I got a call Sunday from an unrecognized number. The voice on the other end, however, was quite familiar. Bill called.
You know. Bill. Arkansas Bill. I interviewed him four summers back when traveling the South. Something about his no-nonsense approach to life, his dirty work clothes, his strong accent--the video took off. YouTube decided to feature the heck out of it after initial viewers responded strongly. From there, "Interview with an Arkansas Redneck" (his label, not mine) has accumulated over 3 million views.
More than that, it inspired people to want to donate to the guy, who at the time didn't even have electricity. So I set up a fundraiser and said if people gave at least $500, I'd head back down there myself and give it to him. We raised close to $600:) So, in December of 2017, I went on back down there and surprised Bill with the cash (and made video #2).
During this follow up, I shared with Bill all the hellos he had received on YouTube. He and his lady, Jo, also told me how people in their community also commented on Bill's internet fame.
Bill said, "People came up and said, 'Hey, I saw you on YouTube!' I said, 'What the heck's a YouTube?'".
One passer-by, Bill said, even recognized Bill's house and pulled over to give Bill $10 and a hello. And because of the ad revenue the video has raised, I've been able to send Bill a $100 here, a $100 there since my last visit.
With all the negativity so easily spread online these days, it's easy to forget the benefits of social media and the internet. I like to think this one interview with Bill going viral is one such benefit. People around Bill's community got a kick out of their local legend. People around the country connected with Bill and helped him out. And people around the world--from England to Argentina to Japan--have all commented with goodhearted amusement and even surprise that some Americans live as Bill does.
On the phone with Bill Sunday, we arranged for the long-awaited Video #3. I'll be heading down there the end of this month. And more than just an interview, I'm going to spend half-a-day with him. A Day in the Life of Bill -- where he shows me his fishing spot, how he trains his dogs to catch raccoons, and other elements of this Arkansas life.
Stay tuned. See links in the comments of our previous two videos. And if you'd like to offer a little something Bill's way, let me know. Last time, in addition to the donations, we also had greeting cards and even Christmas cookies:)