Kentucky elementary student’s stunning rendition of national anthem goes viral

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — O say can you sing? A Kentucky elementary school student’s impassioned version of the national anthem has gone viral.

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Bates Elementary School in Louisville posted a video of 9-year-old DCorey Johnson belting out “The Star-Spangled Banner” on social media, WLKY reported.

Johnson’s teacher, Jessica Hart, said she was shocked the first time she heard him sing during a Zoom call.

“He asked to sing a song after class one day and blew us all away,” Hart told the television station.

“I just love singing,” Johnson told WDRB. “It’s energy to my body.”

The reviews have been positive. Well, mostly.

“My brother, he do (sic) not like it,” Johnson told WDRB, smiling.

Johnson was first asked to sing the national anthem during the school’s morning announcements by Principal Alicia Dunn.

Dunn said she was speechless after hearing the boy’s rendition.

“I really didn’t know what to expect and when he was finished I couldn’t finish the announcements,” Dunn told WHAS.

Johnson is now getting requests for singing at other events.

“I never got to sing the national anthem before but now they want me to sing at a baseball (game) and football (game) and at a school and everywhere, and I’m like, ‘Oh, my Jesus!’” Johnson told WHAS.

For those wondering where Johnson got his singing talent, just ask his father.

“My side (of the family),” Corey Johnson told WDRB with a laugh.

Turning serious, Corey Johnson said his son began singing before he could talk. And now he wants to help inspire others.

“He’s always looking out for the homeless,” Corey Johnson told WLKY. “If we ride past and see somebody, he will say, ‘Hey Dad, you need to stop and let the window down and give them some money,’ and I’ll be like, ‘Hey man, we can’t give everybody the money,’ but to him he wants to help the world.”

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