Motivation Mojo > The Singing Bus Driver

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As a committed optimist, I occasionally come across individuals who try to burst my positive bubble with negative comments and pessimistic attitudes. It’s always a challenge for me to face such sour music, though I don’t dwell on it for very long. I approach every detraction as a call to action, and whenever someone knocks me down, I dust myself off and pick myself back up.

Sometimes, though, I look to someone else to lift my spirits. It can be anyone, even a perfect stranger.

My friend JeJuan encountered the perfect person for a speedy uplift on her stay in Chicago. And though this person did nothing more than sing a few tunes, he moved people—literally and figuratively—in a way that I’ve never heard before.

JeJuan was in the Windy City visiting her sisters, Jennifer and Jaida. The three of them were waiting for a bus to take them downtown for a day of fun and adventure, when one sister suddenly said, “Hey! It’s the singing bus driver!”

As the bus rolled up to their stop, JeJuan looked at her sister and said, “What? What’s a singing bus driver?” She didn’t know what to expect. No one does when they step onto Earl Miles’ bus. But Earl knows what to expect when they step off: a big grin that goes from ear to ear.

Earl is a 59-year-old African American Chicago native who delivers passengers to their daily destination with a song in the air and a smile in his heart. He is simply known as “The Singing Bus Driver.” Earl has been singing familiar songs and rapping lyrics to everyday occurrences well before “rapping” became something other than knocking on a door. Seasonal songs, Christmas carols, and even personalized happy birthday ballads are sweetly sung by this dedicated driver and committed optimist. He even encourages group sing-a-longs with his passengers who, believe it or not, actually join in! In a setting that is usually cold and detached, his joyous energy is contagious.

Earl and his rich tenor voice are probably most famous for his solo improvisations. He doesn’t just sing standards, he sings about the surroundings with a positive message always in mind. Passengers have been greeted with lyrics like: “You get more smiles when you ride with Miles. And when you ride with me, you get your rockin’ for free. So smile—you’ll feel better in a little while.”

When taking passengers toward the shopping district of State Street, he’ll advise his commuter family to beware of pickpockets with a line like, “Put your money in your underwear so you’ll have it when you get there!”

JeJuan told me how, whenever new riders boarded the bus, their reactions were all the same. They’d sit down and assume the usual bus-rider’s position: glazed eyes, motionless stance, and utter boredom. Soon they’d steal a quick look of disbelief at the driver. Then, in a matter of minutes, they’d be slapping their knees and joining the chorus. Everyone wore a smile as Earl passed the miles. And when they get off, they receive a sweet farewell.

JeJuan’s story had me so intrigued that I had to call Mr. Miles myself to get a taste of his magic. After tracking him down through the CTA, I eagerly asked him how—and why—he came to be the Singing Bus Driver. He replied, “I do it for the smiles. I can provide a positive atmosphere for people who may not have it anywhere else. And I believe I can give them encouragement during a down day.”

He gives me encouragement from 2,000 miles away! -- PC