Larne man showing 'anything is possible' after playing drums with Bowling for Soup

A Co Antrim man has had the experience of a lifetime after being invited on stage to perform with music heroes Bowling For Soup.

Callum McNeill from Larne had the opportunity to jam out on stage with the American rock band during their recent show at The Telegraph Building in Belfast.

The 18-year-old, who has been diagnosed with Autism, Tourettes and ADHD, said he hopes his moment in the spotlight can show people that anything is possible - even if you are different.

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Speaking to Belfast Live, the joinery student shared how the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity came to be and how music has always been one of his greatest passions.

Callum said: "My grandad used to be in a band and had me drumming from no age.

"I have attended The Music Yard in Larne since its opening - I found my love of music and discovered how much it helped manage my diagnosis of autism, Tourettes and ADHD.

"Thomas Hamilton and Jonny McIlroy from The Music Yard have both mentored me throughout my years here and thanks to them I found my confidence to perform."

When attending the concert with his friend, Callum seized the moment and held up a sign on his phone asking to perform to 'Girl All The Bad Guys Want', not expecting he would actually be spotted.

"I have always been a big Bowling For Foup fan. Their music was regularly played at home growing up," he continued.

"I was in the second row of the concert and my friend Dylan said to me to go for it and ask to play, so I held up a message on my phone.

Watch Callum playing with Bowling For Soup below...

"The lead vocalist of Bowling For Soup Jaret Reddick came over and asked me if could I actually drum - they asked me how long had I been drumming for and I replied from the age of two when my granda gave me my first pair of sticks.

"And they asked me to come on stage."

Callum continued: "I thought I would have been nervous, but once I was up there I was in my element - it was a dream come true."

A number of videos and pictures of Callum at the concert have been shared on social media since the show and he has been so overwhelmed by everyone's kind words about his performance.

He said: "I wasn't expecting so many people to see it and still can't believe it actually happened.

"The positive things people have been saying are amazing.

"I've said to my family I was so grateful to be given the opportunity to play with band but the support from others has been incredible and I wasn't expecting it.

"I hope that having this opportunity will show others no matter how different we all are, anything is possible and nothing should stand in their way."

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