u/LadyWithAHarp

People who have done well busking online/streaming, which platform has worked out the best for you?

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I may have sprained my ankle a couple of days ago. Right before I have a road trip to perform at a festival. Arg!

Wish me luck-since this is adjacent to breaking a leg I'll go without.

***AWARENESS POST*** Please help and share this so other performers can be in the know.

I am an open book with most things so I want to share some information with you all about what has been going on behind the scenes the last couple of weeks. I am sticking to facts and keeping any thoughts out of this so they can’t be used against me later.

On August 8th, 2026, Amerakin Overdose, Proven and Pitch Black Mass performed at The Grand Theatre in Salem, OR. We worked out a deal with To The Ceiling Entertainment (Andrew Hussey and Alex Hussey).

Our understanding of the payment agreement was that:

The first $250 in proceeds would be paid to the sound engineer working that evening.
The three performing bands would collectively receive 75% of ticket revenue.
25% of ticket revenue would go to the promoter.
The last documented presale total available to us showed 156 tickets sold at $20 each. We were also told by the person working the door that ticket sales increased by approximately 15% on the day of the event, with door tickets priced at $25. Based on that information, we estimate that approximately 180 tickets may have been sold, although the final ticket count and final accounting have not been provided to us.

All three bands performed that evening.

Near the end of Amerakin Overdose's set, while we were preparing to play our final song, the person working the door came to the side of the stage and informed us that we needed to stop because the Salem Fire Department was at the building in connection with fire alarms. I informed the audience that we had to stop the performance and that they needed to exit the building. The audience from the upstairs show exited, and we observed Salem Fire Department personnel at the location.

We were not paid following the performances.

Attempts to Obtain Payment

After the show, we asked about payment and were told that one of the promoters was out of town and that payment would be addressed when he returned.

We later contacted Alex Hussey regarding payment and were told that it would be handled after he returned in a few days.

On August 13, I attempted to contact Andrew Hussey by phone. When there was no answer, I left a voicemail and sent a text message requesting information regarding payment. I did not receive a response to that text.

We also communicated with a graphic design employee associated with the promotion company, who told us she was having difficulty reaching the promoters as well.

On August 14, Alex Hussey sent a message to my brother, Pete, stating that they would have a payment timeline by Monday, August 17. We did not receive the promised timeline.

On August 18, we sent a written final notice requesting payment and advising that we intend to pursue available legal remedies if the matter was not resolved. As of the date of this pitch, payment has not been received by the three bands, and we have not received a substantive response resolving the matter.

Based on the ticket information available to us and the payment arrangement described above, the three bands estimate that approximately $3,700 remains unpaid. That amount is subject to the final accounting and evidence presented in any legal proceeding.

On August 21, I noticed that Alex Hussey had viewed my Facebook story. I then sent him a message reminding him that we had previously sent a final notice regarding the unpaid performance proceeds and that we intended to pursue legal action if the matter remained unresolved.

He responded with the following message:

“My hands are literally tied. More will come to light in the future and you’ll understand. But at this point that’s all I can say. I completely understand the decision you have to make for yourself.”

I did not respond. The message was later deleted, but I had taken a screenshot before it was removed.

While researching the situation, I also observed a public review posted on To The Ceiling Entertainment's Facebook page by Tuna and the Rock Cats Rescue, a nonprofit organization.

The organization publicly stated in its review that it performed at events associated with the promoter in August 2025 and had not been paid as of the time the review was posted in January 2026. The review states that the organization believed it was owed $27,000 and that it had a signed contract.

I contacted the organization directly by email and was told that an unresolved amount remains outstanding and that the matter is being handled by its management.

I want to be especially clear: I cannot independently verify the organization's claimed amount, all of the underlying facts surrounding its dispute, or the ultimate legal merits of its claim. I am only reporting what the organization publicly stated and what it communicated to me. I can provide you with the public review and our correspondence so that your outlet can independently investigate and verify any information you choose to report.

Our primary concern is not simply recovering the money we believe is owed to the bands. We also believe independent musicians, performers, and organizations deserve to know when a payment dispute has occurred so they can make informed decisions, ask the right questions, insist on written agreements, and protect themselves.

Amerakin Overdose invested heavily in promoting this event. I personally spent $661.25 on Facebook and TikTok advertising specifically for this show. The other bands also performed their sets in reliance on the agreed payment arrangement.

