I'm a fan (and you should be too) because...

I had the pleasure of meeting Chris and his adorable wife Deanna last year after American Idol. We were at a local restaurant and he was gracious enough to talk with me and my three children and sign an autograph for us (I've never asked for anyones autograph before). I also have the privilege of living about 10 minutes from Chris and Deanna.

When we spoke, I was very impressed with his humble tone about his time on American Idol and I knew he'd go on to do great things and I told him so. I don't think he was quite as sure as I was at that time and boy, look at him now.

I'll bet Chris and his family could never imagine the HUGE success that he would become in such a short time.

I think the reason people love him so much is because there's no other voice like his! When Chris sings, I literally feel it deep down. You can tell that he truly feels what he's singing about - he has such passion in his sound!

My children love him almost as much as I do with the exception of my 6 year old daughter - she probably loves him more than I do (although I don't know if that's possible). She pretends to "pass out" and falls on the floor when anyone says his name! Her school is around the corner from his home and she comes home somedays and tells me she watched for Chris to drive by so she could see him while she was playing on the playground - she is madly in love!

There has been a great void in the rock music world in recent years and I'm glad he's finally shown up to fill that void - aren't you?

Eleanor