As most of you will know I am a keen supporter of Ethan and his musical future, and I guess in some ways I have made it my mission to assist in any way I can, in the progression of his opportunities as a singer/songwriter & musician. So a decision was made a couple of weeks ago, to come home to New Zealand where I can be closer to the local market and to Ethan’s music.

Earlier in the week I accompanied Ethan and his dad to a meeting with the people who operate the music departments at the local university and man oh man, what a day it turned out to be! This is a short insight into what it means to be ‘jump started” into the world of music and how fast things can progress. At this meeting, the young star we all know as Ethan2rock had no problem at all playing his Martin D28 in front of a small audience of musicians, and musical professionals in all areas. He played his latest originals (yet to be announced) and of course, he did it with passion!

To see him up there doing his thing without a care in the world, and lapping up the experience with open arms, was one of the proudest days in my recent memory, and to be a part of that was very inspiring for me personally.

From the meeting we were able to connect and network with other artists, musical directors, and sound engineers, all in one place at one time, and this is worth its weight in gold. After speaking with another well known musician in the states, I asked him if in his musical career, he would have experienced or witnessed such opportunity, and the response was a resounding “no way!”

Tonight (Thursday) the first real opportunity came from this Monday meeting, where Ethan had been invited to play (jam) with various other musicians, and bands at a very prominent watering hole in the area which he lives. We arrived at around 7pm and the band was getting everything together. There were people in the bar, playing pool, and generally relaxing after a day at work, and I must admit, at first I wondered if this was going to be a good environment for a 12yo to be in. Within an hour, my concerns were put to bed, and Ethan took the stage!

WOW, sums it up really well! He was fantastic!! For a 12yo kid to get up in the middle of a bar and play solo, his originals and a cover of the Fishing For Lisa track, is nothing short of brilliant. During his performance I was looking through the crowd there, and everyone was totally into his performance. It was very cool indeed, and as I watched the pride on his dads face, and the reaction from the crowd at the end of each song, I knew that my own opinion of Ethan’s music was right on target.

I could not have been prouder of my own son, watching his every move up on that stool, guitar in hand and a cool confidence that he didn’t care about mistakes, he didn’t care about the cold, he was just there to present to people, what he was passionate about, and he pulled it off like a pro!

As I sit here at almost midnight, I am still coming down from the experience myself! To be a part of, and contributing in my own small way, the dream is something that words fail to describe. It’s a “feeling” you get inside, and it’s something that you wish you could share with the world! This is my way of sharing that with you!

If you are a budding musician, please believe me when I say that hard work, dedication, practice and passion, are the ingredients you need to make your dreams come true. Ethan has all of the above qualities and he still manages to win at “Ball Tiggy”, “Ping Pong” and “Marbles” – when I let him, LOL. He does his school work, makes time for his mates (his cats, Pepe, and Tigger) and he does it all without too much concern for the load. On top of this, he still manages to think of others, and this is something very special that I personally admire.

I am sure that there are many more of these nights in store, and that this week has been the beginning of the rest of his life (musically). Ethan you deserve this, you have worked hard to be where you are, and I am proud of you! Well done sunshine, well done