Growing up, Ella Langley had a teacher, known as “Coach Pop,” who would show up to school early on Fridays to play guitar with her. Eventually, Coach Pop gifted Ella his 12 string guitar.

Flash forward to Ella’s 2 sold out shows at Auburn University, last weekend - Ella invited Coach Pop backstage, where she gifted him an autographed guitar!

Coach Pop has been teaching for 57 years, and spent 22 of those years at Hooper Academy, where he taught Ella. He said:

“It affects me like she is my grandchild... I’ve caught myself with a tear in my eye watching her go up and receive these awards. It’s like she’s part of my family. And she is.”