The Story of a Man named Money w/ added thoughts

At the age of 25 I was on tour with Lenny Kravitz in New Orleans. We played from Mardi Gras into the Blues and Jazz Fest. Our hotel was not far from the French Quarter. On the backside of the French Quarter, simply one street over called Craft Street is the difference between night and day. As they party 24/7, I spent a lot of evenings walking around enjoying the entertainment. I had seen a lot of odd things, the first thing that has stuck with me 15 years later is the fact that there were hundreds of fully nude women.  There was one man in the street surrounded by completely nude women. The man pulled down his pants exposing himself and a police officer on horseback arrested him for indecent exposure.  Now getting to the point, which is the second thing that has stuck with me. When I was walking down Craft street there was a place where there was about 75 plus homeless people. Through the days that I had been there I had given money, cigarettes, etc. And when they remember a face they would follow me and others around especially after giving.  Probably assuming that I had lots of money because of being a featured act during Mardi Gras.

Things did not seem right. So I went around a corner and out comes an older black man who shouts out leave him alone basically deterring them. Apparently this is quite common. He had informed me they weren't homeless, they were just pan handlers. I started talking with the man. Asked his name. He told me he's called Money. I sat down on a step next to him, was smoking a cigarette. I realized I was almost out, so he and I walked to a nearby store. I had bought a couple packs of cigarettes. The lady kept giving me back the wrong change. Money said, stop trying to scam him, give him the right amount back. There were some horrible experiences with racism in this city. I remember the price of cigarettes being $2.85. The lady charged me $4.85. Right above the register was a huge sign that said Basic Non-Filters $2.85.

Before I go on, I'm disgusted by the tax hike in cigarettes

Anyway, I said your sign clearly states that it's $2.85. I guess I should include the fact the lady was black. I said, why are you charging me $2.00 more?

She said, Because you're white.

As far as that goes, as I've stated I'm Welsh, Jewish and black.  What I am telling you is building up to the story about the man named Money.

We talked for a few hours. To this day it still bothers me that I didn't give him a pack of smokes.

I shared several with him and gave him about ten to take with.  What is interesting and unbelievable is the fact that he was homeless for reasons that will shock you.

In New Orleans, at this time, and in many other states, they had certain rules, policies and even laws that apply to what I am telling you. Money worked for the city of New Orleans. In fact he worked for the District of the French Quarter.  A full time job. Sometimes in life, you find it hard to believe certain stories, especially in your youth and unexperienced and uneducated.  

So this is how Money became homeless. He lived in an apartment complex that leased week by week. When the festivals came around, by law, the owners had the right to kick you out of your apartment with no notice, it was left to your responsibility via the lease agreement that was signed. You would be kicked out every time there was a festival.  At the time, it was $90 a week to live in this complex.  They would kick out the people who stayed year round and charge the tourists anywhere from $350 to 1000 a week to stay in these complexes because they were so close to the French Quarter.

Money had to take all of his belongings, put them in storage, which it was very curious that they had a storage complex in the same parking lot. So for weeks at a time he would be homeless. To elaborate, it is very difficult to find any place to stay outside of a $1000/night hotel room in New Orleans during this time. I actually found his story very hard to believe, quite skeptical.

Two days later, I was walking back from getting some lunch, and there is Money driving a massive village truck. It was made to pour pavement, salt, dirt, etc, which takes a special license to be able to drive one that you must get through the city and state.  On the side of the truck said City of New Orleans. He saw me, stopped the truck and got out. Now, making me realize his story was absolutely true. After he got out of work, which was about an hour later, I met up with him, and we helped people in the same circumstance move their belongings out of these complexes and into storage. This was a time where it was uncommon for cell phone use and internet usage to be easily accessible.   I did some research on my own, finding out that this was a state mandated and city upheld law.

Money had 3 kids and a wife. They lived outside of the city. He could not afford transportation, so this is what he did to support his family, only seeing them on weekends. His job required him to work 18-20 hours a day. Yet for these time periods he would sleep on the street. I often wonder what happened to him and his family and how he is doing.  Yet Money and his story will never leave me.

Story about a man named Money by Joshua Jet Vaughan



Additional Thoughts:

I learned a lot from this experience, it's part of the reason why I'm an advocate for homelessness as well as for undiagnosed and untreated diseases; because I have seen this happen too much; as it is happening with me.

It made me really look at the circumstances of lives and really, the bullshit.

