My son is 16 and has busked in manchester for 3 years. Please can as many sign the petition on facebook as posible. Newspapers, Granada, BBC and Channel M are all involved with the story and filming tomorrow. Please read the following and if you have seen Tom please leave a comment. Thanks
Press release
If you would like to support the following cause please go on Facebook: “don’t stop tom sumner singing in Manchester” and leave comments and sign the petition.
I am writing concerning an issue regarding Tom Sumner who is 16 and a professional singer. He has been a street performer on Market Street for about 3 years. He’s a fantastic voice, good looking and very entertaining, kind and charming lad who does nobody any harm.. George Sampson and Tom supported each other when they busked alongside. Tom has saved and built up his own equipment through the years as he’s busked. He is extremely popular with the crowds and always has a huge amount of people surrounding him: dancing, singing and cheering him on. He often has to stop to let the crowds disperse they get so big. Many video, photograph and ask for his autograph throughout most of his performance (and a sneak kiss). He was approached by Patrick Alum (Drifters) who was amazed by his voice. Dario G was so impressed he has worked with Tom and Spike from 911 to produce a song to be released. Tommy Nagra, Executive producer from the BBC was passing and was really impressed with his voice. Tom has met many very supportive people from the music industry who have offered him music deals. Tom hasn’t been able to perform anywhere else due to him being 15 so it has been the only way to show off his talent, footballers, etc, have other opportunities to perform but for singers it’s more difficult. Tom is visually impaired and school has been very difficult so he’s put all his effort into something which he’s good at. He was unable to take music at GCSE level because his tutor didn’t think he would cope with the written element. I cannot afford singing lessons for him although he has had local singing lessons in the past. He has done all this through shear determination.
The people of Manchester all commend him and he always gets positive comments, e.g, you should be on the television, you’re far better than them on X-Factor, Get the twins off and you on X Factor, it’s really nice to see a young lad doing something he’s passionate about, hasn’t he got a fantastic voice. He had a group of Spanish youths on an exchange all wanting their photograph taken with him last week. Last week there was the dearest old lady dancing to hero by Enrique Iglesias. This week a lady had been watching Tom for ages when she approached him and said “my mum died yesterday and you are the only thing that has made me happy. Thank you so much; and she kissed Tom on the cheeks with tears in her eyes”. A young girl asked for his autograph because she and her mum knew he was going to be famous (so sweet). He has tramps dancing and coming shaking his hand and snuggling up and listening to him sing. A Chinese man asked him to sing a romantic song in the middle of Manchester while he proposed to his girlfriend. These lovely stories happen so often. He is popular with young, old, and from all walks of life. He hasn’t had a bad comment pleasing that many different people weekly isn’t an easy. People walk past and say ‘WOW he’s really good.’ In mine and the people of Manchester’s eyes he is making a massive amount of people happy. Some people stay all day and dance and sing along. They buy coffees and sit and just enjoy the entertainment.
Thomas has busked for 3 years and checked the licensing laws before he did so. He was told at present they didn’t require a license and would contacted him with any changes. He has not yet been contacted. Tom has donated his busking money to special cancer busking events that have taken place in Manchester.
**On the 31/10/09 Tom was singing surrounded by a huge crowd as usual when approached by a patroller and warden who notified us that their was a new law today and Tom’s equipment was obstructing (Tom’s equipment took up no more space than a babies pram). There were far more obstructions along Market Street than Tom’s little PA system. The patroller said that people playing guitars, drums or dancers were okay but Toms equipment was an obstruction although he took up a lot less space than the other street performers. I explained that Tom had busked in the same place for 3 years without any complaints; just praise. The patroller said that probably this should have been enforced a bit back. Tom was told to pack up his gear and was not allowed to busk in Manchester again with his equipment. If he didn’t pack up his gear he was told that the police would soon and move him away and confiscate his equipment. They spoke in a very nasty tone. The people in the shops at the side were all smiling and singing along. No complaints by anybody.
The crowds were absolutely disgusted and made comments like: “that’s disgusting look at all the people who were enjoying that”, “how sad when a youth is doing something good out of his life- would you rather him be mugging people”, “he’s no more obstruction than anything else on the streets of Manchester”. People were furious and really supported Thomas. There were many other buskers with guitars a Mexican group playing different instruments, drummers, dancers, yet they weren’t moved on. I would like some publicity on this matter and I know if you asked for support from the public you would be inundated with thousands of people supporting Thomas and sending footage in of him singing. Not only does Tom sing in England he also sings in Spain and Portugal. He has a huge fan base that he has worked hard at and developed himself. He has a good attitude so has managed to keep his followers.
Tom has a CD he has made he could send you but doesn’t sound as good as live and you can’t see his expressions and movements. He also has a couple of clips of himself busking in Manchester but I’m sure there are a lot more videos and photos than my poor efforts (I’d only got the recorder that week so was practising). I’m sure people would send videos in. I would love for you to come down and film him busking and show how much the people of Manchester love him and how he makes so many people happy.
Signed:
Vicky and Tom Sumner
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« Last Edit: November 06, 2009, 04:31:08 PM by vicky »
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hi Vicky and Tom Sumner
you have my most heartfelt sympathy.....
best advice..is to check & ask with YOUR LOCAL_COUNCIL.
under what circumstances & conditions will they alow your son
Tom..to busk..
which locations, which venues, which times will they allow TOM to BUSK...
I know my son supported ..his FRIENDS who WERE a small POP-MUSIC BAND...
these boys & my son..SUPPORTING THEM
sing & music-gig IN PUBS & GET PAID..50 for one night...
not much & audience is much smaller..
