I was drawn to the issue of homelessness when I first moved to Nashville in 2000. Compared to the sprawling business districts of other cities, Nashville’s smaller, downtown area made Music City’s homeless population quite visible. One man in particular caught my eye.

He sat underneath the abandoned facade of what used to be a popular downtown restaurant. Two paint canisters rested beside him. With drumsticks in hand, he sang popular melodies for the passerby's. A worn-down baseball cap collected coins. Every trip downtown, I saw this man holding court. Where was the place he called home when the crowds disappeared?

The question inspired me to write “Jeremiah Strong.” During my research, I met homeless people who didn’t fit the popular stereotype. Many had various forms of employment, but couldn’t collect enough income to afford housing. Their stories of perseverance, struggle and hope, helped me create the character of Jeremiah, a man desperate to put his life back together on his terms.

I met one of Nashville’s most renowned actors, Barry Scott and discovered we had something in common, an affinity for the homeless. Together, we were committed to presenting a honest portrayal of a homeless man suffering from issues not uncommon from our own.