From Homeless To Headliner: Willis Earl Beal

This week NPR Music writer and editor Stephen Thompson introduces us to the soulful sound of Willis Earl Beal and his new song "Coming Through."

Thompson says Beal not only has an amazing sound but an amazing story.

"He's an Army veteran from Chicago who's been homeless, and whose songs were first heard when he started leaving self-made CDs in public places for people to find. He recorded his first album on a karaoke machine, but it found a national audience anyway," Thompson told Here & Now.