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Putting Murray on the map

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What I wonder.. | 5:41 a.m. May 17, 2008
about is whether or not people will really remember that the Governor and the Mayor of Murray declared May 9, 2008 as David Archuleta Day after it's all over, whether he wins or not? Will it be celebrated or was it just for show?? And another question did all of those cheerleaders and all the other girls from his high school who wanted to touch him and hug him even know he existed before American Idol?? I'm still cheering for David Archuleta and win or lose I'm sure he had a great time this year.
Murray Resident | 7:55 a.m. May 17, 2008
Well, Mayor Snarr, you did a great job telling Archuletta what his song would be, and I think you are a great Mayor. But that handlebar mustache sent Utah's image to the rest of the world back 100 years.
Petey | 8:06 a.m. May 17, 2008
OK Mayor you are a great business man and you are not a hick. Keep on repeating that. Let's see how many people jump on this bandwagon
Comments continue below
Salvador Dali | 8:07 a.m. May 17, 2008
I'm not sure this Mayor is exactly a great image. And not just his stache, but his shirt. Kudos to young David, however. Success!
Alan | 8:12 a.m. May 17, 2008
This is the downside to American Idol- The thirst for the spotlight and popularity. For starters, there are still a LOT of people that know little or nothing about Salt Lake a few years after we were the center of international attention for two weeks during the Olympics. Do we really think people around the nation are talking about Murray, Utah? And what are they saying about it?

The other sad thing is David Archuletta has ALWAYS been talented. This isn't even his first reality TV show appearance. Still, David wasn't popular in Utah until he was popular across the nation. Think about it ... isn't that rather sad? Archuleta had pipes all along, but it wasn't his voice so much as his popularity Utah has fallen in love with. Now, like shallow high schoolers (and not all high schoolers are shallow), Utah wants a bit of David's popularity.

America is obsessed with celebrity and fame. "American Idol" markets it, and Utah has bought into it. It's a shame we can't just enjoy David's talent, without trying to grab some of the limelight. Supporting David, without fawning all over his fame, might REALLY set Utah apart.
What about Jeopardy | 9:21 a.m. May 17, 2008
Wasn't Jeopardy winner, Ken Jennings from Murray? I think he did a lot to put Murray and Utah on the proverbial map!
Laura | 9:38 a.m. May 17, 2008
I live in Canada and had never heard of Murray. I heard David say that the best thing about Murray is the people that live there. After watching all the homecoming videos, I can see he's right! Congratulations Murray....the world loves you...and btw...thanks for giving us David Archuleta.
Holy Mustache! | 10:26 a.m. May 17, 2008
It's a good thing that the Mayor was not prepping himself for his big, national TV debut; otherwise he might wear a ridiculous looking shirt and purchase extra wax for that awful blight on his lip.

In the final selection I'm sure things like stage presence and "fitting the mold" of an idol will be tiebreaker considerations if both perform well.

Let's hope Archuleta's performance and presence are good enough to avoid a drilling down to memories of his Mayor.

Woof. Snarr has some pretty bad personal taste - quite a respectable looking person if you erase those two big blunders.
"I'm not a hick" | 10:34 a.m. May 17, 2008
If you have to say it, you're already fighting an uphill battle against what you've advertised to the rest of the country.

Doesn't really matter in the end, just added a bit of the stupid to David A's video.

I was hoping Simon would say something bluntly accurate, but alas...
Merlin | 11:12 a.m. May 17, 2008
Why did American Idol show too much video of David A. crying during his visit at the Gateway Mall? David rightly expressed his embarrassment. I was embarassed for David too. When David A. started to tear up, he actually turned around so the cameras wouldn't show his face but what ended up being shown on the show was his crying moments which took almost half the length of the video. And handlebar mustache of the mayor... I think they look gross. How does his wife put up with those? I don't think the world would think all Utahns are as weird as the mayor but it does make people wonder.