But at least the LOcal Council cannot throw -yuo-out..!
best wishes..
BASHIR xx
BGT Entry : Attractive
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« Last Edit: November 03, 2009, 02:22:00 PM by Bashir »
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Hi Vicky, I hope you mamage to get this sorted out it seems a real shame that he cannot busk when they let others do so.
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I hope things can be sorted out Vicky. When a young person like Tom does something positive, it is a pity something cannot be dealt with in sensible terms. It seems to be a jobsworth thing, doesn't it?
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Tom checked with the council prior to him busking and said he didn't need a license and that so long as he turned his music down if anyone complained it was too loud. He hasn't has a problem in three years. Not one complaint. We havent seen these patrollers before when he's been busking. A BBC executuve director TOmmy Nagra loves coming listening to Tom and like most they sit and have a few coffees and enjoy the music. Tom was only 16 on WEd so he couldn't perform in clubs, pubs, etc. Granada and Channel M are interviewing and filming him tomorrow. His equipment is so small they just had it in for him on that day.
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This is a disgusting way to treat a young lad especially has he is obviously giving so much pleasure to people. I hope you get the publicity you need and something is done about this so he can continue doing what he loves, will look on facebook for the petition to sign. What would they rather he do hang around the streets getting into trouble   Good luck in getting this sorted. |
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Tom has got some publicity from it fortunately. He was in the two tameside local papers and the manchester evening news. He was on granada reports last night and channel M. BBC might be showing some interest also. The councillor of Manchester said on Channel M that tom can perform at the Manchester Christmas lights swith on which he's pleased about. Weather permitting the councillor is going to introduce Tom on Saturday and even promised to sing a song with him. Tom will have to bring his spare mic. So if anyones around manchester on market street see come and give Tom support please.
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Hello Vicky,
Please check the buskers threads in my signature.
The buskers threads like every other thread in my signature is there for educational purposes.
Hope they prove useful to you.
Will read this thread again later when I will check Tom out completely.
Maureen
Ageing tart
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Hello again Vicky,
I have read the first psot thoroughly now and will sign your petition. I love street musicians and feel they add to culture of a town or city.
Re- the information on licensing for performance you need to have a copy of written details from the council whenever he is out busking.
Also you need to work out whether the place Tom is busking in has become a popular spot for buskers and then maybe re-schedule busking to make allowances for others.
RE- CD sales. This is illegal unless each song is one of his own, self penned and performed.
Covers of other artists songs and song writers need to be individually licensed per song. The only exception to this mechanical license of cover material is if you apply direct to the PRS to be exempt. Ie because the CD money is being donated to charity. You can be exepted for so many sales.
Again this subject is covered in great detail and I would urge you to read the threads relating to such subjects in my signature.
Maureen
Ageing tart
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We have certainly adhered to the above and he has busked at the same place for 3 years and the people in the shops sing along and haven't ever complained. He usually sings at the top of market street outside HMV and TK MAKX He aways stops regularly to let the crowds disperse. He was asked once to turn his music down so did so immediately. I know George Sampson had it far harder busking on the streets of manchester and he was going to come down and support Tom on thursday but got the message too late. The crowds enjoy listening and some stay all day. It is not about what Tom earns but who is listening and passing by and the positive comments he receives. He brings happiness to lots of people who choose to stop and listen and lots stay all day.
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Hi Vicky I've been a professional busker for over 4 years now and I can totally sympathise. It can be a nightmare wading through the red tape and often you feel like the new "rules" come in just to create work for people who don't have enough to do or want a power trip! I can only suggest carrying on with your campaign but also look for other places to busk outside of Manchester. I travel the length and bredth of the country now. The biggest hurdle can be selling CDs, because this requires a trading licence which isn't always available and often costs money. Keep in touch, if you like, and let me know how he gets on. With councils, though, it can be like hitting your head against a brick wall unfortunately. We had a similar problem in York, see the facebook petition page for ideas: http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?cropsuccess&id=222305222#/group.php?gid=109613775836(if link doesn't work search under Group for York Busking Ban) We had press, radio and a 1,000 name petition but we got nowhere. Good luck. Musical Diva xxx |
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I will certainly be checking out your threads and taking on any additional advice. Thank you.
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Fortunately Tom has been able to continue busking in manchester but will adhere by the rules until a new one comes along. I really hope you have look with yuor campaign. Do these people realise sone of the top artists have been picked up from the streets busking. Surely they should be supporting what talented people they have across the country.
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So glad that they have allowed Tom to continue busking. Unfortunately some people have nothing bett er to do that make up silly rules to spoil peoples fun.
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Hello Vicky,
I am online now if you need any further help.
Re trading license this is normally only granted if you have a stall and the reason why they aren't granted in Britain is due to the irregular nature of busking sites or venues.
However, you can license your cover songs if cover songs form part of the busking repertoire after that it becomes Tom's responsibility to ensure that the Royalties are paid.
Unfortunately, this mechanical license is perfectly in order if in music licensed property but is still not totally legitimate on the street.
Local council bylaws is causing the problem and like Musicaldiva has suggested someone could well be on a power trip when policing the issue.
Busking in some countries other than Britain is also illegal.
Which is a shame as providing the music is not over powering, I don't see what harm it does.
I definitely know some of the best vocal and songwriting talent has been picked up from the streets and train stations.
From my last visit to Manchester you have a Metro. Some stations could have official busking spots, we have here in Newcastle. But the beauty about it is the metro system polices itself (METRO POLICE) and the rules to be adhered to here are those set by the Metro stations Controll HQ.
Maureen
Ageing tart
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