(INDISTINCT CHATTER) Hey, back in five, four, three! (WHISTLING AND CHEERING) Well, welcome back, everyone. Well, America has met our three finalists, heard their songs, felt their music, and I don't think anyone can deny that y'all had a tough choice to make. Why don't you give these three another big hand? (WHISTLING AND CHEERING) But a choice has been made by all of you in the audience and all of the folks watching at home. And here in my hand is the winner of... the first-ever Country Star Of Tomorrow. Are you ready over there? Are you ready out there? I always love this, when they do the award shows where you keep everybody in suspense. (AUDIENCE LAUGHTER) (GIGGLES) And the Country Star Of Tomorrow is... (WIND WHISTLES) (CHOIR) # O' holy night # The stars are brightly shining # It is the night of our dear Saviour's birth # Long lay the world... # In sin and error pining # Till He appeared # And the Spirit felt its worth # A thrill of hope # The weary world rejoices For yonder breaks # A new and glorious morn # Fall on your knees! # Oh, hear the angel voices! # O' night divine... Did you hear that? # The night, oh night # When Christ was born... That's amazing. # O' night divine! # O' night, O' night divine! # (UPBEAT) # Hark the herald angels sing # "Glory to the newborn King!" # # Jungle bells, jingle all the way # It was a holy night! # Jingle all the way! # Hark the herald angels sing # Glory to the newborn king # Jingle bells, jingle all the way # It was a holy night! # Jingle bells, jingle all the way # It was a holy night... # You must be so proud. Look who I have here. Oh, it's the superstar. That was great. Thank you so much. (CRUNCHING UNDERFOOT) Miss Gibson. Hey. So what do you think of your Grace, huh? She was great. We were so surprised. It was a surprise all right. During Thursday's rehearsal, I put my hand up. I didn't see him. I kept on singing by myself. It was beautiful, I thought why not put it in the concert? You must be proud. Yeah, we're real proud. We gotta go. Nice job, Reverend. Thank you. See you, Grace. Bye. Well, I guess we're going. Thank you, that was nice. (DOG BARKS) Hey, it's me. Look, you didn't pay the bill on your storage again. It says we've gotta empty it out by New Year's. (SIGHS) No, Danny, I don't have the money. Look, I thought you were gonna be up here before Christmas? Huh. Yeah, right. Yeah, I will get it all out for you, and if you are not up here in one month, I am selling all your stuff at the flea market. (BEEPS) Jeez. Don't smoke. It could kill you. Yeah, well, when your father pays this bill, I'll stop smoking. (SIGHS) (ENGINE SPLUTTERS) Here, let me get that. Oh, thanks, Sam. (GRUNTS) I sure am sorry, Jenny, but from New Year's I've got people wanting that space. No, I understand. You've been great. Danny didn't happen to send the past-due, did he? No, but he said he'll be up in a month to pay you and collect his junk. And when he does, she'll quit smoking. I won't hold my breath. We'd all be dead. (ENGINE RATTLES) Merry Christmas. (BRAKES SQUEAL) Whoo, my goodness. Didn't he throw anything away? What's up, Grandma? Hi, sweetheart. How are ya? You know, when your father left me, I took everything, and I mean every little thing, and I gave it to Goodwill. I threw Danny out, Mom, he didn't leave me. OK, fine, you threw him out. Fine. So, where are we putting all this stuff? (STRUMS TUNELESSLY) (DOG BARKS IN DISTANCE) (TUNELESS STRUMMING CONTINUES) Hey, wrap that thing back up. Why? Because it's not yours. Dad wouldn't care. He hasn't been here in three years, how would you know that? He's coming for Christmas. What gave you that idea? That's what he told you on the phone, didn't he? No, honey, every year he says that, and every year he is a no-show. Then he won't mind if I play his guitar. (TUNELESS STRUMMING) OK. OK, I mind, all right? Why are you so down on me?! First the singing and now this. Down on you? Who made your favourite dinner when you won all-county math champion, huh? Put a huge banner up outside. Who was that? You. Yes, right, me. So cut it with all this "down on you" stuff. Sorry. Put that thing back up. It's all getting sold anyway. (TAP WATER RUNS AND CROCKERY CLATTERS) Where'd that come from? I found it in the storage. Oh, that's your father's guitar. Can I keep it here? Hmmm... Your mother will kill me if she finds out about this. She drives by here every single day on her way to work. Likes to check up on me. You can be look-out for me when I'm here. You mean like a spy? I like that. Come here. Oh, you are such a good girl. So are you. (LAUGHS) (ALL WHOOP) I can't believe I've got that. A girl from work was getting a new one and was gonna sell it on eBay, so I made a deal. And now I wanna make a deal with you. I want you to take those math smarts of yours and use your present at computer club. It's on Wednesdays. I have choir on Wednesdays. I know. It's after. You can do both. And I've taken care of it, it's all paid for. Hm. Let me see that thing. (GIGGLES) It is so cool. Mom, Mom, it's about to start. (ON TV) "Ten, nine, eight..." Four, three... (BOTH) ...two, one! Happy New Year! "(WHISTLING AND CHEERING)" (BOTH LAUGH) Happy New Year! Whoo-hoo! Three, two, one... (ALL) A... men. Nice, guys. Nice. Emily, watch out for those hard "S's", OK? And Billy, round around "O's". (ALL LAUGH) OK, that's it, go, have fun. See you Sunday. Good work. (INDISTINCT CHATTER) Wanna come over to my house and watch that anime dude on YouTube? He put another video up. Thanks, but I got computer club. OK. See you later. Later. Is there something I can help you with, Grace? Do you know how to play the