David Cook touched me during Idol, his gutsy moves, Billy Jean, owning Hello, and "Give Back" on his hand during the Idol Gives Back show, left me wanting more. But on Opera night, I found myself voting for the first time, and weekly thereafter until he claimed the title surprising me again with an honest display of emotion.

Started listening to pre-Idol tunes in anticipation of the November album release. Seeing the Idol tour in Sunrise I had some concerns regarding DC's ability to "connect" in a live venue. When the album was released on-line I immediately connected to "Permanent", and "Kiss on the Neck", while the rest of the songs continued to grow on me. Knowing the lyrics facilitated extra enjoyment at Sunfest in West Palm Beach, FL where any concerns I had regarding DC's ability to "connect" were dispelled. These guys rocked, provided surprises, and connected to the audience with professionalism creating, at least for me, far more value than what the ticket price eluded.

Upcoming chapters of the David Cook saga will predictably include music video awards, Grammies, music soundtrack, and expensive ticket prices, and hopefully a lot more music. In the meantime, I honor his humor, his creativity, his ethics, his diversity, and especially his ability to stay real amid the chaos.

I am a true fan.