Dog Sleeping Backstage Wakes Up Just In Time To Join Band's Encore

"He looked at us, looked at the audience, and then let her rip.ā€

Jack loved singing more than anything. The loyal rescue dog had belted out tunes many times throughout his life.

But, one special encore performance stole the spotlight ā€” and the audienceā€™s hearts.

Dog lays next to a guitar.
Brennan Gilmore

After years of singing and howling during his dadā€™s Bluegrass band rehearsals, Jack saw the opportunity to hop on a stage and took it.

ā€œI couldnā€™t find anyone to watch him during this little weekend tour, so I just brought him along,ā€ Brennan Gilmore, Jackā€™s dad, told The Dodo. ā€œHis bed was backstage, and I guess someone didnā€™t shut the green room door after we got called back to play an encore.ā€

Hound dog rests his face on human's lap.
Brennan Gilmore

Gilmore said his band had just started playing when the hound mix found his shining moment.

ā€œAfter about a minute, I noticed everybody in the audience pulling out their phones to take pictures,ā€ Gilmore said. ā€œThen we looked over and saw Jack had found his way out to the stage. He looked at us, looked at the audience, and then let her rip.ā€

Dog and dad pose for a picture together.
Brennan Gilmore

Singing had always been in the 12-year-oldā€™s blood, but itā€™s the bond with Gilmore thatā€™s lasted long after the devoted pup passed away. And Gilmore will always remember the show in 2016 when Jack took the stage.

ā€œHe was very expressive, and would sing softly as well as howl,ā€ Gilmore said. ā€œHis spirit is very much alive in the music.ā€

You can watch Jack sing with the band here:

Gilmore now honors the late Jack ā€” who died from cancer in 2020 ā€” in the most special way.

ā€œHe was as good a friend as you could have,ā€ Gilmore said. ā€œI have a guitar with an engraving of him on the headstock, and a few of his ashes inside so heā€™s always singing when we play.ā€

Guitar engraved with image of hound dog.
Brennan Gilmore

ā€œWe were each other's closest friend and support,ā€ Gilmore added. ā€œThroughout our time together, I came to see Jack's soul as inseparable from mine.ā€

To see more of Jackā€™s legacy, follow Gilmore on Instagram.