Fame At Warp Speed

About 48 hours ago, the name Ted Williams conjured up images of #9, the Hall of Fame slugger for the Boston Red Sox, perhaps the greatest pure hitter ever.

Today, however, a Google search will have, as its top item---a 53 year old homeless man who has gone from complete and total obscurity to almost complete national –and international fame and recognition.

48 hours.

In case you have been completely isolated from any type of media over the last two days, the short story is this: A newspaper reporter in Columbus, Ohio came across a homeless man begging for money on a highway median—holding a sign that “God gave him the gift of voice”. Intrigued, the reporter asked for a demonstration. He was astounded by the deep and resonant voice that emanated from this homeless man dressed in shabby clothes with long hair, beard and bad teeth.

Then he videotaped the encounter and uploaded it to YouTube. Once the video went “viral” (as they say), he became literally an overnight sensation.

Here is that video:



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O6kI_u3ho_c


Here is one of his TV interviews this morning:



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6cyRyYQNkXo&feature=related


The top radio station in Columbus invited him on its morning show—and fortified with TV cameras from both local and national outlets, Ted William’s incredible odyssey got a shot of adrenalin.

Since yesterday’s morning show on WNCI-FM, he has appeared on the Today Show, Good Morning America and CBS Early Show, is scheduled on Jimmy Kimmel tonight and Jay Leno soon as well. In addition, he has been flooded with voiceover work—from Kraft Macaroni and Cheese—to a job offer from the Cleveland Cavaliers-complete with a house! He will be doing voice work for Fox TV and dozens of radio stations—and that’s the tip of the iceberg.

Just a few days ago, he was literally on the street-homeless, destitute and without any prospects---this morning, he was sitting next to Anne Curry and Al Roker on NBC’c “Today” Show. His frequent emotional breakdowns speak to the sense of overwhelm that is no doubt dominating his whirlwind tour of fame.

Just as Susan Boyle rocketed from obscurity to stardom in mere days (with mixed results on her emotional stability), here too is Ted Williams---next in line for riches and fame based on his former unfortunate circumstances—and his undeniable talent.

A remarkable story that has touched millions, even more amazing is the SPEED at which it all came about. It is this aspect of the internet—and its integration with more traditional media---that has me blown away.

We better get used to it.

From “Balloon Boy” to those Diet Coke and Mentos guys, it’s a whole new ballgame—and this Ted Williams has hit one out of the park.

If you’d like my blog in your box, just let me know: tim.moore@citcomm.com