After becoming a viral sensation as the Wal-Mart yodeling kid, 11-year old country artist Mason Ramsey releases his major-label debut EP, Famous.

Often times, the ascent to fame is slow and excruciating.  After becoming a viral sensation following a yodeling performance at his local Wal-Mart, 11-year old Mason Ramsey, signed a record deal with Atlantic (Big Loud). He’d go on to release his major-label debut country single, “Famous”, and three cover singles (“Lovesick Blues”, “Jambalaya (On the Bayou)”, and “The Way I See It”) before releasing his debut EP, Famous.  Clearly, this kid has talent.

28 days ago I was yodeling inside my local walmart to 11 people. This past weekend I performed in front of 100,000 people at stagecoach. It’s amazing what can happen in just a month. Thanks to all my awesome fans. pic.twitter.com/ryF8XuRfxv

— Mason Ramsey (@masonramsey) April 30, 2018

“Famous” 

“Don’t get me wrong, it’s pretty cool to be on TV.” Mason Ramsey kicks off the first verse of “Famous” speaking about his newfound fame.  The come-up is a popular topic, but Ramsey, being the pre-teen that he is, has his mind on something else.  “But, girl, ever since I met you / I got a whole new perspective.” Love’s brewing, apparently, well, at least according to the songwriters (Canaan Smith and Tyler Hubbard among them).  The cards are revealed on the good-ole, countrified chorus.

“If I’m gonna be famous for somethin’ /I wanna be famous for lovin’ you / If I’m gonna be known around the world / I wanna because of you girl / Nothin’ wrong with the center of attention / Long as I’m with you, I don’t mind the pictures / If I’m gonna be famous for somethin’ / Girl, I wanna be famous for lovin’ you / Famous for lovin’ you.”

Notably, “Famous” was one of the featured ‘famous’ songs on the playlist, 10 Songs That Embrace Being ‘Famous’.

Ramsey ‘returns to his roots’ on a fine studio version of the Hank Williams classic that made him famous, “Lovesick Blues”. This sick, tongue-n-cheek record actually offers a potential, lucrative lane for the young rising country singer that’s worth exploring.  An extremely talented kid with a great voice, his boyish pipes ‘pop’ on this tried-and-true classic.

“Jambalaya (On the Bayou)”

Smartly, Ramsey and his team looked to the late, great Williams once again for “Jambalaya (On the Bayou)”. “Jambalaya (On the Bayou)” ends up being great fit Ramsey, who makes this classic sound refreshingly brand-new.  No, the kiddo doesn’t reinvent it or do something extraordinary with his voice, but he successfully covers traditional country music that many contemporary country artists eschew.  The reason that he became popular was thanks to old-school country, specifically his yodeling. Ramsey’s enthusiastic tenor is the key to the success of this record, recreating the vintage country sound.

“The Way I See It” definitely doesn’t sound like the type of record one associates with an 11-year old.  It doesn’t matter because Ramsey continues to sound incredibly impressive, exhibiting the appropriate, characteristic attitude to successfully pull it off.  That includes the signature country twang – this is southern to the core. Clearly, this kid’s musical aptitude is ‘off the charts’ as he nails the technical aspects of this record. Sure, someone older and more seasoned could do wonders with this, but suits him well, particularly the pre-chorus and chorus.

“Yo Da Lady Who”

Two additional songs grace the EP. If “The Way I See It” doesn’t necessarily fit material associated with the typical 11-year old, “Yo Da Lady Who” does.  This is a fun, nonsensical number that should appeal to kids. “It’s an upbeat, fun, catchy song to do” according to a Ramsey via Tennessean.  Adults will likely be more impressed with a terrific cover of “I Saw the Light,” which concludes Famous.  It’s old-fashioned, but again, the kid has an ‘old soul’ and nails it with those boyish pipes. Personally, hearing it, it was instantly familiar – a song that sometimes gets the ‘walking music’ treatment during the offering at church.

Final Thoughts 

Mason Ramsey proves he’s the God-sent wunderkind of country music on his Famous (EP).  Compared to some of his more established country colleagues, he’s recapturing some of the vintage sounds that helped to make the genre what it is. Ramsey has an absolutely beautiful, impressive voice to be merely 11 years old. Hopefully, he finds a lucrative career in country music. Just imagine how ‘beastly’ he’ll be as he matures!

Gems: “Lovesick Blues,” “Jambalaya (On the Bayou)” & “I Saw the Light”

Mason Ramsey • Famous (EP) • Atlantic / Big Loud • Release: 7.20.18

Photo Credits: Atlantic / Big Loud