Ted Williams - The Power of Redemption

By now almost everyone has heard of the near miraculous story of Ted Williams, the homeless man with the golden voice who was discovered by a Cleveland highway begging for money.  


First I want to say I just love this kind of redemptive story.  Ted Williams was once a successful radio announcer who saw his life slip away because of addiction to drugs and alcohol.  For the past two years he has been clean (he claims) and is now trying to get his life back in order.  

A local TV guy commuting to work in Cleveland noticed Ted standing on the side of the highway with his sign panhandling for money from the commuters whizzing by in their cars.  Last Monday the TV guy brought his camera along, pulled over and recorded Ted's fabulous golden voice.  The result was a video that went viral and now all the world knows of Ted Williams, the Homeless Man with the Golden Voice.


The past two days I have watched the videos of Ted on TV being interviewed, including the reunion with his 92 year old mother.  Rare is the person who cannot but help to have their heartstrings tugged by this unbelievable story of one man's redemption?  Certainly not me, I have choked up and tears have welled in my eyes more than a few times these past few days.  And here I thought John Boehner was a big crybaby.


In one of my earlier blog postings I wrote about fate.  I do believe in fate.  Think of what would have happened if that TV producer hadn't brought his camera along and taken a video of Ted Williams.  Today Ted Williams would still be standing in the cold on the side of the Ohio highway, begging for a chance.  He got that chance this week and and I hope and pray everything turns out alright for him.  


One of the blogs I visit frequently features weekly a list of mug shots. I'm going to try and beat him to the punch this week and post this list of the past mug shots of Ted Williams, just to show you how far this man has come. 

By the way, I prefer the Farah Fawcett Look (sans the glasses.)  

The Billy Ray Cyrus Mullet Look was the worst.  

Susan

“Then Susan opened her mouth and sang. Her voice was so powerful, so achingly beautiful, and so full of yearning that even the usually heartless Simon Cowell was blown away. As were the other judges, and audience, all of whom gave Susan a standing ovation. And now online and elsewhere, Susan’s voice and the story of her triumph on that stage are known throughout the world. (Dennis Palumbo 4-16-2009)

As most are aware of now I am referring to the You Tube sensation Susan Boyle, a 47 year old, unemployed, plain looking, woman who lives alone with her cat “Pebbles” in a small village near Blackburn, Scotland who appeared as a contestant on “Britain’s Got Talent.” I just finished watching her video again. It touches all my emotions. Joy in listening to the pure beauty of her voice. Inspiration in knowing that even someone from such humble circumstances as Susan can break free of the societal imposed rules that only those who are attractive enough and have the right connections can succeed in this world.

Already I have read comments from some that say “Well she’s good but she’s no Beverly Sills.” Say what? I have heard Beverly Sills sing. I guess she was a good singer. I don’t remember and the reason I don’t remember because there was nothing memorable about her singing. One could say that Barbra Streisand is a good singer too. Not to me. I don’t say she is a bad singer but to my ear, she’s too sterile. Too manufactured. When I hear someone like Barbara sing all I can think of are peculiarities. Not so with Susan Boyle. A pure soul with a voice of an angel.

I have since heard Susan sing "Cry me a River." She recorded this song for a charity back in 1998. It is simply the best rendition of this song I have ever heard. Susan Boyle has a beautiful voice. The only voice I have ever heard before from a female singer that even comes close was Dinah Washington. They both have a unique sound to their voice which makes it a pleasure to listen to them sing. And that what singing is all about? The pure pleasure of listening beautiful sound.

I hope Susan Boyle is around for a long time. I cannot wait for her first album. And please folks, don’t make her over. She is perfect just the way she is. Now excuse me while I watch her video again. I cannot watch it enough.