Typically, grocery shoppers try to be efficient about their visits — going in, finding everything on their list, and getting out ASAP. But every now and then, something so extraordinary happens that it makes you stop and take note.
At first, shoppers at an ASDA supermarket in Essex, United Kingdom, ignored the nervous young boy standing awkwardly in the middle of the store. But the second he started to sing, they realized that an extraordinary talent was in their midst!
Calum Courtney is just 10 years old, and he’s got a mild form of autism. “Calum has high functioning autism,” his mom Tupney Courtney explained.
“For Calum, this means blurred social boundaries, struggles with school and difficulties with friendships, but also that enables him to have no fear to get up and belt out a song.”
That “no fear” attitude was on full display as Calum stood in front of countless shoppers and belted out an incredible rendition of Smokey Robinson’s “Who’s Lovin’ You.”
Calum manages to infuse the song with so much heart and soul, it’s hard to believe that he’s barely into the double-digits!
Calum was at the store to draw attention to a mental health charity called Basildon Mind. He has done charity performances for most of his young life, and now that his supermarket performance has gone viral, he’s looking to record a single in the new year!
“He did not realize how good he was until he saw the video,” Tupney said. “He said: ‘Mum, I’m actually really good.’”
He really is good! Watch the video below, and don’t forget to share to encourage other young musicians to follow their dreams.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T5cB0-3NrJI