guitar? Used to when I was a kid. It's my dad's. Oh, very cool. May I? Sure. He's got good taste. It's beautiful. (PLAYS CHORD) What, did he give it to you? He left it when him and my mom split up. It was in storage. Huh. My mom doesn't want me to play it. Why not? Cos it's his, I guess. So you want me to teach you to play guitar? Yeah. Against your mother's wishes? Well, can we pretend I didn't tell you that part? Here's what we'll do. You can teach yourself, and then, after rehearsals, I'll give you about a half-hour of pointers. How's that sound? After rehearsals? Yeah. Yeah, that'll work best for me. OK. Thanks. You got it. Oh, um, you wouldn't happen to know where I can get some guitar books? You've so many books. Hmm. I actually donated about half of them to the library when I came here. Really? No-one comes here, they just leave here. That's not true. I came here. Where from? New York. City? City, yeah. Did you run a choir there? No. I was a musician and a composer. So why the heck did you leave? Truthfully? Well, no-one bought what I wrote and no-one hired me to play. So after a whole lot of years, I left. But you're awesome. Huh. That's very kind of you, Grace, but a lot of people are awesome. Some people are just better. You know? The church can't pay you very much for helping out. No, they don't. But all this stuff? Well, I'm a lucky boy. I came here with a few extra bucks in my pocket. I guess it's easier to be poor when you have money. Ha! "Let's Learn Music." "Learn Guitar." "Guitar One, Two And Three." So take 'em for as long as you need, OK? (STRUMS TUNELESSLY) (PLAYS CHORD) "So, once again go... G." (CLUCKING) Real guitar players have calluses. A sign that they play a lot. Grace? Dinner. 1 Well, hey, everybody, I'm Dolly Parton, and I've got just one question for you. Are you the country star of tomorrow? (COMPUTER KEYS CLICK) Me? Yeah. (KEYS CLICK) The country star of tomorrow starts with the kids of today. So if you're 18 or younger, send us your videos, singing an original song you wrote yourself, and we just might send you to Dollywood for a showdown on TV. The winner will receive a recording contract and a US tour. For rules and deadlines, you just click that little doohickey right here and a whole bunch of big words are gonna be popping up for you and your parents to read. Dollywood. I've wanted to go there forever. So why not try? Country music doesn't come to my colour. What? Come here. What colour is that woman? Black. Exactly. Linda Martell. In 1969, she became the first black woman to sing country at the Grand Ole Opry. That is so cool. Yeah, isn't it? Look. Now, do you see anything that all these bands have in common? They're all white. The banjo, knucklehead. It's an instrument that originated in Africa. And here... a steel guitar, another African instrument. See, Grace, way back in the 1920s, before anyone labelled it "country", it was just the music of the poor, black and white. And they would sing together, side by side, in railroad yards, back porches, beautiful songs about heartbreak and poverty and homesickness. It was the music industry that started separating it. Why? Well, because the audiences became more and more segregated. Each audience wanted their own music. I'm black and white. Mm-hm. What do you think they would've sold me? Did you know that one of the founder members of the Grand Ole Opry was a black man? Get out. No. DeFord Bailey, 1927. The day they changed the name to the Opry, he was the next act on stage. And he played there every week for 15 years. Look. Jimmy Rogers and Hank Williams, two of the fathers of country music. Both said that their most influential teachers were black men. Wow. Yeah, wow. So you're right, you're black and white, but the best of both. (CLICKS COMPUTER KEY) "So what are you waiting for? Like I always say, you'll never do a whole lot unless you're brave enough to try." OK. OK. Just one question. Shoot. How do you write a song? Pfft! Er... OK... Well, you have to listen to yourself. What do you mean? You hear the music in your head and you write it down. What about the words? If you've got something important you need to say, do the same thing, write it down, like a poem. And then you try and connect the words to the music in your head. No-one cares what I have to say. I care. I keep a diary. That's a start. Now sing it. (TAPS TABLE) (CREAKS OPEN) Uh-oh. Uh-oh? "Uh-oh," you say? Huh? It's the only way I could play. That's how you justify lying to your mother? I didn't lie. Really? I ask you how computer club is, you say, "Fine." It is fine. I just... I didn't go. Give me this. Mom! What did I tell you about this, huh?! Hey, there. Grace won't be needing guitar lessons anymore - But, Mom - Don't even think about interrupting me. She's good, Mrs Gibson. Honestly, really. Really good. She's 14. You know how many kids ruin their lives because people like you tell 'em to follow their dreams? What do you suggest I do? Tell her to give up? Why not? That's what you did. You listen to me. You may have some trust fund to rely on, Grace has got nothing. If she falls, she falls hard. She doesn't have the luxury of moving to the country and helping the hicks to make herself feel better. I hear ya, loud and clear. Come on. (STRINGS TWANG) Jerk. What? I said you're mean! That's what I said. Too bad. (STARTS ENGINE) But there's stuff I wanna keep. We can't afford to. We've gotta sell it all. Clothes, picture frames, everything. That's mine. Hey! I paid for that guitar. I gave it to your father and he left it behind. This is my guitar. All I wanna do is play music. Why won't you let me? Because