Nashville Homeless Man Becomes International Music Star

A Nashville man went from a homeless street musician to international music star in just a matter of months, and is now touring across the country.

[@eze8608]

Awesome story!! Thanks so much for sharing this.

[@onechance4142]

Teaches us something. Never give up hope. Yes, GOD is with you and will always be. Remember your friends in the shelters. They need you more then any of us..You will be a blessing to them.

[@BrassMtn]

I hope he stays on his feet! God bless you Doug! Stay strong and stay great!

[@ericheinz6087]

Good for him!!

[@teresagordon6863]

The power of God to those who are faithful!!!! God will always bless this man because he followed the one simple thing God asks of us..... LOVE one another

[@andersonrobin2428]

Hello Teresa, how are you doing?

[@deanstephens5940]

Love it! One of those "feel good" stories. I hope he has great success.

[@krystalwalczak5825]

I love this and as we travel helping the homeless and anyone who can't afford a Mechanic or work done. I think more people need to hear this story as so many don't take the time to hear someone's story without judging

[@andersonrobin2428]

Hello krystal, how are you doing?

[@cygnus6623]

I'm so happy for Doug. I used to see him regularly down by TPAC. I always thought he was great!

[@tristinjudd2595]

Such great news!! We need more of that these days.

[@SoonJang707]

Love it.. thanks for taking your time to share this... needed this God bless

[@denisehedden5108]

🥀Beautiful Amazing Story! This is a powerful message for everyone to read. His life n love in the music industry may have taken time to get started later on in life but just like it says "God work's in mysterious ways "! Beautiful sound and wonderful person🥀☝️🥀

[@deborah5531]

God powered, I like that! All glory and praise to to the most high Lord God!!!

[@andersonrobin2428]

Hello Deborah, how are you doing?

[@bakewell7284]

God bless you man! and God Bless Sweden! xx

[@hunnybunny1961]

I hope he stays clean.

[@andersonrobin2428]

Hello kitty, how are you doing?

[@russelljohnson2860]

Doug, I wish you well in all you do. Stay sober and free of drugs. I hope you write many wonderful songs and be graced by everlasting fans. The stars have you now, always shine brightly among them.

[@Karazorel.Ms.PG1]

WOW!!!!!!!! ENLOVE WITH HIS VOICE !

[@chaski777]

Glory to the Almighty God ! Lord bless this man and those who helped him! 🙏🙏🙏

[@dew12u]

This sure is a good story to hear!

[@billyphoenix5139]

AMEN!

[@richardaberdeen9908]

Sixteen Weeks in Nashville - kzbin.info/www/bejne/Z6q7h6ehjb55l5o

[@dennishurley3475]

Being homeless is truly one of the worst experiences ever. Glad to hear you're out of it

[@dennishurley3475]

@Donnell Okafor Thanks for your comment. Drug addicts and criminals it's easy not to feel sorry for them. Such a shame especially when you consider all they had to do was be on the straight path and they could have been living happy normal lives. Oh well at least you got your head on straight. Cheers!

[@carljohnson8259]

Yeah, should have happened right there in Music City by the people walking past him every day. Not wait to be discovered by someone visiting here!

[@dennisbean7336]

So pleased for him

[@princejraxson469]

Amen

[@annasteele9464]

great voise. what year was this?

[@andersonrobin2428]

Hello Anna, how are you doing?

[@DavidBridwellMusic]

Great story!

[@NEMISIES1]

Good on ya doug !!!!!!!!

[@bellevue977]

amen Amen 🙇🙏👐🙌📒

[@kimberlybahrs7165]

Wow

[@andersonrobin2428]

Hello Kimberly, how are you doing?

