Kid Yodeler Catches the Attention of Ellen and Kacey Musgraves
Musgraves challenged the boy on Instagram, by posting a vintage video of her own yodeling from when she was younger.
Who knew yodeling in a small-town Walmart location could blow up into an overnight viral sensation and send a young boy out to Los Angeles to get on national television for the first time?!
Mason Ramsey made headlines all around the world for his talent in yodeling when someone filmed him using the massive all-purpose store as a performance space for patrons to awe over his voice. Making the rounds through social media like wildfire, Ramsey caught the eye of Ellen DeGeneres, who invited the 11-year-old out to perform on her hit daytime talk show.
Took a few new photos today! Hope y’all enjoy them!
A post shared by Mason Ramsey (@lilhankwilliams) on
So began the adventure of many firsts for young Ramsey as he had never been on a plane before, let alone left his tiny town in Illinois for the bright lights of Los Angeles. Although he enjoyed the car ride to the airport, he stood true to his roots through and through by letting DeGeneres know that the city hadn’t captivated him quite yet.
“Yeah, but I’m a country boy,” he said, to a roar of laughter. “And out in the old country, all we do is bale straws of hay, and next thing you know you’re sittin’ under a tree takin’ a nap with your hat down and a weed in your mouth.”
Ramsey also told the host that his dream was to perform a yodeling bit at the Grand Ole Opry after learning the skill from his grandfather and honing his talent into a huge hit online. He gave it a go on television for the first time, performing a song originally recorded by his hero, Hank Williams Sr.
After his performance, DeGeneres surprised Ramsey with an invitation to make his Opry debut the following Saturday evening (4/14), as well as letting him know that his hometown Wal-Mart would be hosting a concert for him to perform. Additionally, the retail giant surprised the yodeling prodigy with a $15,000 scholarship for college.
Where you at, Walmart boy?! @lilhankwilliams
A post shared by K A C E Y M U S G R A V E S (@spaceykacey) on
Even Kacey Musgraves embraced at the kid’s chops by posting a competitive comment alongside her vintage video on Instagram, egging him along by tagging him in the caption and saying, “Where you at, Walmart boy?”
Maybe one day, Ramsey will make his dreams of playing Nashville come true.
