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Dolly Parton sings duet with young fan who has Down syndrome


MARCH 25, 2015 12:13 PM EDT

Dolly Parton made a 12-year-old boywith Down syndrome's dream come true by not only setting up a meeting, but alsosinging a duet with the young boy. Gage Blackwell met up with the famous singer on Saturday at a restaurant in her Dollywood theme park, where the two talked andthen sang some hits together.

Gage had his country music dreams come true after meeting Dolly Parton Photo: Facebook

"There are truly no words toexplain how much it meant to Gage, myself and my family for him to get to meetDolly in person," Gage's mother, Lynnae Blackwell, told TODAY.com."Gage loves country music and for him to get to sit with and sing withsomeone he idolizes like Dolly was just heartwarming."

Gage even took to his own Facebookpage to share his excitement writing, "This was the best! I love Dolly andI want to marry her!" The meeting was set up after someone at Gage'sschool saw a video posted on his page talkingabout how he'd love to meet Dolly and encouraged Lynnae to reach out to Dolly'sbusiness associate, Ted Miller. Within days, a 10-minute meet-and-greet was setup.


I met Dolly Parton!!!!!! She is wonderful!!!!! We sang together!!!!!!

Posted by Gage Blackwell on Sunday, March 22, 2015

Upon introduction, Dolly told theyoung fan that he looked like Kenny Rogers before breaking out into singing "Islands in the Stream." Gage joined in with the countrysweetheart and the two continued singing more songs together, completing amedley of beloved hits. "You sing like Tami and Loretta too," Dollysaid. "You're just a very versatile guy. We make quite a team."

Gage's Facebook video of meeting the legend hasgotten over 1 million views and he shares several more videos from theencounter, including one where Dolly gets everyone in the room singing "9to 5."

Everybody singing!!!!!

Posted by Gage Blackwell on Sunday, March 22, 2015

Lynnae said she was "overwhelmedby the amount of love from her to him, with her just having met him,"adding, "as a mother, that was just an amazing moment, to see how happyshe made him."

During the conversation, Parton revealed she’sworking on a Christmas movie based on the song “Coat of Many Colors.”