Richard Goodall is giving Terre Haute a shining moment that the rest of this country can witness as well — from coast to coast. That is rare and special.
He is known as “the singing janitor,” thanks to some breakthrough moments that highlight the 54-year-old’s soaring high tenor.
People around the world felt the wonderful surprise of his voice in 2022, when a cellphone video went viral on TikTok. It captured Goodall belting out Journey’s classic hit “Don’t Stop Believin’” at an end-of-the-school-year assembly at Davis Park Elementary, where he worked as the custodian. The video attracted nearly 3 million views and prompted a response from Journey lead singer Steve Perry, who said, “I love this.”
Two years later, Goodall wowed a national television audience and a panel of celebrity judges on “America’s Got Talent” with his rendition of “Don’t Stop Believin’.” Impressed judge Heidi Klum, a German-American supermodel, activated the talent show’s “golden buzzer,” which advanced Goodall into the follow-up round of the competition. Thus, Goodall is in Pasadena, California, preparing to perform a new, yet-unrevealed song on “AGT” during Tuesday’s live broadcast. Now, Goodall has emerged as the winner of the competition and received the grand prize of $1 million.
Goodall’s hometown has already received its grand prize in this saga. One of its native sons has not only earned fans with his singing, but also has drawn admiration for his humility and everyman backstory. He has worked as a custodian in the Vigo County School Corporation for more than two decades at Hoosier Prairie, West Vigo and Davis Park elementary schools and now West Vigo Middle School. Last month, as he readied himself for the upcoming competition, Goodall also worked in the middle school, stripping floors and painting its health room.
“I have bills to pay. I need health insurance. I have prescriptions I have to buy, and they are expensive. I’m just a regular person,” he told the Tribune-Star’s Sue Loughlin.
America loves his story. And Goodall understands the country is watching a guy from Terre Haute, Indiana.
“I’m going to do my best to represent this whole community,” Goodall said at his energetic sendoff last Saturday at the Wabash Valley Fairgrounds, which drew a large crowd.
Remember when Larry Bird dedicated his first Boston Celtics NBA championship to Terre Haute? Likewise, Richard Goodall has given the nation a reason to remember something good about this town.
In a recent interview, Richard reflected on his whirlwind week, which included winning the AGT title and getting married. “It’s surreal,” Richard shared. “I never could’ve dreamed up this week at all. Everything has just been happening so fast.”
When asked about his small-town roots in Terre Haute, Indiana, and the community’s reaction to his win, Richard expressed deep pride. “They’ve been so supportive. In our town, we were more known for Larry Bird, but now it’s like they needed something new—like a singing janitor.”
Richard also shared his passion for music, highlighting how Journey’s songs have always held special meaning for him. “’Don’t Stop Believin’’ is a mantra. It tells you to keep going, no matter what. That message has always resonated with me, and now I’m living proof of it.”