8yr old boy and school talent show

[Susyq75]

Hello,  I have an 8yr old boy who is interested in participating in a school talent show.  His talent would be singing "I am so lonely" or spinning a basketball.  My question is now my son is feeling nervouse because some of the other talents are team efforts (i.e cheer leaders/skits/etc).  I believe he is feeling as if is talent is inadequate.  When I asked him what was wrong, he said no one wanted to be my back up singer and now doesn't want to go on stage by himself.  Suddenly talking about the talent show is no longer the highlight of his day and looks down and out.   How do I go about encouraging my son to pursue this activity - it breaks my heart to see him this way when I know it was something he really wanted to do originally.  I don't wan't to push him only to have him get stagefright and have the kids laugh at him.  But I also want him to stand up to his fears and not hide every time their is a challenge.  Any feedback would be appreciated.  P.s my son while not the best singer in the world, is exploring his creativity.  Thanks.

[Susyq75]

Thanks for the quick response.  No I haven't talked with the school about this, I am planning to call tommorow.  Thanks for suggesting this.  Doing so will probably calm my son's and my fears.  My son doesn't even know the exact date.  It is still a mystery to me why he wanted to do this in the first place.  My son excels in sports (dad is more a fitness buff - he is a runner and likes to coach youth sports).  I am in the military and work in the Physical therapy field.  Definatley not the pushy showbiz mom type - I don't even like talent shows (too artsy fartsy/creative free thinking stuff for my taste - but definately won't tell my son this - I never want to squash his dreams or interests).  Thanks again for your input.  It helps to know I am not alone.

[RockRose]

Susieq,  have you talked to the person who is organizing the talent show?  She will know if there are a lot of kids doing solo acts, and kind of unique things like spinning a basketball,  or if virtually everyone is doing a group thing.  

I wouldn't push him to do this if you find out most are doing group things,  and he doesn't have a talent where he's really accomplished beyond his age to do something individual.  

He doesn't have to do this.  And maybe next year he can get in a group that does a really funny skit or song.