A Chance Meeting
It was the kind of scene that feels more like a film than real life. Eight years ago, a 10-year-old boy named Jamie sat quietly at a local music workshop, his hands shaking as he clutched a notebook filled with songs that no one had ever heard.
That day, the guest speaker was Rod Stewart, the legendary rock and country performer whose career has spanned more than half a century. Children squealed, rushed forward, and begged for autographs. Some shouted their favorite song titles, hoping for recognition.
Eut Jamie didn’t move. iie stayed seated, his notebook pressed tightly to his chest, as if the pages inside were too fragile to expose to the world.
Stewart noticed.
A Promise Made
Instead of simply signing his name and moving on, Rod Stewart sat down beside Jamie. “What’s in there?” he asked, pointing to the notebook.
Jamie hesitated, then opened it. Page after page of handwritten lyrics filled the paper-not copied songs, not scribbles, but his own original work.
Stewart flipped through, stunned by the passion. He placed a hand on Jamie’s shoulder and said something that would echo through the poy’s life for years:
Who.. you perform, I’ll be there. I promise.”
At the time, it sounded like one of those throwaway lines adults give children. But Jamie believed it. He clung to it. That promise became fuel during his hardest days.
The Road Wasn’t Easy
Jamie’s teenage years weren’t smooth. His father lost his job, money grew tight, and
the family sometimes questioned whether dreams like music were a luxury they couldn’t afford.
But Jamie refused to quit. Every night, he wrote songs. He practiced guitar until his fingers bled. And whenever doubt crept in, he’d whisper the words to himself. “When you perform, I’ll be there.”
By the time he reached his final year of school, Jamie had become known as “the kid with the notebook” leachers admired his determination. Friends teased him. but they respected his fire.
When the school announced its end-of-year showcase, Jamie signed up without hesitation. He knew this was his moment.
Empty Seats
The night of the performance, the auditorium filled with chatter, the buzz of families proud to see their children shine.
Jamie peeked out from behind the curtain. He scanned the rows for his parents and siblings. But the seats reserved for them were empty. His family, struggling with transportation and work schedules, hadn’t been able to make it.
A lump formed in his throat. The boy who had spent years preparing suddenly felt very, very alone.
The stage manager tapped his shoulder. “You’re on in two minutes.”
