Is there anything that’s better than listening to a child sing their heart out? Well, yes actually. When they sing it out in key.
It’s the most endearing thing in the world to hear, and even a little humbling too. Especially when you know they’re singing the song far better than you ever could hope to.
5-year-old Violet Burdick is a perfect example.
She recently impressed the entire audience of Ellen with her heartfelt rendition of a Dolly Parton classic.
What’s the song?
She sang “Jolene”, of course.
The studio audience and the world beyond eagerly witnessed young Violet belt out the country classic while her father accompanied her on guitar.
Her dad’s a veteran of the industry.
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.
She sings it like she wrote it.
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.
She went viral without trying.
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 told 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.
They kept playing through the pandemic.
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.”
Then, it was time to sing.
No sooner does Violet and her father take place on another couch on stage before launching into a flawless cover of “Jolene.”
Violet’s a tiny bundle of passion.
The 5-year-old sings with evident passion and it’s sure to melt every part of your heart.
You know Ellen loves surprises, right?
DeGeneres keeps the spirit alive by offering the Burdicks an all-expenses-paid vacation to Dollywood in Tennessee—a total surprise.
See Violet’s goosebump-giving cover of Jolene below!
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