The Time Bryan Adams Shared A Cab With An Aspiring Artist — And Gave Them Their First Gig

April 2, 2025

It was a rainy evening in downtown Toronto, the kind of night where the streets glistened under the glow of streetlights. The air smelled like damp asphalt and adventure. Seventeen-year-old Mia Palmer stood on the corner of Queen and Spadina, clutching her guitar case tightly. She had just finished performing at a small open mic night, and although the applause had been warm, she could still feel the fear and doubt creeping in. Would she ever make it as an artist? As she was pondering her future, a cab pulled up beside her. The door swung open, and to her astonishment, the familiar face of Bryan Adams sat in the back seat.

Mia could hardly believe her eyes. This was the man whose songs had filled her childhood with dreams and emotions. Gathering her courage, she approached the cab and asked, “Excuse me, are you Bryan Adams?” He smiled and nodded, motioning for her to join him. “Hop in,” he said, and without thinking, she slipped into the backseat, her heart racing with exhilaration. As the cab started to move, they began to chat. Mia shared her dreams of becoming a singer-songwriter while Bryan listened intently, nodding and encouraging her with every note of her story.

They talked about life, music, and the struggles artists face, and in that brief journey, Mia felt a connection that lifted her spirits. She played a short melody on her guitar for him right there in the cab, her voice trembling but filled with passion. Bryan’s eyes lit up as he listened. “You’ve got something special,” he told her earnestly. “You know, it’s not about how many times you fail, but how many times you keep getting back up.” His words resonated in her heart, planting a seed of belief that she hadn’t felt before.

As they approached Mia’s destination, Bryan handed her a business card and said, “Give me a call. I’m playing a charity event next month, and I could use an opening act. How about you?” In disbelief, Mia could hardly respond, but the joy bubbling inside her spilled over as she accepted the invitation. They exchanged a few more words, and then the cab came to a stop. “Remember,” he said with a smile, “keep chasing your dreams, no matter what.” As she stepped out, the rain felt lighter, and the world around her seemed brighter.

In the weeks that followed, Mia poured her heart into preparing for that gig. She wrote new songs and practiced tirelessly, fueled by the encouragement of a music legend. The night of the charity event arrived, and as she stepped onto the stage, the nerves that once challenged her transformed into a vibrant energy. She performed not just for the audience but for herself and the dreams she had almost let slip away. The applause that echoed through the venue felt like a warm embrace, confirming that she was where she belonged.

That performance was the spark that ignited Mia’s career. Over the years, she took Bryan’s advice to heart, persevering through ups and downs. She released albums, toured cities, and even collaborated with other artists, but she never forgot the cab ride that changed her life. Bryan Adams had shared not only a cab ride but also a moment of hope and inspiration that would echo in her heart forever. Mia became a successful musician, reminding everyone she met that resilience and passion could lead to dreams coming true. And whenever she strummed her guitar, she always felt a little bit of Bryan’s spirit guiding her along the way.