An 11-year-old Southern Illinois boy will perform at the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville this weekend after a video of him yodeling at a Walmart went viral.
Sporting a cowboy hat, large belt buckle and clutching a guitar (complete with a personalized strap with his name on it) Mason Ramsey appeared on The Ellen (DeGeneres) show Tuesday and performed the song that made him famous: Hank Williams’ “Lovesick Blues.”
When DeGeneres asked Mason why he chose to perform in his local Harrisburg, IL Walmart, his quick response drew laughter: "Because that's the only store we've got," he said of his hometown's business — population 700.
The talk show host then surprised Ramsey with the announcement that he will perform at the Opry on Saturday.
"Oh my," the boy exclaimed, then wiped tears from his eyes.
DeGeneres went onto tell the boy he'll also perform at his hometown Walmart this weekend and that the mega chain plans to air his concert live on their Facebook page.
She then presented him with a scholarship from Walmart for $15,000.
He yodeled his way from Walmart to my show. You are not going to believe this kid. He is priceless. pic.twitter.com/Q56UuH5QUt
After the show, DeGeneres took to social media to brag about the boy.
"He yodeled his way from Walmart to my show," she tweeted. "You are not going to believe this kid. He is priceless."
Reach Natalie Neysa Alund at nalund@tennessean.com and follow her on Twitter @nataliealund.
