"In the vast and fleeting galaxy of music makers, stars are born in the most curious quadrants. Take for example the case of one Jacob Cade. Imagine a bright spring day in Parker Colorado where several hundred graduating seniors, parents and teachers from Ponderosa High School gather to celebrate the end of another scholastic year. A rare gym silence overtakes the cavernous room as the well-groomed grad places his fingers upon the electric keyboard and gently taps the iconic opening bars to one of popular music’s most revered ballads, composed by a rock n’ roll legend nearly half a century ago when he was not much older than our lone performer is today.

Every time I look in the mirror all these lines in my face getting clearer, the past is gone, it went by like dust to dawn, isn't that the way? Everybody's got their dues in life to pay.

The well-groomed son of a banker/bassist father and CPA/artist manager mother – whose Abuelos bought him a piano when he was fourteen from the salvation army – Cade was raised by the Latin salt of the American earth. It’s no wonder the 18-year-old local hero has been asked to perform one last time for his most vocal, loyal and passionate audience. Leaning into the mic, he opens his mouth and powerfully delivers the venerable verse, all the while making the tune his own with reverence to its origin.

"In the vast and fleeting galaxy of music makers, stars are born in the most curious quadrants. Take for example the case of one Jacob Cade. Imagine a bright spring day in Parker Colorado where several hundred graduating seniors, parents and teachers from Ponderosa High School gather to celebrate the end of another scholastic year. A rare gym silence overtakes the cavernous room as the well-groomed grad places his fingers upon the electric keyboard and gently taps the iconic opening bars to one of popular music’s most revered ballads, composed by a rock n’ roll legend nearly half a century ago when he was not much older than our lone performer is today.

Every time I look in the mirror all these lines in my face getting clearer, the past is gone, it went by like dust to dawn, isn't that the way? Everybody's got their dues in life to pay.

The well-groomed son of a banker/bassist father and CPA/artist manager mother – whose Abuelos bought him a piano when he was fourteen from the salvation army – Cade was raised by the Latin salt of the American earth. It’s no wonder the 18-year-old local hero has been asked to perform one last time for his most vocal, loyal and passionate audience. Leaning into the mic, he opens his mouth and powerfully delivers the venerable verse, all the while making the tune his own with reverence to its origin.