First week sales numbers were released this morning, and, again, David's own fanbase has had different reactions to them. Some people are (prematurely, in my opinion) deeming David Cook to be "AI's latest flop" from a single that's been out for a week. And, wow, the Word Nerds are up in arms about it, but let's get a little perspective here. While it's amusing to keep track of them, numbers should not be the sole defining aspect of one's success. To elaborate, I'd like to introduce to you a band I like to call "The Little Band that Still Is".

In 1997, three boys from San Diego, after playing three respectable shows as a band, signed with a small, local independent label called re:think and released an 11-track demo-quality CD that had been, for the better part, recorded in their respective bedrooms. They garnered a lot of local interest but their name never made it far past their scene. They were largely considered an undiscovered talent until two albums, top contributor to the "A Walk to Remember" soundtrack and about seven years later, in 2003 they released with Columbia records what would be known as their smash-hit debut album, "The Beautiful Letdown". That little band from San Diego, plus two honorary members, became that year's hottest household name: Switchfoot. Their next effort with Columbia Records would not be as marketable and soon, they became "the next big thing that came and went". Except... they didn't go anywhere. What most people don't realize about Switchfoot's history as a band is that they have been around for going on 11 years now. They had three acclaimed album's before they debuted on Columbia Records with "The Beautiful Letdown", and despite differing opinions with their new label, released two additional album's under that contract. They recently split with Columbia Records, and are right well into their 10th consecutive year of nearly continuous touring, and even as independent band, are selling out shows all while being currently hard at work on their seventh - yes, seventh - album. Switchfoot has demonstrated a kind of staying power fueled by three very simple things: their music, their passion, and their fans.

Why is this relevant here? Because it's an example of exactly how much numbers matter in the music industry - that is to say, numbers matter very little.

- It took 11 years for their first three CDs ("Legend of Chin", "New Way to Be Human", and "Learning to Breathe") to become certified Gold.
- "The Beautiful Letdown" is the only Platinum disc Switchfoot has produced, reaching double-platinum status.
- "Nothing is Sound", their fifth effort, went Gold.
- "Oh! Gravity", the sixth studio album never reached Gold standards (I believe).

But despite the lack of numbers they manage to pull, they are still around, catering to a rabid fanbase, making music, and they show absolutely no signs of an ending anytime soon.

This is a very worthy reality for a musician, to be able to create and play music for a crowd who loves you for what you are, not how you sell. This is the type of career, at least fundamentally, I see in the future for David. I see his career being very fan-oriented, and very long. Let's remember, David's already been around for at least half a decade. He has a pretty well established base in Tulsa and now he has the Word Nerds of AI to add to his "collection". He's in the right place for the start of a lasting career.

Do I want David to be commercially successful and have Gold and Platinum albums to lines his mansion hallways with? Yes. Will I consider him unsuccessful if he ends up in a one-bedroom, studio apartment with his guitar? No. Because I believe, no matter the numbers, his voice and presence will still appeal to his fans, and his fans will always demand more from him.

So I guess my point is this: don't be so serious when it comes to sales numbers. They seem important, but the only people who should worry about them are the suits at RCA. They get paid to worry about numbers. You and I, as fans, should just have fun with them. Get excited when they go up, but don't take it so hard when they don't seem "high". Support your music, and the music will support you.

Long live the numerically-challenged!

Shine on, David.

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That being said, I'm on the optimistic side of the numbers: for a single with virtually no promotion, no airplay, and going up against some of the "heavy hitters" of the industry - Pink, T.I., Christina, etc. - the fact that "Light On" peaked in the top half of iTunes it's first week and sold the 109k that it did, is astounding... Shine On, David.