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Morning News

12-Year-Old Country Singer Billy Gilman Discusses Salvation Army Annual Donation Drive

Aired November 23, 2000 - 11:12 a.m. ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

CAROL LIN, CNN ANCHOR: Well, you know, it is the holiday. What is the holiday season without the Salvation Army? The organization kicks off its annual donation drive during today's big game between the Dallas Cowboys and the Minnesota Vikings. And guess what? 12- year-old country singing marvel Billy Gilman is performing during half time at the Texas Stadium, and he is also acting as spokesperson for the Salvation Army, and joins us this morning from Dallas.

Happy Thanksgiving, Billy.

BARRY GILMAN, COUNTRY SINGER: You too, how are you?

LIN: I am going great. Congratulations on this big job. Are you nervous?

GILMAN: A little bit because lots of people are going to be watching and I would love to do it because it is for such a great cause, you know.

LIN: Which song are going to be singing?

GILMAN: I am going to be singing a different rendition of "One Voice." So it will be really, really cool?

LIN: Different, how is it going to sound? Can you hum a few bars?

GILMAN: It is kind of a secret.

LIN: Kind of a secret? Why?

GILMAN: Because it has a real big ending.

LIN: A big ending all right. You have a big booming voice, don't you?

GILMAN: Thank you.

LIN: So you are going to be able to fill up the stadium. You are used to dealing with big crowds, and you got a big message for them too because it is the annual kick off for the Salvation Army fund-raising. What are you going to try to get across to this crowd at the game? GILMAN: Well, hopefully, by singing "One Voice," it will draw attention to all the people and all the viewers to donate just a quarter, or a dollar a day for the Salvation Army and the Red Kettles because, like 25 cents or a dollar, can make a big difference.

LIN: Yes, and you saw some of that difference. I understand you got to meet some of the families and some kids. What was that like?

GILMAN: It was really touching to see the kids. Actually I get to sing for them at the show. They're sitting on the steps and I sing to them, "One Voice," so that's really cool.

LIN: Really? And which version did you sing them? Did you sing them the new one or the old one?

GILMAN: The new one because they are going to be at the show tonight. They are going to be sitting on the steps watching me sing. That will be really neat.

LIN: I am pretty sure I have heard the original rendition. Do you mind reminding me of how it goes?

GILMAN: Sure.

(SINGING)

LIN: Oh, my God, how does it get better than that?

GILMAN: Thank you.

LIN: That's terrific. That's a pretty deep message. I think a lot of people are going to be wondering how it is that you relate to it at your age?

GILMAN: What I do is when I go into the studio, I try to put myself in the situation, and to get all the emotion out. But it was a pretty easy song to get the emotion through because it's basically about the real world, you know.

LIN: The kids that you met at different shelters, what was their reaction to you? How did they relate to you?

GILMAN: Well, they were a little shy, you know, but they were really, really, great.

LIN: Yeah, well, that's terrific. You know, Billy, I hope you have a great time.

GILMAN: I will. Thank you.

LIN: I think you could probably get a message across to everybody that maybe an adult would have a tougher time doing.

GILMAN: Thank you.

LIN: Have a terrific time. Happy Thanksgiving. GILMAN: Happy turkey day.

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