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

High Schooler In Overalls and Straw Hat Stuns The Crowd With His Banjo-Playing Skills

by
  • Riley is a Senior Country Music Journalist for Country Thang Daily, known for her engaging storytelling and insightful coverage of the genre.
  • Before joining Country Thang Daily, Riley developed her expertise at Billboard and People magazine, focusing on feature stories and music reviews.
  • Riley has a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism from Belmont University, with a minor in Cultural Studies.

Have you ever competed in any talent show when you were in high school? This fun-filled event can surely be a great way for students to showcase their talents and build their confidence.

For the most part, we already know what to expect from one of these talent shows: someone will get up with their friends to do a dance number, someone will tell jokes that make the crowd laugh, and so on. No matter what it is, these shows bring the community together and break up the school day’s monotony.

But one performance from a young man definitely stole the show. We’re talking about a video that was posted online in 2013. The performance was uploaded by a channel called Mile Higher Boys, which took place at a Bennett High School talent show.

The video started with a cheering crowd and a young man walking across the stage. From the very start, it’s clear that this is going to be an unusual performance. The young man, dressed in overalls and a straw hat, stepped up front and center, barefoot with an electric banjo in his hand.

When he got to the other side of the stage, he sat down and grabbed the microphone to address the audience. Right away, he said a few words in a “hillbilly” accent, and the entire crowd is cracking up. As he explained, he’s going to play a few songs on the banjo for everyone and hope that they enjoy them.

Although The Whole Set Up Was A Joke, His Playing Definitely Is Not!

Finally, he plugged his instrument in and started to play. Although the entire set up was a joke – he even took a dip out of a can to make it look like he was chewing tobacco – his playing definitely isn’t!

The student, whose name is Joel, started plucking out a beautiful melody on the banjo. Though it kicked off slowly, he gradually picked up speed and added more notes, making the audience cheer right along with him.

Playing “Cripple Creek,” followed by the classic song “Foggy Mountain Breakdown,” he managed to showcase his pickin’ skills and showed off a talent none of his friends possibly knew he had. You can tell by the audience’s reaction just how impressed they were with Joel’s hidden talent.

Indeed, he won the audience over, who were clapping along and cheering loudly at the end of his performance. Though we did not know if he won the contest, he definitely put his best foot forward!

You can watch the incredible performance below!

Latest Stories

8-Year-Old Annafaith Wows with Cover of Willie Nelson's "Always on My Mind"

8-Year-Old Annafaith Wows with Cover of Willie Nelson’s “Always on My Mind”

Willie Nelson’s “Always on My Mind” is one of those rare songs that seems to transcend time, weaving its way into the hearts of listeners for decades. Covering such an ...

Garth Brooks' Daughter Allie Colleen Scores Her First Top-40 Country Hit

Garth Brooks’ Daughter Allie Colleen Scores Her First Top-40 Country Hit

In 2021, Allie Colleen, the youngest daughter of country legend Garth Brooks, proved that musical talent runs in the family. With her single “Ain’t the Only Hell (My Momma Raised),” ...

Reba McEntire and Dolly Parton's "Does He Love You" Is the Collaboration We've Been Waiting For

Reba McEntire and Dolly Parton’s “Does He Love You” Is the Collaboration We’ve Been Waiting For

When Reba McEntire and Dolly Parton team up, it feels like the stars have aligned over Nashville. These two queens of country music, with careers that have shaped the genre ...

Ben Haggard's "As Haggard as They Come" Honors His Father While Defining His Own Path

Ben Haggard’s “As Haggard as They Come” Honors His Father While Defining His Own Path

In 2019, Ben Haggard delivered a performance at the Grand Ole Opry that felt like a love letter to his roots and a bold step toward his future. His song, ...

Mo Pitney's "Borrowed Angel" Is a Love Letter to Traditional Country

Mo Pitney’s “Borrowed Angel” Is a Love Letter to Traditional Country

In a time when country-pop dominates the charts, Mo Pitney stands out as a refreshing reminder of what makes traditional country music timeless. In an episode of Country Road TV ...

Hannah Kay Honors Loretta Lynn in Powerful "Coal Miner's Daughter" Performance

Hannah Kay Honors Loretta Lynn in Powerful “Coal Miner’s Daughter” Performance

In a world where country music continually evolves, some voices remind us of its timeless roots. In 2019, then-18-year-old Texas singer Hannah Kay did just that with her moving rendition ...

Zach Top’s Journey from Farm Life in WA to Breakout Country Music Star

Zach Top’s Journey from Farm Life in WA to Breakout Country Music Star

Zach Top didn’t just stumble into country music fame; he built his way there from the ground up, starting on a modest farm in Sunnyside, Washington. Far removed from Nashville’s ...

Morgan Wallen’s “Love Somebody” Tackles Real Romance with a Fresh Sound

Morgan Wallen’s “Love Somebody” Tackles Real Romance with a Fresh Sound

Morgan Wallen’s new single, “Love Somebody,” has arrived, and it’s not just another love song—it’s an honest look at the complicated, often bumpy road to finding real connection. After years ...

Morgan Wallen Sets New Records Outshining Dolly Parton and Taylor Swift

Morgan Wallen Sets New Records Outshining Dolly Parton and Taylor Swift

Morgan Wallen’s career continues to reach impressive heights with his latest achievement. This historic milestone solidifies his place among country music’s most celebrated figures. His new single, “Love Somebody,” has ...

Jelly Roll Gets Emotional Sharing a First Look at His Expansive 500-Acre Dream Property

Jelly Roll Gets Emotional Sharing a First Look at His Expansive 500-Acre Dream Property

Country music star Jelly Roll recently shared an emotional video on social media, revealing his purchase of a sprawling 500-acre plot of land. The video, filled with raw emotion and ...