We’ve always had a weakness for shows like Before They Were Stars — who doesn’t want to revisit Justin Timberlake’s days as a Mouseketeer or see a pint-sized Christina Aguilera sashay around in a frilly Laura Ashley dress while belting out showtunes in her elementary school talent show? There’s something undeniably compelling about seeing what our favorite singers, movie stars or supermodels were like before they made it big. You know, when they were more like the rest of us scrubs.

And maybe that’s why we’re so excited about rising tween star Savannah Outen. Sure, you may not have heard of her…yet. But mark our words when we say this cray-cray talented Oregonian singer is on the brink of greatness. And fortunately for us, Savannah hasn’t let living in a small town stop her from getting the industry’s attention. (Yay, Internet! We knew you’d “catch on” eventually!)

Armed with only a guitar and a camcorder, Savannah’s already scored a record deal with Levosia Entertainment and catapulted herself to YouTube stardom with her video covers of songs like Rihanna’s “Take A Bow” and Taylor Swift’s “Should Have Said No.” Not that she has any problem making music of her own. Her first single, “Goodbyes,” is like a sweeter, Carrie Underwood-inspired version of Britney’s “Baby One More Time” video. (No wonder it’s already seeing heavy airplay on Radio Disney).

Listen to Savannah’s music on MySpace, and don’t forget to start pre-programming your DVRs — we guarantee you’ll see Savannah’s Before They Were Stars episode air sometime before the year 2011. At which point, you’ll be able to tell everyone it all started with a Sony Handycam, DSL, and a dream.