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Homeless Man Stuns Passersby By Playing Styx’s ‘Come Sail Away’ On Street Piano
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Homeless Man Stuns Passersby By Playing Styx’s ‘Come Sail Away’ On Street Piano

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Donald Gould, a 51-year-old homeless man in Sarasota, Florida, recently captured the internet’s attention after a video of him playing a beautiful piano rendition of Styx’s ‘Come Sail Away’ went viral. Before losing his wife and falling on hard times, this man was a Marine Corp clarinet player and was on course to become a music teacher.

In the video, he plays his heartfelt rendition of the classic song on a piano left outside by Sarasota Keys, a music store that has placed popularly-acclaimed outdoor pianos throughout the city for anyone to play.

So far, one nearby bar called Surf Shack has offered to give Gould a tryout as a piano player for their upstairs piano bar. He is also searching for his now-18-year-old son, whom he lost to child services after losing his wife and turning to drugs. Hopefully, this video will throw many opportunities his way; a GoFundMe account has been created on his behalf as well!

More info: mysuncoast.com | GoFundMe | Facebook

This homeless man walked up to a piano and started playing  Styx’s ‘Come Sail Away’

The video become an instant viral sensation with more than 1.4 million views

Donald Gould, a 51-year-old homeless man in Sarasota, Florida,  has been homeless for 6-7 years

He became homeless after losing his wife and turning to substance abuse. He then lost his son to child services as well

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The video has lead to one job tryout offer, and we hope it will give him the opportunity to complete his musical education as well!

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His interview after the video went viral:

You can help him by donating to this GoFundMe on his behalf

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copper.fractions avatar
TinyDynamine
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Hopefully this will change the opinion that too many people have about homeless people. They aren't all drunks and junkies, but it can happen to anyone who goes through a bad time and loses everything. Some of them have degrees, speak several languages and are talented musicians like this man.

swellsdesign avatar
SARAHWELLS
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

He was interviewed by a local newspaper and told the journalist his real passion is the clarinet and a reader gave him his old one. The homeless man was very thankful.

Faith_Cromer avatar
FaithCromer
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Am I the only one who was moved to tears? That song specifically being played by a homeless person... Heartbreaking.

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copper.fractions avatar
TinyDynamine
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Hopefully this will change the opinion that too many people have about homeless people. They aren't all drunks and junkies, but it can happen to anyone who goes through a bad time and loses everything. Some of them have degrees, speak several languages and are talented musicians like this man.

swellsdesign avatar
SARAHWELLS
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

He was interviewed by a local newspaper and told the journalist his real passion is the clarinet and a reader gave him his old one. The homeless man was very thankful.

Faith_Cromer avatar
FaithCromer
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Am I the only one who was moved to tears? That song specifically being played by a homeless person... Heartbreaking.

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