[@GIguy]

I agree with him, God is great, and I believe that everything happens for a reason, and everything happens in its own time. I hate telling the same story over and over on KZbin, but I came to this realization through the events in my life. Just before I was about to start university, with a passion then of becoming a famous musician, I was struck down with Crohn's disease/ulcerative colitis (i'm one of those cases that they couldn't determine which one it was), along with colon cancer, which they found after my colon ruptured when I was 21. So I delayed my admission for a year to get treated, not realizing that that year would go on to be 28 years long and consist of 33 operations leaving me with less than 5% of my entire gastrointestinal tract. For so many years I was mad at God, I was mad because I couldn't understand why he would allow this to happen to me, just as I was about to start my life, but in the process I learned a very valuable lesson. Through all the trials and tribulations, throughout the constant chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and drug therapies, as soon as the Internet was created and became accessible to the public (yep, I'm that old!), I created and online support network consisting of hundreds of people across the globe, absolutely wonderful loving people that I would never have met otherwise, people whom I cannot picture my life without. Last December marked my last surgery, I hope, 33 was enough for me, so now the age of 48 I'm left to reinvent my entire life, and this is where I realized God did have a plan, I just didn't realize it at the time. Everyone's heard the expression "put your trust in the Lord", and that's exactly what I've done, because as I look back, I see all the remarkable things that happened to me had I not gotten sick, and all the new doors it's opened up to me that I've never considered before. I still wish to pursue a career in music, I love to sing, and I've always been dying to re-learn the piano (due to so many surgeries, drugs, and PTSD, I lost over 20 years of memories), so maybe I wasn't supposed to start until now, so I'm taking it day by day, because I put all my faith in the Lord, I know he loves me as much as I love him, and I know he won't steer me wrong, he'll put me exactly where I'm supposed to be, it's now up to me to figure out exactly what that is, and pursue it wholeheartedly, I can only hope and pray that I'm able to do the one thing that I know I was put on this earth to do, to help people, in anyway I can. I know what you're thinking, but you'd be wrong, being an openly gay man, I'm definitely no Bible thumper, when it's my time to enter heaven, the Lord and I are going to have a very very long talk about all the things that I've done wrong in my life, but I believe in his message of hope, forgiveness, unconditional love, acceptance, not to judge people, and all the other teachings which is filled my life with a purpose again. Frankly I don't care if people believe me or not, I respect everyone's right to their own beliefs, but I'm definitely not shy about speaking openly about mine. My God is a God of love, not hate, I'm not going to hell because I'm a gay man, if we are indeed all created in gods image, then God is everything, because I know he made me this way. I was this way since as far back as I can remember, and I know I was born this way, I was also born with a need and a deep desire to help anybody and everybody that I could.. but for the past 28 years I've had to rely on people helping me, to get me through so many years of suffering in pain, but I believe he put me through all that so that I would learn so much more than any university could ever teach me, and it's that which I've learned, that I hope to inspire others. I want to use all of my experiences to help others going through the same thing, to let them know that there's life after the hospital, to let them know that there's hope, that there's people out there that love them, that there's people who care deeply, and above all else, to never give up, never give in, and just have faith, that their life will unfold the way it's supposed to. I have 28 years of experiences no person should ever have to go through, sadly, millions of people go through it every year, and all the experiences I've gained are invaluable in helping those struggling with these often deadly illnesses. I survived so many times when the doctor said I would die, on three separate events, I was given a 10% or less chance of survival, yet here I am, if you ever wonder if God exists, I'm living proof. When I was 21, shortly after my diagnosis, my colon ruptured while I was in the hospital. I had only enough time to call my parents and tell them I was dying. The doctors told me that I had less than a 10% chance of survival, by the time I got to the operating room I was already dead for two minutes, and I did have a near death experience, which I won't go into here because I could talk for hours about it and still never accurately describe the experience. Suffice it to say, it completely change my entire outlook on life, and gave me the knowledge I needed to get through the other 27 years of hell that followed. And while, to be honest, I would really rather have not gone through it, I'm so glad that I can use my knowledge to help so many other people who are alone and terrified, I'm so glad that I can give people hope when they have none. Back when I was going through it, at least in the beginning (around 1989 or so), there was no Internet, or social media, of any kind, I had to rely on the doctors word, which, as I found out, isn't always 100% accurate. After that experience there were two other times in which I wasn't supposed to survive, yet again, I'm still here. Like the man in this video, God bless him, I know I was put through all that for a reason, that God himself knew that I'd love to help people, and he knew that I would share every bit of information that I learned, with those that so desperately need it. I'm sorry that I've gone so far off topic, but I just wanted you to understand the depths of my belief in what this man is saying, and why I believe it with all my heart. Nobody knows how much time we have on this earth, but there is one thing we do know, that our time in this world is finite, that each day is a blessing, and tomorrow a mystery, and above all else, to make the most of each and every single day that you have on this earth, not to selfishly sacrifice everything just for money, ignoring your friends and family, in an insane, and often selfish goal to have the most, because I assure you, when your time comes to be put in the ground, no matter how much money do you have, it counts for not, nobody is going to remember you as the person who had the most money. Let me put it this way, Think of all the people that you know, love, and admire. When they die, what will you remember most about a person? Look through your entire life, are you going to remember the person for celebrity that had the most money?, Or are you going to remember that person that truly cared about you and helped you in your greatest time of need? You're going to remember those that gave you their heart, support, love, and encouragement. Those that gave you a shoulder to cry on, wisdom, etc. When death finally comes knocking at my door, my only wish in this world, is not to have the most money, or to be the most famous, but to be the person that's remembered with love, a person who was willing to help when no one else would, a person that truly cared with all their heart, which I do, so very deeply, and not just to those I love, but all of humanity. I don't care what our governments say or think, we are all the same people, the same species, with the same desires, and I will not allow others ignorance or prejudices to dictate my feelings towards my fellow human beings. I don't have to know you to care about you, because I care about everybody, I always have, and yes, I have been taken advantage of, and crapped on, and hurt, more times than I can count, just for wanting to help people I thought cared for me. But I will not allow a small Minority of idiots to change my love for my fellow human beings. Life is hard enough as it is, so why is it we make such an effort to hate, solely because of what our governments tell us, or even what our families tell us? When it comes time to meet my maker, I don't want to have to make any excuses for my behavior, I may cringe a little at some of the things I've done in my younger years, because I wasn't always like this, it's took me a while to figure this all out, but deep in my soul, I know that all the bad things I may have done are but a distant memory, and I really hope that the good that I'm doing, and will always continue to do, will be the standard by which I will be judged by in the end. Anyways, as always I've rambled on far too long, so I'll shut up for the moment, I just want to tell you why I believe in this man's message so deeply, I only hope I am as worthy as he, take care, and thanks for listening!

