Most kids have a favorite rock star, famous actor or celebrity icon who they dream about meeting someday. Children often line the walls of their bedrooms with posters of their favorite superheroes and bands, but the likelihood of fighting alongside Captain America or sharing a stage with David Bowie is next to none. In August 2024, 12-year-old Willow Street resident Jackson Zook not only had an opportunity to meet one of his favorite rockers, but received a one-of-a-kind guitar lesson from him, too.

On Aug. 7, a limousine arrived at Jackson's home to take him to the PNC Bank Arts Center in Holmdel, N.J. One of Jackson's favorite bands, Creed, was playing a concert that night, and Jackson, along with his brother, Carson, and his parents, Randy and Lori, had received tickets from the Make-A-Wish Foundation. A representative from the nonprofit's local chapter met the Zook family at the venue and lead Jackson through the VIP entrance and up to the stage, where Creed was in the middle of a soundcheck. After watching the soundcheck with the other VIPs, Jackson, Carson and Randy were invited on stage to speak with the band members and to take a few pictures. "They were amazing. Each one spent time talking to Jackson, and they were really sincere," Randy said.

Jackson received a set of dinged-up drumsticks and used guitar picks from the members of Creed, and guitarist Mark Tremonti invited Jackson to go backstage during his warm-up before the show. While Tremonti prepared for the performance, he taught Jackson different guitar techniques and demonstrated how he practices songs. "I was so nervous and just in awe," Jackson said. "He was teaching me how to do bends on my guitar without hurting my fingers, how to find which key a song is in and how he uses a backing track on his laptop to practice."

"People tell you not to meet your heroes because they'll disappoint you, but (Tremonti) was so gracious and so sincere," Randy said. "He spent an hour back there with Jack; it was so cool. All these guys were super gracious and took time out of their busy evening."

Jackson was diagnosed with juvenile myositis when he was 10 years old. The primary symptoms of the rare autoimmune disease are weak muscles and skin rashes, and Jackson experienced severe fatigue that prevented him from playing his guitar. Although Jackson's guitar teacher continued to teach him music theory, Jackson was unable to pick up his guitar for a period of time until his strength returned. "That's what made all of this so meaningful for us," Randy said. "Listening to his favorite band's music helped him get through tough times."

Although Jackson's health has greatly improved after receiving treatments for juvenile myositis, the disease continues to affect his life due to medications and frequent doctor appointments. "We're so grateful to see how much better he is, but it still impacts his life a lot," Lori said. "This experience was such a fun thing that he could look forward to and enjoys looking back at now."

Jackson is a seventh-grade student at Martin Meylin Middle School, and the young rocker said he plans to use some of Tremonti's tips to write his own music down the line.