Young fan fulfils dream after surprise duet with Zach Bryan

A Belsonic gig turned into a life-changing moment when a young fan was invited on stage by Zach Bryan to perform in front of 45,000 people.

With golden circle tickets bought back in November and a handmade sign ready, 16-year-old Paul had one goal - to join the American singer on stage for Nine Ball and against all odds that dream came true.

As Bryan began playing the intro to Nine Ball, it looked like the moment had passed, but then the singer spotted the sign and stopped.

Security lifted him over the barriers, onto the stage, and the rest was history.

"He said: 'Play for your dad, I've never seen a poster like that before… do we trust him?'" Paul recalled, as the crowd roared in support.

"I walked out on the stage and 45,000 people were cheering at me," he said.

What followed was a surreal duet of Nine Ball, with Paul performing alongside one of his musical heroes despite only having take up guitar 10 months ago.

Bryan asked him on stage why he wanted to play the song for his dad, and Paul said the conversation helped settle his nerves.

"Before this, I wouldn't have even had the confidence to record myself and post it so, it's a little bit of a leap," he said.

Until now, the biggest audience he had ever played for was just three friends and he was nervous about what they would think.

"I honestly can't explain it, I don't know what gave me the courage to think, I want to go on stage now.

"I didn't feel a single bit of fear on that stage, all I felt was confidence, courage and support from the crowd".

The teenager, from Buncrana in County Donegal, said music became his focus after a sports injury left him sidelined.

"I got a sports injury and had nothing to do and decided to pick up the guitar and it must have worked.

A long-time fan of Bryan, he says the songwriter's storytelling is what drew him in.

"I love his genre of music, it's not just country, although, a lot of people think it is."

Now, he hopes the unforgettable moment could be the start of something bigger.

"It's always been my dream to pursue music, sing my own songs and tell my own stories.

"The only thing stopping me was confidence but after having 45,000 people staring at me, I think I can handle a pub or two."

If he could sum up the evening in one word, he said it would be "astronomical".

"I think that is the happiest I've ever felt in my entire life... Winning the lotto wouldn't give me that much happiness."

But for Paul, the moment meant even more because of who he shared it with.

The song Nine Ball holds special significance for him and his father, mirroring their own bond through years spent playing pool together.

"We've been playing pool anywhere really, since I was seven.

"If we went out to watch the football match, we'd always play a little bit of pool and it's never stopped from seven to 16 although, I've never really beat him yet."

And seeing his dad's reaction made the moment even more poignant.

"I've never seen my dad cry before but last night, he did shed a wee tear. I'm honestly happier for him than I am for me."