"Ruben Studdard."
I was pulling for Ruben that whole season, I think I was the only person who wasn't totally shocked when he won.
That was back when the kid was home, so I was always cooking dinner, etc. when the show was on. Only Ruben would make me come in to watch.
Alabama really rules, Idol-wise. It was nice to see their Gov. making such a fuss over Taylor.
Hicks has a nice career singing in seedy taverns for the next 10 years in front of him. ;o)
There are rumors that the governor, b'ham mayor and other businesses are courting American Idol to have auditions there next season.