Following that response, Archuleta sang "Smokey Mountain Memories," by Dolly Parton. Girls and young boys in the audience held signs and looked at him with smiles. The performance ended with cheers and screams.

Archuleta ended his visit to Fox 13 by answering a few audience questions.

"Being able to sing is what I love to do," he said. "I feel so blessed to be here."

After leaving Fox 13, Archuleta climbed back in the limo and headed to a couple of radio stations.

Scanning the dial, it was clear even if Archuleta wasn't going to be on that station, the morning hosts were talking about him anyway. Some stations talked to people who had had a David-sighting and, since many stations share the same building, some ran up the hallway to report on the events in neighboring studios.

Frankie and Danger Boy at 97.1 KZHT commented that this was "bigger than the time we met Michael Jackson," noting the phone calls, constant updates on Archuleta's whereabouts and overall excitement. "That's crazy!" Archuleta said when the DJs played a clip of Ashton Kutcher talking about him on "Ellen."

Archuleta also stopped at 101.5 The Eagle, where humble and down-to-earth Archuleta was surprised that anyone knew his schedule, commenting, "I don't know how they know where I am."

The Eagle, which has been playing Archuleta's "Smokey Mountain Memories" for many weeks, asked him about his daily life in Los Angles. "We live in a bubble most of the time," he said. Asked whether or not he likes the other contestants, Archuleta said, "I love them, they're amazing. We really all get along." How about the paparazzi? "They find out where you are and take your picture," he said shyly.

At both radio stations, fans filled the parking lots, wore "I voted for David Archuleta T-shirts" and girls flashed their phone numbers.

About the only thing that didn't turn out as planned was that windy weather precluded the planned hot-air balloon ride at the Murray rally. On the other hand, an otherwise gray and somewhat forbidding day suddenly turned bright with sunshine just as Archuleta arrived at Murray High.

It's was, after, all, David's Day.

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CONTRIBUTING: Erica Hansen, Jody Genessy Deseret News

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E-MAIL: spierce@desnews.com, nwarburton@desnews.com