Celebrate the Heart of Country, Americana, and Roots Music!

Drop Us A Line, Y'all

Y'all interested in advertising, partnering up, contributing stories, joining our team, or just got a question? Well, don't be shy, drop us a line!

Follow Us

Dolly Parton Spotted This 8-Year-Old at Dollywood and His Reaction Is Everything

Dolly Parton points and smiles from a flower-filled parade float at Dollywood as 8-year-old Owen reacts with stunned joy, hands on his face in disbelief.
by
  • Riley is a Senior Country Music Journalist for Country Thang Daily, known for her engaging storytelling and insightful coverage of the genre.
  • Before joining Country Thang Daily, Riley developed her expertise at Billboard and People magazine, focusing on feature stories and music reviews.
  • Riley has a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism from Belmont University, with a minor in Cultural Studies.

Eight-year-old Owen didn’t expect to have the most unforgettable day of his young life at Dollywood. But when Dolly Parton herself spotted him during the park’s parade and locked eyes with him from her carriage, his joy exploded into a moment now seen by millions.

As reported by People, Owen and his family were at Dollywood in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, on March 14 for the passholder opening day. The family had staked out a spot on a bridge near the Mountain Laurel area, camera in hand, hoping to glimpse the country legend.

@rameyfamily.4

Please Watch! Our 8 year old seeing @Dolly Parton for the first time! #passholderday #dollywood #openingday #dollyparton superfan@Toni Michelle

♬ original sound – Jordan April Ramey

RELATED: What Will Happen to Dollywood When Dolly Parton Is No Longer Here

Owen stood patiently with a pink pom-pom in hand. His dad, Jordan Ramey, 35, FaceTimed his mother to share the moment while Owen’s stepmom, April, began recording. Then came the parade—and with it, Dolly.

The moment Owen saw her, something changed. “Oh my God, oh my God!” he shouted over and over, shaking the pom-pom as Dolly rolled by. His voice was a mixture of disbelief and unfiltered joy. Owen’s excitement hit another level when Dolly spotted him and pointed with a wide smile. Jordan asked him who he had just seen. The boy screamed, “Dolly!” without missing a beat.

According to People, Jordan was stunned. “The whole time we were standing there, he didn’t act that excited at all. But the moment he laid eyes on her, and she acknowledged him, he lost it,” he said. The family has been visiting Dollywood since Owen was 3, and his love for the park has only grown. Jordan explained that his admiration for Dolly comes from seeing her photos throughout the DreamMore Resort.

RELATED: After 100 Disney Trips, She Tried Dollywood and Was Shocked by 7 Things

Jordan posted the video to TikTok, expecting a few likes. It has since surpassed six million views and sparked an outpouring of support. Brands like Spotify, Barbie, and Visa all chimed in with comments, and the internet quickly agreed that Owen’s reaction wasn’t just appropriate — it was iconic.

“He had always wanted to go viral, and it finally happened,” Jordan shared. The family hasn’t yet heard from Dolly directly, but they’re holding onto hope. Until then, they’re soaking in the joy of the moment.

“My favorite comments are the sarcastic ones saying, ‘At least he remained calm.’ That one is hilarious,” Jordan added. “Let your kids enjoy being a kid and always have your camera ready to capture unexpected moments.”

Owen’s reaction may have been spontaneous, but it resonated with something more profound in all of us. Sometimes, the most magical encounters don’t happen on stage or in a spotlight — they happen in the blink of an eye when a legend waves from a parade carriage and one kid realizes his hero is real.

Latest Stories

Roy Rogers, smiling in his signature cowboy hat and embroidered suit, remembered by fans as the King of the Cowboys in 1998.

On This Day, Fans Remember Roy Rogers, the King of the Cowboys, Who Rode Off in 1998

Sometimes the cowboy who taught America how to ride tall in the saddle and tip a hat with a smile is the one who leaves the biggest boots to fill. ...

Julian Ryan smiles with his fiancée and kids in a family photo before the Texas floods that took his life in a heartbreaking tragedy.

Young Dad’s Heartbreaking Final Words Revealed by Family After Texas Flooding Tragedy

Julian Ryan wasn’t just another name on the growing list of the dead in the Texas flood disaster. He was a father, a fiancé, and, in his final moments, a ...

Miranda Lambert performs onstage at a concert, now under fire for focusing on animals during the Texas floods tragedy.

Miranda Lambert Under Fire for Asking Help for Animals in Texas Floods While People Still Missing

Sometimes, doing the right thing still gets you dragged through the mud. Miranda Lambert, country’s resident dog lover and unapologetic Texas girl, is catching flak this week for what some ...

Texas Floods Leave 51 Dead Including 15 Children as Families Face Unthinkable Loss

Texas Floods Leave 51 Dead Including 15 Children as Families Face Unthinkable Loss

One moment, it was just another summer night in the Texas Hill Country, the next the river rose like an angry giant and tore whole lives apart. According to AP ...

Keith Urban holds a CMA award on stage, showing the same trophies he often ships home so his mom can keep a room full of them.

Keith Urban Gives Away Almost Every Award He Wins So One Person Can Keep a Room Full of Them

Keith Urban doesn’t just pick up awards, he packs them up and ships them off faster than most country stars can find a shelf. For a guy who’s racked up ...

Toby Keith performs with his American flag guitar, the same patriotic spirit that fueled his song "Courtesy of the Red, White, and Blue."

The Untold Truth Behind Toby Keith’s “Courtesy of the Red, White, and Blue (The Angry American)”

When Toby Keith sat down with a fantasy football stat sheet and scribbled out “Courtesy of the Red, White, and Blue”, he didn’t just write a song. He lit a ...

Toby Keith plays guitar with an American flag design, capturing the patriotic vibe perfect for a Fourth of July country playlist.

35 Patriotic Country Songs to Turn Your Backyard Into the Ultimate 4th of July Party

Nothing says freedom like blasting a rowdy country playlist while you torch a few burgers, keep the cooler stocked, and watch your drunk uncle light fireworks way too close to ...

Keith Urban sits next to Nicole Kidman looking serious, a moment that echoes him shutting down talk about her steamy movie scenes.

Keith Urban Shuts Down Interview When Nicole Kidman’s Scenes With Younger Men Are Mentioned

Some lines just ain’t worth crossing, especially when you’re asking Keith Urban about Nicole Kidman and Zac Efron rolling around on screen. This week, the whole thing went sideways when ...

Tim McGraw sits outdoors with Faith Hill, leaning on a cane, sparking questions about his health but showing their strong bond.

Tim McGraw Using a Cane With Faith Hill Beside Him Raises Questions About His Health

Sometimes country music’s strongest cowboys need a little help standing tall, and Tim McGraw’s latest photo has folks asking how much longer he can keep carrying that torch. It’s not ...

Garth Brooks and Trisha Yearwood smile together at an event, standing united amid the ongoing sexual assault lawsuit drama.

Garth Brooks’ Marriage With Trisha Yearwood Reportedly Unshaken by Sexual Assault Lawsuit

Nothing tests a marriage like ugly headlines, but Garth Brooks and Trisha Yearwood are riding out this storm shoulder to shoulder. Since last October, Garth Brooks has been staring down ...