“He is so humble and gracious and down-to-Earth”

Here’s Amanda’s FanStory:

I have waited nearly four months for my chance to meet David and see him perform live in concert. Finally, on Monday in Wilkes-Barre, PA, my opportunity arrived. I knew about the Idols coming out in the afternoon to meet their fans, but I wasn’t sure if they would do the same in Wilkes-Barre. I’ve never seen any artist do this at the venue here. I also knew that the Idols usually start coming out around 12:30-1:00, but my school doesn’t let out until 2:00. So, after waiting through a very long day, 2:00 finally rolled around. I got in my car and drove to the Wachovia Arena with my friend, hoping all the way that I didn’t miss David.

I pulled off the highway about 15 minutes later and saw a huge line of people standing outside the arena gates and I knew that I still had a chance. But the thought that I had already missed David still lingered. You see, I had spent the entire previous night working on a special gift for him, one that I really wanted to give to him in person. I made him a mixed CD with songs that he has mentioned he really likes and also some that I think he would like. Under each song title, I included my favorite line from every song. I also wrote a special message inside.

So I finally get to the barricades and just missed David Cook. He was starting to walk in just as I got there. But then, I heard massive screams erupt from near the arena doors. I walked down the line a little ways and I saw David! I was so excited. After a few minutes, he rounded the corner and started working his way through the line towards my end. Before I knew it, he was right in front of me. I said hello to him and asked him to sign my index card (I realized the night before that I had nothing for him to sign and stores were already closed. Haha!). He said sure, but told everyone that he was running very late and needed to get inside for the press, so he was only able to sign his initials, but no one cared.

We were just happy he was there. So I got my autograph and, right before he moved on to the girls next to me, I stopped him. I held out my CD for him and said, “This is for you.” He said, “Aw thanks,” took the CD, signed autographs for two other girls, then turned back to me and started looking at the front of the CD. He just stood there with a smile on his face, looking at the cover and reading through the songs. Then, he looked right at me and said, “This is a really cool mix of songs! Thank you!

I was so happy that he liked his gift. Then, the girl next to me asked him if she could get a picture taken with him. He apologized very sincerely and said that he was really in a hurry. But what made us all laugh was what he said next. “I’m really sorry. I’m in a hurry so I can’t take pictures, but I can smile,” and he turned around, smiled, and waved for us all. It was so sweet!

Meeting David was awesome and not at all what I expected it would be like. He is so humble and gracious and down-to-earth. He just seemed so normal.

I left the arena very excited for the concert that night. My friend and I had seats in section 102, which is right next to the wings of the stage, and 3 rows back. Everyone was really great. You could tell how much each one of them has improved since the show. David was phenomenal. Everyone loved him. I have never heard screams so loud in my entire life and he deserved every one.

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