Fresno State band member’s viral performance brings more joy on national TV
The joy of Fresno State cymbals player Travis Morris has been making its way around the world.
A viral video of one of his enthusiastic performances with the Bulldog Marching Band most recently resulted in the 20-year-old being invited on “The Ellen DeGeneres Show.” His nationally-televised meeting with DeGeneres airs in the Fresno area at 4 p.m. Monday on Channel 47.
The Fresno State junior’s viral cymbals performance was also featured on Good Morning America in December.
A clip of Morris’ meeting with DeGeneres was posted online Monday. The talk show host told her audience the video of Morris playing cymbals is “guaranteed to make you happy or at least wake you up.”
Morris said he chose to play the cymbals because “it matches my personality – like I’m really loud, I’m vibrant.”
DeGeneres agreed: “You’ve got such a great, joyous personality.”
The Clovis North High School graduate told The Bee that he also plays the saxophone and tuba, teaches percussion at El Diamante High School in Visalia, and volunteers on the production team at Celebration Church campuses in Fresno and Clovis.
Morris said that after he graduates with a degree in business, he wants to continue pushing his clothing brand, Boogie Mode – a take on his nickname, “T-Boogie.”
Morris said videos circulating the Internet of him playing the cymbals at a Fresno State game in November have now been watched several million times. He called that “humbling.”
Of his impassioned game-day performances, he said: “I really do it to make sure that they (fans) get a good experience. People pay good money to go to football games.” Morris said he wanted to represent Fresno in a positive way on DeGeneres’ show.
DeGeneres had a surprise for Morris during the show’s taping a couple weeks ago. She said she heard his bicycle tires were slashed by someone at Fresno State last year and wanted to do something to help Morris. DeGeneres then walked Morris backstage with the cameras following.
“Alright, this is what happens for nice people – that’s yours,” DeGeneres said, looking at a new black 2020 Jeep Wrangler, courtesy of Shutterfly.
Morris’ reaction: Exuberant screaming and jumping for joy that’s too good for words to describe.
This story was originally published January 20, 2020 at 2:51 PM.
