Culture

Yodeling Kid Trades Walmart for the Grand Ole Opry, Thanks to Ellen

He also has that Wal-Mart gig.

by Oscar Gonzalez

Yodeling sensation Mason Ramsey, known as the “Yodeling Kid,” is finding himself with a busy schedule thanks to a viral video of him singing in his local Walmart. The 11-year old yodeler has just been booked for a performance at the grandest stage in country music.

Ramsey appeared on Ellen Tuesday to perform the song that made him famous, Hank Williams’ “Lovesick Blues.” After his performance, DeGeneres surprised Ramsey with the announcement that he will perform at the Grand Ole Opry on Saturday, April 14. She also presented him with a scholarship from Walmart for $15,000.

When sitting with DeGeneres, Ramsey talked about how the flight to Los Angeles for the show was his first time on a plane and that he’s not a fan of sparkling water. He then talked about his dream of performing at the Grand Ole Opry with hopes of becoming a famous country singer so he can save his money, go to college, move to Florida, and “work his way up in a motorhome.”

Since the initial video of Ramsey yodeling went viral on Twitter in late March, a slew of remixes of Ramsey’s performance appeared on YouTube. Imitators posted their own renditions on social media and even Stranger Things star Millie Bobby Brown did her own dance tribute.

Before he performs at the Grand Ole Opry, Ramsey will perform again at his local Walmart in Harrisburg, Illinois on Thursday. This time it’ll be streamed live on the company’s Facebook and Twitter accounts at 5 p.m. Eastern. Tickets for Ramsey’s performance at the Grand Ole Opry on Saturday are available at the venue’s website. The show starts at 7 p.m. and will feature other artists such as Ricky Skaggs, David Ball, and Points of Grace.

The ability to yodel like Ramsey is difficult to accomplish. It requires a singer to perform specific movements with their larynx, or voice box, to create the high and low registers that the style of singing is known for. So whether or not you like yodeling as a musical style, you have to admit what he can do is impressive.