Friday Faves: My personal picks of (mostly) unpublished images from the archive…

Chris Daum plays guitar for tips five days a week at restaurants in the Chicago metro area. Thursdays he plays at the Potbelly Sandwich Shop in Midway Airport.

Returning from the Associated Church Press convention in Chicago this week, I had some time to spare in Midway airport. The sounds of 80s and 90s guitar music permeated the “holding pen” that sits past the security area.

As I walked toward my gate I realized it wasn’t just piped-in music, but a live musician at the entrance to the Potbelly Sandwich Shop. And he was really good. I think Mellencamp’s “Jack and Diane” was playing when I got in line to order my sandwich.

The only open spots were near where he was playing so I sat at the restaurant listening and watching as people passed by. Many contributors gave a dollar, some threw in change, one woman even threw in a five dollar bill.

I finished my sandwich at the same time the busker had taken a break to collect and count most of the bills from his open guitar case – carefully leaving a five, a few dollar bills, and some change as “seed” for future givers.

Dropping a dollar in, I asked his name and if he’d mind me taking a few pictures.

“No problem,” he replied. His name is Chris Daum and he busks at Chicagoland restaurants during the day every weekday. Evenings and weekends he plays other gigs. Chris says it’s a decent living and flashes a wide grin to say he “loves, loves, loves” what he’s doing.

Thanks for the chat and the photos Chris. I hope you continue to enjoy the work you do and inspire others to follow their hearts to “love, love, love” the way they make a living and make the world a more beautiful place.