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
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!
His interview after the video went viral:
You can help him by donating to this GoFundMe on his behalf
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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.
DAMN SKIPPY! Well said Tiny Dynamine
A lot of them are Veterans, too. Many of who turn to drugs and alcohol to deal with PTSD, dreams, depression, memories, etc because local help sources are underfunded, or disgustingly, some don't care how bad your symptoms are or how much you need aid, women and minorities always come first (an issue we are having in my state)
Um that is the mistake too many people make...they are indeed drunks and drug addicts...but they come from all walks of life. The world is filled with talented people that took a bad turn or had their lives turn to shit...it doesn't mean they aren't drunks and drug addicts that need to feed their addiction..
Unfortunately, we'll be seeing more and more of them because people keep reproducing like crazy and there won't be enough jobs.
You're absolutely right, Tiny! I've always said this. Everybody has a story and so do those who are homeless. I read once that most of the homeless people we see once were VERY productive members of society, with degrees, of course vets, etc. If more people could take the time to sit down and listen to their stories, they'd change their opinions of these people. And maybe give some of them an opportunity to become productive members of society again.
You're using the example of a man who "became homeless after losing his wife and turning to substance abuse" to make the argument that "not all homeless people are drunks and junkies"? Perhaps you're right, but this really isn't a good example...
i was thinking that exact same thought n wondered how many ppl actually read the article
So you have never done anything remotely self destructive when you are in a lot of pain and don't feel supported by those around you?
Actually the article clearly states that he became a junkie.
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.
Am I the only one who was moved to tears? That song specifically being played by a homeless person... Heartbreaking.
I was moved to tears too.
I didn't know the song until I saw this post. During my first time hearing it, ninjas started peeling onions all around me :')
:) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e5MAg_yWsq8
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.
DAMN SKIPPY! Well said Tiny Dynamine
A lot of them are Veterans, too. Many of who turn to drugs and alcohol to deal with PTSD, dreams, depression, memories, etc because local help sources are underfunded, or disgustingly, some don't care how bad your symptoms are or how much you need aid, women and minorities always come first (an issue we are having in my state)
Um that is the mistake too many people make...they are indeed drunks and drug addicts...but they come from all walks of life. The world is filled with talented people that took a bad turn or had their lives turn to shit...it doesn't mean they aren't drunks and drug addicts that need to feed their addiction..
Unfortunately, we'll be seeing more and more of them because people keep reproducing like crazy and there won't be enough jobs.
You're absolutely right, Tiny! I've always said this. Everybody has a story and so do those who are homeless. I read once that most of the homeless people we see once were VERY productive members of society, with degrees, of course vets, etc. If more people could take the time to sit down and listen to their stories, they'd change their opinions of these people. And maybe give some of them an opportunity to become productive members of society again.
You're using the example of a man who "became homeless after losing his wife and turning to substance abuse" to make the argument that "not all homeless people are drunks and junkies"? Perhaps you're right, but this really isn't a good example...
i was thinking that exact same thought n wondered how many ppl actually read the article
So you have never done anything remotely self destructive when you are in a lot of pain and don't feel supported by those around you?
Actually the article clearly states that he became a junkie.
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.
Am I the only one who was moved to tears? That song specifically being played by a homeless person... Heartbreaking.
I was moved to tears too.
I didn't know the song until I saw this post. During my first time hearing it, ninjas started peeling onions all around me :')
:) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e5MAg_yWsq8