Nothing warms the heart quite like the song of a child.
It’s both precious and adorable to witness a kid singing their heart out. And in the moments where they seem as though they may actually be better than you, it can also be quite humbling. Even better is a child singing a song long before their time. It’s endearing to consider their parents have worked to instill their love and passion for music in them, keeping the most beloved songs alive, generation after generation.
Take 5-year-old Violet Burdick, for instance.
She recently impressed the entire audience of Ellen with her heartfelt rendition of Dolly Parton’s “Jolene.”
The studio audience and the world beyond eagerly witnessed young Violet belt out the country classic while her father accompanied her on guitar.
Ryan Burdick has always been known as a local musician in Scio, New Y0rk. It was only natural for him to pass this talent onto his daughter.
Violet fancies herself the biggest Dolly Parton fan and didn’t hesitate to chat DeGeneres up about it before breaking out into the 1974 hit.
And her rendition is truly the most adorable thing ever!
Violet’s Ellen breakout was the result of a viral brush with fame and her family believing in her.
Her father’s band, The Ruddy Well Band, has invited Violet numerous times to come and sing on stage with them. During a performance, while she was four, she sang Parton’s “Coat of Many Colors” and the video hit over one million views on Facebook.
Violet was enthralled with the song and Parton’s history and explained:
“Dolly Parton grew up so poor in a dirt-floor home with 11 siblings. A lady from church dropped off a bag of rags and her mom sewed them together as a coat. Dolly was picked on at school and said ‘This is Joseph’s coat of colors from the Bible. You don’t get it.”
Her father explained to the Daily Reporter:
“When the video was posted, a vendor who sells the Coats of Colors, which are sold at Dollywood, contacted us and wanted to send Violet a coat.”
Another video was posted to the Parton fan site and received another whopping four million views!
Burdick’s band had to take a hiatus due to family life and the rising pandemic, but he continued to make music at home with his daughter.
It was his sister, Violet’s Aunt Erin, who eventually sent the viral videos to Ellen. The producers called back frantically, eagerly hoping to secure a spot for Violet on an upcoming broadcast.
In the video, Violet vibrates with adoration for Dolly Parton.
When DeGeneres asks her what she loves so much about Parton, she replies:
“Because…she has a beautiful voice and she gives books to kids in need.”
And no sooner does Violet and her father take place on another couch on stage and launch into the flawless cover of “Jolene.”
The 5-year-old sings with evident passion and it’s sure to melt every part of your heart!
DeGeneres keeps the spirit alive by offering the Burdicks an all-expenses-paid vacation to Dollywood in Tennessee—a total surprise!
Check out this utterly sweet Dolly Parton cover for yourself in the video linked below—you won’t want to miss this!
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