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Viral video gives this homeless piano prodigy a second chance at life

Viral video gives this homeless piano prodigy a second chance at life

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. And he can do more than just play the piano.

“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,” Donald said. “But then I decided to go back to college, so I learned how to play every instrument, from the piccolo down to the tuba.”

Thanks to his viral video and fund-raising campaign — and the national attention that goes with that — Donald’s fortunes are on the rise.

Spring Arbor University is offering him a full-ride scholarship to help him finish up his degree in music theory.

And to top it all off, “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.”

Best of luck to Donald!