Richard Goodall receives enthusiastic sendoff and a big surprise

Richard Goodall fans showed up in force Saturday at the Wabash Valley Fairgrounds to give the world-famous singing janitor an enthusiastic sendoff as he prepares for his return to America's Got Talent live rounds.

"I'm going to do my best to represent this whole community," the Golden Buzzer recipient told the crowd at the fairgrounds outdoor pavilion. He thanked everyone for their support and generosity.

The sendoff included a surprise appearance from country singer Walker Hayes, who presented Goodall with a brand new Buick from Fuson Automotive.

"Keep doing what you do and sharing your life with the world," Hayes told Goodall, who was overcome with emotion.

"I'm out of words," Goodall responded. He said it's not often he's speechless.

The two met during a recent Walker Hayes' concert at The Mill. Hayes explained that someone once gave him a car when he was in a tough situation, and he wanted to do the same for Goodall, through Hayes' Be a Craig Fund.

Partners for the "Don't Stop Believin'" community send-off were the Vigo County School Corp., WTWO-TV, city of Terre Haute, Wabash Valley Fair Association and J.D. Mullen Co.

At the start of the event, Goodall arrived in style in a convertible as fireworks went off and golden confetti swirled around him; he grabbed some of the golden streamers and draped them around his shoulders as he walked onto the program platform.

The song "Don't Stop Believin'" played in the background and the crowd loudly cheered, and clapped, its approval. Many recorded the event on cell phones.

Emceed by Dana Winklepleck of WTWO, the program included comments from Goodall, Mayor Brandon Sakbun and Vigo County School Corp. superintendent Chris Himsel.

Goodall received some gifts, including the new car, and he treated the audience to two songs, including Lou Greenwood's God Bless the U.S.A., a tribute to veterans, and 'Don't Stop Believin', which first propelled the long-time VCSC school custodian to fame.

The crowd frequently gave applause and a few standing ovations for their hometown hero.

Community fundraising has made it possible for Goodall to take his fiancee, Angie Vanoven, with him to Pasadena and AGT. "She's my heart and soul," he said.

The donations from people, including those who don't have much to give, regularly brings tears to his eyes, he said. They tell him they want to be part of what he is doing.

Winklepleck described Goodall as "one of the most humble people I've ever met."

In an interview format, she asked him what his life has been like since he first appeared on America's Got Talent and received the Golden Buzzer.

"Other than I cannot walk through Walmart, life hasn't changed that much," he said.

He's still a custodian at West Vigo Middle School "scraping boogers ... and painting the walls. I'm still the same guy."

During Himsel's comments, he told Goodall, "Richard, thank you for inspiring us ... We're not going to stop believing."

Himsel thanked the crowd for being there to cheer on "the next winner of America's Got Talent."

In a previous conversation between the two, Goodall said he's not a fancy person; he just wants to do his job and having fun singing, Himsel recounted.

The reason people rally behind the West Vigo Middle School custodian is because "you're humble. You're not a fancy person. You're just one of us, and we're really proud of you," Himsel said.

Sakbun told Goodall, "We are rooting for you ...You're going to be great out there."

Among fans that made it a point to attend the sendoff was 9-year-old CC Romas of Brazil, who carried a sign that read, "Good luck Mr. Richard on AGT. I'm your No. 1 fan."

Romas said, "I wanted to be here to see Mr. Richard and I wanted to tell him good luck," she said. She's watched his performance on America's Got Talent about 10 times.

She later caught up with him and he signed her poster.

Her mom, Alicia Romas, said, "We wanted to come and show our support ... We think he's going to win."

Also attending were Anita Wallace of Poland, Indiana and her daughter, Becky Lorian.

Wallace carried a sign that read, "Goodall's Journey." She attended "to support Goodall ... Hopefully his journey goes far."

Lorian said she liked Goodall's performance on AGT and she saw him at a recent car show in Terre Haute. His singing is "awesome," she said.

Goodall leaves Sunday for America's Got Talent and he will perform next on an Aug. 13 live show; he'll learn if he advances Aug. 14. During the live rounds, the public will have an opportunity to vote.

The winner of the competition receives a $1 million grand prize.