Instagram influencer raises $60K and gives at as tip to airport pianist
Most people look for their purpose throughout their entire life. Tonee “Valentine” Carter, however, already understood what he intended to do with his life at the young age of six.
When Tonee was six years old, his pianist father took him to a Ray Charles concert, and the little kid immediately understood that was what he wanted to do.
He knew he’d be a pianist.
Tonee has been enamored with the piano ever since watching that concert. “Once it’s in your heart, it’s in you and it ain’t going nowhere,” he said.
At Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, the 66-year-old performs practically every day for an international audience. Although he is not well-known, tourists who hear him perform are enthralled by his exquisite music.
One of those privileged people is motivational speaker Carlos Whittaker.
He was able to fly back to Tennessee on Wednesday morning after his speaking engagement was postponed. Carlos was “super bummed” that day, but he felt compelled to stop when he heard someone playing the piano. That is how he first encountered Tonee.
Carlos, a writer, podcaster, and Instagram influencer, spent an hour and a half listening to Tonee play at the piano bar in Concourse A. Additionally, he recorded the artist and shared the clip with his “InstaFamilia,” which consists of more than 200,000 followers.
Then they began talking to each other.
The two men eventually started conversing and exchanging personal information about their lives. When Tonee went back to the piano, Carlos came up with an idea: why not ask his Instagram followers to leave Tonee the highest tip he’s ever received?
Carlos followed through on his idea and raised $10,000 in less than 30 minutes! It was crazy!
Carlos documented the moment he informed Tonee about the good news.
Several people had contributed thousands of dollars for him. Of course, he couldn’t believe it!
“I just lost it. I thought he was kidding, I just couldn’t believe it. That just doesn’t happen,” Tonee remarked. “I didn’t know how to feel. This is the kind of thing I do. I love giving and donating and helping people, but I never expected someone to do it for me.”
But wait, there’s definitely more!
Carlos informed his followers that they may continue tipping Tonee through Venmo and CashApp before he left for his flight. On Friday night, Carlo announced that they had raised $61,000.
It turns out that he really needed this money. In 2008, the musician discovered he had a renal disease while performing as a pianist on a cruise ship.
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Only 10% of his kidneys were functioning normally.
His days of performing in bands and serving as a crew member on cruise ships were over. He now devotes his evenings to his dialysis sessions. But despite everything, he remains optimistic.
“I have to do what I have to do to live. But I’m so happy because when I’m not going through dialysis, I’m not going through heart problems, brain tumors, or cancer. Maybe I don’t have working kidneys, but I get up and go to work every day,” the grateful pianist remarked.
The piano is Tonee’s best friend through it all.
“When I’m playing, I feel like the happiest man in the world,” he exclaimed. “The happiest person in the world. I am happiest playing piano and watching people respond to that happiness with theirs.”
He said that he plans to use the money to be of help to others as well. He said that he wants to pay it forward. Indeed, he and his kind heart deserve it all!
Watch the video below to witness the heartwarming encounter.
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Source: Positive Outlooks