nobody makes it. I can make it! I'm good! Honey, it doesn't matter if you're good. No-one makes it. Why do you think I harp on how great you are at math, huh? Because that is the kind of thing that can get you into college on a scholarship. There's jobs, with computers and the internet. That's how you can make something of yourself. Dolly Parton says you'll never be able to do a whole lot unless you're brave enough to try. Yeah? Well, your daddy's been trying ever since I first met him. And you wanna know what else? He's good. That man can write and play and... and he sure can sing. And he's never done better than a 20-buck gig plus two free drinks. You are not gonna throw your life away like that, you hear me? Not while you live under my roof. Then I don't wanna live under your roof! You go to your room and you pack up those picture frames. We've got a flea market to get to. Go yourself! Pull out all the pictures! No-one wants to buy a frame with someone else's picture in it. (STRINGS TWANG) (CAR ENGINE STARTS) (OVER LOUDSPEAKER) "Bargains today. Purchase something through our flea market, and make sure you find your way over to Andy's barbecue and grill." Hey, go check it out. (GOAT BLEATS) Only a buck each. Lord, what do you want 'em for, free? How much for the guitar? I'm not selling you the guitar. It's out of the flea market. Everything's for sale to anybody. How much? You wanna know how much? There you go. Oh. Oh, great, you killed the deal. All right, I am gonna get us some sodas. OK? Thanks. I'll be right back. What, Mom, no soda for me? I'll take it for a hundred. I'm not selling it to you. I'm confused. That is price tag on there, isn't it? I don't care. Hold on a second. This is a flea market, am I right? I'm not selling it to you, OK, so keep walking. That seems unfair to me. In fact I think it's technically illegal. Illegal? Mm-hm. You have got some nerve. What seems to be the trouble here? No, no problem. Actually, Carl, while you're here, this lady is selling this guitar for $100. She won't sell it to me. I think that's false advertising, maybe even discrimination. 100 bucks? Are you out of your gourd, Jenny? Take it. Carl, that is not the point. Do I need to call the sheriff? Cos that's easy. The sheriff? Really? It's easy. Take the $100, give the man his guitar. Carl, I'm sorry, respectfully, this is not a situation you understand. OK? This has nothing to do with - Here is some cream for you. Thank you. OK, I see what's going on here. I have to insist you sell him this guitar. Carl's insisting. (Jenny, 100 bucks. You'd be lucky to get five.) OK, all right, fine. OK, take it. It's yours. It's yours. Good old trust fund. Well, I'll be on my way, then. Maybe you might wanna buy yourself a blanket? Maybe a pillow? A nice cot? What for? Huh? You take up singing and playing guitar, you can take it up under someone else's roof. I just wanna play, it's all I want. You heard what I said. Grandma, can I stay at your place? Of course, sweetheart. Jenny, can we talk about this? OK, well, if y'all don't mind, I've got stuff to sell, so... OK, let's look around. Shall we? Boy, where did you find this? In a box. Was she good? Mmm-hmm. A real sweet voice. They met at a dance, you know? He was playing, and he asked her on stage to sing a song. That's all it took. Why's she so against me playing music? Oh, honey, she's just scared. Of what? Of losing you. Losing me? To music. She'd never lose me, not to music or anything. Well, I'm afraid that's what your father told her, too. And what happened? You know, I think it's best if you ask her that question. (BIRDSONG) (PLAYS CHORDS) I like that. Really? Yeah. Yeah, I really like it. Didn't you say that you were working on the words? Yeah. Yeah, so? I did what you said and started looking in my diary. And it was just a few minutes ago and I was... Um... What? What? When I was missing my mom. I just starting seeing how much I wrote the word "miss" in my diary. I miss my mom, I miss my dad, I miss computer club. I was thinking about maybe naming my song Miss You, Miss Me. OK. (CLICKS) Is that stupid? Not at all. Have you wrote some of it? But you're not ready to share it yet, huh? I know. Not today, but soon there will come a moment where you can't stand keeping it locked up. And there'll be no stopping you. (TV) "We had this broken down into eight different stages, but they caught me stretching out a piece." It's open. "What are we doing and what is this big mound of dough right here? Well, I get asked all the time how you can make homemade pizza dough, and I have found that this is very simple." There's a pair of jeans I forgot. Go ahead. "If you look at your screen, we've got all the ingredients right there for you..." You left your room a mess. You still have to pick up your room if you're being kicked out? You didn't get kicked out. That's the same thing you say about Daddy. Sure feels like being kicked out. Hey, don't be so smart. You had a choice. Well, you don't. You're my mom. And you made music, too. You can sing and play the guitar all you want after you're 18. Sorry, that's too far away. I gotta get a song to Dolly Parton. Dolly Parton? For the Country Star Of Tomorrow TV show in Dollywood. A biracial 14-year-old girl singing country? For your information, the first black woman sang her country song on the stage at the Grand Ole Opry over 40 years ago. So when I get to sing there, it'll be old news. Who was that? Linda Martell. She sang Colour Him Father. (SNORTS) Figures that'd be the song. I'm not gonna be mad at you. You're not gonna be mad at me? The way you're always mad at Dad. Why aren't you