If you play the piano, you know how hard it is to resist the urge to sit down and play whenever you spot one. There’s something magical about the instrument—it draws people in and invites spontaneous moments of music and connection. In an effort to bring that kind of beauty to its city center, Sarasota, Florida, has launched a unique pilot project: placing seven pianos across the city for anyone to play. The goal is simple but powerful—to encourage talented individuals to share their music and brighten the day of passersby with unexpected melodies.
The initiative has already proven to be a huge success. One man in particular has captured the hearts of thousands with his emotional and skillful piano playing. His name is Donald Gould, a 51-year-old former Marine who became homeless after struggling with drug addiction. Despite his difficult circumstances, Donald’s talent shone through when he sat at one of the public pianos and played a beautiful rendition of “Come Sail Away” by Styx.
A video of Donald’s performance, posted by YouTuber Sly Dylan, quickly went viral, garnering over six million views. People from around the world were deeply moved not only by Donald’s talent but by his story. Sly Dylan later interviewed Donald, sharing with him just how many lives his music had touched. The video sparked a wave of support and reminded many that homeless individuals are often victims of circumstance and, more importantly, that everyone deserves a second chance in life.
Hear Donald Gould playing one of Styx’s most popular songs ‘Come Sail Away’.
Donald’s story is one of hope, redemption, and the transformative power of music. If you’d like to follow his journey and support him, you can visit his Facebook page to learn more. Sometimes, all it takes is a piano—and a chance—for someone to be heard.
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