By Jule Scherer of NZPA

A chance meeting with former Beatle Sir Paul McCartney seven years ago handed New Zealander Glenn Aitken the opportunity to release an album of his own.

Since leaving New Zealand in 1996 Lower Hutt-born Aitken has performed in hotels, bars and restaurants all over the world. One day Sir Paul arrived with then-wife Heather Mills at the Maldives hotel where Aitken was entertaining guests.

Sir Paul was so impressed with the hotel-singer that he not only offered to help him release an album but ended up playing bass on one of the songs as well.

"When I tell people the story they ask me how I felt, but it was so monumentally incredible, I find it almost impossible to put into words," Aitken says.

"I mean, how can you describe coming face to face with a star you've idolised for years, who inspired your career, and who is now telling you you've got the talent to be a star yourself?"

After hearing Aitken play in the bar, Sir Paul asked him a couple of days later to perform while the couple had dinner under the stars.

"I was aware of what a special and privileged moment it was for me and I was nervously apprehensive," he remembers.

But his main worry was he wouldn't be able to perform, as he had lost his voice three days before and hadn't sung since.

Luckily his voice came back just in time for what may have been the most important performance of his life.

"I sang a couple of Beatles' songs, then Paul asked me to sing one of my own compositions. I'd performed one called Fairytale, which Paul had enjoyed in the bar, but he asked me to sing another one, so I sang The Way.

"He loved it and said it was a very strong song -- possibly with the potential to become another Yesterday. Such a compliment from someone with true musical genius was truly humbling -- and, again, very surreal," the 39-year-old said.

Sir Paul believed the New Zealander had a promising future and, if he was prepared to go to Britain, he would offer him a publishing agreement to help him get his music "out there".

Back in the UK Sir Paul kept his promise. He wrote personally-signed letters to record company executives, enclosing a demo of some of Aitken's songs.

When London entertainment magazine Uncut produced a compilation CD of his favouite tracks, Sir Paul made a point of including Aitken's song The Way.

Over the next four years, Aitken performed at various pubs and clubs in and around London, wrote more than 100 songs, and was a finalist in the UK Songwriting Contest three years running.

Encouraged by the former Beatles' praise, he finally raised the money to record his debut album Extraordinary Lives with Grammy nominated producer John Ravenhall.

Sir Paul agreed to play on one of the tracks, but on the day he was due to record he was at the High Court, settling his divorce with Heather Mills.

"Although he'd promised to come, I didn't expect him to because it was a stressful day and he'd cancelled everything in his diary.

"But he did turn up, and was every bit the superstar bass player, plugging in and hearing the track for the first time.

"I consider myself incredibly lucky to have Sir Paul as a friend and supporter. He has been fantastic in raising my hand and pointing to my music," Aitken says.

Aitken's debut Extraordinary Lives was released this week on Right Records. He plans to perform in New Zealand next summer.