Mitchel is a rock star in the making. A talented musician, particularly loving the guitar and drums, he aspires to be in a band when he grows up—“that is my goal.” Every great musician needs a great setup so, naturally, that is what Mitchel wished for—instruments and sound equipment. Axe Music was a huge part of making this wish come true for Mitchel.
Mitchel, now 13-years-old, has been a musician from a very early age. He got his first drum set when he was seven-years-old and as he became more experienced, he took it upon himself to expand his drum kit—adding lamp stands to create cymbals. He has regular jam sessions with friends, can play along to songs like a pro, and has even made his own music videos using green poster paper to make a green screen in front of which to film.
Last year, Mitchel was diagnosed with a brainstem cavernous angioma, the location of which caused Mitchel to become paralyzed on the whole left side of his body. It was very hard on Mitchel to not be able to do the things he could do before his diagnosis—particularly playing his drums and guitar. However, Mitchel made music a part of his rehab. Relentlessly practicing on his instruments to get his skills back, in combination with his rehab exercises, he is able once again to make music. Described as a miracle by his doctor, Mitchel’s rehabilitation can be attributed to his hard work and determination—and perhaps a love of music!
In the granting of this type of wish, who better to understand the needs of a rock star, than the rock stars at Axe Music. Steve and his team at Axe went above and beyond to help Children’s Wish put this wish together. They donated equipment, covered significant costs of the instruments, and put in a lot of their own time to make Mitchel’s wish amazing. Even after the wish items were all selected and ready to be delivered, Steve from Axe heard Mitchel mention how great a lighting effects system would be and threw one into the wish package he helped personally deliver on his day off.
On the day his wish was delivered, Mitchel and his family were vibrating with excitement as Steve from Axe brought in an 11 piece drum kit, a guitar, two microphones with stands, speakers with amps and stands, a soundboard, all the cables and accessories needed, and of course, the lighting effects system. Mitchel said “the best part was when they first came in the door. When they were setting up I was so excited. I was helping out so it could all get set up faster so I could play.” Once all the equipment was put together, Mitchel gave his debut performance with all of his new gear and was later joined by Steve for a few songs.
Since his wish delivery, Mitchel has been playing his drums—his favourite instrument—for at least two hours every day! In describing the hope and joy Mitchel’s wish has brought, his mom, Serena, exclaimed “that smile has not come off his face!... How blessed we are…We will never ever forget this.”
Mitchel’s smile can be vastly attributed to the work and support that Steve and Axe Music contributed to this wish. We would not have been able to provide Mitchel with near as much fantastic equipment without Axe Music—and would have been lost about what to provide a budding rock legend without Steve’s help, which was all donated time.
Now one of the largest retailers in Canada of pro audio, guitars, keyboards, pianos, drums, amplifiers, recording equipment, lighting, karaoke, electronic percussion, DJ equipment and video gear, Axe Music started out in a garage with a dirt floor with a devotion to quality music and sound—much like how many legendary bands started out! They are a big-hearted company with a clear dedication to supporting musicians, knowing what musicians need and want, and caring that each musician gets the right equipment—of course, because they are musicians too! How fantastic to have staff who are knowledgeable in equipment set-up and tuning, are multi-instrumentalists to jam with, and grant wishes to fellow musicians!
Thank you Axe Music and Steve for what you did for our Wish Child, Mitchel!
