Homeless Man Walks Onto A Music Video, Unleashes Unexpected Talent In Reggae-Gospel Without Missing A Beat (Video)

Ted-WilliamsHomelessness in America is increasing at a rapid rate. ?At a point in time in January 2012, 633,782 people were experiencing homelessness.?? Homeless people are a transient group. It isn’t easy to get an accurate count.

We often ignore homeless people right in front of our own eyes. We just don’t see them. When Anderson Cooper did a story on homelessness for 60 Minutes, he became aware of his own seeming indifference to the plight of a man he saw frequently in his neighborhood. Cooper talked to CBS News about his feelings.

?Before the story, it really annoyed me. I just ignored him. I just pretended he wasn’t there. And after the story, I was like, ?This is ridiculous. This is my issue. Me pretending not to see this person is insane and offensive.??

Since this story aired, Anderson Cooper has approached the man, learned his name, and now frequently exchanges greetings and conversation with the man he used to ignore and avoid. Some homeless people have led fascinating lives. They weren’t always living on the street, fighting for existence and sleeping in a different place every night. Simply talking to someone might change your outlook too.

In January 2011, a homeless man named Ted Williams came into the spotlight. Ted was standing on a corner in Columbus, OH with a sign that said ?I have a God-given gift of voice. I’m an ex-radio announcer who has fallen on hard times. Please ! Any help will be greatfully appreciated. Thank you and God bless you! Happy Holidays.? Ted’s voice was golden. Since being ?re-discovered? Ted has hit a few bumps in the road (that is NOT a pothole reference), but has now been sober for two years. He has his own home, has written a book about his experiences on the street (A Golden Voice), has done voice-overs for TV commercials touting Kraft Macaroni and Cheese, and is busy with many other projects. Now, three years later, Ted Williams is a success story of what can happen when we notice a homeless person.

Sometimes, homeless people pop into our view, do something amazing, and then disappear again with the blink of an eye. That happened to Christian musician Carlos Whittaker in 2010. While in Atlanta, GA shooting a video for his album ?God of Second Chances? Whittaker had an experience that still moves him.? A homeless man entered the video frame, knelt, and then began crying and praying. Within a minute, the man (later identified only as Danny) began singing praises in Reggae as Whittaker continued playing guitar and singing. What came out was a beautiful impromptu duet that was captured on video. The two sounded like a well-rehearsed pair with very complimentary harmony.

CarlosandDannyFollowing the song, Whittaker and Danny talked for about 30 minutes. Whittaker has not seen Danny since that afternoon, despite trying to locate him. Several people report having met Danny in the same park, but the cell phone number he supplied Whittaker with is no longer functional. Whittaker has stated on his blog?that his brief chance meeting with Danny has changed his life and how he feels about homelessness.

?I had dreams of taking Danny on the road, recording another version with him, and getting him off the streets.?

During their meeting four years ago, Whittaker had told Danny to ?Keep trying to make it man.? Danny smiled and replied:

?Trying to make it? No man. I’m making it. Jah (God) puts His soldiers everywhere.?

One brief encounter changed Whittaker. In the United States,? ??41% of the homeless population is comprised of families.? Next time you see a homeless person, stop, smile and say hello to them. You might meet someone that changes your life or be the difference that changes their life.

Watch the video here:

http://youtu.be/tjjNu1nj0lc

Read the whole story of Carlos Whittaker and Danny in Moment Maker.

Edited/Published by: SB

 

martyAuthor Bio: Marty Townsend is an activist at heart. A lifelong writer, she concentrates her 
journalistic efforts on human interest, liberal politics, Michigan, and environmental issues. 
She is an active volunteer with the PTA, currently serving as Secretary of her local District 
PTA Council.