'Your voice is amazing': Montgomery's Reid Wilson, 14, sings on 'Jennifer Hudson Show'

This might sound familiar. A teenage boy from Montgomery’s Wilson family is in a nationally televised singing spotlight.

For those thinking of 16-year-old Capitol Records recording artist Ryley Tate, a top eight finalist on season 23 of NBC’s “The Voice,” you’re not too far off the mark.

Over the past year, Ryley Tate’s little brother Reid, 14, has released several online singing videos. One of his most recent ones went viral, and people started tagging it for singer, actress and talk show host Jennifer Hudson. That led to Hudson's producers contacting the Wilsons and inviting them to fly to Los Angeles to appear on "The Jennifer Hudson Show."

"She was very nice," Reid said of Hudson.

Reid and Ryley Tate are two of five children of Capt.  Robert T. Wilson of Montgomery Fire Rescue and homeschool teacher mom Kelley Wilson — who described Hudson as welcoming, warm, encouraging and sincere.

“Your voice is amazing, and I’m a fan,” Hudson said to Reid when he appeared on the show Monday. Along with an interview, he sang a duet of Aretha Franklin’s “Ain’t No Way” with Hudson — with big bro Ryley Tate accompanying them on piano.

Of course, singing in front of a camera is a lot different than singing in front of a live audience. Having Ryley Tate there made being on the show a lot easier, Reid said.

"That was definitely what helped me get through all the nerves and stuff like that," Reid said.

While in LA, their mom said Ryley Tate was able to meet with his producer and work on an upcoming single.

"We got to go visit his label (Capitol Records) for the first time... and we got to reunite with a bunch of our 'Voice' friends and do a karaoke party," Kelley said.

So what's it like having another son singing on TV?

"It was completely surreal," Kelley said. "I thought, wow, our lives are really getting strange now — in a good way."

Reid has always had a powerful voice, and his mom said he's been putting it to use since he was little. Back then, he just didn't have much control over it.

“You would hear me running around the house just like screaming basically, until recently I started getting the hang of it,” Reid said.

Reid got some encouragement from Ryley Tate's vocal coach.

"Before he spoke to her, he didn't have any confidence in himself as a singer," Kelley said. "She wanted to talk to him and tell him how incredible his voice was. That was kind of a turning point for him."

Some of that early child came out when Reid found out he was going to be on the show. Reid said he ran around the house screaming and waving his arms.

“I am your biggest fan,” Reid told Hudson. “I listen to your music every single day when I make my bed, and when I’m on a walk. I’m just like singing your music all the time.”

Reid was first introduced to Hudson through the 2016 animated movie "Sing," in which Hudson was the singing voice for character Nana Noodleman.

"I was like, 'Wow, I wonder who that sheep is,'" Reid said.

Along with Hudson, Reid said his music influences are Whitney Houston, Toni Braxton and Ariana Grande.

Reid and his family celebrated the show's airing Monday with a watch party and donuts. No, he didn't make the donuts, but he probably could have. Along with singing, Reid is a budding chef. He loves making cakes and holiday items like Christmas cookies.

“I like baking, so that’s kind of like a side thing,” Reid said. “In my neighborhood, some people order cakes and stuff for birthdays.”

Back when Ryley Tate was on "The Voice," he put that baking talent to use raising funds for the family's airfare to Los Angeles.

Hudson’s show had a double dose of “The Voice” connection for Reid, whose brother was a member of Niall Horan’s team.  Hudson was on “The Voice” as a celebrity coach for seasons 13 and 15, as well as on “The Voice UK” for seasons 6, 7, and 8.

Along with singing and baking, Reid said he loves to crochet and is into athletics — gymnastics, baseball, soccer and Montgomery's brand new water polo team.

Next month, Reid and family will be flying out to Chicago to be featured on vocal coach Cheryl Porter's TikTok channel, and his mom said there has been some other industry offers.

Reid offered thanks to everyone who has encouraged and supported him so far.

“I think you’re a star, and you are well on your way,” Hudson said to Reid.

Montgomery Advertiser reporter Shannon Heupel covers things to do in the River Region. Contact him at sheupel@gannett.com

This article originally appeared on Montgomery Advertiser: 'Your voice is amazing': Reid Wilson, 14, on 'Jennifer Hudson Show'