ll be back next year,” he smiled.