The unpaid proceeds have affected all three bands. Independent artists depend on performance income to pay for transportation, equipment, promotion, production expenses, and other costs associated with operating a band.

We intend to pursue this matter through the appropriate civil process if it remains unresolved. I understand that any legal case will ultimately depend on the evidence and applicable law, and I am prepared to provide documentation supporting the factual statements.

I believe there is an important broader conversation here about accountability and transparency in the independent music industry—particularly when underground bands and nonprofit organizations say they have performed work or services and are still seeking payment.

There are a number of questions we have for both the To The Ceiling Entertainment and The Grand Theatre.

If there is something going on behind the scenes like Alex stated in his message, why are they still putting on shows and allowing bands to perform? Are the other bands getting paid? Why did they not pay the non profit organization and why did they not pay us? What is the deciding factor for the artists that are not getting paid even when there are text and email agreements?

As I mentioned, I have all the texts, emails screen shots and receipts for all of this so it will be presented to a judge.

Please share this with as many people as you can. I am not saying they are doing this to everyone because I can’t prove that but I want to make other performers aware of our experience. I have contacted a majority of the local news media in the area but anything helps if you want to tag any of them on this post.

I am determined to not let these people get away with this. This hurts the bands financially and also our reputation. All of you who paid to get in and support the bands, the money was never released to the bands. As of today, no payment has been received. Those responsible need to be held accountable. I would be very embarrassed if I were these two and anyone associated with them. Shame on anyone who participates in behavior like this.

Since making this post on Facebook and Instagram more performers have reached out and let me know they have also not been paid working for these promoters at this venue. One person is owed over $65,000 and another artist was owed $12,000 still unpaid.

I ask you to help me make this go as viral as possible so that others can be aware

Great bit of performance art. Shenanigans are always fun.

Sorry about the Facebook link, but it was this or Instagram.

This is my first busking session after spending two weeks out in the woods, and the difference is jarring. There are so many people carrying around Bluetooth speakers and blaring them. Someone sat near my pitch for over 30 minutes waiting for his boat and had YouTube videos of some kind of military content (lots of gunshots and explosions) as loud as he could make it.

I get it, you're bored and want to watch your videos, or use the speaker phone, or just want the music that you like. It makes it so difficult for everyone else, and people like me providing live entertainment. At least the yacht that sailed by every couple of hours blaring hiphop was a Decent distance away and passed by within a minute.

A while ago someone made a post complaining about all of the people wearing headphone. I much prefer the people wearing headphones because that means people can enjoy my performance without the extra noise.

I've been on GigSalad for over three months and I haven't gotten a single booking from it yet. Does anyone else here use it? I only have a free profile, since I don't want to throw away money on something that doesn't work.

I get regular leads, but nothing has panned out. I don't want to undercut other performers, but since I have a very niche repertoire and use a lever harp, not a pedal harp, I am pricing myself on the lower end.

I worry that I am doing something wrong, either in my responses or my profile.

It is difficult to view links to Instagram reels/videos in the main body of posts on Reddit. Especially when using the mobile version of Reddit. I am not sure when or if this will be fixed. Please avoid using them.

There is an option to directly upload your videos to Reddit posts.

This is about making "content" but it definitely harmonizes with why I advise against having jokes or too much embellishment on busking signs. People have short attention spans, average literacy levels are going down, as is average reading comprehension. Go for clarity over cleverness.

You can do what you want, just think about it.

I've been contacted about a possible promotion that would involve giving away out busking equipment for product testing (in this case, small portable speakers/amplifiers.) Should this be allowed?

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I keep getting reminded of the Socialist Vampire Conspiracy trilogy of songs when I watch these episodes.

So, the birds left a little present on the soundboard of my harp yesterday. I brushed most of it off with my skirt so I could keep playing, and I am doing a through cleaning today. I have warm water and gentle soap. I've been told vehemently NOT to use Pledge or silicone-based polishes on the finish. I also have a large supply of paper towels and pipe cleaners.

Any other advice for cleaning off the guano?

Well, I was playing outdoors yesterday. I turned my back for a moment to refill my water bottle, and there was a bunch of black droppings on my soundboard when I turned back! I've been playing outdoors for well over a decade, so I suppose this was going to happen sooner or later.

I did my best to brush off as much as I could with my skirt, and I am about to go in for a fuller cleaning. I have warm water, gentle soap, and a bottle of Pledge for afterwards. Any other advice?