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August 26, 2011 1:39 PM

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Teen in braces sings tender song to "Daddy"

By: Overtime Staff
Topics: Overtime Original

This week, one of the most moving interview moments on the "60 Minutes" broadcast happened when a 14-year-old in braces sang a cappella to correspondent Lesley Stahl. The tender song is called "Where Were You?" and Yolanda Howard wrote it about her father, who had suddenly appeared in his teenage daughter's life for a day. It was the first time Yolanda had met her dad, and she hadn't seen him since.

"Where Were You?" is a song we almost didn't get to hear. Over a year ago, "60 Minutes" producers went looking for a story at the "Gospel for Teens" auditions in Harlem. It wasn't until months later that Yolanda happened to mention to the producers that she'd written a song. It seemed outside the scope of their story, but once they heard her sing it, the producers say they were blown away.

Jennie Held, associate producer at "60 Minutes," got to know Yolanda throughout the year. In this "60 Minutes Overtime" video, Jennie recalls the moment when the teenager's emotional song came to light.

Watch part one and part two of Lesley Stahl's report.

UPDATE: "60 Minutes" producers contacted Yolanda after the "Gospel for Teens" story aired on our broadcast. Yolanda reports that after her father heard her song, he reached out to her. They have since seen each other twice.

What do you think of Yolanda's song? Comment below.

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by egorj26 August 29, 2011 8:14 PM EDT: I was touch by the story Gospel For Teens. It makes me feel good that someone is doing something postive to inspire the youth of today. The 60 mintue overtime story Teen in braces sings tender song to "Daddy"
brought tears to my eyes. I'm sure that if he would have tried to get to know her and bound with her he would have found that he has some one that only wants to be loved. He missed a prefect opprotunity.
Yolanda Howard you stay positive and keep doing what you do.

Robert E. Clary
Bainbridge, Georgia

Read more: http://www.cbsnews.com/8601-500251_162-7378726.html?assetTypeId=58&tag=contentBody;vidSocialBarId#ixzz1WSxfrWhD; Reply to this comment


by Robberg August 29, 2011 3:26 PM EDT: Tonight on the Armed Forces Network (AFN), I saw the story that Ms. Stahl did on "Gospel for teens". I heard the song that Ms. Yalonda sang for her Dad. That move me because I lost my daughter in December from a car accident. She was from a previous marraige, but she was my little girl, it hurt me that I didn't spend all the quality time I wanted with her and now she is gone. Please let Ms. Yalonda dad know he needs to spend as much time with her because he is the first man in her life that she is supposed to Love and that her song touch my Heart thinking about my my special angel.; Reply to this comment


by jc1844 August 29, 2011 12:32 PM EDT: The father that never was. Sometimes I ponder my real father by asking grandparents whatever they could share with me because of a nagging curiousity. My mother would never share much about him and would avoid the conversation routinely. How empty my life was at times until I finally realized that this was my situation and move on. How sad though that "HE" missed my ballgames and my band concerts and my wedding but, most of all, his grandkids.; Reply to this comment


by peaceful_mind August 29, 2011 10:45 AM EDT: To the woman to established 'Gospel for Teens"

You have done and are doing a wonderful work and I am so grateful that you do not reject anyone simply because you have a 'feeling' about them. I congratulate you and all those who come to you and do so well. I especially want to say how courageous and wonderful those whom were interviewed by 60 Minutes were.

I would love to hear from Yoland Howard and even you, if that is possible!

Keep up the good work

Tam An K. Tran; Reply to this comment


by peaceful_mind August 29, 2011 10:42 AM EDT: Dear Yolanda Howard

I was so thrilled to hear that you have forgiven your father. This is not an easy thing to do. Your love, compassion and understanding are phenomenal. May you continue to experiene such joy and compassion that you have gained from 'Gospel for Teens' and may you yourself go on to help others to forgive those who have been hurt by others, especially by their own family members.

Tam An K. Tran; Reply to this comment


by AOCGUY August 29, 2011 9:10 AM EDT: I did want to say that this is the second time I have seen this piece and it still moves me. Those kids are awesome.; Reply to this comment


by wheear August 29, 2011 5:48 AM EDT: That was a powerful story. These children seemed to tap into a very annointed program that causes them to process pain and overcome hurt. God bless them!; Reply to this comment


by ricafern August 28, 2011 11:40 PM EDT: Many years ago I was blessed to be invited to attend a predominately black congregation's church service in Sacramento, California. Incredible worship. Incredible music. I wish everyone could experience it. I wish that I can again.

Thank you 60 minutes for reminding of such wonderful moments and inspiring music and people.; Reply to this comment


by mslisa02 August 28, 2011 9:39 PM EDT: Ms.Vi Higgensen you are an inspiration. I can only imagine how the course of so many teens lives have been changed because YOU believed in them even when their own parents didn't. I lost my son to gun violence 8 short years ago,i saw and felt their pain. i pray for Yolanda, Gabby, Rhonda and all the teens. There was not a dry eye in my living room as Yolanda sung the song she wrote for her father and when Ms. Rhonda shouted her name so proudly. Thank you Leslie Stahl and Jessica Held for such an inspiring heartfelt story. Lisa Wells
Columbus,ohio; Reply to this comment

by ccn12live August 28, 2011 8:48 PM EDT

This report by Leslie Stahl and Jessica Held was very disturbing because it carried an extreme anti-father bias. Stahl and Held vilify the father without even considering the father's side of the story. This is feminazi journalism at its worst. These two should be ashamed of their story and they should be sanctioned because they did not even consider the father's side of the story and apparently convicted him without a trial. Unfortunately this kind of feminist evil is all too prevalent in our society. There should be consideration and respect for the extreme injustice that is perpetrated on fathers and on black men in our society.

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by mslisa02 August 28, 2011 9:58 PM EDT: THIS STORY WAS NOT ABOUT THE FATHER IT WAS ABOUT THESE YOUNG ADULTS WHOM MS VI INSPIRED AND BELIEVED IN.THIS YOUNG LADY YOLANDA WHO WROTE HER FATHER THIS SONG IS MISSING AND HURT BY HER FATHERS ABSENCE. THEY FOLLOWED THIS STORY FOR ALMOST A YEAR, HOW COULD YOU SEE SO MUCH NEGATIVITY IN SUCH AN INSPIRATIONAL STORY.


by ricafern August 28, 2011 11:32 PM EDT: You have to be kidding. You saw this moving piece and your reaction is you attack feminism? Sad. Very sad. I am sad for those who can't face others' misfortune and their defense mechanism is to attack the messenger. Sad.


by luckytobeme August 29, 2011 12:15 AM EDT: How negative and sad for you. I could only pray to have the heart of Ms Vi. And do you have any idea how many absent fathers there are in America today. And sadly now more absent mothers.
Most inspriring story I have seen in a long time.


by AOCGUY August 29, 2011 9:01 AM EDT: What is really sad is what the absentee father has missed by not being around this delightful young lady, and unfortunately the hole in her life that will never be filled.

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