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Placement is biggest key to success on TV's 'Idol'

David really believes (as he said on a Fox Interview) that "anything can happen". He doesn't feel secure, is just singing his heart out and hoping for the best.

David's led in the voting every single week but one--last week when he sang "You're the Voice". David Cook led that week.

His song this week was "Smokey Mountain Memories" and it was beautifully, soulfully delivered. I think it was his best effort so far.

Dolly Parton wrote all the songs for country week this week, and her highest praise went to David. She said quite seriously, "I really believe he has the voice to really become a great, great singer." That's pretty impressive coming from a legend who has sold over 100 million records, had 25 number 1 hits. Wow!

America agreed with me that David excelled. This week, he received 11.2 million votes, next highest was Michael Johns who got 6.8 million votes, then David Cook with 6.6 million. Syesha and Brooke had 5+ million votes. A mixed bag for the rest of the contestants.

So, despite all his worries, David does have a LOT of support out here. I am convinced he'll win it all yet! Hurray!! :o)

I am interested in how KE knew the vote totals...How can we find out the vote totals??

This is such a jke competition...
Simon owns the rights to these people. He is looking at it from marketing 101 period.
He wants to make lots of money... he doens't care who is best or not.. Just who is the lastest flavor.

Look at that girl from last year that won... in 3 or 4 years, with lots of practice and voice training she'll be really good.

right now she is the latest bubble gum for the teenie boppers... et. money, money money for Simon

Hi Carmen...nice job on this article. My wife and daughter and I were with Jeff Archuleta on Tues and Weds shows. What a blast! We went to dinner Weds evening with David and Jeff and it's true...(I've always known this for years)David doesn't even think of winning this thing...he just wants to sing well and not dissappoint people (we won't call them fans for David's sake). We've been around him for years and as you have already mentioned...He truly is what we should want for an "American Idol"!!! Thanks for the article!

I have enjoyed reading your articles Carmen. I don't know if you read these comments or not but I am a big fan of yours and know you have a bright future ahead of you. Thanks for sharing your many talents with us.

Great article! Interesting to hear about "placement" from an insider's perspective. I wonder if that is why David had to try to break into that line at the end of the Dolly-week results show. Maybe he wasn't supposed to just go to the end, as I would've thought he'd have done.

So David is uncomfortable with the idea of fans?

Then I'll sign off as one of his current phone dialers and future CD-buyers and concert-attendees!!

KE is getting those numbers from a website called dialidol. They measure the number of busy signals for each contestant. But the "11.2" is a "score" not the number of votes, which dialidol can't possibly know. The scores and rankings are estimates and aren't necessarily accurate--otherwise Jason would've been in the bottom 3, not Brooke, according to dialidol's scores.

Rumor has it that Carmen is singing the national anthem at the Jazz/Spurs game tonight. I heard her sing it at a Utah Blaze game once and was blown away. That girls got pipes. Wish I could be there.

Carmen does write a good article but her singing stinks!

Good reading. For me David A is the best singer on that show.I'm so inlove with his voice. I hope he wins because he really deserves to win..Go DavidA!!!

You obviously haven't heard her lately. Ya, she was a little nervous on the show, but she's really matured and is really, really good now. Go watch her music video "Nothin Like the Summer" on youtube and you'll see what I'm talking about.

Nice Article. Interesting to hear that bout David A. Its almost like the kid is too good to be true. Could it be that a kid with his talent is really that humble and unassuming? I think so, how refreshing. I wonder though if someone does not prepare him for whats about to happen to him whether he will be able to handle it. I mean this is a competetion and right now he looks in really good position to win it. Let's hope reality doesnt set in and scare the heck out of him

Just curious as to why almost every story written about this seasons idols, the writers always have to make mention of the 2 people who are mormons, as if it is so unusual to be mormon. Maybe they should start refering to ALL contestants religion or belief. Who is Catholic, who is Protestant, who is Methodist, who is Baptist, etc... just think it is strange that everyone is so obsessed that Brook and David A are Mormon.

I wouldn't worry too much about David Archuleta being able to handle the fame and media. We all know he wond Star Search at 12 years of age. If you google any videos of David, you will see video's of him performing in front of large crowds, whether it be a wedding, high school, church, and I even saw one where he sang with a symphony orchestra. I think David is just fine with the fame that will most definatly come his way. Love this kid!

That is soo funny you mentioned that, because I was telling my mom that exact same thing just this morning..I don't get it..LDS(mormons)are normal people just like everyone else...If only people knew the truth about this religion they wouldn't make such a big deal about it.

people make a big deal about Mormon celebs because they are different. when brook opened her mouth and talked to simon in the auditions it was very obvious she was Mormon. Its not an act, Mormons who live their religion are "squeaky clean". We are a peculiar people ie: Donny Osmond, Dale Murphy, Danny Ainge, Gladys knight, and there are many more examples. I am proud of both these kids, they set a great example in modesty and talent, I hope they both go far

Guys, I know that people who run into these articles are Googling them, so they may not realize that this newspaper site is actually a newspaper for members of the LDS (AKA "Mormon") Church. [The Deseret Morning News is owned by a holding company that is owned by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (widely known as the Mormon or LDS Church).] It's not that Mormons think they're "better than every one else", or any such nonsense, it's that we're just interested in what's going on with some other members of our faith. This would be the same if it were a Catholic newspaper reporting on Catholic contestants, etc. Please don't get the wrong idea.

David Archuleta is not only popular there in US but also all over Asia...esp here in the Philippines...Hope & pray that he'll be the next American Idol.:)

Can someone PAH-lease tell me why David Archuletta's Dad always wears the ridiculous looking baseball cap?
Does he think "mmmm...I'm going on national television in front of 30 million people...why don't I wear my same old blue cap every week! WOW! what an awesome idea, i look so good in it! I look so cool and hip when i wear the faded blue cap!"

Someone tell him looks ridiculous and like he's watching his sons t-ball game, when he should look like he's on the most popular show on television.

that was a great article!
after the kind of exposure David A has had, i still cant imagine why he's so shy and flustered on hearing the crowd's reaction after his performances, like its sumthing he'd never expect, like he isn't deserving of it. why hasn't he gotten used to this adulation even after winning star search? would love to see a tiny bit of confidence in him, but maybe well that's just his personality...but in all honesty, its getting weary