Music has run through Sean Molyneaux’s blood all his life.
Unfortunately, the opportunity to actually own an instrument hasn’t been possible for the 14-year-old Charlottetown resident.
That all changed this Christmas season when Sean received one of the best gifts he’ll ever remember.
It all started with his mother Kerry Molyneaux replying to a stranger’s online post.
Written by professional bassist Deryl Gallant, the post advertised that he was looking for a new home for his unused bass guitar.
Gallant swore he would give the bass away for free, but not just to anyone.
“I want this bass to find its true owner who will love it like the beautiful musical instrument it really is,” he wrote. “If I don’t find the right person it will sit in my closet until I do. I don’t want to just give it away to anyone. I want to give this bass to the right person.”
Less than two weeks after posting the ad, Gallant gave the surprise gift to Sean.
“It was pretty awesome,” said Sean.
Perhaps the happiest person in the room that night was Kerry, after seeing the joy on her son’s face.
“Music is in Sean’s bones,” she said. “He just needed the opportunity and the chance. Deryl has given him both of those.”
Gallant said he didn’t initially expect much response to the post. He wrote that he was looking for someone in a similar situation to his own 20 years ago.
As a Grade 9 student at Birchwood, Gallant suffered from low self-esteem. That all changed when he was handed an upright bass in his music class.
“Music entered my life and for the first time, something felt right,” he wrote. “Because I finally had some confidence and saw a light at the end of the tunnel.”
It wasn’t long before Gallant switched to an electric bass. He sold his Nintendo to help “subsidize” the purchase, with his eventual brother-in-law knowing a friend who had an unused bass lying around.
This led to Gallant studying the instrument at UPEI and teaching bass at the university level. He also became bassist for the award-winning Jive Kings and was one of Sonny Caulfield’s favourite go-to players.
However, a black Yamaha bass he bought while working at a dinner theatre hasn’t flourished like his own career.
Used only for two summers, the “Black Beauty” has spent more than 10 years lying dormant.
For Gallant, it was time to pass on the torch.
“Sound familiar? An electric bass sitting there unused,” he wrote. “I want you to help me find a current version of me 20 years ago – desperately wanting an electric bass. Desperately wanting change.”
It was Kerry’s reply that stood out to Gallant. It’s no surprise, given the similarities between the bassist and Sean.
“Sean and Deryl were really alike,” she said.
Molyneaux, also a Birchwood student, isn’t able to play sports because of a heart and lung problem and has also suffered from low self-esteem.
“He sometimes felt like an outcast,” said Kerry.
Sean has had dreams of becoming a musician since he was a toddler. Which isn’t surprising, as his grandfather Alan Molyneaux is a well-known local musician in Charlottetown. When Sean was younger, he’d often tell his mother that one day he would “take over the family business.”
Sean previously played trombone in school band. However, a surgery complication in May 2010 caused him to suffer an aneurysm and presented problems when playing the instrument.
“He just couldn’t hold his breath long enough to play,” said Kerry, adding that it ultimately meant her son had to drop the class.
But rather than giving up on music, Sean’s determination led him to join an after-school rock band course at his school, with the bass as his instrument of choice.
While he didn’t own a bass, he borrowed one from his grandmother. But there was still a problem.
The bass was made for left-handed players and while Sean stuck with the instrument, there’s no question that it hindered his ability.
Now Sean may never have to pick up a left-handed guitar ever again.
He had already begun saving money for one when his mother told him that Gallant was going to drop by for a visit.
“At first I wasn’t quite sure what it was about,” said Sean.
“I wanted to keep it a secret,” said his mother. “But at the same time, I wanted to tell him so bad.”
After chatting for a bit when they first met, Gallant’s former role in the Jive Kings struck a chord with Sean.
The bassist offered up two copies of the group’s albums, which were in his car.
However, when he came back inside, there was much more than the two albums.
Gallant had offered up his Black Beauty, as well as the two promised albums. He also offered several free lessons for Sean.
“He (Deryl) just handed it to me and said, ‘Congratulations. You passed the test,” he said.
“He just wanted to give it someone who could really use it.”
Kerry said “I think I was smiling more than they were.” Sean has been smiling a lot himself as well lately, along with practising his bass just about every day.
“It feels great,” he said. “You can’t really get me away from it.”
