By day, Lucas Holliday is a sales associate at discount chain Dollar General in Lansing, MI. and moonlights in a funk band named Tell Yo Mama. But when Nakia Robinson posted a video of Holliday bagging groceries at work while belting out Maxwell’s 1995 hit, “Ascension (Don’t Ever Wonder),” it led Holliday down a path resulting in him singing next to Maxwell onstage in Detroit Friday night.
Whoa. Hidden talent at a Dollar General in Lansing, MI! pic.twitter.com/geoc9EEEph
Fans tweeted the initial viral video to Maxwell, who responded by asking how to get in touch with Holliday so the two could perform together. On Nov. 14, two days after Maxwell’s tweet, Holliday made an appearance on ABC’s Good Morning America to explain his newfound viral fame. Holliday’s appearance was cut short with a special invite.
"if anyone knows where this guy lives let me know i wanna bring him on stage!!!" #soulhasnocolor #maxwellsurbanhangsuite #donteverwonder https://t.co/DkpWmpXtXq
“I saw your video with you singing ‘Ascension,’ and you sound unbelievable,” Maxwell said in a pre-recorded message to Holliday on Good Morning America. “I wanted to personally invite you onstage at my Detroit show this Friday. And hopefully you’ll join us.”
Making good on the invite, Holliday joined Maxwell as the King and Queen of Hearts tour made a stop in Auburn Hills, MI. Maxwell provided backing vocals as Holliday got a solo run singing the song that garnered him national news coverage.
Maxwell later tweeted Holliday was “doing more for me than he ever realizes” after indicating he traded text messages with Holliday. According to Facebook, Robinson’s initial video of Holliday has approximately 647,000 views and has been liked nearly 7,000 times.