I have seen too much judgment in this world, too many people that are self-serving.  In today's world, people can't do anything to help anyone unless there's a tv camera around. It's very disconcerning. There's days that I'm on Twitter and I just can't stand it and other days I enjoy it. We all have different moods.  I find the most enjoyable times on Twitter is when I am actually talking with people back and forth, hence a discussion.  Though, very often I put my own health aside to continue the conversation.

 A lot of people stick to what seems to be one mood, almost as if this is what they want to be known for.  Some are funny. Some are serious.  Some talk too much about religion, some talk too much about politics, that's not balance. This adds up to the story I just told you about Money.  This is a man that left an impression with me that I will never forget and opened up my eyes to the wrongs in this world.  A man who is willing to do anything and everything including having judgment passed on him, the bearing of false witness, so he could provide for his family and himself.

There are a lot of things that have been bothering me lately. And it all comes down to taking advantage of other people. I see what we call movie stars asking for money, or rather trying to raise money, giving a time line on when it has to be done by for plays, and even cyberspace plays. Yet these same people will give $25,000-50,000 to an organization like ALS.  When the play needed $50,000. Let's not forget the ticket prices after the fact to see the play.  So the money was given from what Hollywood likes to call everyday ordinary average people, or the common man, which is bullshit in itself, but the actor or actors will take their own money to raise for diseases.  I hope  you get where I'm heading here.

Through a series of events for ALS, they had raised 50 million dollars in one month. Which is wonderful! Having been a part of this world, movie and music, it's a tax write off. But people are also to blame and fickle as well. If someone asked you to give $10 for ALS, most probably wouldn't do it. But definitely would do it so that they're recognized, as on Twitter, all the names of the people who donate pop up on a website.

 Is it recognition? Is it wanting to kiss the ass of the actor?  To get a thank you on Twitter.  When Margaret Cho took on the task of helping the homeless #BeRobin, the funds went directly to fulfilling the needs of the homeless.  She has done a great job, and there have been many supporters.  But it is unbelievable to me that more money was raised in one week for a play, than has been raised in months for helping the homeless.

 What are your priorities?

In all honesty, myself and others got together and gave money to the play anonymously.  As we were all made to believe that it was to help others. Then we found out that tickets were going for $800 a pop. And it has not been stated what it is being used for.  The only answer I had received was for production costs, which was what the initial $50,000 was supposed to be used for.  My friends and I did the same thing for http://gofundme.com/berobin   I will be the first to admit, I was stupid for giving to the play. When you're as ill as I am, and have so much talent, yet it has not been seen or heard because of the illness, it makes me appreciate and want to help others reach their dreams and goals.  And I want to help everyone in need the best way that I can.  It does not take a lot, just a little time, a little thought and a little effort.

Other than my parents in my youth, I have never asked anyone for a cent in my life.  And I surely would not do so when I have the money.  So why can't you give $50,000 to ALS and fund your own damn play? A lot of people don't understand, because they don't want to, but also because they don't know how corrupt the world of movies and music is.

Which brings me back to responsibility and the the man named Money.

At that time, I had an incredible amount of money.  He never asked me for a cent. I gave because I wanted to give. As I've stated, I dislike the word fan.  It is ridiculous. I am a fan of no man, there is no title or status that impresses me.  I like Jimmy Fallon calling people FalPals. Or Supernatural calling the watchers Supernatural family.  I see people on Twitter who have 1,000 followers and put a song out, every week on Youtube, thanking their fans. What the fuck?! Do you even know what you are saying?  And why would you ever consider yourself a fan? What is with this so called celebrity obsession?  Hence "I wanna be a rockstar." I would say that I grew up in a different time, and though that is very true, I see people twice my age acting like 20 year olds.

Can you tell me what the hell is going on? According to Twitter guidelines, you are supposed to follow at least one person, yet I have found a person that doesn't. What a jack ass. Unless you have the blue check mark, Twitter allows you to follow only so many people at a time. I've seen people who will not favorite or retweet, yet asks their followers to favorite and retweet someone.  You all know who you are and you should be ashamed of yourselves.  I also see many people who are extremely famous that will follow tens of thousands of people which shows it can be done to those who don't you pompous assholes.  How about take a little time for your so called fans?  Most hire assistants to work their sites anyway and I have learned that unless you are following someone that is extremely famous, they will not reply.  In fact, I did my own study.  By following and unfollowing certain people, and true to what I just said, I only got a reply when I followed them.  What's interesting is during my remission, many of these people were what you would consider good friends of mine.  I knew them well. Became very close and spent a lot of time with them.  To elaborate on one thing, the name that I use where I received my 7 Grammys and the name I use for song writing and screen plays is not Joshua Jet Vaughan.

