The Erie County Fair grandstand was packed Wednesday night for the Grammy-award winning country-pop band Lady Antebellum. But it's what they did off-stage before the concert, that helped make a local little boy's dream come true.
6-year-old Chase Britton of Clarence was never supposed to walk or talk- he probably shouldn't even be alive- but there he was at the concert, listening to his favorite band.
At home, singing along to Lady Antebellum DVDs is one of his favorite things to do.
"He sings along and he claps his hands. He absorbs the music and it comes right back out of him. Just amazing to watch," said Chase's dad, Dave Britton.
It's so amazing because Chase is a medical mystery. He was born without a cerebellum - that's the part of the brain that plays a major role in motor control, balance, coordination, emotional control, language and learning.
Since 2011, 2 On Your Side has been following his progress - reading and writing in school, learning to walk, getting a service dog. And now, a new milestone - seeing his first concert. Chase didn't just listen to his favorite band perform, but he got to meet them, too.
"They were just as kind and gracious in person as they are on the DVDs that Chase watches every weekend," said Chase's dad.
After the first official meet and greet, the multi-Grammy award winning band came back again to spend even more time with Chase just one on one.
They gave him a set of drumsticks and lead singer Hillary Scott even sang with him.
Chase's dad said his son seemed star-struck, but the band seemed equally as captivated with Chase and his story.
"They were shocked and I think it really touched them that he reacts the way he does to their music," said Dave.
One band and the universal language of music, doing powerful things for a special little boy.
