My nephews aged 14 and 15 had a band w/2 other school mates. They would ask me to come and listen/critique their rehearsals every month or so. I'd slip over and listen upstairs while they flogged away in the basement, but didn't know I was there. Then after about an hour or so I'd walk downstairs and offer my observations. For the 1st 6 mos. or so there wasn't alot of improvment. Then they found out about a 'battle of the bands' held at another local high school about 3 mos. hence. The school would allow 1 band from each of the surrounding high schools to participate. At around the same time the bass player's brother heard them and asked them to come and play a night at his fraternity and they would be paid! They all freaked out, called me up and asked if I thought they were good enough to be paid. "Are they going to pay you?" I asked. "Yes," came the reply. "Then you're good enough to be paid," I told them. A flurry of activity followed with me setting up a mixing board and mics, recording every rehearsal and getting them to the point they could operate the stuff without me. They'd play for an hour, listen back, throw up then rehearse for another hour, listen back, throw up, etc. I didn't go over for about six weeks once the mix was dialed in as I figured they would need some time to get their 'legs' without me. One day after work I decided to go by and see how they were coming along. As I approached the house I could hear the bass and drums coming through the basement wall...stopped right in the middle of the side yard as I couldn't believe my ears. They were playing 'Higher Ground'(Stevie Wonder via The Red Hot Chili Peppers) with the assurance and 'chops' of veterans. I sat down in the living room and was treated to killer versions of Green Day, Smashing Pumpkins, Toad the Wet Sprocket, R.H.C.P., Hendrix, Cream, Black Sabbath, Kiss, Pearl Jam and Nirvana songs. I sat there and wept through the whole 2 hour rehearsal they were 'that' good. And not one of them even was old enough to have their driver's licence! Needless to say they won the battle of the bands and tore up the frat party. But, that moment in the living room was the proudest I've ever been, musically speaking.