A good news story for a change...

Holybejaysus · 06-01-2011 12:02AM #1

Meet the homeless man with the golden radio voice... and now he is set to make a million

He's the penniless man with the golden voice... and now he's finally found the Midas touch.
For years, homeless Ted Williams has been forced to eke out a living begging on the roadside in Columbus, Ohio.
But now the recovering alcoholic is set to transform his life after a passing camera crew captured his priceless asset - his voice.
The unlikely star was today besieged with job offers after the recording of his impossibly smooth tones spread like wildfire across the web.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1344328/Homeless-man-Ted-Williams-radio-star-set-make-million.html#ixzz1ACk9fdLo

I don't usually buy into these cheesy feelgood stories, but listening to this guy struck a chord with me. This homeless chap had struggled with alcohol and drug issues for a number of years, but now he is poised to turn his life around thanks to a chance encounter. He really seems like a genuine, intelligent, likeable guy who just fell on hard times. There but for the grace of God goes I.

Maybe there is some good in this world after all....

Leeg17 · 06-01-2011 12:03AM

The internet got him the job

Cookie_Monster · 06-01-2011 12:05AM

Another D list celeb is born.
See you on next years "I'm a celebrity, get me outa here"

Cheap Thrills! · 06-01-2011 12:07AM

How is his good news for me?

*flounces off selfishly*

Lando Griffin · 06-01-2011 12:07AM

Holybejaysus wrote: »

I don't usually buy into these cheesy feelgood stories, but listening to this guy struck a chord with me. This homeless chap had struggled with alcohol and drug issues for a number of years, but now he is poised to turn his life around thanks to a chance encounter. He really seems like a genuine, intelligent, likeable guy who just fell on hard times. There but for the grace of God goes I.

Maybe there is some good in this world after all....

I for one hate feelgood stories and besides
with all the money he is going to make, how long would you give him from destroying himself with drink and drugs.

TeddyTedson · 06-01-2011 12:09AM

Lando Griffin wrote: »

I for one hate feelgood stories and besides
with all the money he is going to make, how long would you give him from destroying himself with drink and drugs.

From watching the video of him I just can't see him messing up his life again. Stupid thing to say I know, but he has something about hi. Seems quite clever and not your stereotypical bum.

Holybejaysus · 06-01-2011 12:20AM

Ah....good old Irish begrudgery. :rolleyes:

VinnyTGM · 06-01-2011 12:58AM

Good for him.

Biggins · 06-01-2011 01:41PM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uTysXITBCmk

The full length version of that video - 11 million views now!
He's now been offered a job and a house. Good to hear and good for him.

“THE GOD-GIVEN gift of voice” is what Ohio man Ted Williams is relying on to provide him with a fresh start, after giving up drugs and drinking two years ago.

Williams was standing with a handwritten sign asking for spare change on a freeway exit ramp in Columbus, Ohio, when a local reporter asked if he could film him.

The Columbus Dispatch, the newspaper responsible for the video, has reported that since posting Williams’ voice online it has been inudated with “scores” of media inquiries and potential job offers after the video went viral.

Frustratingly, as the offers kept piling up, Williams could not be tracked down by his media contacts for almost entire day. A local radio programme director Tony Florentino said: “We’re on pins and needles. I think he really has no idea how big this is going to be.”

Thankfully however, Williams was finally found and given the good news. The latest? He has been offered a job – and a house – by local professional basketball team, the Cleveland Cavaliers.

http://thedailyedge.thejournal.ie/the-man-with-the-golden-voice-2011-01/

Biggins · 06-01-2011 01:48PM

Lando Griffin wrote: »

I for one hate feelgood stories and besides
with all the money he is going to make, how long would you give him from destroying himself with drink and drugs.

He was on them, now two years clean off them and he seems to have learned his lesson - so there is hope!
Nearly everyone deserves a second chance, looks like he's getting his.

kfallon · 06-01-2011 01:51PM

I bet he won't be saying, "The money won't change me or how I live!" :pac:

Duggy747 · 06-01-2011 01:52PM

*rubs chin*

Seeing how successful things have gotten for him in the past few days I think I might destroy my life with drink & drugs, become homeless and then stand on the side of the road with a sign saying:

"God-given IT solutions talent"

Maybe that way somebody might give me a paying job :pac:

chin_grin · 06-01-2011 01:53PM

Good luck to his "two years clean".

Krusader · 06-01-2011 02:07PM

CBS interview

Loopy · 06-01-2011 02:10PM

Nice story, maybe he could replace Tubridy...

Biggins · 06-01-2011 02:24PM

Thank Crosáidí for that find. Great interview and wow, what a good change a clean-up can make. He looks great!
Judging by that interview alone and his words, drugs and drink will stay long gone from his life.

whiskeyman · 06-01-2011 02:38PM

Great story.
I hope he can make enough from it to rebuild his life an be an inspiration to others.
Will probably be loads of 'advisors' who'll try and rip him off so hope he has good management and friends.

Psychedelic · 06-01-2011 02:49PM

Interview with Ted on WNCI 97.9 Radio, his local radio station, part 1 of 15:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KIWWbsT43o8

The original video had 4.5 million views when I first saw it last night, an hour later it had nearly 5.5 million views, and now 11 million views. Has be a YouTube record?

Carl Sagan · 06-01-2011 03:04PM

Hope it goes well for him.

Biggins · 06-01-2011 10:04PM

The guy is everywhere now.
In a lot of papers, on the radio and tv. Even the RTE 9 news shortly!
He's lined up apparently now for a lot of morning shows in the states.

Pete M. · 07-01-2011 12:04AM

While I'd love to see him do well and wish him the best, I'd say he'll be going on one almighty bender sooner rather than later.

He looked way better in the original footage too btw.

Wouldn't mind been proven wrong though.

Great voice and would love to see him on the Late Late instead of yer man.

stovelid · 07-01-2011 12:08AM

He would be a top porn voice-over actually.

JerryHandbag · 07-01-2011 12:46AM

Late Late show tomorrow night? Fly him over RTE!

Great story, and he seems really genuine in that interview. Good luck to him.

Latchy · 07-01-2011 12:55AM

He has perfect voice over for jingles and very reminiscent of 60s/70S American radio , were the jingles were sometimes as popular as the hits of the day ( only from listening to lots of such stuff in my cd collection )

fedor.2. · 07-01-2011 12:57AM

That story made me feel all warm and fuzzy inside, thanks:D

Badgermonkey · 07-01-2011 01:04AM

Holybejaysus wrote: »

Ah....good old Irish begrudgery. :rolleyes:

That old guff again?

Good luck to the chap

The guy who youtubed it knew what he was doing though, I'd doubt homeless guys welfare was the primary motivating factor

Latchy · 07-01-2011 01:07AM

stovelid wrote: »

He would be a top porn voice-over actually.

Like a poor mans Roger Moore ?

He's not going to be poor for very much longer and good luck to the guy

MrStuffins · 07-01-2011 01:23AM

Great story. Saw the video popping up all over Facebook yesterday. I really hope he makes a success of himself now. And he gives the guy who made that video a 10% cut :P