ever mad at him? Huh?! Tell me that? Cos I don't know him enough to be mad at him! (DOOR SLAMS) (SQUEAKS OPEN) OK, you want a fight, I'll give you a fight. (BRAKES SQUEAL) (TURNS OFF ENGINE) OK, what? What you're doing isn't right. Is that what you've been filling her head with? Filling her head with? "Yeah, you deserve better, Grace. That selfish mother of yours." I've always stood by you. Yeah, sure, as long as I worked at the hospital, had one kid, got divorced. I am a carbon copy of your life. You think I didn't have dreams for you? Maybe if you'd told me, like, I don't know, once. Nobody ever told me. I had to find my own way, and I figured you'd find yours. It may not have been the best mothering but it sure beats what you're doing to that girl inside! I saw the song that she's working on. (VOICE BREAKS) Her heart is breaking. Yeah, well, so's mine. Well, then do something about it. Did I raise you to be this... scared? You didn't raise me to be anything. Whatever you think your life is right now, you have got to stop blaming me, and Danny, and even Grace, and just take some responsibility! Oh, please! I did the same thing when your father left, and I am telling you, it is a dead end. I gotta get to work. Keep this up and you'll lose the family you do have. (STARTS ENGINE) (BRAKES SQUEAL) (DISTANT DOG BARKS) Hi, Danny. 1 So how long have you been here? A couple of hours. I figured someone had to show up. If you're looking for your stuff you are way too late. (BOTTLE CHINKS) Sold everything? Yep. Make anything? Don't get too hopeful. Let's not forgot who owes who how much. Speaking of which, can you go by the storage and pay Sam the past-due? That's my plan. Is seeing Grace part of your plan? Aren't I standing here? When's she home from school? Soon. But she's staying over at my mother's. Is Sarah OK? She will outlive all of us. No doubt. You mind if I get one of those? (BOTTLES RATTLE) So why's Grace staying with Sarah? Cos I don't like what she's been doing. Boys? Drinking? No. OK, I give up. Music. Music? Yeah, she's been singing and then she took up your old guitar. Really? Yes, really. She's got it in her head she's gonna enter some big teen songwriting contest. Oh, the R&B Youth Fest? I know the guy who runs it - No, it's not R&B she's singing. What's she singing? Country? (LAUGHS) Grace is entering a country music competition? That's what she says. That's ridiculous. For your information, black women have been singing country at the Grand Ole Opry for over 40 years. Whoa, whoa, which is it? Are you mad about this or not? Right, it's just that you've gotta be contrary with me no matter what I say. You've been mad at me so long, I bet you don't even remember why. I can't! It's been over three years since you've been here. Before that you were mad because I came around too much. I keep trying to follow your lead, but ever since we split it's no-win with you. (THUD) You lost weight. Hmm. Thank you. You look good. Always have. Thanks. (CLEARS THROAT) How many girls are you using that line on? Just you. It's always been just you. Um... OK, if you wanna see Grace, just go on by my mom's. There's nothing here for you, except those old blankets. Some lady wouldn't even give me a buck for 'em. I could use one. Yeah, help yourself. Tell me something. What? Why's Grace taking up music make you so mad? You really need to ask? Music didn't split us up. Yeah? Who left to go chase a dream? Who said they'd come with me? (SIGHS) I'll go by Sam's and pay the money. Thanks. (DOOR SHUTS) (SIGHS) Just great! I appreciate it, Danny. Sorry for the wait. Er, so, er, how's showbiz been treating you? I heard you had some recording thing going on a while back. It was a demo. What's that? Someone puts up a little money to record a few songs, hoping one of the big boys'll show up and pay for a whole album. Nobody stepped up, huh? Nah. Lots of "almosts". So what have you been doing to get by? Whatever it takes. A gig here or there, run the soundboard at two clubs on the weekends. Whatever it takes. Jeez, that must be rough. Probably be twice as hard if you had a 14-year-old girl to deal with every day. Thanks for the coffee. Don't you worry about Gracie. She's growing into a fine girl. (STARTS ENGINE) (INDISTINCT CHATTER) (INDICATOR CLICKS) (STRUMS) That's gettin' better, Grace. Really? Definitely. More confidence. (CLATTERING) You wanna come in? You were right about me. You were right about me, too. So now what? (SNIFFS) May I go in there and try to be a good mother? You've always been a good mother. (STRUMS) Hey, Mom. I'll be back in a minute. That was real pretty guitar playing, honey. Thanks. Did you write that music all by yourself? I came up with the chords, Mr Hailey's gonna help me write up all the music. I used to be pretty good, too. Yeah. Yeah, when I was little, I sang in the choir like you, then I didn't sing again until... until I saw your daddy up at Moey's, a place out on the highway. It closed when you were little. How come you don't sing anymore? Well, I had you, and got a job, and bought a house, and your daddy was doing real good. He played in every bar for 50 miles around. Some nights he had to go from one to the other, the same night. That is how much people loved him. He sang and he played. Sometimes I'd sing with him. See... I married a man who makes music, and he wanted to keep making music. And he wanted us to be with him. Sweetie, your daddy didn't leave us and I did not throw him out. (VOICE BREAKS) We just... We just couldn't agree on a life. You know? And I was too scared, I was just... I was too scared to go where he wanted to go. I was too