WATERVILLE, Maine — After a long day at work, finding a place to unwind, have a good meal, and listen to music feels like the right way to spend a night.
Those who visit Mainely Brews in Waterville on Wednesday open mic nights might say 11-year-old Anthony Paulette is a soon-to-be star.
Each Wednesday night, Anthony takes his place on stage at Mainely Brews, singing songs people know and love most, and a few original songs of his own.
"Singing is just my way of putting my heart out to the world," Anthony said after he put on a show.
Whether he's singing in a school play or performing a song by his favorite artist and inspiration Chris Janson, Anthony says the stage is his home.
"It just means a lot to me to sing and to feel that awesome feeling that I get when I hear the cheers—and I just close my eyes and think, 'Wow, I'm doing great,'" Anthony said.
Rob Burnell hosts open mic night at Mainely Brews, but he also gives young Anthony guitar lessons once a week. Burnell said Anthony captivates the crowd and gets his mom and everyone in the building to sing along.
"He's one of those like talented musicians that you kind of run into less often than the rest," Burnell said.
Anthony's father, Tony Paulette said seeing how passionate his son is makes attending late-night open mic nights during the week on school nights makes finding the extra money to pay for voice and guitar lessons all worthwhile.
"I want him to do something that he loves to do so that it doesn't feel like work," Tony said. "A lot of us go through that and just feel like we just work every day, but if you can do something you love you don't. So, hopefully, whether it's music or it's something else, he finds something like that."
Young Anthony is taking steps towards his dream... one open mic at a time.
"When life gives you lemons, you just make lemonade," Anthony said. "It's not that simple, but you just have to put a lot of work into it. Take baby steps, and you'll get up there."
Little Anthony said he encourages other children with big dreams to just go for it.