A 13-year-old guitarist from Wrexham is preparing to play alongside one of her favourite bands after being invited on stage with The Sweet.
Holly Baker is set to join the band at Portmeirion this weekend (September 11 and 12), where she will play their hit Fox on the Run after her guitar performances caught the attention of members of the group.
A Sweet fan for almost four years, Holly said she was still struggling to comprehend the opportunity.
She said: “I don’t have any words to describe it really because I’ve been a Sweet fan for almost four years now.
“It’s mental, the fact that I can go and play on stage with them.”
Holly has been playing guitar for just under three years after receiving her first instrument when she was around 10.
Her dad James said music had always been a big part of family life, with Holly growing up listening to many of the same rock bands he enjoyed.
Her mum Susan said Holly initially taught herself before beginning lessons with Dale Irving at Pick Up and Play in Wrexham.
James said her progress eventually reached the point where her teacher told the family he could no longer continue teaching her.
He said: “He turned to us and said, ‘I can’t teach her anymore.’
“I asked if it was an issue with behaviour or attitude and he said, ‘No, she’s better than I am.’
“He said when he gave her a song to learn, she would learn it in 20 minutes, whereas other students might take two or three months. She has perfect pitch and can even tune her guitar by ear, it's just talent like you've never seen it."
Holly’s love of The Sweet also began through her dad, who introduced her to Fox on the Run, while the band later became the first group she saw live.
The opportunity to perform with them began after guitarist Tom Cory connected with Holly through social media.
James said: “I messaged him through Holly’s account and said, ‘One day, I’d love to play with you guys,’ and she went mad with me saying, ‘Why have you done that, Dad?’
“A couple of weeks later he messaged back saying, ‘Is Holly serious about playing with us? I’ve spoken to Andy. He’s interested in doing it.’”
Holly remembers clearly how her dad broke the news.
She said: “He called me and went, ‘You might want to sit down for this.’
“I said, ‘Why, is there going to be an earthquake or something?’. He goes, ‘Sweet are going to let you play on stage.’
“When I tell you I fell over, I fell over. I was just in so much shock.”
Fox on the Run was suggested after members of the band saw Holly performing the song while busking in Chester.
She said: “I’m not afraid of stages or crowds. I think I might be a bit worried with the pressure of the real band being there, but I should be able to do it because I know the song off by heart.”
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Music now takes up much of Holly’s free time, with the teenager also collecting vinyl and regularly attending concerts.
Susan said: “It’s a hobby, but it’s her life at the moment. It’s all she bases her life around, music. We are just so proud of what she's achieved so far, she is so talented, just imagine what she'll be doing in a few years.”
Holly also shares videos of her incredible guitar playing on Instagram. She can be found at @hollyrocks12, where she has been recognised icons such as rock legend Randy Rhoads' sister, Kathy Rhoads, for her classic guitar solo covers.
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