scared to go where nothing was for sure, nothing was laid out for you. I'm sorry. I was too scared. I miss you. Oh, God... I miss you too, baby. Come here. Hey, did you quit smoking? (LAUGHS) Yeah. And Daddy hasn't even come back and paid the past-due yet. I'm proud of you, Mom. Oh, I'm so proud of you. Come here. (BELL TOLLS) Hi, folks. Welcome, welcome. Nice to see you again. Hey, Grace. Hello, Mr Hailey. Nice to see you. Hi, there. Morning. I, er, I wanted to thank you. What for? For being a teacher. You've been a really good teacher for my girl. And for me. Thank you. (BIRDSONG) This is cute. I don't know, I like this one. That's a little... Perfect. That's it, that's the one. You look great. It's so pretty. (CAMERA BEEPS) Yes, it's not bad. And send. Here it comes. (CHIRRUPS) There it is. (COCK CROWS) I thought Dolly would announce the finalists today. Hit that button again. I've hit "refresh" ten times. Hit it ten more times. It needs refreshing. (CLICKS KEYS) It's done. Everybody, I'm the one who should be nervous. I know, sweetie. We're all anxious. I am starving. Does anybody else want a ham sandwich from down the road? That sounds great. I'll go get them. Oh, that's nice, sweetie. Thank you. It'll take my mind off the "refresh" button. Maybe Dolly just announced it now? Or now? Or maybe... now. Will you cut it out? OK, OK. Now! Whoa! I'm sorry. Watch it there, Gracie. That's all right. Hey, how's your mom doing? She's real good, thanks. Oh, and don't worry, I'm sure my dad will pay the past-due as soon as he gets here. He already did. He did? Yeah, when he was here a couple of months ago. So, hey, did your mom keep her word and quit smoking? Yeah, she did. Well, you tell your mom Hi from me. (DOOR SHUTS) "Howdy." Ooh, oh, my God! Come here, come here, come here. "I know you've all been biting your nails and fingers, and the fingers and nails of your friends, so I'll get right down to it and let you know who the three finalists are. You know if it was up to me I'd have picked all of you..." Come on, Dolly. Ssh! "With 4,000 entries, the show would've run longer than Hee Haw, so buckle your seat belts cos here they are." (CELL PHONES BEEP) Huh? Oh! (VACUUM CLEANER WHIRRS) (WHOOSH!) (BARKS) (CELL PHONE BEEPS) Oh! To help keep you safe if there's an emergency, all compatible mobile phones are now able to receive emergency mobile alerts. (CELL PHONES BEEP) Huh? Oh! (WHOOSH!) (BARKS) So when you hear this sound,... (CELL PHONE BEEPS) ...stop doing what you're doing and follow the instructions. (BEEP! BEEP!) 1 # Amazing Grace # How sweet the sound # That saves a wretch like me # I once was lost # But now am found # Was blind, but now I see # 'Twas grace that taught my heart to feel # And grace my fears relieved # How precious did # That grace appear # The hour I first believed... # You're a finalist, baby. Wait. Grace! What... Honey, what happened? What happened? What did you do? We just got sandwiches. (BIRDSONG) Honey? Honey, what is it? Oh, come on, baby, talk to me. Dad was here. Yeah. How come you didn't tell me? Honey, I didn't know if telling you was the right thing. I'm sorry. Why didn't he come to see me? He did come to see you. I... I just think he got scared. Of what? Scared of being gone so long, not knowing what to say. Scared to shake up your life. (SNIFFS) And scared of me, too, I guess. Honey, you've just got to understand - No! No, I'm done with him! I should've listened to you all along. Me? I was all excited for him to come and visit. And now I'm the idiot. I hate him - No - just like you do. Don't say that. I never wanna see him for as long as I live! I told him to go. What? He wanted to come see you, and I told him to go pay Sam the past-due and go home. I... # Mm-hm... # Five o'clock in the morning # Gotta get up and get out to the chase # Runnin' round for a dollar, takin' everything that comes my way # It's gettin' harder to get through # I can't seem to catch a break # Every day that comes is like a long one # Mm-hm... # I said # Every day that comes is like a long one # Oh-oh-oh, trouble will get me off your mind # Uh-uh-uh, trouble, I ain't got the time # Tomorrow's gonna come, gonna set me free # I just gotta believe # Oh, trouble will get me off your mind # Off your mind # Off your mind # I'm talkin' to you, trouble # Off your mind # Off your mind... # Yeah! (WHISTLING AND CHEERING) Thank you. (INDISTINCT CHATTER) Nice set, Danny. Thanks, Wes. Can I get you another one? Yeah, that'd be great. (PHONE CHIRRUPS) Huh. Will you look at this. One of the kids in that Dollywood country competition is a black girl. Hey, Danny, Danny? The girl's last name is Gibson. Why wouldn't it be, Wes? That's my little girl. Nah. Really? Congratulations. Why didn't you say something, you son of a gun? I was trying to keep it low profile, figured I'd surprise you all. Hey, Danny, have one of these on me - when you get a chance. (INDISTINCT CHATTER) (ALL) # Go, tell it on the mountain # Over the hills and everywhere # Go, tell it on the mountain # That He is born... One more time now! # Go, tell it on the mountain # That He is born... # (WHISTLING AND CHEERING) (CROWD CHATTERS INDISTINCTLY) Thanks for all the help. Well, I guess I'll see you when you get back. You are coming back, right? Of course. Why wouldn't I? I dunno. If you become a big country star, maybe you won't wanna come back. A lot of country stars just keep on livin' in the country. OK. Awesome. (GIGGLES) Are you ready? Mm-hmm. Come on. Well, good luck. Bye. See ya, pal. Good luck! (STARTS ENGINE) All right, are we good? (WHISTLING AND CHEERING) Bye! Bye! Erm, Mary Lou Memphis. Really? Please. Age 