Flowing from campus to the Capitol, State Street has long been a carotid artery of Madison culture. Its range of entertainment bridges opera and bars, night clubs and poetry readings. Yet one of State Street's most unique forms of culture is often literally passed by. Street musicians are as essential to the character of State Street as the color green is to trees.
State Street has brewed a bottomless cup of musicians in its existence. Walk down State Street on a nice day, and you're just as likely to see punk music performed as classical and students performing alongside senior citizens. This open atmosphere has launched many professional careers, including that of Catfish Stephenson, a favorite Madison blues artist. State Street also provides a home base for regulars like Rev. Jim, who is most well-known for playing with a lyric sheet of rock standards and letting passersby sing karaoke to his guitar accompaniment. From this dynamic mix of performers, some of Madison's most unique musicians have surfaced.
Armed with a kazoo, a ukulele and an often hilarious insight, Art Paul Schlosser is one of State Street's most notorious musicians. His humorous songs, which include titles like \I want to be Madonna?"" and ""I don't want to find Waldo,"" have earned Schlosser a reputation extending outside of Madison. Schlosser performed on MTV when the channel visited the UW-Madison campus in 1992. Most recently in July of this year, his song, ""Have a Peanut Butter Sandwich"" took the top spot on the Dr. Demento radio show, which takes responsibility for jump-starting the career of Weird Al Yankovic in the early 1980s.
Though Schlosser has now cut seven CDs and also sells his own paintings, he still relies on State Street patrons to provide most of his income and performing experience.
""It's a great place to practice,"" Schlosser said. ""The atmosphere is very encouraging. If people like you, they give you money. If they don't, you have to go home and practice some more.""
Besides gaining an audience and notoriety, Schlosser said he feels that performing on State Street helps him help others.
""Many people come up to you and just want to talk,"" he said. ""They're not really there for the music, but are looking for answers. I feel good because I know some answers. I'm not Ann Landers or anything, but maybe I can make someone smile on a bad day. ... There are a lot of problems in the world, and maybe what people need is a song.""
For many other artists, performing on State Street is only a hobby and not a substantial source of income. One such musician, I.J.E., said he feels that performing on the street is an excellent way to network with other musicians for part-time gigs, while giving him a sense of self-healing.
""People are very accepting and very open with the music I like to do,"" he said. ""I'm not interested in making a CD'maybe 20 years ago I would have been. [Performing on State Street] is simply my medicine nowadays.""
Both Schlosser and I.J.E. admit, however, that playing on State Street has its drawbacks. The temperamental weather of Wisconsin often limits the amount of time musicians can spend playing outdoors, forcing them to look for other means of income.
Musicians performing on State Street must also accept aggressive panhandlers, demanding drunks and bar fights as simply par for the course. Schlosser said he is concerned that violence on State Street ruins the positive atmosphere musicians create when they perform.
""People shouldn't treat State Street like it's a place to trample down,"" Schlosser said. ""People should treat it like it's their own backyard and not terrorize it. Someone has to pay for the mess people make.""
Despite State Street's darker side, I.J.E. said he still feels that State Street continues to positively shape Madison's identity. He is most excited by what he said he feels is a growing political consciousness influencing the artistic atmosphere throughout the Madison area.
""Madison is coming on its own again as a cultural phenomenon,"" I.J.E. said. ""This is especially true since Sept. 11. There is more poetry, more music. More people are coming out with things to say, and it's exciting to be here for that.""
This new political influence is just another contribution street musicians add to the downtown area. Though much of their importance is often ignored, and few actually are able to support themselves solely by performing on the street, State Street will continue to yield talented performers.
For many street musicians, simply knowing that they are making downtown Madison a more colorful place is reason enough to continue performing.
As Schlosser puts it, If I can make somebody smile, I'll smile too.
