BUZZ BLOG

WALKER HAYES MEETS MEGA FAN WITH AUTISM AT COUNTRY BOOM

Written by Brittany Styles on July 12, 2022

Tara is a speech/language pathologist who has specialized in autism for over 20 years. She owns a business called Autism Little Learners. She creates materials and resources to help educators and parents of young children with autism. Matt is a special guy with Autism and is one of Tara’s former students. He is a huge Walker Hayes fan. On Matt’s birthday, Tara took Matt to Applebee’s and gave him a ‘Fancy Like’ t-shirt and he was so excited. Tara shared that video on TikTok, and Walker Hayes loved the video and shared it, leading it to go viral!

@autismlittlelearners Pure joy at Applebees! #fancylike #walkerhayes #applebees #autism #autistic #spedteachersoftiktok #slpsoftiktok #autismmom #inspiring #friendship ♬ original sound – Autism Little Learners

After the viral video, Applebee’s gifted Matt the surprise of his life! Tickets to Country Boom in West Salem and meet and greets to meet Walker Hayes!

@autismlittlelearners You all wanted a follow up with my friend Matt and I have a good one!! After the video of Matt opening up the Fancy Like T-shirt gift, the video went viral. @Walker Hayes reposted it, as did @E! News. Matt was over the moon. Then, the unexpected happened…@Applebee’s Grill + Bar reached out to me. They coordinated a meet and greet with Walker Hayes for Matt! This video shows Matt finding out about the meet and greet last night. ❤️? #applebees #fancylike #walkerhayes #specialneeds #thanks ♬ Fancy Like – Walker Hayes

@autismlittlelearners @applebees hook Matt up for the @walkerhayesofficial concert and meet and greet on July 9. Matt is counting down the days! Thank you so much Applebees and Walker… you’ve made this guys dream come true…and then some! #walkerhayes #fancylike #fancylikedance #fancylikechallenge #applebees #specialneeds #neurodiverse #autismlittlelearners ♬ Fancy Like – Walker Hayes

There was a lot of practicing going on before the big day!

@autismlittlelearners Hey @walkerhayesofficial ! We are practicing for Matt’s meet and greet on July 9th!!! ?? #walkerhayes #fancylike #fancylikedance #applebees #specialneeds #spedteachers #slpsoftiktok #autismlittlelearners ♬ Fancy Like – Walker Hayes

Saturday, July 9 at Country Boom in West Salem, Matt finally got to meet his idol, Walker Hayes. What a cool experience! Walker Hayes is a great dude and was clearly a big fan of Matt’s as well.

@autismlittlelearners @walkerhayesofficial and @applebees made Matt’s dreams come true this past weekend. Matt not only saw his favorite artist in concert, but also got to MEET him! Walker was a class act and took so much time with Matt. What a kind human being with a big heart. We definitely need more of this in the world right now!!! #fancylike #walkerhayes #applebees #specialneeds #autismlittlelearners ♬ original sound – Autism Little Learners

And for the big finish…they danced to ‘Fancy Like’ with Walker Hayes! Walker had Matt sign HIS shirt. He wore that shirt on stage for his performance, so every time Walker turned around Matt got to see his name on the jumbotron. Matt will remember this experience for the rest of his life, and I think Walker will too!

@autismlittlelearners This is what makes @walkerhayesofficial stand out from all the rest. When asked to sign Matt’s shirt, he does and then asks Matt to sign HIS shirt. Then, he proceeds to wear the shirt for the entire show and every time he turns around Matt sees his own name up on the jumbotron! #imnotcryingyouare #walkerhayes #fancylike #fancylikedance #specialneeds #autismlittlelearners #applebees #countrymusic #nashville #countryboom #goodpeople ♬ Fancy Like – Walker Hayes