3 'Idol' finalists bask in adoration of hometown fans
Lifestyles & Culture
In Kansas City, Mo., the crowds withstood wind and drizzle for a glimpse of the shaggy-haired and raggedy-voiced rocker Cook, a native of the suburb of Blue Springs. His hometown tour _ during a day Missouri and Kansas City officials declared "David Cook Day" _ started bright and early with TV appearances on the local Fox affiliate, followed by his late-morning appearance at the Power & Light District.
"What are you guys doing here?" Cook said, teasing the screaming crowd. "Guys, thank you, seriously. ... I don't know what else to say. This is the coolest day of my life."
Fans sang along loudly as Cook performed Bon Jovi's "Livin' on a Prayer" and a rocked-out version of Mariah Carey's "Always Be My Baby," taking over the lyrics at times while Cook strummed his guitar and grinned.
"So do you guys watch the show, seriously?" Cook asked between tunes. "Man, you guys are fantastic."
Ten-year-old Jake Lamb said he joined the tens of millions who watch the show solely because of the local connection. "We just started watching the show since he was on it," Lamb said.
Safe to say he probably also wasn't the only kid missing school on Friday on account of "Idol." His mother, not seeing any harm in a missed day of classes for the occasion, was behind the plan.
"This is once in a lifetime," said Gusti Lamb. "We want to support (Cook) and watch him go all the way."
A bigger concert in Blue Springs later in the day was sold out.
"How often does 'American Idol' come to your town and you get to see it up close and personal?" said Rachael Hufford, of Kansas City, Kan. "I wasn't missing it for nothing."
Her friend, Anna Bergen, of Leavenworth, Kan., called the whole experience "inspiring."
"You think that this is hard to reach," Bergen said. "But look at David Cook, he made it."
For all the adoration, the "Idol" hopefuls were still going to have to sing for their supper _ each was expected to tackle "The Star-Spangled Banner" later that night: Archuleta at the Jazz-Lakers NBA playoff game, Mercado at the Rays-Angels game and Cook at the Royals-Orioles.
Associated Press writers Andale Gross in Kansas City and Jennifer Dobner in Salt Lake City contributed to this report.
Terra/AP
