WATCH: Well-known Highland busker (67) will go on for as long as he can
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Whether you are a regular or a visitor to the Victorian Market, chances are you have come across one of Inverness’s most popular buskers.
A guitar in hand and a Dalmatian at his side, John Casey (67) has become a main feature in the city centre since he moved to the Highland capital 30 years ago.
“It’s hard to believe really,” he said. “I only started off initially because I couldn’t get any gigs with my dog – as dogs were not allowed in pubs – so I just started busking to make some quick cash, and 30 years later I am still doing it!”
After such a long time entertaining passers-by at the entrance near Queensgate, he is still loving what he does.
He said: “I meet people from all over the world, I meet a lot of tourists and I make a lot of friends so it’s about the social life for me.”
Over the years, he recalls, he has been amazed by the generosity of people.
He said: “About 10 years ago, an old lady gave me an envelope saying ‘it’s a small donation, do not open it until you get home’.
“When I got home and opened it, I found £1000 in £50 notes in it! I never saw the lady again after that.”
Another example was just before lockdown when sadly his previous dog, Emily, passed away. Shortly after Moby, his latest companion, who is now three, came into his life.
“I got Moby from the best person in the world,” he said. “Inverness BID posted on Facebook about Emily’s death, and it got so many reactions it was unbelievable.
“Not long after I was contacted by a lady whose dog just had two puppies. She gave me Moby – then a 10-month-old Dalmatian – as a gift, and also agreed to pay all the vet bills for the rest of his life.
“Moby was born deaf so she wanted him to be with someone who would never leave him alone, and I take him with me everywhere.
“Because he is born deaf, he settled in really well. Dalmatians are known to be quite energetic but Moby just snoozes on the bed while I play and until it’s time to go.
“Probably not hearing all the potentially distracting noises helps!”
His busking career saw also silver linings in time of adversities.
He said: “I used to be at the Union Street entrance but I started having issues with another busker who was literally bullying me out of the pitch, so I went to the other side near the Queensgate entrance.
“The owners there put a sign up for me saying that I was the only busker allowed there. This was 15 years ago.
“Thanks to them, I have always been able to make a living – I had my own pitch, in a dry place!
“In general, the community here is really friendly and supportive, I love it.
“That was the only time I had issues with another busker. But even then, by causing that trouble for me, he ended up doing me a huge favour.”
He said he was also really surprised by the reactions to a post shared on the Inverness BID Facebook page celebrating his 30-year milestone, with many sharing lovely comments.
“I definitely wasn’t expecting anything like that to happen,” he said.
“I don’t understand how so many people can know me!”
Talking about his repertoire, he commented: “There are songs which I keep on bringing back and are always popular, particularly songs from the ‘60s and ‘70s.
“I think that young people nowadays also love music from that period – Rolling Stones, Beatles or Bob Dylan. They go well with every age group.
“One of the last songs I learned to play is Piano Man by Billy Joel.
“It’s important to find songs that people will recognise and like – and to many this brings back memories.”
Although he said that his voice is not what it used to be: “Maybe doing this six-days-a-week, three-hours-a-day in my early days didn’t help!
“I can still play and sing a bit – and I will go on for as long as I can.
“Willie Nelson is 89 and is still doing gigs, so hopefully I’ll still be doing this when I am 89 too!”
