A woman wrote that she was disconsolate after her father died of cancer in January, and then "one day I was watching 'American Idol' and I specifically remember David's performance, 'Heaven.' It just brought me to tears, reminding me that everything was going to be all right. His voice was so beautiful and pure it just lifted my spirits. It's just so amazing how one voice can speak to so many hearts. Yes, David Archuleta is an amazing singer, but more than that he exudes goodness, innocence and humility — qualities you cannot manufacture for a competition like this."

The letters go on and on like this. Some people set their cynicism aside — cynicism that has been fed by lying presidential candidates and fallen celebrities and idiotic politicians — and sing the songs of David.

Bart Kowallis, a Brigham Young University geology professor, was so moved by Archuleta's crooning that he decided to go online to see if anyone was similarly moved. "I have never been in a chat room or participated in an online forum, but I wanted to see what other people were saying," says Kowallis. He found the entry from Pahn and the hundreds of responses that followed it. The stories and reactions kept coming, and soon Kowallis was drawn into contributing to the commentary himself.

At some point, one of the participants suggested that they gather all the comments and the stories and turn them into a book that they could present to Archuleta. Pahn accepted the challenge, and Kowallis, among others, volunteered to help.

After getting permission to reprint the letters from the various writers, Pahn published a hardbound, 100-page book that is filled with letters from the online exchanges and photos of many of the letter writers. Kowallis, who also edited the book, contacted representatives of the Archuleta family to arrange a meeting with David when he visits Salt Lake City Friday.

With donated frequent flier miles from a woman named Becky Strasburg, Pahn will fly to Salt Lake City Thursday to present the book, "David Is My Hero," to Archuleta personally the following day.

"None of (the letter writers) know David personally," says Kowallis.

They only know he makes them feel good when he sings.

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Doug Robinson's column runs on Tuesdays. Please e-mail drob@desnews.com.