16. Miss Tiny Kentucky Blue Grass when she was eight years old, she sings and plays the fiddle. Who's the other kid? It's a boy, 18, Jamie Warner. What else, Sarah? Oh, er, he sings and plays piano. Well, audiences do love showboaters. Yeah, but everybody's got their weaknesses, like your throat and your eyelids. Are you listening to me back there? So I read this article about self-defence, and it said you could work out till the cows come home, but you cannot grow muscles in your throat and your eyelids. That's where you get it. OK, Mom, just ease up, OK? It's a metaphor. I actually agree with your mother here. I'm sticking with you on this trip. If y'all don't mind, I just wanna play my song in peace. Sorry. (AIR-BRAKES HISS) Welcome to Pigeon Forge. Howdy. Welcome. It's so big. (INDISTINCT CHATTER) This is gonna be so exciting. Yeah. Oh, wow. Grace Gibson? Oh, yes, sir. I'm Richie Vernon. I'm here to welcome you on behalf of the Country Star Of Tomorrow. Hello. Here's your welcome pack and four access badges. Breakfast is at 8:30 tomorrow, followed by a stage tour at ten, a rehearsal until noon, press from 12 to 1:30, lunch, private rehearsal from three until 6:30. It's all detailed in the welcome pack. Any questions, my cell's listed on the inside and back of this card. Oh, I'll take that. Are you her manager? Yes! Great. And when's the family due to arrive? Oh, I'm Grace's mother. Oh. That's awkward. Oh, I think that is so special. Hmm. I'm available 24/7. Good luck. He sure does talk fast. You're her manager? Tomorrow, and... (BACKGROUND CHATTER) Thank you... (CAMERA SHUTTERS CLICK AND WHIR) (WHISTLING AND CHEERING) And here they are, from over 4,000 submissions, our three finalists for the Country Star Of Tomorrow. Please give a big welcome to Grace Gibson, Mary Lou Memphis, and Jamie Warner. (CAMERA SHUTTERS CLICK) (BARRAGE OF QUESTIONS) Jamie, one question. OK, we've got a lot of questions blazing through the Twittersphere, so let's get right to it. From Tess, in North Babylon, New York, oh, this is for Mary Lou. "You've won every music contest you've ever entered. Are you ready for the TV showdown?" I was born ready. (AUDIENCE LAUGHS) But seriously, Tess, I'm just honoured to be up here alongside these two great talents, and I hope the best team wins. Ah, for Jamie, from Lil in Santa Cruise, California, "As the oldest and the only boy, do you think your chances are better or worse?" Er, better. (AUDIO FEEDBACK) I'm sorry, worse. (AUDIENCE LAUGHS) Hey, Lil, that's what we call a trick question in Tennessee. That's what we call it in Texas, too. Exactly. No matter what answer you give, you sound foolish. And for Grace from Jim, in Orlando, Florida, "As the only African/American finalist, what's your perspective?" Well, you know I'm half-black and half-white. Both have to have the same perspective. I'm really, really scared. (ALL LAUGH) They ask you so many... Wait, where are you going? The bathroom. I'll be back. OK, we're going to lunch. We'll meet you in the lobby. See you there. I know. They asked her... (KEYPAD BEEPS) (DIALS) (PHONE RINGS) When did you get here? I've been here since this morning. Why didn't you come and say Hi? Waiting for a private moment. Your mom... These are for you. (SIGHS) You came home and didn't see me. She told you. Sam. I'm sorry. Why do you let her bully you? I mean if you're going to come to town to see me, then see me. Don't let her make you turn around and go home. Oh, hi, Jen. Hey. I didn't know you were gonna be here. Just came this morning to say Hi. Hi. Danny. Hey, Sarah. Nice to see you. These are beautiful flowers. Do you wanna come to lunch with us? No, no, I don't wanna intrude. Oh, come on, there's plenty of room. That's OK. This is for you guys. No, it's for my family. Danny, just come, OK? It's fine. Really. (LIFT BELL DINGS) I can't believe you've been practising every day. For hours and hours. Well, I'm real proud of you, all of you. So you're coming tomorrow, right? Course I am. Are you kiddin' me? See you tomorrow. You know it. Real nice meeting you. Ah, the pleasure's mine, Danny. So you, lobby, 15? OK, I'm gonna go grab my guitar. I'll be right there, guys. OK. (CLEARS THROAT) That was nice. Yeah. So listen, um, now that you're here, maybe we should talk about what you're looking to get out of all of this. What I'm looking to get? Yes. What's in it for you? Hmph. What's in it for me is to be part of my daughter's life. So, what, if she wins, you're suddenly her father again? Win or lose, I'm whatever she wants and whatever you'll allow. And if that means I'm no-one, then I'm no-one. All right, we have a rehearsal we've gotta get to, so... I'll see you tomorrow. See ya. (GUITAR STRUMS) (HUMS TUNE) I don't mean to disturb anything, but I just thought I might offer my services. I don't mean to step on your toes or nothing, but since guitar's my instrument - You wanna help me practice? Yeah, I really do. I know you and Grace have got a good thing going here, so if it's any kind of problem... Er... Course I'm OK. Come on in. Thank you. May I? Sure. (STRUMS) I sure do remember this. The action's still good. (GIGGLES) Hey, could I have a moment alone with Grace? Of course. Yeah. It's all good. You know why I'm here, right? I guess. I just want you to know... I'm here cos you're my daughter. No other reason. OK. I mean, I was gonna wait to come and see you until after you did the show. But I didn't want you to think I was only coming cos you won - or cos you lost. OK. And I want to clear up one other thing. Your mom didn't tell me not to see you when I came back. She... didn't? No. In