Homeless piano man that went viral gets second chance

fuad lawal

July 8, 2015 6:55 AM

A homeless man in Florida is being given a chance for a new start after a video of him playing a public piano went viral.

A video of the ex-Marine playing Styx’s ‘Come Sail Away’went viral early this month, garnering more than 6.8 million views. A GoFundMe page was started on his behalf to give him a second chance at life.Donald, who also goes by Boone, has been homeless off and on for seven years. What was previously unknown is that he can do more than play the piano.

He said:“I went into the Marine Corps, played clarinet, went all over the world. I was in a symphonic band. But like I said, after the Marine Corps, I took a couple years off; had to go to work somewhere. But then I decided to go back to college, so I learned how to play every instrument, from the piccolo down to the tuba.”Now, Donald is getting a second chance again thanks to the viral video and the fundraising campaign.

Spring Arbor University is offering him a full-ride scholarship to help him finish up his degree in music theory.Also, “Inside Edition” gave him a makeover — new clothes for his new life, and his first haircut and shave in 18 months. Donald even played a paid gig at a local Sarasota restaurant. “Before, they look at me with the scruffy face, they’re like, “Who is the raggedy homeless-looking man?’ But here, I just walk in like a pro. And no flak whatsoever,” Donald told “Inside Edition” after the performance. Now, Donald is hoping to get in touch with his son, a reunion he has been dreaming of for 15 years.“After this, now maybe he’ll get in touch with me,” he told “Inside Edition.”

fuad lawal