Local Teen Hits High Notes Outside Busch After Series Win

(ST. LOUIS) As Cardinal Nation was exiting Busch Stadium Tuesday night, following the Redbirds’ NLDS clincher over Los Angeles, they might have caught a glimpse of Tommy Junte as he was standing on the corner of Eighth and Clark Street.

Photo Credit: Brian Ledford

More precisely, they might have heard him. With electric guitar and portable amp in tow, the 15-year old from Wright City possesses some serious guitar chops.

Call him a street musician or, perhaps more clearly defined, a busker. Nevertheless, call him a fixture of the last two Cardinal post-seasons, feverishly working the frets.

“I like entertaining the Cardinal fans,” Junte says. “I like it when they all go crazy.”

There are numerous of his trade that set up shop along Busch’s outer perimeter on a regular basis, but perhaps it’s this high school freshman’s song selection that attracts the most attention. The opening chords of power rock anthems are prevalent. “Sweet Child O’ Mine” by Guns N’ Roses immediately segues into “Stranglehold” by Ted Nugent.

“I play songs that people like,” shyly says the axe-grinder. “It gets them hyped up.”

Photo Credit: Brian Ledford

Interestingly, Junte, still unable to drive legally, didn’t pick up a guitar until two years ago. Now into his second season of performing for the public, he executes his trade with the precision of a seasoned guitarist.

“I never had a lesson and was self-taught,” he says. “I just listened to the radio and played.”

The musical influences are those that are well outside of his age group. Led Zepplin, AC/DC and classic rock sets the tone.

And his set list is smartly tight. Only the first twenty seconds of a particular selection is performed, which is important considering that the audience primarily consists of foot traffic.

“People don’t stay for the whole song,” he says. “They hear the first part and say ‘Oh, I know that!’”

Photo Credit: Brian Ledford

To ensure safety, relatives perpetually give close watch as the teen performs. But in the end, there is no need for fear, especially if a baseball crowd goes home happy as they did on Tuesday night. Head-bobbers immediately connect with the tunes, and, impressed by the musicianship, chuck random ducats into a nearby plastic container.

At the end of the evening, the till is pretty impressive. It far supersedes what other teens would accumulate in a typical evening’s labor.

Being able to perform street side while the Redbirds are in another trophy chase makes the plucks even more satisfying.

“I love the Cardinals,” he says. “All my life.”

And with an another post-season series on the horizon, one can assume that Junte will gear up for an encore performance at the corner of Eighth and Clark.