Young Musician Receives Life-Changing Surprise While Testing Guitars

May 28, 2025

Today's good news story comes from Havelock, North Carolina.

What started as a quiet shopping trip turned into a life-changing moment for 16-year-old Evan Sterling.

Evan Sterling and his father (top left) | WITN.com

Evan, who only began playing guitar five months ago, has already fallen in love with the instrument. Inspired by legendary rock icons like Jimi Hendrix and Led Zeppelin, Evan's passion took root last Christmas when his dad gifted him his first electric guitar. But nothing could have prepared him for what happened next.

While testing out guitars at a local shop, Evan caught the attention of a stranger who seemed to take interest in his playing.

“He’s listening to me play and said it sounded pretty good. I think nothing of it because he walked out, and I don’t see the guy again for a minute,” Evan recalled.

Moments later, that same man returned — not just with compliments, but carrying a guitar case. Inside was a Fender Telecaster valued at over $1,500.

“And he says it’s yours. Just straight up,” said Evan. “He then walks out. He also says the paperwork and everything is in the case. Just take it. It’s yours.”

Evan and his dad, Gary, were left stunned.

“There's gotta be a catch, there's something here I am not seeing,” Gary recalled thinking at the time.

“I was waiting for the, ‘All you have to do is pay this amount of money and it’s up here,’ but when he walked out, and the owner mentioned, ‘No, he’s serious. That guitar is yours. I’ve seen him do things like this before,’ I was just in disbelief,” Gary added.

To Evan, this unexpected generosity felt like more than just luck. Just weeks earlier, he had been invited to share his baptism testimony at a conference, and both he and his father believe the timing of this gift was meaningful.

Now, inspired by the kindness of a complete stranger, Evan has his own dream — to one day do the same for another young musician.

“Someday in the future, I want to pay it forward,” Evan shared. “Maybe buy a super expensive guitar and give it to some kid at a guitar center or in just some way.”