America’s Got Talent has a way of turning out some of the best young talent around! Over the past eleven seasons the hit show has shined a spotlight on creative types and performers who might otherwise never get the opportunity to reveal their talent to the millions of viewers that tune in each week. One of the most impressive auditions to come out of the most recent season came from Kadie Lynn Roberson who, at the ripe old age of twelve, had the poise and fortitude needed to sing and play guitar in front of some of the toughest judges around.

We all know that America’s Got Talent loves to highlight the personal backgrounds of each performer, but Kadie Lynn’s story may be one of the most captivating ones yet. The young Texan comes from the tiny town of Kemp which boasts a tiny population and only a single stoplight. She credits her confident stage presence to her mother and father’s willingness to take her in when she was born as an orphan. Though the two are older parents and didn’t adopt her until they were in their 50s, her mother explained that when she first picked up Kadie Lynn as a baby she was, “immediately bonded to her.” How’s that for a tearjerker?

The girl’s voice is undeniably powerful. Her commanding presence and impressive range may remind some country music fans of when a young LeAnn Rimes first hit the scene in the 90s. Though Kadie Lynn’s singing is standout, it’s hard to overlook her guitar and songwriting skills. Her original love song rendition of the bedtime staple “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star” evoked a mature feeling of a fleeting, lost love rather than a nursery rhyme about the night’s sky. Howie Mandel noted her age during his supportive critique. “You’re twelve! What do you know about love? But, if I was listening to that on the radio, it sounded like you really knew about love…”

Even the notoriously hard to please Simon Cowell was blown away by the young girl’s mighty voice. In response to her stunning performance, Cowell said, “You know, when we make these shows, it’s a bit like we’re mining for talent—and you dig, you dig. And, every so often you find a diamond, and that’s who we found today with you.” He went on to say, “I have a feeling—and I’m rarely wrong—that in a few years’ time we’re going to look back to this moment and say, ‘This is the day that we discovered Kadie Lynn.’”

America’s Got Talent has had a history of giving a platform to country artists. In 2009, country crooner Kevin Skinner swept away the competition when he was announced as the winner of show’s fourth season.

Were you amazed by Kadie Lynn Roberson’s performer? Are you hooked on her rendition of “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star?” Tell us all about your reaction to the talented singer in the comments below!