Street Musician Serenades Purchase Street Patrons (Video)

Nick deStefanis taught himself guitar nine months ago as a way to cope with some hard times he was going through. New to the live music scene and only 17 years old, deSteanis has not landed any gigs yet, but he enjoys playing for people so he takes his talent to the streets. Tuesday afternoon he was strumming his guitar in front of Henri's bagel and burrito joint on Purchase Street in Rye.  

"It is an outlet," deStefanis said. "I could never make a living doing this," he said, although he does hope to bring home a few bucks after playing for a few hours.

"Someone gave me a whole five dollar bill and I was like 'woah,'" deStefanis said of one time when he was playing in Pleasantville. 

Earlier today, a Smoothie King employee came over to give him some money and deStefanis didn't even have a container out to collect.

"I didn't put anything out because there are so many businesses here and I don't want to bother anyone," he said. "And I don't want to get arrested."

This was his first day playing in Rye. DeStefanis lives in Chappaqua but he hasn't played there yet. So far he has hit the streets of Pleasantville, Mount Kisco and St.Marks Place in New York City.

He mostly plays folk punk covers, explaining that the music is about real life, not just love songs.

"I like it. A little bit of New York City here," said a woman passing by deStefanis in Rye.
The young musician is glad people have been receptive of him and enjoys seeing their reactions.

Most of all, he likes when people stop to talk and has already made a lot of friends by playing on the street.

Watch the video above to hear a portion of his one original song, "Cigarettes and Cherry Blossoms."