In an inspiring display of creativity and dedication, YouTuber Josiah Jackson, better known as The Piano Doctor, brought life back to a long-neglected piano during an eight-hour layover at Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport.
Finding the Abandoned Piano
Finding an abandoned piano at an airport can be a rather disheartening sight, especially one that’s clearly been left to gather dust.
This was exactly the scenario Jackson encountered during a previous trip to O’Hare.
After spotting the forlorn instrument, he made a promise to himself: the next time he passed through O’Hare, he would take the time to restore it.
That commitment led him to deliberately plan an extensive stopover just for this purpose.
However, Jackson’s restoration mission wasn’t without obstacles.
The art of piano restoration often demands a variety of specialized tools, many of which face restrictions at airport security checkpoints.
To tackle this issue, Jackson cleverly arranged for his necessary supplies to be sent ahead of time to ensure everything would be ready upon his arrival.
Yet when he finally sat down to work on the piano, he discovered its condition had worsened significantly since he last saw it.
Restoration Challenges
As he opened the piano, a cloud of dust erupted, revealing not just grime but also glaring cracks in the soundboard and a sticky mess of spilled drinks that had glued its keys together.
It didn’t take long for him to conclude that the piano’s unfortunate placement near a bar had contributed to its sorry state.
With a compact toolkit in hand, Jackson launched into a whirlwind restoration effort, making strategic repairs along the way.
Instead of replacing worn-out felt pieces, he ingeniously turned them inside out to maximize their utility.
Despite its challenges, he managed to address several of the piano’s flaws, achieving a remarkable revival of the instrument.
Once he completed his work, Jackson filmed a performance video that highlighted the piano’s revitalized sound.
He enthusiastically invited travelers to enjoy its music once more, adding a friendly note to the instrument that requested patrons to keep drinks at a safe distance.
The Impact of Music
The positive impact of Jackson’s efforts quickly became evident.
An airport employee noted that passengers and crew members have begun frequently engaging with the piano, transforming it into a vibrant space of musical expression and community.
The employee shared their gratitude for the newfound joy that this restored instrument has introduced into the airport’s environment.
In a reflective conversation with West Michigan’s ABC station WZZM, Jackson shared insights about his personal journey.
Although he initially dreamed of being a performer, he discovered during high school that his true passion lay in the world of piano tuning and restoration.
This revelation opened doors to a fulfilling career, enabling him to touch the lives of many through his popular YouTube channel, which has garnered over 717,000 subscribers.
Next time you find yourself wandering through O’Hare, take a moment to sit at this revitalized piano.
It stands as a testament to the power of kindness and creativity amid the hustle and bustle of travel.
Source: Upworthy