'Momma 'Sox' Shows She's Ready to Win Idol with 'People Get Ready'

Crystal Bowersox left the comfort of her six-string to deliver an emotional "People Get Ready" tonight to showcase why she is the odd's-on favorite to win this year's American Idol, as she sparkled in competition featuring Idol's final seven contestants.

On a night on which contestants were asked to perform inspirational songs, and the young contestants were mentored by R&B superstar Alicia Keys, only Bowersox and young Aaron Kelly showed wisdom in song selection and delivered anything close to inspirational performances.

Kelly sang a spot-on interpretation of R. Kelly's "I Believe I Can Fly."  Meanwhile, Teflon Tim Urban came through with a relatively in-tune but uninspired version of the Goo Goo Dolls' "Better Days," Siobhan Magnus completely missed the mark with a flat and banal performance of the Whitney Houston and Mariah Carey classic "When You Believe," and Big Mike Lynche accompanied himself on acoustic guitar on a passable but boring version of "The Hero."

Two other yawn-inspiring performances were delivered by Casey James with Fleetwood Mac's "Don't Stop (Thinkin' About Tomorrow),"  while Lee DeWyze sang an uneven and pitchy version of the Simon and Garfunkel masterpiece "The Boxer."

At this rate, it looks like barring an unforeseen injury, sickness or Act of God, Bowersox is almost a certain shoo-in to win this year's competition.  Part of our rationale for this prediction is that Bowersox is a consummate performer and truly ready to become a recording star.  Our other reason we believe she will win is because the Idol field this year is extremely weak.

And that's our view from The A & R Room.