Scholastic Student Reporter John Dixon (center) with singers Brianna Rieffel and Adam Calvert. (Photo: courtesy John Dixon)

We lucked into fourth row seats at the Country Tonite concert in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. Thank goodness my dad thought to bring a digital camera because my luck did not end with good tickets to a good show. I ended up interviewing the two youth headliners of this year's show, Adam Calvert, 13, and Brianna Rieffel, 10.

They did two of my all-time favorite songs, "Letters From Home" and "Orange Blossom Special." I like Gretchen Wilson too, and they did both of her recent hits, so I was a happy camper. The dancers, musicians, and singers were spectacular. It was amazing to see Adam and Brianna performing with the same skill and enthusiasm as their much older peers. I, myself, cannot carry a tune in two buckets, so I was really impressed with these two young people. Brianna, from Mandeville, Louisiana, and Adam from Cambridge, Ohio, have temporarily relocated to Pigeon Forge, far from friends and family, to follow a dream.

After the autograph session following the show, Adam and Brianna sat down with me at a table in the lobby for an interview. Brianna began singing at age 2 with the Leann Rimes song "Blue." Adam can't remember a time when he didn't sing, performing at nursing homes and charity events at around age 5 with his cousin Lynsey.

Adam is very outgoing and personable. Brianna is quieter but still very friendly—in a ladylike way. After a few minutes I was as comfortable talking to them as to my friends at home. It seems that the Internet had played an important role in bringing all of us together in Pigeon Forge, far from our homes. I write for Scholastic News Online; Adam had answered an audition call on a popular Web site for American kids; and someone had e-mailed Brianna about the audition opportunity.

Both Adam and Brianna have incredibly supportive moms who relocated so their children could follow their lifelong dreams of performing professionally. They both miss their family and friends but seem to have adjusted quite well. Practice, performance, and recording schedules have made it necessary for Brianna to be home-schooled, but Adam has chosen to remain in public school and continue his personal life as normally as possible for a 12-year-old budding star.

Brianna is a tiny girl who just turned 10 years old with a voice and spirit 10 times her size. Adam, who turned 13 in July, is a consummate showman with polish and confidence beyond his years. If you happen to be in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee with some time on your hands, you should stop by Country Tonite to meet Adam and Brianna and enjoy one whale of a fine show.