fact, she wanted me to see you. I chickened out all on my own. Why? I got so... I didn't want to come back until... until I had something to show. To show for what? The time I'd been away. But there's nothing. And if I wait any longer there won't even be you. So here I am, no career, no album, no money, just me. That's all I've been waitin' for. I'm so sorry. (CAR HORN BLASTS) (WHOOPING AND CHEERING) (CROWD CHEERS) Can I have your autograph? Me? Yes. Sign it, please. My pleasure, but you haven't even heard my song yet. Who cares? You might be famous some day, then it'll be worth money. OK, well, good luck. (WHISTLING AND CHEERING) OK, Mary Lou, you'll be in room number one, Jamie two, Grace will be in number three. All down the hall to the left. Families, say your goodbyes now, because from here on in, it's all up to our three teens. Thank you. Well, I guess this is it. Sweetheart, I love you. You just go out there and squish it. It's crush it, Grandma. Oh, crush it, squish it. You know what I mean. (GIGGLES) Listen. No matter what happens out there, remember, just have some fun. OK? I'll try to be awesome. Thatta girl. Uh-oh. What? You said some people are better than awesome. You... are some people. Come here. (SIGHS) Um... Sorry, you go ahead. No, please, you go first. No, no - Can't you both just hug me? Honey, it's... Yes, of course. Well... OK, this is ridiculous. Just hug your daughter. No, why do you have to do that? Just - Guys. It's not - Can't you see that she needs us here right now? You've been here 48 hours, you're gonna tell me? You're gonna make a big deal out of something again? A big deal? Stop it! OK, honey, come here. You're gonna be great. You're gonna be great, honey. You're gonna be... fantastic. Grace? (KNOCK ON DOOR) (SNIFFS) Who is it? My God. Miss Parton. 1 You can just call me Dolly. Dolly. May I come in? Of course. Won't you come and have a seat with me? You know, they've got me all rigged up with all these cameras and all these monitors everywhere, and I saw what happened with your folks out there. I'm sorry. Well, don't you be sorry. I can show you on an instant replay how you were just perfect. I was? You're perfect now, you were perfect on your audition tape. It seems to me like you're just a perfect little lady. And I am usually right about a thing like that. Thank you so much. (CHUCKLES) Well, I don't have but a second and, truth be told, I'm really not supposed to talk to any of the finalists until I see you out on stage, but I just didn't want anything to cause a precious little gem like you to lose her shine. I won't. You promise? I promise. Well, all right, then, let's go put on a show. (CROWD MURMURS) (COMPERE) Ladies and gentlemen, live from Dollywood, will you please welcome your host for the first annual Country Star Of Tomorrow, the legendary, the lovely, Dolly Parton! (WHISTLING AND CHEERING) Hello, everybody! (WHISTLES) Hello! Thank you. Whoo! Merry Christmas, everybody! You sound like you're in the Christmas spirit. Well, it is Christmas and this is a big and special night for us. We got a lot of show to do, but I just thought it wouldn't be right for us to kinda start a show at this time of year and not do a little bit of something, even something as simple as Jingle Bells. Wanna do a little bit of Jingle Bells? Yeah, why not? # Oh, jingle bells, jingle bells # Jingle all the way # Oh, what fun it is to ride in a one-horse open sleigh Hey! # Jingle bells, jingle bells # Jingle all the way # Oh, what fun it is to ride in a one-horse open sleigh # Oh, what fun it is to ride in one-horse open sleigh! # Yeah! (WHISTLING AND CHEERING) Now that is what I call giving it all you've got. And isn't giving a big part of what Christmas is all about? Well, tonight, our three finalists will give us the precious gift of themselves. Their heart, their creativity, and their courage to put themselves on the line. Now y'all at home, and you folks here in the audience, are gonna give one of them the gift of a recording contract and a US concert tour. Whaddya think about that? All right, let's get this thing going. From Louisville, Kentucky, let's give a warm Tennessee welcome to our first finalist, Miss Mary Lou Memphis, singing her original tune, Fiddlin' Around. Come on out, Mary Lou. (WHISTLING AND CHEERING) Take it away, they're waiting for you. OK. (COUNTRY MUSIC FIDDLE) # Well, I was just fiddlin' around downtown # The first time I saw you # Starting fiddlin', I thought I'd what I had to do # To make you mine, all mine # True love is hard to find # Since then I've spent nearly all my time # Fiddlin' around with you # Just fiddlin', fiddlin', fiddlin' around # Pickin' them up and layin' them down # Yodel-ee-eh, yodel-ee-oo # Fiddlin' around with you, you, fiddlin' around with you, wa-ha! (FIDDLE SOLO) (CROWD CHEERS) Let's go, boys! (FASTER-PACED) # Ah-ha! # Take it! (WHISTLING AND CHEERING) Thank you. Yes, siree, that's very good. I just wanna wish Jamie and Grace good luck. We all worked hard to get here. Ah, that's very sweet of you, and good luck to you. All right, thank you. How about another hand for Miss Mary Lou Memphis?! All right. Well, our second finalist is a young fella from Texas. Ooh, he's good-looking and he can tickle those ivories like nobody's business. Here he is, singing his original song, Dirt Road Dream, would you make welcome Jamie Warner. (WHISTLING AND CHEERING) Oh, he's a Texan all right. Howdy, cowboy. How are you? Good. Thank you. Why don't you go down there and show us what you can do? All right. (PLAYS UPBEAT INTRO) # All I need is a radio song, all of my friends singing along # A full tank of