The video shown here is a 2015 story of a person you may possibly recognize from YouTube. This local Florida TV station first broke the story of Donald Gould, the piano-playing homeless man who finally came to reunite with his young son. Donald was like many YouTube sensations that go viral – they come and they go. But we have a follow-up that many have not heard yet. Watch the video and then read below.
Donald came close to losing his life. Living on the streets of Sarasota, Florida among addiction and struggle, this now-famous musician had battled a dark world for many years. He had lost all connection with family and friends.
Then, by some amazing chance, his piano skills made him a viral internet sensation. Millions saw it. And then something fate-like happened. A second chance. His life was changed once again.
“I tell people the odds of me winning $100 million playing the Lotto are better than something like happening,” he says smiling. “You should always dream big.”
Donald reconnected with his son, was praised from Ashton Kutcher on Twitter, and was invited to play the National Anthem at a televised NFL game for the San Francisco 49ers. That’s not all. Donald then appeared on a Japanese TV show and received interviews by worldwide news outlets. “Life had never been sweeter,” Donald said, “I looked forward to each day. I was grateful for things like hot coffee and a roof over my head.” That’s still not all. Then a record producer from Triple Pop Records in found Donald and offered him a recording contract. His first single, “Come Sail Away” by Styx, brought him true international fame.
Donald Gould has shared his thoughts with others and has been vulnerable enough to accept the sharing of some very difficult parts of his life. He moved into a halfway house began working on his sobriety and started to recognize the power of his story and started giving back to the community that fostered his love for playing the piano. Sober.
Are you proud of Donald? We are. When things seem hopeless, remember Donald, and never give up.
