On a typical Sunday night in downtown Denver, Michael Cec was busy filling the streets of Larimer Square with his music, unaware that a life-changing moment was unfolding around him.
Unbeknownst to him, a group of men enjoying his busking were not just ordinary fans, but some of the biggest rock stars in Latin America.
Cec’s impromptu street performance caught the attention of José Fernando Emilio “Fher” Olvera Sierra, the lead singer of Maná, one of the most acclaimed Latin American rock bands in history.
When Olvera approached Cec and asked if he had ever heard of Maná, Cec responded candidly, saying he hadn’t.
The sheer magnitude of Maná’s success—over 45 million records sold worldwide—was lost on Cec at that moment.
The band was in Colorado to perform at the iconic Red Rocks Amphitheater, and they spontaneously invited Cec to open for them on two upcoming nights.
Stunned, Cec initially questioned the authenticity of their offer. “I asked them right off, I said, ‘Is this a joke?’ They said, ‘No, no, no,’” he recalled.
Given that Cec has been relatively new to performing—having only picked up a guitar at the age of 20 and moving to Denver six years ago—it seemed almost surreal.
“For a long time, I was that guy who’d, like, show up at open mics, and by halfway through the second song, people would be like, all right, let’s get this guy outta here,” he confessed.
Despite the uncertainty, Cec accepted the invitation and proactively sought someone to cover his shift at the Italian restaurant in Englewood where he works.
In a discreet manner, he updated his employer, carefully referencing it as a “situation I’ve got to deal with.”
Even as the concert dates approached, Cec kept the news to himself, hesitant to share with friends and coworkers until he was sure the opportunity was legitimate.
As the day arrived and Cec attended soundcheck, he still felt a sense of disbelief about his role at such a prestigious venue.
However, instead of being anxious, Cec felt everything fall into place moments before he stepped on stage.
When he walked out to a filled audience, cheering for him, he found himself simply waving to the crowd.
The moment he plugged in and strummed his first chord, a wave of confidence surged through him as muscle memory took over.
Cec’s music is a unique blend he describes as an attempt to combine the styles of the Red Hot Chili Peppers and Gregory Alan Isakov.
To his delight, the audience’s response was overwhelming, filled with genuine love and excitement.
“The applause? Wonderful. I mean, people who know me know that I’m rarely at a loss for words, but the genuine love and excitement … is just something that I still honestly think about every day,” he reflected.
Post-performance, while Cec’s life hasn’t dramatically changed, he remains in touch with Maná’s crew, hinting at exciting developments unfolding in the background.
For the time being, he continues to work at the restaurant and busk in Larimer Square, emphasizing that he finds equal joy in both street performances and big stage events.
“I can stand in the street and play a song and that song will fill that block … people who are just going about their business,” he noted, recognizing that street performance has its unique charm.
Cec believes that both the streets of Denver and the grandeur of Red Rocks hold equal significance for him.
“You know, we live in such strange times that we’re all trying to make sense of. And music to me is one of the great unifying forces,” Cec said.
It is this passion for music that fills him with purpose and joy.
He aims to remain present in the moment, grateful for the recognition and opportunities that have come his way.
“I just love playing music,” he concluded. “And if these are things that are coming to me … I just want to stay present.”
image source from：denverite
