Chicago Gangland comes to Asheville

I thought I’d go back in time and share a photo that had yet to see the light of day. This is an early photo of busker Dade Murphy when he first came to Asheville in 2014 to test the waters with his then new act. If you happen stroll by the flatiron building during warmer days, you may recall his personae as the man fighting against the wind. Since this photo, he had taken his street performance to a whole new level of sophistication incorporating various props, and even a GoPro video camera hidden in his hat to record his audience’s reactions. What I particularity like about this photo is the 1920’s gangster look. Since then, Dade’s costume has become more intricate—and more disheveled! This photo was taken just after he finished his street act earlier in the day. Sadly, I do not recall the name of the woman just beside him. A number of early photos of his street performance can be found in my book documenting street performances in downtown Asheville.

All images © Joe Longobardi. All Rights Reserved.
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