Since the first time I saw a video of this talented 15-year-old performing on
the streets of England, I have been dying to meet him.
From Rotherham, England, please welcome Alfie Sheard.
Wait until you all hear him sing.
This guy is amazing.
So 3 million people have seen this video, what does that feel like?
>> It feels awesome and can I just say thank you so much for
bringing me to America.
Thank you all for coming.
>> [APPLAUSE] >> You are so welcome.
>> Thank you. >> [APPLAUSE]
>> So yeah,
this is your first time in the United States?
>> Yeah. >> What do you think?
>> It's amazing we've seen the hollywood sign, our hotel is massive,
we've seen then Capital Records as well, they're building it which is amazing.
>> By the way when you're in the hotel room,
eat the stuff in the mini bar because we're taking care of that.
>> [LAUGH] [APPLAUSE] >> Yeah.
>> All right, you should do that.
How old were you when you started singing and performing?
>> I first picked up my guitar around the age of 12.
My mom got me a couple of lessons, but I mostly self-taught and
then the singing kind of went along with it to be honest.
>> So you wanted to play guitar and that’s why she got you the guitar and
then you just started singing.
>> Yeah, I just wanted to do it.
I don't really know why.
I just always wanted to play the guitar and sing.
>> Right, well, when people see you,
that's why 3 million people have watched it.
You're born to do this, that's why.
Because it's in your soul, you can tell.
So you perform on the street as we saw and that's how I saw you.
And that's called busking?
>> Yeah, busking.
>> Busking, so you make some money.
Why do you like performing on the street?
>> Because basically I can do new songs I've never done.
And when you see people walking past smiling and videoing it, it feels amazing.
It feels like you're doing something right and
I just love to see people smile to be honest.
>> Awe, that's really sweet.
So when they walk by, do most of them stop?
Does it feel weird if they don't stop?
Do you look at them and try to follow them?
>> [LAUGH] >> Some people stop and video,
which is the people that come up and say you're so good, thank you.
>> Mm-hm.
>> And the people that walk along, you just look at them and
give them a cheeky wink.
>> Yeah.
>> [LAUGH] >> That's sweet.
And then what do you do with the money that you make?
>> Mostly reinvest it into my music, buy new gear.
But what I do a lot is I come home and I want to buy a new guitar.
I don't actually have to go to my mom, I can do it all myself.
It takes a bit of weight off of her shoulders as well,
cuz I don't have to rely on her for money.
>> Yeah, that's really sweet.
You said this earlier but I want you to answer the question here.
I said you wanna be a musician, but really what's your ultimate goal?
>> My ultimate goal is to come out one day and say hey,
mom you don't have to work anymore, I'll take care of you.
>> [APPLAUSE]
>> That is the correct answer.
Because that really means you're doing it because you love doing it.
But Mandy, that must feel amazing that- >> It's
absolutely overwhelming to hear him say that.
>> Yeah.
And he's so talented.
Good for you for seeing that and getting him a guitar, that's the payoff for
you one day.
>> Yeah, [LAUGH] it was the best move ever >> Good investment.
So you love Ed Sheeran, right?
>> I love Ed Sheeran, yeah.
>> He's very cool, he is a really great guy.
So he was just here, I mentioned to you last week.
>> Yeah.
>> And he has a little message.
Hey, Alfie, well done for just being amazing and playing all the time.
I have heard your stuff and everyone has been very,
very complimentary about it as well.
And I wanted to take this opportunity to give you one of my guitars.
The only way that I'm giving you this guitar is if you play it every day.
Cuz It's an instrument, that's not there to be looked at, it's there to be played.
So I'm gonna write play it every day, yeah, sweet.
Keep playing, write as many songs as you can.
Do as many shows as you can.
And Ellen will book you in.
Well she's probably gonna book you already, but yeah.
Have fun, see you in a bit.
>> [APPLAUSE] >> All right, where'd he go?
>> [APPLAUSE] >> My dates.
>> All right, so, >> [APPLAUSE]
>> I mean really, he was blown away.
We showed him your stuff and everybody, you're just so talented,
I feel like we're all gonna witness something today.
This is his first television appearance, so we're gonna take a break.
When we come back, Alfie is gonna perform.
>> [APPLAUSE] >> Thank you.