I'm a fan (and you should be too) because...

I was taken by the beauty of his voice from the very first notes he sang in the first two auditions.

Later, I was compelled by the emotional power of his performances.

Then, by the creative talent and hard work shown in his arrangements for songs.

Then, I became intrigued when he talked about new musical groups like "Switchfoot." When I heard him sing "Innocent," I realized I had to figure out this music download business because the only stuff I'd been buying was U2 and Bruce Springsteen. When he sang "Dare You to Move," I bought an Ipod, and discovered a whole new world of great music.

Then, I saw how humble and kind he was in the "going home video segment," and in interviews. He also revealed a great self-depreciating sense of humor.

Then, I learned how generous he was when I read about him wearing a bracelet for a young girl with cancer, calling her, later hanging out with her. I saw him giving his extremely limited time to raise funds to combat cancer. He's clearly exhausted in the video now on the standup2cancer.org website, yet immediately after his powerful 37 second message was cut from the broadcast, he immediately blogged encouraging people to donate to the cause.

Then, I saw him on the Idol tour and in the autograph line, and saw how humble he is, how funny, friendly and genuinely kind he is with his fans. And this from a guy getting only a couple of hours a sleep a night because he's working so hard to produce a great album, make time for his fans, raise funds to fight cancer, and produce powerful stage performances.

And, along the way I discovered he's been producing fantastic music for years, as evidenced by his Analog Heart and Axium recordings. Lyrically and vocally those songs are so powerful that I cannot wait to get his new album, and see him perform his own music.

So, of course I'm a fan. Anyone who pays attention to what this man is doing, and the type of good person he is, ought to be a fan!