Season nine of The Masked Singer premiered last night (2/15). The first reveal of the season was nothing short of amazing! The second had a country connection.

The “Gnome” sang the song “When You’re Smiling” to give a hint to the identity inside the costume. The voice sounded familiar. However, when we found out who it was we found that the legendary voice had changed from a long life lived well.

The Masked Singer judges were blown away by the reveal, and even Nicole Scherzinger was reduced to tears. The “Gnome” was Dick Van Dyke of “Mary Poppins,” “Chitty Chitty Bang Bang,” and “The Dick Van Dyke Show.”

“I think some people thought I was dead,” the 97-year-old told Entertainment Tonight following his reveal.

The night’s second reveal was one that country fans might have been able to guess … or maybe not.

“Mustang” sang “Here I Go Again” by Whitesnake as a solo performance.

After Dick Van Dyke was revealed “Mustang” and “Medusa” had to go head-to-head singing “Diamonds” by Rihanna. The audience voted and it was “Mustang” who would be unmasked and heading home.

When the mask came off “Mustang” was revealed to be country music star Sara Evans! She said the reason she decided to do the show was, “I love the show, and, you know, I don’t think there’s enough country artists represented!”

By: Buck Stevens