A Magic Moment With Dolly Parton

A 14-Year-Old Girl's Dream Comes True When She Meets Her Idol

(CBS)  This week, The Early Show is again embarking on its "Magic Moments" series, during which dreams of some deserving Americans will come true. The first is Jordan Leigh Young, who dreams of meeting her idol, Dolly Parton.

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From her family's quiet farm in central Kentucky, Jordan Leigh Young is hoping to make some noise with a career in county music. The banjo player and singer is hoping to emulate her idol, Dolly Parton.

"She's, of course, an awesome singer. She writes songs, she's written books, she's been in movies," said Jordan, 14. "She can do just about anything. I love doing her stuff. I may not sound as good as her, but it's fun doing it … I've always liked the banjo. I think it's kind of unique. Of course Dolly Parton, my idol, plays banjo."

Jordan, who once played soccer and sang simply for fun, now performs nearly every weekend. She has even performed at Kentucky's music hall of fame.

"I tried out for a country music show here locally," she said. "There was another show and it just kept going."

Jordan, who has been singing since she was 6, also remains active on the farm. She and her sister, Braden, raise goats and she belongs to the 4-H club. Their goat gave birth just last week.

"It's exciting," Jordan said. "I'm a grandparent. We're hoping for some state fair champions. They're great."

Aside from setting goals for her goats, Jordan has set some lofty aspirations for herself. She hopes to make it big in country music and someday sing at the Grand Ole Opry.

Hoping her daughter and Parton might finally meet, Jordan's mother, Cheryl, wrote The Early Show.

"I would love to see Jordan get the chance of a lifetime and meet Dolly Parton. Please make this the right time for Jordan," the letter said.

Both mother and daughter were invited to New York for an interview on the show, but they wound up getting the surprise of a lifetime when they were introduced to Dolly Parton.

"You're probably wondering why I'm here," she told them. "Your mom wrote a letter to CBS and said you always wanted to meet me and I was in New York and I said get her up here. Have a seat. We'll just sit down and we'll just chat."

They sang Parton's classic songs, "Jolene" and "Applejack."

"It's wonderful. Just a dream come true," Jordan told The Early Show co-anchor Hannah Storm. "I never dreamed of meeting her, especially that day. I was expecting here I am for my interview and then when she said, 'Let's sing something together,' I thought, 'Wake up, wake up.' "

"I just couldn't believe it happened," Cheryl added. "When I sent the letter, I sent it with the best of intentions. You always think, 'Well, they are probably going to find something better than this story.' "

Then, things got even better for Jordan. Parton told her and her mom that she contacted some of her friends at the Grand Ole Opry and arranged for her to perform there. The news sent both mother and daughter into tears.

For more information, visit jordanleighmusic.com, dollyon-line.com, calvinrayslivemusic.com and hazard.kctcs.edu, the Web site of Jordan's banjo instructor.

[dpfan1982]

That is so cool!! I have been a huge fan of Dolly's since I was 13 (37 now), and she is just simply the sweetest ever. Wishing the best of luck for Jordan with her singing career. Ain't Dolly just the greatest to help you get on the Grand Ole Opry? Thanks and lots of love to Dolly for always being so sweet. :)

Scott
San Francisco, CA