gasoline # And a dirt road dream # Along the way maybe fall in love # With the girl next door, kick up some dust # Hands in the air if you know what I mean # It's a dirt road dream # Come on, come on, come along with me # No time, time to slow down # Get the wheels spinning around # Now come on, come on, come on, who's with me? # I'm chasing that dirt road dream # Oh, dirt road dream # Oh, come on, come on, come along with me # No time, time to slow down # Get the wheels spinning around # No, come on, come on, come on, who's with me? # I'm chasing that dirt road dream... (WHISTLING AND CHEERING) # Oh, dirt road dream # Oh, dirt road dream # Oh, dirt road dream! # (WHISTLING AND CHEERING) Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Well, looks like they're lovin' on you. Thank you, guys. Thank you very much. I mean I may be whatever age I am, but you never get too old to dream. (WHISTLING AND CHEERING) Well, now, everybody, a little girl from Tennessee, with a guitar, just like yours truly, the lovely Grace Gibson singing her original song, Miss You, Miss Me. Grace, come on out here. (WHISTLING AND CHEERING) Now look at her, pretty as a little doll. You go and get seated. They're waiting for you. 1 (WHISTLES) (INTRO) # Miss me # Don't you miss and want to hold me now and then? # And kiss me # And tell me I'm your little girl again? # Daddy, when you left # Did you remove yourself # From every sweet remembrance of me? # I'm always missing you # I hope you miss me too # And everything we were # And still could be # Miss little things like walkin' in the park # Miss summer nights with fireflies in a jar # Vague memories of you playing your guitar # Miss all of this, it's true # But mostly I miss you # Cos no-one else could ever take your place # And Mama # Don't you miss the things that home is all about? # In all the drama # Caused by the anger you keep acting out # Why can't you both just see # You didn't divorce me # Forgive, forget, and try to get along # I miss us being close # I love and miss you both # Don't miss the plea I've written in my song # Your little miss is missing out on you # And you're both missing out on so much too # Put pride aside and do what you should do # Just let resentment go # Let your true feelings flow # I guess you could think of it # As saving grace # I love and miss you both # I want us to be close # Won't you help me be your amazing grace? # I miss you # Miss me... # (WHISTLING AND CHEERING) Thank you. That was just terrific, darling, it really was. You were making me cry back there. Oh, that is so sweet, so beautiful. You know, a lot of people have been talking about how refreshing it is to have a young African/American girl singing country music. Of course, all of us musicians know that that's been the case since country music began. That's right. And now, this song of yours, if you don't mind me asking, it sounds like that might be something personal? Um... Yes. And your family, they're all here, aren't they? Um... My family's here. Won't you guys stand up so we can take a look at you? (WHISTLING AND CHEERING) Um... I wanna say that all of you are the reason that I'm here. And, win or lose, I will always be your student, your grandkid, and your daughter. I always will be, whether this contest makes me a star or a girl going home on a funny-looking church bus. (ALL LAUGH) We love you, Grace, good luck. Won't you stand up and take a bow? You certainly deserve one. It's all right. Hey, back in five, four, three... (WHISTLING AND CHEERING) Well, welcome back, everyone. Well, American has met our three finalists, heard their songs, felt their music, and I don't think anyone can deny that y'all had a tough choice to make. Why don't you give these three another big hand? (WHISTLING AND CHEERING) But, a choice has been made by all of you in the audience and all of the folks watching at home. And here in my hand is the winner of the first-ever Country Star Of Tomorrow. Are you ready over there? Are you ready out there? Always love this when they do the awards shows, where you just keep everybody in suspense. (AUDIENCE LAUGHS) (LAUGHS) And the Country Star Of Tomorrow is... Jamie Warner! OK, Jamie. Whoo! All right, Jamie. Well, how about that? (GIGGLES) Well, congratulations to you. And you take that, you might wanna frame that. And I know that you did a great job and you did win, but now these girls are not too shabby. How about another nice hand for Mary Lou Memphis and our beautiful little Grace Gibson? Well, that's it, everybody. We're filled with love but outta time. So thanks very much for tuning in for our very first Country Star Of Tomorrow, so come on back next year cos it could be you. It's like I always say, you're never gonna do a whole lot unless you're brave enough to try. So good night and Merry Christmas. So you take this and go down and help us out a little more. Good job. Good job. Thank you. Your folks are out there waiting for you. Why don't you go join them? Thank you. # All I need is a radio song # Call all my friends, singing along... # You were so good. Can you see, baby? You won. We won. Thank you. (GUITAR INTRO TO "SILENT NIGHT") (ALL) # Silent night # Holy night # All is calm # All is bright # Round yon virgin, mother and child # Holy infant # So tender and mild # Sleep in heavenly peace # Sleep in heavenly peace # Silent night # Holy night # All is calm # All is bright # Round yon virgin # Mother and child # Holy infant # So tender and mild # Sleep in heavenly peace # Sleep in heavenly peace... # Subtitles by Deluxe www.able.co.nz Captions were made possible with funding from NZ On Air. ABLE 2015