I know this guy. I was a concert promoter in Columbus in the early 70's. Did interviews with him and such performers as Howlin Wolf, Raasan Roland Kirk etc etc. Blind Raasan said to me after the interview " Wow! what a voice...he sounds like he's been doubled and eq'd in a shower"! They were of course smoking pot in the control room....but that was the 70's. Good luck Ted! Please include therapy with the job....so we don't see him ever again on the street. A human to human story if I ever heard one.

How refreshing to finally see a true feel good story! He is so overwhelmed with happiness at his fortune.

His 92 yr old mother is beautiful. For all of us that have lost their mothers..to see him hug his mom after 20 years..my heart filled with such joy.

Thanks for showing this again..now we will be able to hear his voice over on "Lean Forward" promos for MSNBC!

Lawrence! You missed it! Your chance to play it forward. "Forward leaning"? Get it?.......He said he knew an artist that could draw the whole studio....an unfound "Picasso"!!! Get him on your show...have Ted Williams bring him on and show his talent. Then see if that artist knows of anybody else with talent.....Get it? ....Play this forward!

Then send me a check!

Wow, what a wonderful story to start off the new year! This is how positive change in society starts...one person at a time. I think many Americans would love to see more of this type of coverage....it's meaningful....human beings extending themselves to other human beings in need. It's obviously not easy, as many homeless people come with issues of addiction and mental illness. Although, with today's economic slump, I'm sure there are many newly homeless across this country that were just bad at managing money and their lives. In any case, it's important to try to help...without making assumptions. The homeless are the forgotten and ignored in our society. I hope to see more Ted Williams type of stories!

Brought tears to my eyes just to see the reward of redemption and still believing in the beauty of the human spirit. This story certainly gives me reason to pause and to be less judgmental about the homeless I see in the subways and on the streets. It also affirms to me the value of helping someone in need. Thank you Ted Williams and all the people who are reaching out to you. May you enjoy not just financial stability but love and the opportunity to give back as well.

ChickaBOOMer: Voice Of America

This is indeed a wonderful story .... but I hope that you [Lawrence] and others who making celebrity out of this ... will be mindful to the emotional adjustment and support that is needed to keep this man on a clean and sober path ... as well as transition him from homeless to overnight sensation. All the well wishers and the job opportunities are not easy to reconcile this quickly. Please make certain this man is given the necessary tools and backing he needs to grow in to a constant state of wellbeing. Thank you.

This is such a wonderful story....but as an advocate for those who suffer from a mental illness-including drug and alcohol use- and all of the fallout that comes along with it- I am concerned for Ted Williams. He could be very fragile @ this time. I think that he has a real chance here for a good life here..... if along with his new celebrity status ...those around him @ MSNBC help him to get the medical attention and other supports that he needs. Thank you, Lawrence for the compelling interview!

Even better Ted Williams just got invited to Bermuda, his favorite childhood vacation spot that he talked about with Ann Curry on the Today Show. Check out the latest coverage on Bermuda Shorts: or visit DavidLaHuta.BlogSpot.com

It should not be necessary to point out that there are any number of people out there with skills and talent that are going unrecognized. Mr. Williams is unusual only that someone took the time to find out about him, had the ability to tell the world about him and did not fear the potential competition for themselves. In most cases his talent would have been noted by many who would have had no such means available to tell his story and the most that would have resulted was a certain amount of envy. Most of those that could make very great contributions remain anonymous because the drive to turn everyone against each other in a world where competition trumps working together for the common good. In such a cut throat capitalist system recognizing talent is is either seen as something to be exploited for the private gain of a few or seen as competition that must be kept quite lest they get ahead of those that are aware of that skill or talent. As long as individual greed, survival and competition with an overwhelming emphisis on lucky breaks and luck of birth into the so called elite class drives our progress leaving all others to waste their lives living far below their potential we will continue to waste lives and slow that progress. Imagine where we could have been today if every person were allowed to reach their full potential instead of limiting that ability to only those by birth or luck to do so.

I have never been more inspired by anyone. There is something about this man that is so much more special than his voice. I cannot feel an ounce of jealousy for this man. He is sincere, genuine, kind, thankful, and very uplifting. He has done more to brighten my week and fill me with hope than anything I have seen or heard in many years. Perhaps he was sent to deliver a message to all of us, to be thankful to God, the universe (whatever) to just be thankful for all that you have that is good, and to believe in that darn law of attraction and the power of positive good thoughts and feelings, and God will take care of the rest :-)