I have been watching American Idol as long as it has been on. I was thrilled at the talent of Kelly Clarkson and Carrie Underwood. It seems the last three years have been pathetic.

I never thought I would answer this question. There are so many great singers and all different.

I was watching a cable film with James Caan and Sally Field, “Kiss Me Goodbye”, and at the credits, there she was, I recognized her right away, Dusty Springfield, a song written by the late Peter Allen.

Students constantly tell me “I am warmed up, I sang on the way over.”

I have been very fortunate to have traveled and met with and hung out with people from Janis Joplin to Hugh Hefner to David Niven.The list is long.

I tuned in for the X-Factor semi-finals. I wasn’t knocked out by the performances, but thought that 13 year old Rachel Crow deserved to be in the finals. She was up against a young man, perhaps 18, Marcus Canty.

When I was a child, I had already been singing since I could speak. My mother had been a professional singer and dad a drummer. They decided not to get me a coach, they didn’t feel I needed it.

Several of my students have auditioned for American Idol, The Voice and X-Factor. Most have gone on to the 2nd and 3rd round of producers, only to not make it to the little, or big screen in your home.

This Business of “Show” is very difficult. I know, remember. I was dropped by a label at age 14. I didn’t give up. It was not the end of the world. I spent my entire life singing. You may not have bought my records, but I was out there, entertaining and dancing for all the people who were there to be entertained.