Austintown man joins Springsteen for a song and a dance

February 24, 2016 at 12:48p.m.

Scott Williams saw Bruce Springsteen in concert for the 16th time Tuesday night. But the show at Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland will be the one he never forgets.

Williams, 21, of Austintown, was chosen by the Boss to join him on stage during the song “Dancing in the Dark.” It’s something that happens at just about every Springsteen concert, except the lucky fan is usually a girl.

Williams was likely the first male to get the honor, and the Springsteen universe quickly took notice. He did a phone interview live on E Street Radio — an all-Bruce channel on Sirius — Wednesday morning, and the consensus was that he made history.

During a break from class, the journalism major at Youngstown State University told The Vindicator that E Street Radio wasn’t the only one wanting to talk to him.

“My phone has been blowing up this morning,” he said. “Between 8 a.m. and 10 a.m., I got 41 notifications.”

Williams did everything right to increase his chances of getting called up on stage. He obtained tickets that put him near the stage and carried a large sign that had a photo of him and Springsteen that was taken before a 2012 concert in Detroit, and the words “All I Want To Do Is Dance With You.”

Williams put the sign on the stage where Springsteen could see it, and it worked.

“I knew what to do,” said Williams. “You have to have a sign to get noticed.”

Springsteen handed Williams a guitar and let him play along to the song as the two jammed on stage. It’s a scene that has become a regular part of his concerts.

So, did Williams play the right chords?

“Well, I was playing a chord,” he said with a laugh. “I’m not sure if it was the right one. I was just too amazed at what was happening. I was just strumming along.”