I watched American Idol every year, starting with Season 2...there were years when I LOVED who won, and other years where I'd go "WHAT THE?!?!?"...admit it, we've all had our unfortunate season(s)...it's inevitable...

When this past year started, I was all ready to start the whole process over again. First, I'd laugh at the people that were ridiculously horrible, and how the judges perceived them. Then at Hollywood Week, I'd start to see some preferences emerging from the crowd of hopefuls, and I'd either say "I knew they'd make it!" or "Oh, that's just not right..." when their fate was sealed by the judges at the end of that infamous week. Again, us regulars all know the drill...

I remember the first time I saw David on the show....he was one of those reccuring auditions right before the commerical break, constantly showing the same bit he'd be singing (Baby it's oooookkkaaayyyyyy) Yeah....that's right....I remembered it...and to be honest, I thought he was another one of those rocker-wannabes with a killer argyle vest. Only reason being, well, that was my first impression of him...that's all I had to go on...

When he sang "Everything I Do" in Hollywood Week, that made me become a fan of his style....especially since, compared to the other contestants, he was the only one who was holding that last note (All the wayyyyyyyeeeaaaahhh) with some quality tone still shining through in his voice.....of course, that little blip of "I'll Be" made me so happy, since that's one of my favorite songs...

Alright, here comes the first performance show....I'm getting excited, and I'm already thinking of my favorites (both David's being in that group, as well as MJ), and I can't stop thinking about it...I couldn't explain why at the time, but I just got so giddy when I thought about the show, it irked me in a way...so by the time the show started, I was already hyped up. David came on, and he sang "So Happy Together", and I genuinely liked it....his hair, not 100%, but you know, that's what a flat-iron will do to fine hair (I would know....eek). I still liked it, so David don't get me wrong...just at certain angles, it looked like a comb-over (WHICH IT WASN'T! lol) Maybe if it was parted just a LITTLE more towards the center....hmm...

ANYWAYS, so the next week rolls around, and all of us find out that he's a Word Nerd....ah, David, you started it....the whole craze....maybe if you just said "A fan of words...", then maybe....eh, we'd probably think of SOME phrase for that too....so scratch that...and "All Right Now", what a GRRRR performance...had that GRRR edge to it...that proved that you were the real rocker of the competition....you had my vote there.

Then "Hello".....gah, that was what did it for me. First off, the whole lighting, and simplicity of it was PERFECT....and the attire was just as perfect (I still miss that key necklace by the way, David....such a shame you gave it away, but oh well...can't do anything about it NOW, now can you? haha) I just honestly was hooked after that...the smirks, the arrangement, the whole atmosphere....it was captivating...

The rest is history, pretty much....I joined david-cook.org a couple days after the "Hello" performance, and after becoming a regular on there, I was promoted to a moderator on that site, which I still am to this day. I've become an enthusiastic mature fan....I'm still enamored by him, yet I won't scream in his face and go gaga when I'm in front of him...I know how much that'd freak him out (even if he's dealt with that a lot in recent months! haha), because honestly, wouldn't you be freaked out if you were in his position? I would...goodness gracious...

To make a long story short (too late though), I am a fan because of the fact that he was, in my opinion, the first performer to have so much raw emotion, so much stage presence, and so much charm in his performances and music....even in his covers on AI, he brought out the beauty in those lyrics and melodies....it's his gift....it's a big part of what makes him special...he knows how to work a crowd....that's important...

I'll always be a fan of David Cook, up to my last dying day, all because of what I've seen from him...he is truly a wonder to behold, and David, I thank you for showing me true beauty...

- Steph \m/

PS: David, if you happen to read this....would you by any chance try it without the scruff? Just for a week or so if you don't mind....then you can grow it back however you want....if not, no worries....just missing that clean-shaven look! haha....oh, and (whistle)....you know what I'm talkin about! heehee