[@ElectricAngel19]

sometimes the choices we make (having free will to do so) lands us in some sorry predicaments and brings us out again.

[@jacquelinesantanakila5996]

I'm a fan

[@lashawnablanton4649]

Praise God!

[@thestreet9537]

God is good

[@benmunn7593]

Wow. That was actually an amazing "Rags To Riches" story

[@patty4709]

What is his real story about becoming homeless? How?

[@andersonrobin2428]

Hello patty, how are you doing?

[@belindagosmo4201]

God's power

[@rudydimaggio4083]

God's power is limitless.

[@jefferyhall4055]

Jesus is the real thing. The Bible is the truth. YES it was written by man but every word was given by God in the old testament. THE new testament was written from the teaching of the Lord Jesus Christ until his death at the cross. Then JESUS gave the apostles the holy gost and the rest was written while they were lead by the spirit.

[@stevewilson3793]

Damn, Townne Van Zandt Reborn?

[@lotillman3908]

Doug is a great man

[@harold.one.feather]

The other year Oakland California spent over $72 million on talking about homelessness, paying subcontractors to write about homelessness and in the end, no homeless people received any benefits and the state stepped with trustee state prisoners and "cleaned" up the homeless camps. Meanwhile the real estate speculation was brutally ended when the virus closed down Oakland and the even the Oakland Raiders moved out...the skyscrapers are mostly empty, grocery stores and big box merchants left, the military bases were closed, schools are closing, teachers are on strike every year, the police have only 10 police officer to patrol over a million people.., now in comparison across the bay in San Francisco, the city smells like urine, feces and irony, cars windows being smashed, businesses robbed, shoplifters running in massive groups Back to Oakland, I like saying based on what I witness, this is the city where technology and drama come to die, Borders is gone, Bed, Bath & Beyond is gone. At night, there is nowhere for any tourist to eat nor to shop for groceries The city of dreams is now the city of blight and economic collapse, persecution for the homeless is not conducive to economic growth, that is how blight starts when the economy gets tight, and working capital land are gone.....

