Wow This Kid Is Great. Is He The Future Elton John or Billy Joel?
By pyewacket
@pyewacket (43903)
United States
May 13, 2010 9:42pm CST
Last night I was introduced to a Youtube video of a 12 year old named Greyson Chance where he performs at his Sixth Grade Festival his rendition of Lady Gaga's Paparazzi. The video is one of those rapid fire ones that has gotten a lot of attention and has over 9 MILLION hits to it. His talent hasn't gone unnoticed, and only today, May 13th, he appeared on the Ellen DeGeneres Show and even got to speak to Lady Gaga on the phone while on the show.
This kid is unbelievable. He also already has composed two of his own songs in which one can view them over at YouTube as well--
Here's his performance of Lady Gaga's Paparazzi
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bxDlC7YV5is
Here's the article about him on the Ellen DeGeneres Show
http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1639174/20100513/lady_gaga.jhtml
So what do you think? I think this kid has great potential and could be the future Elton John or Billy Joel (my faves)
When you were 12 years old could you perform in a recital like this? I sure as heck couldn't
6 people like this
19 responses
@LilyoftheThorns (12918)
• United States
14 May 10
I saw this video on Ellen DeGeneres...it was awesome! That kid's got some talent! Great voice, and the song rhythm sounded good too.
I definitely was not that creative when I was 12 years old, at least not vocally! lol I preferred fiction writing at the age.
Opera might be a wonderful way to express yourself, but after my sister, I can't bear to hear any of it.@LilyoftheThorns (12918)
• United States
14 May 10
I was shy too pye...probably why I preferred quieter hobbies! I still do lol. But I did take theater in high school and enjoyed it A LOT!
LOL Ambie! Once while I was watching The Phantom of the Opera my sister brought my nieces over...they showed up at the end so his mask was off. And surprisingly neither of my nieces (ages 2 and 4) were afraid of his appearance. They wanted to know how he got an owie! In fact, my 2 year old niece just LOVED the music from the movie, and she taught herself the main theme song. She knows it word for word (evebn the background singing). She's 7 now! I think she might grow up to be a singer, I'd love to help her if that's what she's interested in!
1 person likes this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
14 May 10
Like you I was more into writing at that age than being out in front and performing ...couldn't anyway as I was so shy at the time
1 person likes this
@Loverbear (4918)
• United States
14 May 10
Shoot, when I was 12 years old I could hardly speak in front of more than 3 people! As for singing, my talent is calling stray tom cats. 
Mom and I would be singing together and it would sound like someone rounded up 2 dozen un-neutered tom cats and threw them in a big sack with a female in heat and then shook the bag HARD!! 
Bill loves for me to sing with the radio, but I refuse because I know my voice is terrible! Who me sing in front of millions of people? Only if they turn off the sound.
Mom and I would be singing together and it would sound like someone rounded up 2 dozen un-neutered tom cats and threw them in a big sack with a female in heat and then shook the bag HARD!!
Bill loves for me to sing with the radio, but I refuse because I know my voice is terrible! Who me sing in front of millions of people? Only if they turn off the sound.2 people like this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
14 May 10
When I was that age, I don't think my voice was too bad, but I was so shy that like you the idea of getting up in front of a lot of people, even just to do a speech of some kind got me into panic attacks--ironically many years later though I studied drama, was a drama major in college and yes performed...but by then my confidence was a lot better in myself
@Loverbear (4918)
• United States
14 May 10
I was heavy into drama in High school, but the drama teacher had "very busy" hands and I ended up leaving drama. I got involved in art classes and that's where my heart stayed. In fact today I was thinking about my life, and realized a lot of my depression right now is from the lack of doing art work on a consistent basis. I went to my local Michaels craft supply store and picked up a bunch of stuff to make some jewelry that I will be entering in the fair. I think that doing the jewelry and working on bears this weekend will really help my blues.
1 person likes this
@zed_k4 (17589)
• Singapore
15 May 10
Awesome. I've just posted this video to my Facebook account. Awesome rendition, great sounding kid and he'll definitely get a record deal for sure. Just like Justin Bieber, and there's no limit to his amount of success in future. YouTube is getting more awesome by the day; discovering rare talents. In fact, there are lots of great singers in the making that I've come across; some of those home-made videos.
1 person likes this
@catdla1 (6005)
• United States
14 May 10
This child is amazing! He actually lives near us here in Oklahoma. I am a frequent critic of the school curriculums here, but most of the metro schools have excellent music programs. Perhaps that's why the likes of Garth Brooks, Toby Keith, Patti Page, Carrie Underwood and Reba McEntire are from Oklahoma. My step-daughter plays in the philharmonic orchestra in her high school. They frequently compete in state and national contests and do very well for themselves.
2 people like this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
14 May 10
Ironically, they never had great "art" programs of any kind in my schools not when I was a kid or even now due to budget cuts, like the thought here is that any art program, whether art, music, dance just isn't important enough
1 person likes this
@catdla1 (6005)
• United States
14 May 10
Most schools have their good programs, and then the rest of them. Unfortunately, most of the rest of the curriculum in the step-daughter's school is lack-luster...in my opinion. Most teachers scale the grades enabling kids to graduate but learn next to nothing. It's a pity that all of the programs aren't supported on the same level.
1 person likes this
@zedrick_11 (931)
• Philippines
14 May 10
yeah i've watched that and i was amazed..
in his young age he gets to sing very well..
i think maybe he can be a very good artist like Justin Bieber soon..
2 people like this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
14 May 10
I don't even think I could sing that well when I was his age
@charmed007 (217)
• Philippines
14 May 10
If given a chance, he can be a great artist on his own and with his own unique style, without getting compared to either both Elton John or Billy Joel.
