Antique store gives piano to student after viral 'Don't Stop Believin' performance

"He just lit up and drew a crowd."

Antique store gives piano to student after viral 'Don't Stop Believin' performance
Renee Thomas
July 16, 2020, 3:26 PM

An antique store in Massachusetts has given a mystery man a piano after he dazzled with an impromptu performance of Journey's "Don't Stop Believin.'"

On Saturday, 23-year-old John Thomas Archer asked employees at ReMARKable Cleanouts in Norwood permission to play a piano that was out on display.

One worker showed the store's owner, Mark Waters, a recorded video of Archer as he wowed a small audience.

"I saw the clip and said, 'Wow, that's fantastic,'" Waters told "Good Morning America." "He just lit up and drew a crowd."

PHOTO: John Thomas Archer, 23, wowed employees and customers at ReMARKable Cleanouts in Norwood, Massachusetts after playing  Journey's "Don't Stop Believin.'"
John Thomas Archer, 23, wowed employees and customers at ReMARKable Cleanouts in Norwood, Massachusetts after playing Journey's "Don't Stop Believin.'"
Renee Thomas

Waters, who opened ReMARKable Cleanouts a decade ago, said he was able to track down Archer and offer him a Steinway model piano simply to make his day.

"He went into tears and it brought tears to my eyes," Waters said. "It was one of those feel good moments."

PHOTO: John Thomas Archer poses in a recent photo with Mark Waters, owner of ReMARKable Cleanouts in Norwood, permission. Waters gave Archer a piano after seeing a recorded video of Archer playing and wowing the shop.
John Thomas Archer poses in a recent photo with Mark Waters, owner of ReMARKable Cleanouts in Norwood, permission. Waters gave Archer a piano after seeing a recorded video of Archer playing and wowing the shop.
Renee Thomas

"I just wish there was more stories like this with everyone opening their hearts," he added. "I'd like to donate something every day if it brought people into a good mood."

Archer is a graphic design student at Northeastern University and a self-taught musician, according to Waters.

PHOTO: On July 11, 23-year-old John Thomas Archer asked employees at ReMARKable Cleanouts in Norwood, Massachusetts, permission to play a piano that was out on display.
On July 11, 23-year-old John Thomas Archer asked employees at ReMARKable Cleanouts in Norwood, Massachusetts, permission to play a piano that was out on display. One worker showed the store's owner, Mark Waters, a recorded video of Archer as he wowed a small audience.
Renee Thomas

Archer could not immediately be reached for comment.