Mason Ramsey Shows Houston He’s a Star in the Making

Review and Photos by Christian Hernandez

Look, I’m going to be honest, as someone who’s developed a strong relationship with music, country has always been my weakest feat, but after the performance Mason Ramsey put on in Houston, I think I have to give it far more props. Yes, the “yodeling kid” has got me reevaluating how much I actually appreciate music. And let’s get this out of the way too, calling him the “yodeling kid” feels like such a discredit to how much talent he carries with him. He’s utilized his rise to fame as a meme to become an artist with some of the most potential of the new generation. Walking into the sold-out venue at the House of Blues, I do not think I was prepared for how electrifying his performance would be. 

As I made my way into the packed venue, opener Halle Kearns was already underway with her set. Her beautiful golden voice rang throughout the room as she got the crowd ready for the night. Huge shoutout to her, it was magical hearing everyone in the room sing along with her. It felt as if during her set, it was just her, the crowd, and the music. For a moment, nothing else mattered. As she reached the end of her set, you could feel the excitement exuding from everyone. 

I made my way into the crowd, finding my place towards the front, surrounded by what might have been Mason’s biggest fans. They told me they had lined up outside since 1 PM and how they had been looking forward to it all week. Soon, the lights dimmed, and the crowd erupted. His band one by one assumed their positions, and what felt like the strongest stretch, the star of the night made his way to center stage. I couldn’t think the crowd could get louder, but I was quickly proven wrong. He started the show with “Next Right Thing”, which was met with the whole venue singing along, and by the end of just the first song, Mason had the crowd for the entire night. 

At such a young age, he already showcased stellar confidence on stage, making his presence known, oozing confidence and swagger. Throughout the night, you could see his influences shape his demeanor and performance. Off the rip, I could tell he was a big fan of Hank Williams and Elvis Presley. He even did his own spin on Elvis’s stage manners as well as doing a fantastic rendition of “Suspicious Minds”, which was easily the highlight for many of the parents present at the show. 

As Mason continued the show, he reminded a lot of how tweens and teens acted when Justin Bieber first hit the scene. He’s a modern-day heartthrob for the new generation, the likes of which haven’t been seen for years. It was refreshing to see a new artist being able to perform with such charisma and swagger as if they were a seasoned performer. 

Overall, this show was one of my biggest surprises of the year. I could never have anticipated the level of energy and just straight up entertainment that was at work that night.