ICYMI: Homeless Piano Man Gets Whole New Look

Check out the viral video of Gould’s piano performance below.

Donald Gould’s story of love, loss and ongoing tragedy tugged at heartstrings across the country as a video of his masterful piano performance took the Internet by storm.

Now, Gould, a 51-year-old homeless man from Sarasota is sporting a brand new look courtesy of the television show “Inside Edition.” It seems the folks behind the show were also touched by Gould’s rendition of “Come Sail Away” played on a community piano placed outside the Classico Café.

“We’re giving this homeless man, who is a former Marine, the break he deserves – Gould is going to get cleaned up,” the show wrote on its website.

And, clean up Gould they did. The show arranged for him to get a whole new wardrobe from Sarasota’s Island Pursuit and a haircut and shave from The Gent Essential Barber Spa.

Gould was able to debut his clean-shaven, sporty new look at Michael’s On East where he played “Let it Be” for customers.

The transformation, Gould said, made him feel like a “pro.” He especially enjoyed being able to sit down at a keyboard without hearing “flak” about his appearance.

“I got a lot of new respect out here today,” he told the show.

See Also:

• Watch: Homeless Piano Man Nails ‘Come Sail Away’
• Bittersweet Reunion For Piano Man, Son
• Homeless Man’s $10K Returned by Deputy, Good Samaritan
• Homeless Man Reunited With Long-Lost Bank Account

Gould’s story made international headlines after a passerby on a Sarasota street shot a video of him sitting down at a piano outside the Classico Café playing Styx’s “Come Sail Away.”

Gould once had aspirations to become a music teacher. He even studied music education at Spring Arbor University in his native Michigan, ABC news reported. Aside from the piano, he says he can play “every instrument from the piccolo down to the tuba.”

Gould’s dreams, however, were dashed when his wife died in 1998.That loss led Gould into a downward spiral.

“I just lost it,” he told WWSB.

After the loss, Gould, who is known as “Boone,” on Sarasota streets, watched as his life spiraled out of control. He suffered from substance abuse and eventually lost custody of his 3-year-old son. That son is now 18 and it is Gould’s hope to be reunited with him, he told WFLA.

That reunion happened via FaceTime last week. While Gould’s son declined a face-to-face visit, he did spend time speaking with his dad and urged him to get some help. Donald Gould reportedly entered a rehabilitation program following that conversation.

Since the video of Gould’s performance went live on YouTube June 30 a number of people have stepped forward to help him get back on his feet. Local businesses have offered assistance and a gofundme account has been established in his name. The fundraiser has netted more than $32,000 so far and that YouTube video has had nearly 7 million hits.

Check out “Inside Edition’s” video of Gould’s makeover here.

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