Hey skyywalker35,
It could be the stage fright, but many of my younger students have trouble getting past sore fingers. They start out all fired up and ready to go, but after a few lessons, and of course practicing too much their fingers get sore.

They go from practicing daily, to not practicing at all. Then when they do pick it up again, it's like starting all over. I think you should let him know that you really enjoyed learning together, and ask him why he doesn't want to anymore. If you know he enjoys playing, then tell him not to give it up.

If the recital is the problem, maybe he just feels like he's not ready for it. On here there is no recital, and when he feels ready he could play for you. There is a friend of mine who plays really well, after just messing around with guitars for 20 years. He always talks about taking lessons again, after his mom let him quit after 4 of them because of sore fingers. He doesn't have sore fingers now, and can even play some leads. He only plays by himself though, because he doesn't know keys, or chords, and if you ask him what he just played he can only play it again, he can't tell you what he's doing.

He just figures out notes by playing around with it, riffs from TV shows, or something on the radio. I told him about GT, but he says "I don't know how to use a computer". I try to show him keys, and chords, because that's the only thing he's missing. It makes me wonder how good he would be if he hadn't quit. I hope your son will get past whatever it is, and continue to learn, it seems like he would be good at it too.

Best of luck to you, and be sure to let us know if we can do anything to help you.

JD