[@donaldjohnson3265]

I am proud of you & I don't even know you.

[@robbiewilliams2234]

Sorry I just don't see it

[@teleguy2650]

He lived on the streets for 18 years, god didn't do anything. Had drug and alcohol addiction, god didn't do anything. Swedish documentary crew discovers him, makes him a itunes star and now it's god's doing. WTF

[@armchairradical2665]

god must be really something to let someone live 18 years homeless with a drug addiction

[@spacematter3645]

Nashville don't give a flip lol

[@kountryvaudeville]

Law of NATURE and Physics "If it can happen, it will happen" [eventually LOL!]

[@PennysLifeWithLove]

Similar to @JellyRoll story

[@AustinTexas6thStreet]

Nashville is the ONLY Major music scene in America where good music is still appreciated!! Sure, there's tons of plastic crawl there too but Nothing like LA or NY..... The people are a lot more Genuine and Talented!!! I've lived and played all around, even in the huge cities like LA etc, and Nashville is waaaay better!!! The people are vastly better, more Authentic, and more American than other major cities with music scenes. If you don't like Marxist Liberalism, Nashville is really the ONLY scene worthy of note!!!

[@babylamorra2400]

BS!

[@brianquinn6014]

Ain't no god. More stars, planets and solar systems and more than one universe than all the grains of sands in every beach ,desert in our small insignificant world. so there!

[@djbrando202]

“Too good to be true”? That’s called sensationalism and that’s why curated news for profit bothers me. He’s not an international star. He was dejected and rejected over and over by Nashville. It took a guy from Sweden to give this guy a chance… and that was for the benefit of his own project. They exploited a homeless guy and sensationalized him on the news… What was his next song? Why have we never heard of him? What is the difference between battling drug and alcohol abuse and being a drug and alcohol user? How about an update? Imagine this was winning the lottery instead. He won song exposure for one song and now his faith in the music industry is restored? What is his faith? That you too can be exploited and then discarded when you don’t generate enough money for a corporation? If you actually believe shit like this…. Please do not vote. Let’s imagine I believed this… So, industry folks are auditioning street performers now? No… They are still looking for blue jean models with crest smiles who are young, willing to do anything and believe in merit… or luck. 4 thumbs down

[@darioxbrow9223]

I hope you get looked at

[@strattuner]

GOD PUTS UP AND TAKES DOWN WHOM HE WILL,NATURAL TALENT IS A GIFT ANYWAY AND HE HAS IT,GOD BLESS 6 STRINGER

[@samjackson1885]

strattuner That's why your Christian God sucks. remember he killed the whole world once You truly believe every baby,child,man,and woman deserved to drown ? Nope your God doesn't deserve faith

[@dougcarter1924]

Sam Jackson You need help Check OUT JESUS Christ.

[@weyrunner2838]

Too bad things like this won't happen for lazy carpenters.........

[@bonifacekuddy8172]

God always gives us second chances

[@babylamorra2400]

TELL THAT TO THE MLLIONS IN DEATH CAMPS AND THOSE WHO STARVE TO DEATH EVERY DAY.

[@trillrifaxegrindor4411]

better give thanks to the actually person who helped him,it sure as hell wasn't a guy flying through the air with a magic wand,come on guy get real,are you an adult?if you are act like one,the only way up is by lifting yourself up

[@sundarmann6167]

thank the swede people. God plays truant...

[@wpowerwagon]

WTF leave people alone

[@bucataru1977]

Its not god power, its SWEDISH POWER!

[@ingacoleman8682]

GOD's POWER!!😇

[@Deathclock-od3sv]

Great! That should help him afford more of the heroin that made him homeless in the first place.

[@thelmabee411]

I love this story and he did say it was GOD who had done it, that HE felt HIM all around him. GOD Bless You Always !!!!!

[@babylamorra2400]

HE SAID IT WAS COD BECAUSE AS A BABY, CHILD AND TEEN,M HE WAS PROGRANMED TO BELIEVE IT IS.

