A teenager from Liverpool has reached the final of the world's largest guitar playing competition Guitar Idol 09.
Jack Gardiner, 15, from Anfield, is the youngest British entry to make it to the final stages but he faces stiff competition from 119 musicians from around the globe.
Having already beat thousands of string strumming hopefuls, the talented teen is one step away from appearing on stage in the London live final.
But with most of the fellow competitors already being professional musicians and nearly double his age, they have a clear advantage in gathering votes from their already set-up fanbase.
The St Margaret's High School pupil was singled out by the judges for his 'exceptional' skill and 'faultless' playing but the judges only make up two thirds of what is needed to make the grand final.
Having held the record for Merseyside's youngest ever player to pass the classical grade one, Jack hopes to finish his GCSEs and eventually go to music school in Italy.
Jack said: "It has always been my dream to play guitar for a living and the competition could be my break.
"I have my heart set on finishing high school and eventually going to college in Italy to study music.
"I've done well to get this far but I am lagging way behind in the online voting stakes you need to make the final.
"A lot of the other entries are double my age and already play in bands so they have big following.
"The judges singled me out in the last round and gave me a place in the final stages but the grand final in London is only for 12 places and those with the highest votes go through.
"I have written and composed my own four-minute entry called Ambitions and I hope to use my Ibanez RG 7 string to perform it in the final.
"I hope people get behind me and register a vote online as I'm desperate to go all the way."
Jack's dad Roger said: "I'm very proud of my son to have got this far and I hope he can go further.
"I know I'm his father but I think he is so talented and he deserves to make it to the final.
"He has been listening to the likes of Jimi Hendrix since he was a toddler so I always knew he'd want a guitar when he was old enough."
To vote for Jack you need to register your email address on the Guitar Idol 09 site and to stop any cheating they send you a link to cast your vote.
To cast your vote log on to http://www.guitaridol.tv
Moores brothers return home
(Wed 23/05)
Liverpool to set sail with cruise terminal joy
(Tue 22/05)
Laurie Monk, Bristol around 3 years, 1 month ago