Dolly Parton Invites Young Fan With Down Syndrome To Duet “Islands in the Stream”

Dolly Parton is among the few artists who legitimately have a down-to-earth soul. Let’s take a moment and appreciate this throwback video of hers meeting her then-12-year-old biggest fan, Gage Blackwell.

Back in 2015, Parton was granted a chance to meet her beloved fan, Blackwell, who is diagnosed with Down Syndrome. The pair met at the Dollywood Theme Park, where the two bond over food, discussions, and Dolly’s songs.

Lynnae Blackwell, Gage’s mother, was encouraged to reach over to Parton’s business associate, Ted Miller. A few days later, they were discussing the possibility of a meetup, which meant so much for Gage now that he had the opportunity to see his idol.

The two shared voices on Parton’s classic “Islands in the Stream.” The singer then told Blackwell that he sounded a bit similar to Dolly’s singing partner, Kenny Rogers. Asked if he had a good time meeting his favorite singer, Gage responded yes.

You can check out the video here.