A Golden Voice

How Faith, Hard Work, and Humility Brought Me from the Streets to Salvation

By: Ted Williams

Narrated by: Andy Williams

YouTube sensation Ted William's memoir of addiction, homelessness, and unlikely redemption, cowritten by #1 New York Times bestselling author Bret Witter

Ted Williams was panhandling in December 2010 when a passerby taped him and posted a clip of his gorgeous radio voice on YouTube. The video went viral, and overnight, launched him--”the homeless man with a golden voice”--into the hearts of millions.

Since then, millions have heard pieces of his story: his successful radio career, his crack addiction, his multiple arrests, and his heartbreaking relationship with his ninety-year-old mother. But in A Golden Voice, Ted Williams finally puts all the pieces together to give an unforgettable, searingly honest account of life on the streets. Nothing is held back, as Williams takes the reader through prostitution, theft, crack houses, and homeless shelters in a search, ultimately, for redemption and hope. Along the way, we see his relationship with his long-term girlfriend, Kathy, grow into an unlikely and inspiring love story, and we hear the Golden Voice of God lead Ted from the selfishness of crime to the humility of the street corner--almost a year before he was discovered--on that highway entrance ramp.

But this memoir isn't just an exploration of wrongs and a once-in-a-lifetime chance to give homelessness a voice. It is a deeply American, from-the-heart comeback story about the power of hope, faith, and personal responsibility. With the innate charisma that has won him millions of fans, Ted Williams proves that no one, no matter how degraded, is too lost for a second chance.

Critic reviews

“In stark, unflinching terms, Williams, with assistance from Witter, tells the story of how he won and lost his own version of the American dream, describing his crippling addiction through often uncomfortably graphic episodes of utter degeneration and despair.”
— Booklist

“Those who followed last year’s media accounts of his struggles will appreciate the insights and brutal honesty expressed in this powerful career comeback story.”

— Publishers Weekly

I enjoyed listening to, A Golden Voice.

I love that the narrator is Ted Williams, who made the audiobook more pleasurable. His voice is soothing.

Ted is a star who loves crack

Shoots it to you straight. Crack is hell of drug. Lots of good detail and some funny stories.

Golden Indeed

Ted Williams doesn't hold back when he's sharing about his life, good and bad. His raw honesty in his faith's ups and downs were refreshing. He describes his struggles on a base level that makes him very relatable even in situations I've never experienced. Down to earth and great narration.

What a Journey!

What made the experience of listening to A Golden Voice the most enjoyable?

Of course, Ted's voice is fantastic. He didn't spare any details of his debauchery.

What did you like best about this story?

I liked that he tried to take care of the people that he loved. However, he didn't do a very good job of it. He really wanted to impress his father. I also like that he didn't sugar coat his story.

Which character – as performed by Ted Williams – was your favorite?

His various radio voices were really spot on. I could hear the joy in his voice.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

I broke up this listening into about four or five different sittings. Mainly. I listened to it while taking walks.

Any additional comments?

I was so happy to see that having been through what he had, he has made something of himself.