'Trading Beer For A Song': Homeless Man Lands Record Deal After Viral TikTok Performance

October 7, 2024

In an inspiring turn of events, a homeless man named Andrew "Donut" Larsen has gone from playing his guitar on the streets for beer to landing a "record deal", thanks to the kindness of a stranger and the power of social media.

homeless man record deal Donut Larsen
Donut Larsen performs his original song

On September 12, Dominic Alexander stumbled upon Donut, sitting on a curb with his guitar. In exchange for a beer, Donut offered to play a song for Alexander—a deal that would soon change both of their lives.

When Donut began playing his original song, “Ghost of You,” Alexander was blown away by the raw emotion in his voice and the beauty of his guitar playing. Captivated, he recorded the performance and shared it on TikTok, where it quickly went viral.

Viewers were drawn to Donut’s soulful voice, heartfelt lyrics, and incredible talent, leading Alexander to take the next step in helping the musician.

@pottieskippen Was the best deal I ever made and found out his name is Donut 🍩 #curtislowe #donut #music #talentedandgifted #fyp #trades #deals ♬ original sound - PottieSkippen

Determined to give Donut the platform he deserved, Alexander started a GoFundMe campaign to get him into a recording studio. The outpouring of support was swift, allowing Donut to professionally record his song.

“Donut is a great guy with an extraordinary talent. Let’s get him what he deserves so he can continue to make music for the people!” Alexander wrote in his post.

Less than a month later, Donut’s song, “Ghost of You,” is now available on all streaming platforms. His journey from the streets to a recording studio is a reminder of the life-changing power of community, kindness, and believing in someone’s talent.

Check out the official music video for "Ghost of You" below!