Delco Uber driver stars in unique Driver Ed Show
related short stories. Although the book was published in May, Doyle continued with the driving gig because, he said, it’s enjoyable and he has met so many interesting passengers who give him even more colorful stories to tell.
One of the first things Doyle did as a new Uber driver back in 2015 was to install a dash camera for his own safety and the safety of his passengers. However, in his need to always be creative and have a good time, Doyle decided to use the camera for more than just an extra security measure.
“I was told how competitive the book market is and how I should establish a social media following to promote the book once it was published. I decided to launch a YouTube channel to give my book exposure when it was time,” Doyle explained. “However, the ‘Driver Ed Show’ videos took on a life of their own. Back in 2015, way before the book took form, I started having fun with my Uber passengers and recording the rides — with their permission, of course.”
Doyle made some instrumental mix tapes of some of his favorite tunes with a playlist that includes “Mr. Brightside,” “We Will Rock You,” “Closing Time,” “Iris” and “Fresh Prince of Bel Air.” He encourages passengers to sing along, and even make up the words of the songs if their minds blank on the real ones.
“I just go for it after they get in my car,” laughed Doyle. “I say that I have a YouTube channel and that I’m doing a carpool karaoke kind of deal. I just come right out and ask, ‘Do you want to give it a try?’”
So far, the professional driver has made about 30 karaoke segments. Long before carpool Karaoke became a hit on “The Late Late Show with James Corden,” Doyle was recording passengers for YouTube and creating his own version of spontaneous karaoke.
“I have as much fun as those that I’m driving,” Doyle, a self-proclaimed people person who transports passengers anywhere from 20-60 hours per week, exclaimed. “They’re usually on their way out to have a good time, or on their way home after having a fun night out, and the singing or talking just makes us all laugh. I enjoy having a good time with them and I like sharing that fun on YouTube, because it allows other people to laugh along with us!”
In addition to recording passengers’ vocals, Doyle also records skits and stories, as well as passengers’ answers to simple questions for his “Driver Ed” YouTube channel. He tries to stay timely. In August, right before the college school year began, he asked his passengers, “What is some advice that you would offer a new college student?” Last winter, when the Eagles were heading to the Super Bowl, he posed a simple question to passengers, “What do you think of those Eagles?” When posted during the week preceding the Super Bowl, the YouTube clip garnered more than 30,000 views.
In fact, most of his wildly popular clips get thousands of hits. All passengers give their consent to appear on his YouTube channel, even before their unexpected performances. He even provides his contact information, just in case they should change their mind after the ride. Doyle edits all videos to make his subjects “look good” and helps customers feel more comfortable by taking on his own active role in the videos.
“Ever since I was a young boy, I just love telling stories,” the enthusiastic and personable Doyle said. “Everything in life is a story and I love sharing those stories to uplift and entertain others.”
Doyle grew up in Springfield and attended Delaware County Christian School until his junior year, when his family moved to Glen Mills. His parents, Terry and Ed Doyle, and brother Joe still live there. He graduated from Garnet Valley High School. While earning a degree in communications with a minor in psychology, the author interned at the former B101 radio station. After college, he worked at Upward Bound, a program at the University of Pennsylvania that tutors first generation
college students. He also worked doing additional research in the psychiatric department of Penn. From there, he took the plunge to full-time author, part-time Uber extraordinaire.
The writer hopes the book will change the reader’s perception of anyone that they know or come in contact with who has any type of a disability.
“No matter if you are young or old, seeing, meeting, or interacting with Jimmy threatens to change the bubble of the world you have created for yourself,” Doyle said, smiling.
Coming right on the heels of “I Hate You Jimmy” is Doyle’s spin-off publication, “Perception is Everything - True Stories of Hanging Out With ‘That Guy in a Wheelchair,’” which was released on Oct.
2. Adapted from his original “I Hate You Jimmy,” “Perception is Everything” is geared specifically for a middle and high school audience. The new book consists of inspiring stories focusing on inclusion, diversity and acceptance.
Doyle is starting to take his book talk on the road to area middle and high schools. He uses his book to break down disability myths and enlighten students and staff. His presentation explains that often society’s perception and outlook on people with disabilities is unnecessarily negative. He and Curran both hope to bring about awareness, the first step to stimulating change and fostering acceptance.
Curran, who graduated Temple in 2011 with a degree in finance, works at Independence Blue Cross. In
2013, he founded his own company, disABLE, a mission driven brand created to dispel the stigma associated with disability. He also recently published a book, “Will The One-Winged Eagle,” illustrated by Kris Napper, which is suitable for children of all ages. Since the release of “Will the OneWinged Eagle,” Curran has spoken to corporate groups and visited over ten elementary schools in and around the Philadelphia area, including Delaware County schools like the Springfield Literacy Center, Bethel Springs Elementary, Harris School in Collingdale, Marple Education Center, Westtown Thornbury Elementary, Concord Elementary, and Garnet Valley Elementary School to promote the book and its important message.
The central awareness message conveyed by both Curran and Doyle through their humorous and heartfelt books is that Curran is just like everyone else. He enjoys the same ups and downs of life and SMA has not stopped him from experiencing and wanting to experience the same things that others do. In the logo of his company brand, Curran puts the “dis” in lower case with a line through it and the “able” in caps and bold gold lettering.
“Both Jimmy and I have a major sense of humor and we know readers will enjoy our stories. We also hope to bring about positive change by both our books and the presentations on our books,” the pleasant and energetic Doyle explained. “I consulted with Jimmy every step of the way with my books, making sure they were all on the up and up and will encourage inclusion, acceptance and the ability for people to look past the wheelchair, past any disability when they interact with others in our diverse world. Jimmy and I are basically just two good college friends with some really funny stories to tell. “