Celebrate the Heart of Country, Americana, and Roots Music!

Drop Us A Line, Y'all

Y'all interested in advertising, partnering up, contributing stories, joining our team, or just got a question? Well, don't be shy, drop us a line!

Follow Us

Kane Brown Surpises Blind Highschool Basketball Star

by
  • Arden is a Senior Country Music Journalist for Country Thang Daily, specializing in classic hits and contemporary chart-toppers.
  • Prior to joining Country Thang Daily, Arden wrote for Billboard and People magazine, covering country music legends and emerging artists.
  • Arden holds a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism from the University of Tennessee, with a minor in Music Studies.

Kane Brown gave a very special fan the surprise of his life during an episode of Pickler & Ben on Thursday, the 11th of April.

The Special Basketball Star

Clay Warner is a high school senior from Polk City, Iowa. He was a premature baby, born at 23 weeks. He has cerebral palsy and is legally blind, even when he wears his glasses.

Kane Brown
via WHO-TV

Basketball has been one of Warner’s passions and he is a member of his high school basketball team. Though, he usually supports his teammates from the sidelines and does not get to play.

The Amazing Shot

That all changed in February when Warner’s coach put him on the court with just one minute left on the clock. His coach finally called him onto the court during the final minute of the game. With the audience already giving him a standing ovation, Warner got into position, as the crowd cheered him on.

“I wanted to get him in. It was Senior Night. If there’s an opportunity that presented itself, I wanted to take advantage of it. All the players were for it, too.”

Introduced as “the heart and soul of North Polk,” Warner made good on those words as he took a shot from the right of the basket, sinking his first-ever shot during a game seemingly effortlessly as the fans on both sides went crazy.

“This whole gym was yelling my name. Everything, both benches were jumping. The whole crowd was going crazy. It was like I was a little kid again.”

The thrilling moment was captured on video and went viral. Check it out!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zxm202prcP4

Kane Brown’s Surprise

That was what landed Warner and his mom an interview on Pickler & Ben on Thursday, where his teammates, friends, and his coach paid tribute to him in a series of video messages.

After which, Ben Aaron asked Warner if he was a country music fan, to which he replied with:

“Yes… Kane Brown all the way.”

Kane Brown
via Kane Brown’s Official Facebook Page

With that, they dropped the final surprise of the day in the form of a personal video message from Brown.

“What’s up, Clay, it’s Kane Brown. I heard you’re a big country music fan, and I saw that shot that you made. You shoot better than me, man.”

Brown is giving Warner the VIP treatment at one of his upcoming shows in Iowa.

“I’d love to see you backstage and get to hang out with you, and give you tickets to my show. So I’m looking forward to seeing you, man.”

Watch the heartwarming surprise here!

Latest Stories

Don Williams and Emmylou Harris Deliver a Classic Duet With "If I Needed You"

Don Williams and Emmylou Harris Deliver a Classic Duet With “If I Needed You”

When Don Williams and Emmylou Harris came together for their duet of “If I Needed You,” they gave life to one of country music’s most cherished ballads. Originally written and ...

Randy Travis and Josh Turner Deliver a Heavenly Performance of "Three Wooden Crosses"

Randy Travis and Josh Turner Deliver a Heavenly Performance of “Three Wooden Crosses”

When Randy Travis and Josh Turner joined forces for a 2006 episode of CMT Cross Country, it was a meeting of country music generations that fans won’t soon forget among ...

Vince Gill and Patty Loveless Honor a Classic With "After the Fire Is Gone"

Vince Gill and Patty Loveless Honor a Classic With “After the Fire Is Gone”

In 2015, Vince Gill and Patty Loveless graced the Austin City Limits Hall of Fame stage with a performance that remains etched in the hearts of country music fans. Their ...

George Strait and Grandson Harvey's Emotional "God and Country Music" Performance

George Strait and Grandson Harvey’s Emotional “God and Country Music” Performance

In 2019, George Strait reminded fans why he’s called the King of Country when he released “God and Country Music” as part of his album Honky Tonk Time Machine. The ...

Kelly Clarkson's "Here's A Quarter" Cover Brings New Life to a Classic

Kelly Clarkson’s “Here’s A Quarter” Cover Brings New Life to a Classic

Kelly Clarkson has a knack for turning iconic songs into showstoppers, and her take on Travis Tritt’s fiery anthem, “Here’s a Quarter (Call Someone Who Cares),” is no exception. During ...

Kelly Clarkson's Stunning Cover of “Smoky Mountain Rain” Showcases Her Country Roots

Kelly Clarkson’s Stunning Cover of “Smoky Mountain Rain” Showcases Her Country Roots

Kelly Clarkson’s Kellyoke performances have given fans countless memorable moments. Still, her heartfelt rendition of Ronnie Milsap’s “Smoky Mountain Rain,” aired on The Kelly Clarkson Show on June 1, 2022, ...

Alan Jackson and Hank Jr. Bring "The Blues Man" to Life With Unforgettable Duet

Alan Jackson and Hank Jr. Bring “The Blues Man” to Life With Unforgettable Duet

There are moments in country music that feel like they were destined to happen—moments when two titans of the genre come together to remind the world why country music remains ...

This Teen's Take on 'Folsom Prison Blues' Feels Like a Johnny Cash Revival

This Teen’s Take on ‘Folsom Prison Blues’ Feels Like a Johnny Cash Revival

There’s something electrifying about a young performer bringing a legend’s music to life. At just 14 years old, Haavard Nilsen didn’t just perform Johnny Cash’s classic “Folsom Prison Blues”—he embodied ...

Lorrie Morgan's Dramatic Take on the Classic "A Picture of Me (Without You)"

Lorrie Morgan’s Dramatic Take on the Classic “A Picture of Me (Without You)”

When it comes to heartbreak anthems, few songs hit as hard as “A Picture of Me (Without You).” Originally recorded by George Jones in 1972, the song is a country ...

Four-Year-Old Braydon's Precious Cover of "As Soon as I Hang Up the Phone" Will Melt Your Heart

Four-Year-Old Braydon’s Precious Cover of “As Soon as I Hang Up the Phone” Will Melt Your Heart

In country music, legends like Loretta Lynn and Conway Twitty have given us timeless classics that continue to resonate across generations. But in 2014, one pint-sized performer brought fresh life ...

Leave a Comment

For security, use of Google's reCAPTCHA service is required which is subject to the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.