I've only been active on Twitter for a couple months. Though I signed up in 2011. Or rather my wife did for me. I was curious. I've lost so much respect for people in this world. One of my friends, or so called friends, has one of the largest number of face book followers.  I had recently seen this person on an interview stating that Facebook owes this person something, meaning money.  Basically stating that if not for this person, Facebook would never have succeeded. What a dick.  Jay Leno said it the best, he said, "When I was poor and a nobody in the eyes of Hollywood, I had to pay for everything and couldn't catch a break. Even spending some time in jail for vagrancy.  Now that I have become what you would call successful and famous in the eyes of Hollywood, I don't have to pay for anything."  Stating, it's upside down.

It all leads back to the man named Money.


This is a man who deserves respect. That is not in it for the notoriety.  A man's story that needs to be heard. But the truth is, nobody gives a shit.  If it wasn't for my health, where I would be, as far as fame and success based on worldly terms would be unprecedented. I have done and accomplished more in my sickness in a day, than most people will do in their health in a lifetime.  Because, what I've realized, that I am in no way any more special than you, or you than I.  It is what we do and how we do it that makes us special.  I enjoy entertainment.  Personally; music sucks today.

I am not an advocate of violence, but I would love to knock Justin Bieber right the F out.  Kids thinking that they're tough because they have a bunch of big security guards around them; kicking people in the face after a 6'8" 450lb fat security guard holds a person down so Justin can kick them in the face and he gets away with it because it happened more than once.  I usually don't like talking about people specifically, especially in a negative way, but Justin Bieber has absolutely no talent, no work ethic, and still hasn't reached puberty.

I've learned that even people who aren't part of Hollywood, still play it up for the camera. I watched an episode of the series Wake Up Call with Dwayne Johnson. It's great in theory. But how many people are doing this for others without a camera following them around?  Thousands.  For all the people who are judgmental, I am not here to judge.

What I am saying is that there are better ways to do things. And there are a lot more important things out there than plays and tv shows catering to certain people.  Do you understand that millions of people sent in videos about themselves wanting to be on shows like these?  And they chose through a screening process what would be best for the show.

 If we start giving credit to the people who truly deserve it, start helping people that truly need it, things will change. I'm not bad mouthing Dwayne Johnson.  What I am stating is that things are flawed and not thought out.  Basically, the people on the show are happy for the fact that Dwayne Johnson is giving them attention, but when all is said and done, none of these people will be remembered, only Dwayne will be and I don't believe for one second that this is what Dwayne would want, but probably didn't give it much thought.  Take a moment to think about that.

I love plays. They are such a raw form of entertainment.  But do you understand that they are held in one city?  Meaning that if you don't live in that city, you could spend upwards of $10,000 to go see a play.

 I'm going to state something honest about myself.  Since my new album has not been released due to becoming very ill again and not being able to finish, the songs out there of me, sound nothing like me. The largest record company in the world, guitar magazine, and many others, have stated that my music was something that has never been heard of before. My voice was compared to Elvis, but better. My guitar to Stevie Ray Vaughan.  What they said, I take with a grain of salt, but none the less, because I know of my gifts and talents it is very frustrating.  Yes, it bothers me very much that no one outside of live gigs knows this.  I have never been arrogant, I have spent too much time wanting to be a better person to do so.  I don't understand how to be arrogant.  At the age of 34 when I went in remission is when I finally realized that I had the most powerful, naturally raspy, universally perfect voice.  That my guitar playing had such a beautiful sound with such power and intensity.  Yet so melodic.

Nothing like the crap that's put on Youtube of me. But that was used for a cause.  I had to humble myself for that.  It confuses me about God, what the hell am I here for? Why give me all these gifts and talents for just a handful of people to know about them?  Why keep me so sick without any medical treatment?  Nobody understands this.  I have been diagnosed with over a dozen life-threatening illnesses. I was given a month to live 10 years ago. Sometimes I wanna say, God go fuck yourself.  In fact, I have. Why? And there's no one on this planet I can relate to.  What I understand and know would take a million people a million lifetimes to figure out combined.

The confusing part is that the reason I know this is because of God. I am like everyone else in one thing, I want to shine. When I was young, I had the opportunity to play professional basketball, football or go to the Olympics for track and field.  I was a professional mountain biker.  I was rated one of the 6 best snowboarders in the world. I became a doctor.  I realized my calling was music.  And everything that I've ever done, I was given a gift. But I worked so hard to refine it. To polish it. Illness struck  me down.

