A hard luck story with some great music as a result. Ted Hawkins spent his life in and out of reform schools, jails, and "medical facilities." He went from sitting on an overturned paint bucket and playing for tips on Venice Beach to concert halls and back again. He died abruptly from a stroke on New Year's Day 1995.
This is what Sam Cooke would have sounded like if he had not had much of a chance to become a star. You can hear Cooke's voice in the songs that Ted Hawkins covers, playing his Yamaha jail issued guitar.
Watch Your Step is a great place to start here, if you're interested.