Four years ago, after his mother’s sudden passing, 19-year old Anthony Riley started singing. His father, a SEPTA conductor from West Philly, had always told him he was talented, but out of school and jobless, Riley finally decided to try his hand at street performing in 2006. Soon enough, passersby in Suburban Station, Rittenhouse Square, and Old City — among other places -- came to know Riley's smooth pipes and diverse arsenal of Motown, classic rock, and contemporary pop. So did the cops. In June 2007, Riley was jailed overnight for refusing to stop singing in Rittenhouse Square when police asked him to. He sued the city -- claiming (rightfully, the judge ruled) that no permit is required to sing at his spot -- and walked away with nearly $30,000. In the time since, he has used the money to jump-start a singing career in the area -- taking on weddings and a few other paid gigs at $100 an hour -- but, mostly, continuing to grow his street-singing brand. With a small army of fans behind him -- "He's always working hard out here -- he's the best," said one frequent audience member -- Riley thinks he's ready to take the next step: American Idol.