2 people like this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
14 May 10
I kind of compared him to Elton John and Billy Joel since I'm betting that's how they started out as kids
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
14 May 10
I used to play guitar but when I was much older than 12, maybe 15 or so??? I never had music in front of me since quite frankly couldn't read music well...LOL I studied a LOT of music while in college and STILL couldn't read it well...I based my playing on what I heard from a song then duplicated it
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
14 May 10
LOL--I only heard of him last night at that "other" hang out of mine...
1 person likes this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
14 May 10
Just saw your remark about your sister signing opera 24/7--my mother was an opera nutcase and would blast her records so loud it was a wonder my eardrums didn't pop--like you I can't stand opera...
1 person likes this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
19 May 10
I just heard an update last night...he's already been offered a recording contract!
@celticeagle (159474)
• Boise, Idaho
14 May 10
I saw this kid on Ellen yesterday too. He is sure a little pistol. What a personality and talent! For twelve years old he is something else. I hope my grandson is that way when he is twelve. He is seven now. He was pretty cute in the interview. I sometimes don't care for the youth much but he was very good.
1 person likes this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
14 May 10
Unfortunately I missed Ellen's show...never think to have the TV on during the day..LOL. But I saw some segments of him on the show and yes he was great
1 person likes this
@Opal26 (17679)
• United States
14 May 10
Hey pye! Nice to see ya around! I saw this video yesterday on
Youtube and thought it was outrageous! I am so not a fan of
Lady Gaga, but fell in love with this song "Pappazzi"! Greyson
is being compared to Justin Beiber, not Elton or Billy! He is
so copying the "Beiber look" (which I personally hate) with his
hair and the "hair shake"! yuck puck! But, nontheless the boy's
got talent! No voice lessons, 3 years piano lessons and he is
incredible! Damn! He beats out that beotch "piano teacher w h o r e"
next door that I have been forced to listen to for the last 30
years! This guy is truly talented! Honestly, more than that Bieber
kid! Hope he follows that dream and knocks that Bieber kid out of
the running forever! Sorry, but I mean it! (He's cuter too, but
has to lose that damn haircut)!
1 person likes this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
14 May 10
LOL--I had to actually look up and listen to a Justin Bieber song as I wasn't familiar with him--the one song I was listening to was a rap song, so I don't think this Greyson is going to go into rap, doesn't seem to be his style
@evepin (721)
• Philippines
14 May 10
i loved his performance too and i thought that he was really great. good piano playing, great voice. i think this kid has a future in the music industry. considering that he's only 12 right? such an amazing performance. he changed the arrangement of the song and made it his own. loved it!
1 person likes this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
14 May 10
I think he has a great future ahead of him too...would love to follow his music "career" and see if he makes a real go of it.
@MissDaffy (8)
• United States
18 May 10
I wrote an article on this kid for another website I write for. I think this kid is so phenomenal, and with vocal training and breath training he will be unbelievable! I think it was so sweet that Lady GaGa called while he was on the Ellen Show. Just proves that GaGa really is a talented woman with a heart of gold. I am supporting Greyson!
1 person likes this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
2 Jun 10
The latest I heard was this, he appeared on the Ellen Degeres show for a second time and since he had been part of a children's talent search he won! He got a check for $10,000 and now also has a record deal!!
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
14 May 10
LOL--I only cited Elton John and Billy Joel, since I'm just betting that's how the two of them started out. It does seem that at this young age he does have his own "style"
@reckon21 (3479)
• Philippines
14 May 10
I agree with you that the kid got so much talent with in him. The fact that he could sing in excellent manner and his voice is impressive that really make me spell bound. I happen to see the youtube video and I admit I was mesmerize by his performance. Too young with such enormous talent and I believe he can go along way.
But he must finish his study first and entertain fame later on. He is too young for the fame to corrupt his young and innocent mind. But I think if stardom really wants him he could not avoid it. If he is my son I will choose his study over fame.
1 person likes this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
14 May 10
I guess a lot depends what kind of parents he has. So many parents, especially mother's turn into "stage mother's" and push their kids into the spotlight and often with bad effects on the kid. So both his parents and this kid have to be practical and yes, he does need to finish his schooling
@paula27661 (15811)
• Australia
14 May 10
Great version of the song. This kid is clearly gifted. He has real professionalism about him and you can see the love he has for his music. I heard a couple of pieces he wrote himself which are also on Tube. I am no music expert but I would have to say this boy has a great future ahead of him!
As far as me at 12...Nope could not hold a tune to save my life...Still can't!
As far as me at 12...Nope could not hold a tune to save my life...Still can't!1 person likes this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
14 May 10
I think this kid is really talented. I mean a lot of kids may be gifted in playing music but how many actually write their own music and songs? I wasn't too bad of a singer at that age, but only in a group situation. The idea of singing solo in front of an audience would have completely freaked me out..LOL
1 person likes this
@cerebellum (3863)
• United States
14 May 10
If you couldn't see him, you would think it was someone older singing. When I was 12 I couldn't do anything like that! I still can't. I just hope he can adjust to having his voice change if and when it does.
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
14 May 10
LOL--that's right, since he's only 12 his voice will be changing fairly soon. Who knows? It might be even better than now
@baobaoyuanyuan (49)
• Australia
14 May 10
wow, i saw this video yesterday and i almost fell in love with that little boy...
he is so talented, and so cute...
he will be great, if his voice wont changed to the way we dont want...
1 person likes this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
14 May 10
Yes he is at the age where his voice will be changing soon. It might be even better when it does