I never cared about fame or fortune, I just wanted to do what I love doing. I realized that with fame and money and the message in music itself, I could help so many people.  I could do it all. If I am not healed or get the surgeries that I need, I will die and my life will be pointless, meaningless and purposeless.  To bring awareness. To finance. To bring joy and love.  I don't understand any of it.  My brain tumor, among other health issues affects my mood.  What I say, however, is always the truth.  It only affects how I say it.

People need to fight for themselves more and for others more.  They need to stop complaining.  The truest statement is if you have your health you have everything.  There is no truer statement.  When you have your health, the only person that can limit you is you.  It doesn't matter how much money I have, finding a team of doctors to do my surgeries has been almost impossible.  I am an old school horse of a man.  I am a real man.  I believe that chivalry and chauvinism are separated by a fine line.  I believe in dealing with things with grace and head on.  And I know that the only way that I can truly shine in righteousness is by helping others to shine as well.  Before modern medicine, there was a time when people had suffered horribly.  But still got up and did what they had to to help themselves and others until they couldn't.

Doctors are assholes.  Yes, I was a doctor.  It is horribly and tragically corrupted.  I remain untreated.  I spend thousands upon thousands of dollars a month on supplementation.  People don't understand how I can be so sick and still talk the way I talk, let alone talk at all.  I have had doctors tell me that I am too beautiful, or too big to be that sick even though my test results show otherwise.  At one point, being 6'3" 290lbs with a 36" waist, I had lost 85lbs of muscle.  Yet, if I were 6'3" 190lbs and lost 90lbs of muscle, then it would be noticed.  I am a fighter and I adapt.

 As I can see, this story has trailed off, but it still goes back to the man named Money.

When you find self worth in you, you will find self worth in others.  Everyone is an average person.  Everyone is ordinary.  Everyone is the common man.  I am so tired of people stating this, as if they're not.  Everybody getting on Twitter saying I'm gonna hit it hard this year in the gym.  Good for you, who gives a shit.  My point is is who gives a shit?  We all understand human nature and manipulation.  When someone says I'm not beautiful, I'm not this, I'm not that, they are waiting for someone to say yes you are.

The man named Money did not need this.

We all want to be recognized and known.  We all want to leave our mark on the world.  That can be wonderful.  But are you doing it for the right reasons and the right way?  Would you give up your home for weeks at a time to provide for your family?  Without feeling sorry for yourself?  Still having faith and love in your heart?  We need to realize what is important in this world.  We need to change it.  We need to fucking listen to other people.  We need to understand each other.  You only can do this by knowing who you are in Christ.

If you don't know this, you don't know anything.  There are days that I don't want to believe in God, that I feel that I would be better off if I never did.  Like I said before, there is nothing on this planet, good or bad, that I can not relate to.  There's only one thing that I have said in a joking manner that I could not relate to and that is childbirth.

Sites like Twitter can be quite therapeutic and entertaining, though some people will take up my whole page and will not shut up.  And they never want to have a conversation.

What is that all about?  If you have 7 million followers on Twitter and you follow no one? How the hell did you get 7 million followers?  A person who believes that they are to be heard and will never listen.  That's all you need to know.  I thought it was sharing and caring.

And it brings me back to the man named Money.  We've gotten so lazy with technology, and it has corrupted us all.  How much more could we help people like him and so many others through these great media sources?  Instead it's being used to self promote, self promote, self promote.  To try to sound clever and funny all the time.  To see how many followers to following ratio you can achieve.

There's so many weird things going on.  Sometimes it takes one thing, one simple statement to brighten up someones day, that's all they're needing.  When I don't hear from people that I talk with on Twitter on a regular basis, I become concerned.

I wish we would have had these things back in my youth, so I could stay in contact with people like Money.  After Katrina who knows what happened with him and his family.  You may think I'm contradicting myself by complaining about things like Twitter, but I will tell you that I am not.  There is always a meaning and purpose to what I do and say.  Sometimes, I leave it for you to figure out, sometimes I'll tell you right away, and other times I'll give it time.

One verse in the bible has stuck with me the most out of all of the great words/verses.  It is this.  Peter said, "I have learned how to be all things to all people."  Think about that.  That says everything you need to know in one simple sentence.

Don't help people by changing to be like them for the worse.

Help people by changing them for the better.

By not passing judgment and going back to the old saying, there's a time and place for everything.  So whether you are healthy or sick, there are times when you can be silly and serious and angry and happy and joyful.  But I believe what that verse is saying, besides the obvious, is that you can be all those things at once.

~Joshua Jet Vaughan~