For everyone who supports David A., please vote next week multiple x. I never liked American Idol, never cared to watch reality shows, until I turned the TV on one day and saw this young man sing and he just took my breath away. I promised myself that after this season, no more American Idol for me. I would rather read a book than see Simon Cowell shoot down contestants. I think he is insufferable. The whole show is insufferable without David A. in it.
SoCal | 12:13 p.m. May 17, 2008
Dan Snarr was the absolute highlight of the show. Loved how real he is!! I get sick of Utah trying to be like everywhere else! He the stache is COOL!!!!
sb | 12:57 p.m. May 17, 2008
Let the mayor be. The mustache is all right. David A. will do all right, too.
Derek | 2:31 p.m. May 17, 2008
You mean Murray was not on the map already? I was wondering what that big hole was next to SLC. @@
Hoyt Beaumont | 5:20 p.m. May 17, 2008
I haven't seen folks in Murray this excited since back to the 1984, when we painted that Goldren Retriever blue. I didn' think anything was gonna ever top that. Go Danny!
Paul Gibbs | 5:26 p.m. May 17, 2008
Between Archuletta and Romney, 2008 will go down in history as the year Utahn's almost won things.
Murray High School student | 5:36 p.m. May 17, 2008
ha those of you wondering about the cheerleaders before david was an "idol" half those girls never talked to him and never would have if it wasnt for this. it really bugged me how some who were really actual friends with him didnt get to talk to him but the cheerleaders could go hug him and say "oh ya i know him he's my best friend bla bla bla" just an oppinion
Murrayite | 5:53 p.m. May 17, 2008
Snarr's appearance represents about .0001% of Murray's population. That would be himself. Afterall, that seems to be what it's all about.
Bill Snyder | 6:02 p.m. May 17, 2008
Let Murray have it's day in the sun. When the time comes that Murray and Taylorsville go to war, we all know who will win.
Olaf Brigham Gibson | 6:30 p.m. May 17, 2008
I'm just glad I don't have to live vicariously through Dell Schanze anymore.
Alice | 6:47 p.m. May 17, 2008
David Archuletta has brought some class to "American Idol". When you watch David perform, you get what you see...a shy, sincere, clean-cut young man with a GREAT voice. David Cook has a great voice too, but he lacks David Archuletta's personal attributes. A win by Archuletta would give "Idol" a fresh, young talent who, I feel, is a real cut above other idols. Compare him to Fantasia. What in the world happened to her. I can't believe I ever voted for her. David Cook and his looks are dabbling with that "look." To a large degree, I think David Archuletta would continue being the same sweet, shy, clean-cut guy even after winning the "Idol" title.
Ema | 7:06 p.m. May 17, 2008
When American Idol contestant are so young and still in high school, what do they do to make up the course work? Are they able to do any school work while competing? I would hate to see this kid not finish school, but I imagine something would have to be worked out, right?
Bill Snyder | 7:12 p.m. May 17, 2008
Ema, you have hit on an important issue. I heard Carmen Rassmussen can't even spell her own name. These kids need to put education ahead of fame, or they will end up working at Subway with Taylor Hicks.
a fellow one. | 7:59 p.m. May 17, 2008
The sad truth is that David wasn't ever friends with the cheerleaders. They just have to go and put on a show that they were quote "BEST FRIENDS!" and such. They might have been in one of his classes but i doubt they ever paid any attention to him. Yes, some of the other girls they showed were his friends. But what made me kinda sad was that they never showed him hugging his best friends, just walking past and waving at them. Wouldn't this have been better footage? Reuniting with the people he spent most of his time with? I think it's pathetic how people who would have never looked at him twice are now making up stories and saying they knew him and everything. Why people have to lie to get two seconds of fame is beyond me. I'm proud of David, and he is a great person. I hope he does well, and win or no win, we'll still love him. At least, those of us who actually knew him anyways.
jr | 8:47 p.m. May 17, 2008
All this hooplah is pathetic and as a Murray Student put it many of those claiming to be a friedn to David snuffed him before now. And then to watch the mayor grandstand as well. Our values are really pathetic and it says nothing for the media
Amy Joy | 9:06 p.m. May 17, 2008
Laura you are so sweet. I live in MI and LOVE both Davids. I'm finding it hard to choose. Good thing they are so different I can just get both CDs. It's fun. I love watching and taking my mind off of the "life stuff" I have to worry about. SO chill out little jr. You may not care so just leave the hooplah to the rest of us to be pathetic and have fun. GO DAVID!
jw | 11:34 p.m. May 17, 2008
To Bill and Emma
David A said one night on the Idol Show that he has to spend 3 hours a day on school work. Take those hours away from the amount of time the others get to practice and yet he is still the best.
babe | 11:38 p.m. May 17, 2008
To:jr I disagree, this hopplah is not pathetic. It's wonderful.
He's a great kid | 12:11 a.m. May 18, 2008
David A. will go far regardless of the outcome this week. I've been fortunate to meet him twice and have him be part of a concert I helped put on last year. I knew he was getting ready for IDOL and my hope was that he would get extra exposure and continue to build his fan base. However the concert turn out was poor because it was meant to be outdoors and was rained on, so we changed it to indoors but a lot less people came. What I find amazing is how awesome American Idol is because if I had the chance to line him up in a concert today I guarantee RAIN or SHINE he would pack the house as was proved during David's Day. He is really the person he comes across as and his dad is a GREAT support. His family has sacrificed soooo much and David is APPRECIATIVE because he lives by one of the most important of all commandments "Honor thy father and thy mother" and I've heard him express his gratitude for his parents personally. He's just a GREAT KID with an AWESOME VOICE!

ps Keep the mustache Mayor Snarr, your great.
Why so much negativity? | 6:46 a.m. May 18, 2008
I'm confused why people are being so hard on the Mayor for all the 'hoopla'. Was the homecoming not a celebration? Just what was the Mayor supposed to do - decline the invitation? I thought all the footage was spectacular and I didn't see any grandstanding whatsoever....just a very proud community rallying around David. I come from the town of a popular reality TV star and you're always going to get those who play the "I'm his best friend" card. His real friends know the difference....and in this case, David does too.
Samara | 8:44 a.m. May 18, 2008
Bill Snyder, you spelled Carmen Rasmussen's name wrong.

Ema, David is tutored three hours a day while on set. I'd say he's getting an eductation.
Samara | 8:44 a.m. May 18, 2008
education* Irony strikes again!
mikaila | 9:52 a.m. May 18, 2008
oh yes, David has a huge fanbase here in the Philippines. We love him. Hope he gets to visit us here. His voice is just A M A Z I N G!
K Smith | 11:07 a.m. May 20, 2008
Anytime there is something positive in this crazy world we live in, we should celebrate. When we have the opportunity to rally around a unique talent like David Archuletta, we should do it! Murray and Utah have lots to be proud of but that isn't always what attracts attention. I say we should not quibble over "true" friends vs. those drawn to popularity, we should celebrate the truly amazing voice and talent of this very nice young man. Let's give it up for David...he has come a long way, has sacrificed and worked hard to get where he is today!

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Ashley Lower, Deseret News

Murray High School shows its support for "American Idol" finalist David Archuleta with a shrine of photos of him singing.

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