Meet Mason Ramsey: The 2018 Viral Yodel Boy At Walmart

Mason Ramsey or also more popularly known as ‘Yodel Boy’ or ‘Lil’ Hank’ had taken social media by storm after a video of him yodeling in his hometown Walmart went viral in early 2018. Fitted with his white dress shirt tucked in tight-fitting blue jeans-wearing leather boots and finished off with a red bowtie, the then 11-year-old undeniably looked the part of a country musician as well. And he definitely had the talent and the star quality on top of that.

But after yodeling his way to television, the Coachella, the Opry, and a high-profile record deal, where is Mason Ramsey now? 

Boy Yodels to the Tune of Hank Williams’ “Lovesick Blues”

On March 24, 2018, a teacher’s assistant in Harrisburg, Illinois, and a longtime classic country fan named Dana Tanner was shopping in her hometown Walmart when she heard a familiar voice singing just a few aisles from her. 

Mason Ramsey is popular in his hometown as a performer at local festivals and also a participant in small-town talent competitions around the area. The kid definitely loves singing, and he is so passionate about it that he would routinely sing Hank Williams songs in public. So, it wasn’t surprising that people would recognize his voice. 

When Tanner finally found him, she asked Ramsey’s grandmother if she could record a video of him singing. And then she uploaded the video on her Facebook after. This wasn’t the first time she did this, so she was shocked when she received a phone call from a relative in Texas telling her that her video had gone viral. 

And one thing led to another. Mason became an overnight sensation, and before he could process all the fame, he was out there appearing on Ellen and getting invited to perform at Coachella. He also received a scholarship from Walmart. But the most memorable one was that he was given a chance to fulfill his dream since he was three – to perform on the stage of the Grand Ole Opry. 

The viral video also landed him a contract and his very own debut single titled “Famous.” 

Who is Mason Ramsey?

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A post shared by Mason Ramsey (@masonramsey)

Mason Ramsey was born on November 16, 2006 and raised in Golconda, Illinois by his paternal grandparents. Ernest and Frances, when he was just three weeks old. Mason has an older sister, although there were hardly any details about his family. 

Mason could sing before he could even speak, and he loved listening to the music of the 1940s and the ‘50s alongside his grandparents. And even before he became viral, he already has an impressive resume to boast about.  

At age 4, he already performed for Josh Turner, then opened for Gene Watson when he was five. Then he took up the guitar when he turned 6, and at the age of 7, he already sang with Kenny Rogers. But that wasn’t just all of it.

In January 2015, he won the beginner division of the 27th Annual Kentucky Opry Talent Search with his rendition of Williams’ “Your Cheatin’ Heart.” Then two years later, he found himself as an internet star after a video of him singing Williams’ “Hey Good Lookin’” got picked up. He even performed the song in a radio station studio with his guitar. 

Where is Mason Ramsey now?

After his whirlwind journey to fame, he released his debut single “Famous.” After that, Mason Ramsey got to enjoy his life – meet and perform with other artists. And in 2019, he released another song titled Twang, which you can watch in the video below.