Andrew Marston with live tracks from Lucy May Walker (Redditch)

If you’re a singer or musician and you need to develop your career, you probably want to play a gig in a booked venue where people pay to see you.

Whether it’s a room in a pub or a big arena, you’ve got a direct connection to your audience and you know everybody who’s come is there to watch you perform for the evening.

But what about the artists who prefer to take a different route; ones that like to stand on a street corner and serenade the hundreds of strangers who stream past on their way to somewhere else.

Maybe the public drop a pound coin into an upturned hat to say “thanks”, maybe they just hurry on by. In short - what is the appeal of busking, particularly in an age where you can put your music online and the whole world can hear it.

This was the subjected covered, this week, by Jeremy Vine over on BBC Radio 2 who happened to stumble across one of our local stars - Lucy May Walker from Redditch.

• WATCH: In session for BBC Music Introducing in Hereford & Worcester

A Redditch musician, who's worked alongside Jamie Cullum and Charlotte Church, has has returned to the UK to release his debut EP, after teaching saxophone in New York City.

Alex Woods is a multi award-winning saxophonist, composer and arranger who's toured extensively throughout Europe, Brazil, America, Hong Kong, Singapore, Malaysia, Israel and Russia.

His latest work, which is released this winter, has been signed to Stoney Lane Records and features musicians from all over the world.

• A local history of great gigs and musical legends

The popularity of the ukulele is on the rise while schoolchildren’s interest in more sophisticated instruments is waning.

Experts have issued a warning about the future composition of orchestras after a survey indicated that several instruments were “endangered”.

The French horn, double bass and trombone were the least popular instruments among pupils, while the ukulele was desired by one in eight.

So we've been chatting to Stan Acastar who organises the Ukulele Festival in Upton-upon-Severn.

• The biggest events in Herefordshire & Worcestershire

There's a brand new evening show here on BBC Hereford & Worcester - and this week we look at one the newest members of their team, musician Frankie Smith.

Frankie's first big break, in radio, came after sending her music into BBC Music Introducing having recorded an album while at uni.

With a strong passion for jazz and blues, with influences from artists such as Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong, she started her own student radio show leading to a career at the BBC.

• Our tips for 'making it' in the record industry

Last weekend saw the very first Gin Festival take place in Hereford featuring - well, Gin, and some music as well!

The event, which took place in the Shire Hall, featured Dr Sid on the WIND UP decks - who's a connoisseur of jazz from the early part of last century.

We test his love for music against his love for gin - find out the results by listening in!

• The interviews you may have missed on the radio

At BBC Introducing in Hereford & Worcester, we support the very best new music from across our region.

Since 2005, we've broadcast more than 1,000 sessions, helping to showcase some of our area's most talented musicians to a massive audience.

We’ve handpicked some of our favourite acts to join us to switch on Worcester’s Christmas Lights!

Not only is this a fantastic opportunity for the musicians we’ve selected (who didn’t even know they were being considered for this incredible gig!), but also a chance for Worcester to see the amazing talent we have right here on our doorstep. As always, we also hope this will also inspire other musicians to share their music with us.

The event, this year, moves from the Guildhall to the newly-revamped Cathedral Square under the statue of Sir Edward Elgar. The recording and switch-on takes place on Thursday, 22 November with these festive sessions being broadcast throughout December.

• More details about the event