Watch Yodeling Walmart Boy Mason Ramsey Slay the National Anthem at 2018 CMA Fest
Mason Ramsey began his career after a video of him yodeling at his local Walmart went viral, but the 11-year-old country singer proved he's more than just a novelty act when he sang the National Anthem on Day 2 of the 2018 CMA Music Festival in Nashville.
Ramsey took the stage at Nissan Stadium in downtown Nashville to sing "The Star-Spangled Banner," a song whose ranginess oftentimes gives even the most experienced singers trouble in hitting its climactic highest note. In the fan-shot video above, the young singer handles the song with an ease and professionalism that belies his age and relative inexperience, drawing gasps and applause from the stadium audience when he hits the song's highest note in a smooth, clean falsetto that never wavers.
It's a performance that reveals a new dimension to Ramsey's vocal talents, but his appealing falsetto range and easy transitions should come as no surprise to those who've heard his now-famous rendition of Hank Williams' "Lovesick Blues," the song that launched him to viral fame. Following the online success of his recent debut single, "Famous," Ramsey has just issued an official studio recording of the country classic.
Carrie Underwood, Blake Shelton and more top country stars hit the stage on Day 2 of CMA Fest in Nashville, along with Old Dominion, Charley Pride, Lee Brice, Jake Owen, Brett Young, Luke Combs and more. CMA Fest 2018 runs until Sunday (June 10), with performances from Chris Stapleton, Devin Dawson, Michael Ray and more still to come.
See the Highlights From Day 2 of the 2018 CMA Music Festival