The power of music.
We’ve seen time and time again what music can do to not only bring people together, but get them through the toughest of times. And this is just one more example of just how powerful music can really be.
A Lexington, South Carolina teenager, 17-year old Trae Ocheltree, and his girlfriend Lauren, were recently involved in a fatal car accident after he accidentally ran a stop sign and t-boned another truck. The passenger in the other truck tragically passed away. Trae was thrown from the vehicle and his injuries left him unresponsive in the hospital for two days – no doubt the worst two days of his family’s life as they waited and prayed for a young man with so much life ahead of him.
But his friends knew just what he needed.
Turns out Trae is a Zach Bryan fan, so one of his buddies decided to play some music for him – and as they listened to “Revival,” Trae finally began to respond.
The teenager squeezed his friend’s hand and began trying to mouth the words of the song, the first sign that Trae was still “in there” and fighting to come back out.
Well fast forward a few days, and with the tubes finally removed and Trae finally responding, he was gifted a guitar from The Christopher Conner Foundation, a local organization in South Carolina that works to support musicians and their families with medical and educational needs. Trae, who his family says took his guitar with him everywhere he went, had lost his prized instrument when it was in the truck with him during the car crash.
So he got a brand new one – just like the one Zach plays.
And of course, a musician can’t let a little thing like being in the hospital with traumatic injuries stop them from playing, right? Well Trae’s family shared video of the teenager playing his guitar from his hospital bed – and of course, he was playing some Zach Bryan, picking out the notes and singing Zach’s latest single, “Pink Skies.”
Tell me that doesn’t bring a tear to your eye.
Trae still has a long road to recovery, and is being moved to Atlanta today for therapy to get him back in shape and on to his senior year of high school.
As a family friend shared with us when reaching out about Trae’s story:
“Trae has a heart of gold, he is such a sweet soul that always puts others first. He is the good this world needs. His infectious smile and love for his family, friends, and Jesus is what makes him so special.”
And not only that, he’s a true testament to the power of music.
We’re rooting for you Trae and Lauren – and who knows, maybe the two of you will even be able to sing “Revival” on stage with Zach someday soon.
