HE WON!

This is the first season in a long time of watching American Idol that I actually voted for a singer. If you followed the show, you saw each new week feature David Cook, a seemingly smug bartender from Kansas City, bring fresh takes on old songs with his guitar and gift for rock vocals.

As the season progressed, you also saw the progression of his talent, as well as stoicism being challenged by the pressure of the contest and the extreme anxiety and worry brought on by the decline of his terminally ill brother. Despite the appeal of his aw-shucks competition (David Archuleta) who no doubt captured the hearts of tween girls and their mothers, David Cook generated interest and excitment that went beyond simply having a good voice.

And, quite deservedly, he won.

In case you never watched the show, here is a great clip of him covering Lionel Richie's "Hello".