Thanks to reality competition shows like The Voice, American Idol, and the Got Talent series – we’re used to seeing deserving vocalists have their dreams come true. However, it’s not just people outwardly seeking fame who are being discovered. In an age of cellphones and the internet, even “the little guys” have the chance to feel the limelight – as sometimes all it takes is a video going viral.
A perfect example is the Walmart cashier that blew everyone away while singing one day at her register.
21-year-old Kayla Slone was an employee at a Walmart located in Logan, West Virginia. What not everyone knew at the time though – was that she’s also an incredible country vocalist.
Slone had a passion for singing and a dream to perform at Nashville’s Grand Ole Opry. But like many others, she never actually pictured her dream coming true. According to ABC News, when Slone was 15-years-old she created a “homemade album” with her brother, but nothing ever came of it.
One day while Slone was at work, she belted out a tune right there in the checkout line.
A customer decided to pull out their phone and capture the cashier’s impromptu performance. Slone, who has a beautiful country sound – sang a rendition of Dolly Parton’s 1971 classic, “Coat of Many Colors.”
In the video, Slone can be seen wearing her name badge and fidgeting with a pen. As she stares out, she sings the heart-tugging lyrics with the voice of an angel.
“Although we had no money
I was rich as I could be
In my coat of many colors
My momma made for me”
Slone’s performance was simple – it wasn’t planned, and there wasn’t a microphone or extra equipment. But when the video was uploaded to the internet it quickly went viral.
Viewers left comments like,
“This girl sings soooo pretty. Just like Dolly Parton. This is a God given talent and hope she gets recognized.”
Suddenly, the West Virginia cashier (who was married to a coal miner), had people recognizing her in the store, asking for her to sing.
Slone also began doing interviews, such as one she did with ABC News. During a taping in the Walmart where she worked, she explained how surprised she was that her performance became such a big hit. She also shared with the news station her dream of singing at the Grand Ole Opry.
Turns out, individuals from the Opry saw the segment when it aired and decided to help Slone’s wish become a reality!
The Opry’s Vice President and General Manager, Pete Fisher, told ABC News:
“Country music at its best is about real people singing real stories about real life. How the chips fall often times in the music industry can be very hard to predict, but it starts with a voice and a passion and we’re happy to give her a stage.”
Slone traveled with her husband to Nashville to sing a rendition of “Coal Miner’s Daughter” on the famous stage, in front of a sea of people.
Before the performance, Slone was surprised again when the legendary country artist, Loretta Lynn, called to wish her luck. A short time later, the cashier was singing Lynn’s song in the venue, experiencing her dream coming true.
You can watch both of Slone’s performances below! Isn’t it incredible that her checkout line performance led her to the big stage of the Grand Ole Opry?
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