Gilman Meets Muse Behind 'Elisabeth'

DALLAS (AP) - Billy Gilman finally met his muse. The rising country star met Elisabeth Wagner, 21, for the first time Saturday at the State Fair of Texas. She is the inspiration behind the song ``Elisabeth'' on Gilman's new album, ``Dare to Dream.''

The song details a strong woman's fight against disease. Wagner has had neurofibromatosis, a genetic disorder that causes small, mostly benign growths to form on her nerves, since she was 2 years old.

Wagner never imagined her struggles would one day be inspiration for a song. It was written by Wagner's aunt, Liz Rose, and her friend Kim Patton Johnston.
``Who gets a song written about them - much less a song on the radio and a video? I mean, that's cool,'' Wagner said.

The recent discovery of a malignancy forced the Dallas resident to postpone college at Texas A&M University while she undergoes treatment. But the setback hasn't upset her. ``College will still be there when I'm done,'' she said.
It was Wagner's positive attitude that inspired Rose to write the song. Rose said it took about hour to write.

``It was really something that I needed to say,'' said Rose. ``To me, this kid has gone through so much since she was little, and I never see her upset or sad. She's always positive.''