At one time, I was a diehard fan of “American Idol.” From the very first season, when Kelly Clarkson won it all, through the up years of Carrie Underwood, thru the down years of Lee DeWyze to the triumph of Scotty McCreery, I have been there.

Yes, my patience was tested when Kara DioGuardi joined the judge’s panel of Randy Jackson, Paula Adbul and Simon Cowell. Judge Steven Tyler brought a breath of naughty air to the show, counterbalancing Jennifer Lopez’s self-love fest. Now J.Lo has her career back, and Steven is back with Aerosmith, and rumor has it Randy Jackson may be moved over to “mentor status.”

As “American Idol” looks at Season 12, and its ratings aren’t what they used to be, the powers that be are looking to punt, by starting all over again. Pop princess Mariah Carey has signed on. The ink is almost dry on a deal with pop and hip-hop star Nicki Minaj. With “The Voice” breathing down Idol’s neck, what to do?

“Oh yeah, let’s (finally) get a country singer on the judges panel! Blake Shelton is on ‘The Voice,’ and he’s cool; let’s get one of our own!” Duh.

“Idol” has a long list of country success stories, notably Carrie, Scotty, Lauren Alaina, Kellie Pickler, Bucky Covington and Casey James. “Idol” has made good use of country music guest judges and mentors. Shania Twain, Dolly Parton, Miley Cyrus and Martina McBride have all doled out their wisdom, and Randy Travis’ infamous confusion over contestant Adam Lambert’s black nail polish was classic.

And Carrie thinks it’s about time, telling the Tennessean, “I do think it would be wise to have a country person in. You look at the track record of ‘American Idol,’ and there’s me and Scotty and Lauren who were the final two. … There’s obviously a want for it from the ‘American Idol’-watching audience because that’s who they are voting for. So, it makes sense they would have somebody they know and love in as a judge.”

But who? Reba McEntire was interested but decided she would be “too nice” and opted out. Toby Keith was offered the gig, but turned it down, which is too bad; a countrified Simon with red solo cups on the judges’ panel would have been fun. Then Brad Paisley’s name was bantered about. He didn’t deny he had been in talks, but that seems to have fizzled out. Again, a shame because Brad would have brought a raw honesty to the show that has become very much like “every day is Valentine’s Day.”

It looks like Keith Urban — ironically already a judge on the “The Voice” in Australia” — may have the gig. While he’s not a Blake Shelton potty mouth in-your-face kind of guy, Keith’s gentle cheerleading may be just what “Idol” needs. And there’s something to be said about an Aussie accent, right? Here’s hoping “Idol” confirms a country connection this season, because, in the words of Randy Jackson, that would be “da bomb.”