By: Stocktony

After Grace VanderWaal finished her song, “Clay” on Tuesday night’s America’s Got Talent finale, I rubbed my temples and cursed. It’s not because I didn’t like it, to the contrary, I loved it. But as a writer of songs myself, I found myself a bit jealous–Soliere to Mozart–of a twelve-year-old who has a gift that so few possess, no matter how much we try. Jealous, yes, but still firmly behind the fair-haired kid with the ukulele, have been since the first time I saw her. Last night, America proved that they can still recognize something special. Grace VanderWaalwon AGT.

To answer any naysayer: Grace VanderWaal was not the best singer on AGT. Two better technical vocalists made the top ten plus one better vocal group (Louisville’s Linkin Bridge.) Grace’s victory takes nothing away from them. But I must ask you these questions:

Was Bob Dylan the best singer of the 60’s? Jimi Hendrix? How does Willie Nelson rate against some of the country greats in tone and pitch? If singing is all that we judge, why not the wonderfully strong voice of AGT opera singer Laura Bretan? How about Pavarotti?

Honestly, singing prowess alone does not a performer or performance make. Sometimes it’s the genuine that sounds above the technical. For young Grace VanderWaal, it was precisely that.

Sitting in my living room this summer, I saw a lanky, nervous little twelve-year-old girl holding fast to a ukulele as she first stepped onto the stage in front of four judges and America. She announced her intentions to sing an original song. My radar went off, my ears went up. I expected something cheesy, kid-like in nature, a sunshine-and-lollipops serenade to the trials and tribulations that missing an episode of SpongeBob might bring forth. But it wasn’t that at all.

What met my ears, our ears, was rootsy, authentic, original…different. The cadence shifting, the melody transforming, the lyrics weaving an intricate pattern of metaphor vivid with experience and insight. From the introspective, already classic “I Don’t Know My Name” to the symbolism of “Clay,” Grace emits strength and confidence through words of self-assurance and personal growth. She understands far beyond her years, far beyond most of us. Indeed it seems she has been given a gift that cannot be taught in a class by a teacher. She is speaking from a frame of reference that only the true artists can speak from.

Do I wish I could? Of course. But more importantly, I am thankful to have been introduced to someone who can. The future is bright, and we are witnessing greatness personified. Enjoy!