In his seminal album entitled "American Pie", Don McLean memorably referred to the death of Buddy Holly as "The Day the Music Died." Let me tell you that I am now a believer in reincarnation, as the spirit, creativity and energy of Mr. Holly has returned to earth in the form of the wondrous teenager Miley Cyrus and her alter ego Hanna Montana.

I took my six-year-old granddaughter, Calen, out of kindergarten early and literally went flying blind into this movie. Sure I had heard a great deal about Ms. Cyrus, but I've heard a great deal about Paris Hilton and Lindsey Lohan also! While being more than a bit skeptical, I thought that I would at least treat my granddaughter to the experience and try to view it vicariously through her young eyes.

As the theater gradually filled with wide-eyed young girls, I quite frankly anticipated some sort of sophomoric performance that was more hype than substance. Was I ever wrong!

Sure, the young girls in the crowd screamed and danced as their counterparts did in the movie. And is there any sound on earth more ear piercingly shattering than the collective screams of genuine ecstasy from teenage girls? (The film actually involved a self-deprecating segment where young female concertgoers were asked to scream, and the male interviewer compared it to standing behind a jet at take-off!)

Incredibly, this is a first class rock and roll show that, while admittedly aimed at young girls, any rock fan can enjoy. Most of the songs involve a pounding drumbeat and guitar riffs that you would expect to experience in a young Bob Seger or Rod Stewart concert. I'm not kidding!

But the unique thing about Ms. Cyrus are her upbeat lyrics that are targeted specifically at young girls. They are candid, humorous, self-deprecating and, dare I say, at times inspiring. It is no wonder that so many young females have latched onto this phenomenon.

The production of the concert itself is the very definition of fun. As with the young Buddy Holly, there is an unabashed enthusiasm to Ms. Cyrus, and you cannot help but succumb to it. Watching the reaction of my granddaughter was all I needed to know concerning how Hanna Montana was touching a primal nerve in these little girls.

And while boys will also like this music, it is clearly a rock phenomena that leaves them riding in the passenger seat. They can certainly pound the dashboard to the driving rock beat of Cyrus's songs, but it is at all times clear that girls are driving this magical car.

Additionally, there is something refreshingly humble about this young performer. As she says in one of her songs, "I'm just an ordinary girl, living in an extraordinary world." In another, as she reflects on her celebrity, she sings, "But underneath it all, I'm just like you." And the amazing thing is that she genuinely seems to believe that.

This movie is not going to play long, so do yourself a favor and take the time to see it, particularly if you can take some young girls along. But please be advised to arrive early, as the crowd starts to line up long before the previous movie has even let out.

But if you do go, let me provide a cautionary warning alluded above. Years ago (1976) I went to see the first girls Indiana high school state basketball championship at Hinkle Fieldhouse. Since girls had been denied this opportunity up to that point, I was curious to see how the crowd responded.

As I entered Hinkle, I still remember the piercing, ear splitting screams that came from thousands of young girls cheering simultaneously. While I found this sound strangely enchanting, I will admit that many would agree that if it would be played by the United States Military in the mountains of Afghanistan, Osma Bin Laden would probably surrender voluntarily, and quickly. In other words, if you have sensitive eardrums, take some cotton as a precaution.

In the end, let me close by quoting a few lyrics from an old Buffalo Springfield song:

"There's something happening here, What it is ain't exactly clear." and "Stop, hey, what's that sound, Everybody look what's going down."

They weren't singing about Hanna Montana, but their words fit perfectly.