From Macklemore to Monday Night Football: Ray Dalton still in awe

Ray Dalton has come a long way since his days singing in the choir at Shorecrest High School. And after touring the world with hip-hop sensation Macklemore, the 22-year-old admits he never thought he’d get to sing the national anthem on Monday Night Football before the Seahawks and Saints squared off.

“I just can’t believe that I go from being at school and the next thing you know I’m on a plane to Ireland and Europe,” said singer Ray Dalton, whose work on Macklemore’s hit track “Can’t Hold Us,” took him to the top of the charts and on a world tour.

“Everything has been like an overnight sensation. We’ve just been on tour this whole year. It’s been amazing. I can’t ask for anything more,” Dalton told KIRO Radio’s Dori Monson.

Monson knew Dalton from his high school days, where Monson’s own daughter sang.

“How do you go from singing in the choir at Shorecrest High School to being part of this phenomenon that you are a part of now,” Monson asked.

“I love to sing, you know that,” said Dalton. “We just all found each other. It was like a magical thing.”

Dalton said he was first approached by Producer Ryan Lewis who saw him performing and liked his voice. They began working on projects together, and eventually Lewis introduced Dalton to Macklemore.

“They were like ‘Yo, you’re really good. We want you to be a part of our team,’ and I was like, ‘OK,'” said Dalton. “This was before ‘Thrift Shop,’ before ‘My Oh My.’ This was before all the mayhem had happened. And we just made songs and made songs and then the next thing you know, they’re on the radio.”

With Macklemore’s “Can’t Hold Us” topping the charts, songs climbed the charts, Dalton joined them on the world tour playing to thousands at festivals and in arenas all year long. Still, Monson reminded him of just how big his audience would be for Monday Night Football.

“This is probably the biggest regular season sporting event in Seattle history and you’re going to be singing the national anthem in front of 67,000,” said Monson.

“Oh my gosh. I don’t even want to think about it. I’m just going to focus on the notes, singing the notes,” said Dalton with a laugh, who continued saying he’s really excited to sing for the Seahawks.

“When I got asked to sing it I was like, hell yeah I’m going to fly in. This is such a crazy honor to be able to sing for the Seahawks,” said Dalton.

Dalton appears with Macklemore and Ryan Lewis at Key Arena Tuesday-Thursday December 10-12.