If they had a sponsor, they would not need to be playing on the street probably. Why sing ads for free? What mileage will they get from that one? If Colgate Toothpaste wants me to sing, I need the dough re me first.
No, I haven't. However, I see them as sort of advertising when they sing other people's songs. They are advertising those songs so the public will show an interest in the songs and hopefully buy the original versions. That was how I came to have this in my collection (it was a hit before I was born) - because I heard a busker singing it, and when he told me what it was I went to see if I could get the original. Wouldn't you say that's a form of advertising?
I think of a cover as being a professional version that's released commercially (e.g. Matthews Southern Comfort's version of Joni Mitchell's "Woodstock") rather than something being sung in the street by an unknown local trying to make a few pence. Lol:)
No I don't think companies use them to advertise. They may advertise that they will be a a specific place for a gig.
This post was edited by my2cents at December 20, 2016 7:42 AM MST
WM BARR . =ABSOLUTE TRASH 