American Idol's Crystal Bowersox

American Idol this year is not adding up to much of a competition. There are a few contestants with some chops, but have yet to do more than depress the audience with their boring song choices and sorrowful vocals which causes viewers to pound the mute button.

I had great hopes for this season to measure up to last season and to somehow match the excitement that Adam Lambert brought to the show. To have more than one contestant blow the speakers on the surround sound, but so far there is only one...

Crystal Bowersox, the small town Ohio girl with big city dreams is the front runner this year. She is already a star with her strong vocal range, and genuine deep rooted emotion. Her pain, happiness, joy and sadness are heard in each word she sings and we're singing right along with her.

Crystal who sounds as though she's been singing for decades is also a songwriter. She plays the acoustic guitar, electric guitar and harmonica, and does so with ease. She tries something new every week and has yet to disappoint. This week we heard Tracy Chapman's; "Give me one reason" and while I am a huge Chapman fan, I found Crystal's rendition better than the original. Forgive me Tracy.

Crystal has had three incredible weeks so far and shows no signs of slowing. I see Crystal taking this competition and becoming very big, very fast. She has the staying power Idol looks for in its contestants and the drive to get what she wants. Singing seems an easy task for her and her performances are seamless. No ripples in the water for her, she is on her way while the other contestants seem to be drowning in her shadow.

Crystal Bowersox already has a song burning up YouTube. "Farmer's Daughter". The song was written by Crystal and appears to be a painful admission of disappointment with her childhood, parents and society. It is a moving account of a little girl begging for her father's approval, love and tenderness, but all she ever got was a cold shoulder and hard fist. The song is a reminder of the abuse so many children are subjected to behind closed doors.

While it isn't clear if Crystal endured the pain she speaks of in her song, there is tremendous pain in her eyes. Don't worry Crystal; your life will never be the same after Idol. You will never want for anything money can buy and hopefully you will make peace with your past. We love you and look forward to the future when whatever's on your mind is transposed onto your next #1 single.