In 2015, a video posted on YouTube changed Donald Gould’s life. At the time, Gould was homeless in Sarasota, Florida and was better known by the nickname Boone. The US Marine Corps veteran was clearly gifted. While serving in the army, he learned to play the clarinet, and after leaving the army, Gould entered Spring Arbor University in Michigan to study music theory.

“I was taught music theory and listening skills and had to learn how to play all the instruments from pickle to tuba,” Gold told WWSB. “I can write parts like a browser.”

But since Gold had no money, he could not pay for the education. He struggled with addiction and alcoholism and went through difficult times. Then his wife died.

“They sat me down and told me what happened, that my wife died and I just lost,” he told ABC News.

Three-year-old son Gold was taken away by social workers due to drug use.

“Every day it’s painful,” he said in an interview with WWSB. “There’s not a day that goes by that they took him that I ain’t thought about him.”

Gold was able to reach Florida after it bottomed out. However, he continued to make music even though he was homeless and unmarried. In fact, as part of the Sarasota Case Project, he installed pianos throughout the city and began naming the city after passers-by.

According to ABC News, Gould’s video received over 2 million views in just two days.

Aurora Henry, the woman who filmed the video in 2015, said: “We went out and chatted and saw him play. It was amazing, so I pulled out my phone to start recording.” “Of course, I did not expect this to happen. I posted it on Facebook and immediately saw several people sharing it.”

Shortly after the video went viral, he was picked up by a local ABC affiliate and reunited with Henry Gould. He took the opportunity to tell her how exciting the recording was.

“We talked a bit about where he got his musical education and what his life was like,” he told ABC News. “It was really nice. When we told her about the tape, someone told her that her face had already been seen on the Internet. She looked very surprised. She was very modest. She said, “Oh, you know.” and really nice. I really don’t know what to think about it.”

“It’s sad,” Henry added. “(Gould) cleary has some substance abuse problems and whatnot, but (music) still flows out of him.”