When it comes to music, it doesn’t get more American than country. When the average person thinks of the country music genre, he or she is drawn back to the world of the Old West, where cowboys reigned supreme, opportunities were everywhere, and the frontier was endless. While the traditional notion of country music still exists, the genre has become much more diverse in recent years. One of the most exciting new acts is a yodeling cowgirl named Ezrah Noelle from Oklahoma. Young Ezrah came onto the country music scene in 2010. At only 8 years old, Ezrah made a name for herself in a now-viral video.
The little girl performed “I Want to Be a Cowboy Sweetheart” at the Centennial Rodeo Opry in Oklahoma City’s Stockyards City, reports Newsner. “I Want to Be a Cowboy Sweetheart” was originally performed by singer Ruby Blevins in 1935. Blevins, who is better known as Patsy Montana, her stage name, also wrote the song.
In the context of country music history, Blevins is an incredibly important artist because she was the first female singer to release a record that sold over one million copies. “I Want to Be a Cowboy Sweetheart” has been covered by several of the biggest names in country music, including the Dixie Chicks, Cyndi Lauper, and LeAnn Rimes.
Given the song’s storied history, Ezrah knew that she had a lot to live up to when she stepped up to the microphone. Looking every bit like a cowgirl, Ezrah wore knee-high cowboy boots and a cowboy hat with a jean skirt and pink plaid blouse.
Accompanied by a band of much older musicians, Ezrah did Blevins proud. While the audience was impressed by her sweet voice, they were amazed by her yodeling skills. Casual listeners may not be aware that yodeling is a very rare skill among even professional musicians. To yodel, the singer must rapidly change pitch from low to high. Little Ezrah even begins dancing from side to side as she yodels, never once losing her pitch even as the band ups the tempo.
Throughout her performance, the audience at the Centennial Rodeo Opry cheer on young Ezrah. Once the performance is over, the crowd gives Ezrah the biggest applause imaginable as the little girl lets out a triumphant “Yeehaw!”
Just as the crowd at the Centennial Rodeo Opry loved Ezrah’s performance, so too do viewers on the internet. A video of Ezrah’s singing was later posted to YouTube, where it has been watched nearly 200,000 times. Most users can’t get enough of Ezrah’s amazing talent, congratulating her on her yodeling skills and predicting that she has a bright future in the country music industry.
Since her appearance at the Centennial Rodeo Opry, Ezrah retains her love of music. The now teenage girl frequently posts videos of her singing skills to YouTube, where she has over 55,000 subscribers. Ezrah was also featured in a 2016 episode of “Little Big Shots,” a variety show on NBC, reports Newsner.
All in all, Ezrah’s performance of “I Want to Be a Cowboy Sweetheart” is proof positive of how talent can be found in anyone regardless of age. Although a young person, Ezrah’s rendition of the classic song brought her into the hearts of music lovers everywhere.
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