Phillip Phillips Wins American Idol, 2012 | Eastern North Carolina Now

   The personable, charismatic Georgia Cracker, Phillip Phillips, from Leesburg, Ga., used his humble upbringing, from a small town deep in bowels of the rolling farm country hills of south central Georgia, to great effect, letting his remarkable talent tell the story of who he is, and why folks from all over America, and the world, should choose him, his talent, and to some extent, his future as this year's American Idol.

   The happy, ever smiling, lean and lanky, 21 year old singer was almost never out of his element in the presentation of his impression of what good music should sound like. His guitar routinely strapped to his person, as yet one small barrier between the magnificently talented Southern boy and his growing public, and his earthy voice that seemed to find its range as the show progressed, gave an increasingly adoring fan base a clear window into his musical soul, and they approved in dramatic numbers.

   This year, in American Idol's 11th season on FOX, a record number of votes - over 132 million - picked Phillip over the 16 year old Jessica Sanchez, from Southern California, whose big, beautiful voice belied her slight form in its overwhelming power and tone.

   Actually, Phillip won in a year which had the greatest propensity of raw musical aptitude ever assembled in all of the many seasons of this talent-rich search program. Joshua Ledet, recently turned 20 years old, from Louisiana, and the second runner-up, who was not picked to be one the public-picked finals' finalists, but is equally as talented; however, and unfortunately, there can only be one runner-up and one winner in the finals.

    Joshua is one of the best soul singers, I have ever seen, and will be that rare talent, who will be remembered as one of the greatest singing talents ever to perform on American Idol. Years from now, some people will remember the gospel choir boy, who literally grew into that outstanding "soul man" right before our eyes, as the winner. He had the talent, just as Jessica Sanchez, but she did not have the votes. Phillip Phillips did, and it was his night.

   And what a night it was. It began with Phillip taking the stage to sing alongside 60's music icon, and Jeffery Lebowski's (aka The Dude's) personal favorite, John Fogerty of Creedence Clearwater Revival, to sing the classic ballad "Have You Ever Seen the Rain." Phillip, whose natural style runs the gamut of Dave Mathews meets Joe Cocker, employed his seasoned raspy voice to clearly intone the song's message of hope, while offering near perfect harmony with Fogerty on the refrain. The song stopped me "dead in my tracks" and held me fast from swimming my laps this night.

   Instead of gaining a modicum of exercise, I watched a pretty good show featuring a good many pop stars - past and present - up until the climax of the winner's notification, at which point, Ryan Seacrest, the show's longtime host, quickly announced Phillip as this season's winner over Jessica Sanchez. Host Seacrest briskly gave Phillip the trophy, in the shape of an archaic microphone, and announced that the 21 year old would now sing his original melody, "Home," as the show quickly closed.

   Phillip rushed into position with his guitar strapped and in front, his audio earpieces quickly placed, and ably struggled to get in sync with the show's band as the program closed on "live TV." At 21 years of age, Phillip is a pro, and quickly fell into sync with the band, with the song; however, as he sang his first refrain, the young man began to understand the enormity of what had befallen him; that his simple life as his pawn shop father's "gofer" would be forever changed, and understandably, the young man burst into tears, and while he continued to play note for note with the band, Phillip became inconsolable to the point of finding it impossible to continue singing.

   Instinctively, the young self-assured artist made the most logical move - one that seemed so natural, one that he will look back on and be proud of: He put down his guitar, he walked offstage, and he lovingly hugged his pawn shop father in the front row, and the only mother he will ever know, as the band played on - never missing a note of what is to be Phillip Phillip's first recording as a professional. It was a touching moment of a finely born product of this America.

   This American Idol is one that the whole state of Georgia can be proud of, and he is one that this North Carolina southern boy can be proud of as well. Phillip Phillips has the immeasurable qualities of real tangible talent and honest humility, packaged in the person of a young handsome southern gentleman. I really dig that south Georgia twang, but moreover, I am looking forward to getting to know Phillip the artist. I just have this feeling that this young Phillip Phillips will make music that will move me, and a good many others.

   The boy took a chance when he applied himself to American Idol, and he became, in the process, an artist and a man. It is a good story of what is surely becoming a good man. I feel rather strongly about this.

   Now Phillip, do us all proud: Your father, your fans, the state of Georgia and everyone who loves good music, or has a dream unfulfilled. Do us proud. We will all be the better for it.

Phillip Phillips performing the melody, "Volcano:" Below.