After trying his voice at a number of reality shows, a homeless New York man turned to YouTube and has become a viral hit.
James Percell, 49, has been homeless on and off for more than three decades, but has never given up on his dream of becoming a singing sensation, the New York Post reports. After getting rejected from “The Voice” and “X-Factor,” Percell decided to give YouTube a shot.
Since posting his self-composed song, “Everything Must Change,” in April, his video has garnered more than 1 million hits. (SINGING IN VIDEO ABOVE STARTS AT 2:30)
“I live for the music,” the singing hopeful told the Post. “I live on the edge.”
Percell certainly has reason to continue dreaming.
Just last year, Ted Williams was living on the streets of Columbus, Ohio when he was snatched up by major networks for his “golden voice.”
Williams’ life was crippled by a life of drugs and alcohol until the Columbus Dispatch posted a video of the aspiring performer showing off his voiceover skills while begging on the side of a road, according to the AP. The rags-to-riches star has since recorded a commercial for Kraft Macaroni & Cheese, signed on to do work with MSNBC and written a memoir, “The Golden Voice.”
"You always told me to pray, and I've been praying," Williams told his mother after reuniting with her last January. "This has been a dream -- a dream and a prayer."
Click through the slideshow below to find out which states have the highest rates of child homelessness.
States With Highest Child Homelessness
Georgia(01 of10)
Open Image Modal- Georgia reported 45,566 homeless children in 2010- Minimum wage is $7.25 per hour- An average two-bedroom apartment in Georgia requires a $15.18 per hour income- Female-headed households make up 8.9 percent of the state's population- 9.9 percent of children are living without health insurance - 20 percent of children are living in poverty (credit: Flickr: seanmorgan)
#9 Florida(02 of10)
Open Image Modal- Florida reported 83,957 homeless children in 2010- Minimum wage is $7.25 per hour- An average two-bedroom apartment in Florida requires a $20.29 per hour income- Female-headed households make up 7.1 percent of the state's population- 14.2 percent of children are living without health insurance - 18 percent of children are living in poverty (credit: Flickr: Phillip Pessar)
#8 Nevada(03 of10)
Open Image Modal- Nevada reported 15,243 homeless children in 2010- Minimum wage is $7.55 per hour- An average two-bedroom apartment in Nevada requires a $19.32 per hour income- Female-headed households make up 7 percent of the state's population- 17.5 percent of children are living without health insurance - 15 percent of children are living in poverty (credit:Flickr: AlishaV)
#7 Louisiana (04 of10)
Open Image Modal- Louisiana reported 43,488 homeless children in 2010- Minimum wage is $7.25 per hour- An average two-bedroom apartment in Louisiana requires a $15.11 per hour income- Female-headed households make up 9.3 percent of the state's population- 9 percent of children are living without health insurance - 26 percent of children are living in poverty (credit:Flickr: Max Wolfe)
#6 New Mexico(05 of10)
Open Image Modal- New Mexico reported 16,262 homeless children in 2010- Minimum wage is $7.50 per hour- An average two-bedroom apartment in New Mexico requires a $13.42 per hour income- Female-headed households make up 7.8 percent of the state's population- 13.7 percent of children are living without health insurance - 25 percent of children are living in poverty (credit:Flickr: Justin Brockie)
#5 California(06 of10)
Open Image Modal- California reported 334,131 homeless children in 2010- Minimum wage is $8 per hour- An average two-bedroom apartment in California requires a $25.52 per hour income- Female-headed households make up 7.8 percent of the state's population- 10.7 percent of children are living without health insurance - 18 percent of children are living in poverty (credit:Flickr: JoeInSouthernCA)
#4 Arizona(07 of10)
Open Image Modal- Arizona reported 53,129 homeless children in 2010- Minimum wage is $7.25 per hour- An average two-bedroom apartment in Arizona requires a $17 per hour income- Female-headed households make up 7.1 percent of the state's population- 15 percent of children are living without health insurance - 21 percent of children are living in poverty (credit:Flickr: Phillie Casablanca)
#3 Arkansas(08 of10)
Open Image Modal- Arkansas reported 13,978 homeless children in 2010- Minimum wage is $7.25 per hour- An average two-bedroom apartment in Arkansas requires a $11.50 per hour income- Female-headed households make up 7.7 percent of the state's population- 7.4 percent of children are living without health insurance - 25 percent of children are living in poverty (credit: Flickr: pasa47)
#2 Mississippi(09 of10)
Open Image Modal- Mississippi reported 12,929 homeless children in 2010- Minimum wage is $7.25 per hour- An average two-bedroom apartment in Mississippi requires a $12.74 per hour income- Female-headed households make up 10 percent of the state's population- 13.4 percent of children are living without health insurance - 30 percent of children are living in poverty (credit:Flickr: davidwilson1949)
#1 Alabama(10 of10)
Open Image Modal- Alabama reported 28,081 homeless children in 2010- Minimum wage is $7.25 per hour- An average two-bedroom apartment in Alabama requires a $12.59 per hour income- Female-headed households make up 8.1 percent of the state's population- 8.9 percent of children are living without health insurance - 24 percent of children are living in poverty (credit:Flickr: Max Wolfe)
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