Singing painter,' former addict pursues new life as gospel singer

GADSDEN — Ten years ago in December, Scott French was sitting in a jail cell addicted to crack, methamphetamine, marijuana and alcohol. He was in for driving without a license — his third offense — and facing the potential of serving more than a year in jail. He weighed just 90 pounds.

"I was a messed up individual 10 years ago; but then, in a jail cell, I changed my life," French said.

Now, French sings gospel music he wrote himself and does any odd painting jobs that come his way. He has been clean of drugs, alcohol and cigarettes for 10 years and regularly visits drug rehabs, homeless shelters and nursing homes to share his story. To his friends and the community, he is known as the "Singing Painter," a moniker he has printed on his orange T-shirt and the trailer on his small Dodge pickup truck.

He credits his salvation to Jesus.

"I heard Him calling me, and so I just answered him," click to read more