[@andersonrobin2428]

Hello Thelma, how are you doing?

[@ranigreen]

God bless him ❤💕❤💕💖

[@nojnoj3069]

You were definitely appreciated by your homeless friends, you no doubt touched many of their hearts with your amazing talent. God bless you sir and please, if you read this message, don't forget those you left behind, they are possibly in need of your song's and friendship.

[@jasondyeoriginalmusic3094]

Kick ass man keep playing

[@jeanholzer2403]

God creates the best voices.....

[@andersonrobin2428]

Hello Jean, how are you doing?

[@VTXCageSC]

Ironic. He thanks god for being saved from the streets and addiction by a nation of atheists.

[@paulstottman4300]

Sweden they are good people that do not like religion and i don't blame them.

[@AustinTexas6thStreet]

There are actually quite a lot of Christians in Sweden!! Usually, people who don't like Religion are immoral, conceited people who don't like to take responsibility for their lives!! BTW... Atheism is a Religion and one that requires Huge leaps of Blind Faith, which is ironic when you consider their criticisms and attitudes toward others

[@bipolatelly9806]

Sweden isn't a nation of atheists.... that's stupid...

[@bipolatelly9806]

oh.... belief.... like mainstream "science"? if it quacks like a duck.... it's probably a duck... so pffft.... stop talking out your arse!

[@VTXCageSC]

Sweden has the second-highest number of non-religious people as a percentage of its population of any country in the entire world, according to a 2015 survey by Gallup International and the WI Network of Market Research. The study found that an incredible 76 percent of Swedish respondents said they were either “not religious” or a “convinced atheists”. The ONLY country to score higher was Communist-controlled China, where religion is officially frowned upon. So yeah, when over 3/4 of the people couldn't give a rat's pattootie about any gods, religions, spiritual legends, ritualistic traditions, biblical or koranic mythologies you'd pretty much have to say for certain that Sweden is an atheist nation. Dont feel bad, though. Even Thor didn't break through. Guess you could say he got "hammered."

[@janicesheppard2420]

YAYYYY

[@angelolopes8432]

Thank you GOD ! Great talent his time has come!

[@trillrifaxegrindor4411]

better give thanks to the actually person who helped him,it sure as hell wasn't a guy flying through the air with a magic wand,come on guy get real,are you an adult?if you are act like one,the only way up is by lifting yourself up

[@noahjonas1489]

These comments are unbelievable. Instead of acknowledging the good fortune of this man some of us are responding with vulgar name calling insults.

[@adamibrahim4293]

After hearing the short song I would buy his album.

[@thatguy5953]

God has giving you another chance please make good of it.

[@toppertruthio]

who else is watchin this video that got drunk and bought a guitar?

[@kevinpredom4573]

Thanx Douglas i spent a few summers in the ville.

[@djk1622]

WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@tessl1767]

God bless Him!!!

[@leong111]

Inspiring

[@terrymcclain6062]

bn there

[@ianmuir3640]

Good news

[@thomastessier4529]

Better give thanks to Jesus.

[@trumpsyourmaster77]

^Devil

[@userer4579]

Yeah, Swedish Jesus. Ya, you betcha!

[@peterjohnson9077]

Jesus let him be homeless, Jesus is a cunt

[@babylamorra2400]

GIVE THANKS TO A FICTIONAL PERSON? DUMB!

[@CoastalBachelor2009]

20 years homeless! Jesus? Lol

[@shawnweeks7177]

something must be wrong with people who don't believe in Jesus Christ no wonder the world has gone to hell

[@babylamorra2400]

THE WRONG ONES ARE THOSE WHO BELIEVE IN CHILDISH RELIGIOUS MYTHS ANDMAKE-BELIEVE GODS. THE RIGHT ONES ARE THE OVER 750 FORMER CHRISTIAN MINISTERS AND THE MULTI-MILLIONS OF OTHER FORMER CHRISTIANS WHO FINALLY REALIZED THEY HAD BEEN CONNED AND ARE NOW ALL ATHEISTS!

[@jackstauffer6638]

Wearing all new clothes..this jew was never homeless.