In this screenshot from the video Peter McKeough holds up a $100 bill that he received from a stranger on April 12, 2019.

(SHELBY THEVENOT / iNFOnews.ca)

KAMLOOPS — As people are talking about potential changes to regulate street performers in Kamloops, one busker shared his views on the matter.

Local musicians have been buzzing since it came out this week that a $40 busking fee may be in the works, but for this acoustic guitar player the fee is not what he worries about. 

"I don't have a big problem with paying to get a licence," Peter McKeough says. "What I would have a problem with is if they wanted to place me in a certain spot."

McKeough says he has established good relationships with some businesses in town who let him perform outside their door. As he talked about how his music sometimes scores the establishments "a few compliments" a woman came up and handed him a $100 bill.

For him, busking is not about the money. Rather he does it to meet people, and practice his music.

McKeough has been serenading the street for the past year ever since a blood clot caused the amputation of his right leg. 

He says he had just moved to Kamloops and was applying for a job at the Royal Inland Hospital, armed with 31 years of nursing experience.

"I went into Boston Pizza, and I had a pizza and a couple of beers. I walked out and threw a blood clot," he says gesturing to his right leg, "And this is the end result."

When the weather is nice you will often find him strumming in Lansdowne Village on either side of the London Drugs. His agreement with the establishment is that as long as he doesn't directly ask people for money or play too loud he is welcome to play his music.

As of right now the city doesn't have rules in place to regulate, enforce, or promote street performing.

But since the first Kamloops Buskers Festival took place this past July, the City of Kamloops and Kamloops Arts Council have been in talks about how to change that.

The City and the Arts Council say they will be sending out a media release after their meeting with stakeholders on Wednesday.

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News from © iNFOnews, 2019