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I Will Never Forget
By Chris Richardson

Family has always been everything to me.

No matter what's going on in my life, when I walk into my home, I feel happy and safe. There's always that same clean-house smell- a candle burning, seasonal music or Nat King Cole playing, and my mom in the kitchen. I love everything my mom cooks, but my favorite is chicken and dumplings.

She's decorated the kitchen with an apple theme. There's an apple border around the top and apple knick-knacks and lots of baskets-even baskets hanging from the ceiling. She really likes all that kind of stuff. There's an island in the middle of the kitchen where I sit and talk to her about everything. She never tells me what to do. She just says to stay humble and always be true to myself. I took a break from college because I'd gotten this independent record label deal. Even though I know my mom was disappointed, she supports my decisions and knows that if I make a mistake, I'll learn and grow from it.

I can't even explain my dad. He's my vision of everything the perfect father should be. When you're my age and want to live your dream of being a musician or performer, some dads tell you to get real- or even to get out and get a job. Not my dad. He's my biggest fan. Not only is he always there for me, he's there for everyone. He's everyone's favorite uncle, cousin, and friend.

My sister, Michelle, is my best friend. As kids, we followed my dad like two little shadows everywhere his band performed. There's never been one moment that Michelle hasn't been there for me. I'm lucky to have her.

I also have an English bulldog named Tommy. He's family, too. I talk to him, and I know he listens. I missed his so much when I was away all those weeks on Idol, and I know he missed me.

But the one who really steals my heart is my grandma. I call her Big Momma. I chose her on American Idol's Dedication Night because she's sacrificed so much for us. It's been really lonely for her since my granddad died. Sometimes she just sits and looks out the window and sees faces in the trees.

A few months ago, Big Momma heard about a society for ladies that she wanted to join. She called my mom and sister ten times, asking questions about which dress and hat to wear, and if she should wear gloves, and what about the purse and shoes. She couldn't wait for the day of the meeting and was ready for an hour before her ride came.

When she walked into the restaurant all decked out in her outfit, they told her they were sorry but the chapter wasn't open to new members. She was so crushed. It breaks my heart to think how she must have felt. When I make it big, I'm going to buy Big Momma her own society for her own ladies, and she can accept whoever she wants. If I know her, she'll let everyone in.

Big Momma tells anyone who will listen about me being on TV. She was in the hospital last week and said to the nurse who was taking care of her, "Do you know whose leg it is you're washing?"

And the nurse said, "No I don't."

Then Big Momma started in with, "Do you watch American Idol?" I just love her to pieces.

I value the principles of love and family above anything. No matter how successful I become, I was like any of the other 100, 000 people waiting in line. I just happened to make it further. But I'm still the same guy. No matter where this American Idol experience takes me, I'll always be able to go back home. I'll never forget where I came from.

Now I Know
By Blake Lewis

Okay, I've got a big confession to make: I knew practically nothing about American Idol before I auditioned. I didn't know millions tuned in each week. I didn't know they had theme nights and celebrity mentors and guest judges. I didn't even know who had won when or who won what.

I just didn't know.

I didn't know about the night the three divas- Jennifer, Fantasia, and LaToya- were in the Bottom 3, or about Constantine's rebellious rock. I didn't know Carrie Underwood grew up on a farm. I would have totally come in last place in an Idol trivia game.

Honestly, I had never even seen a full episode before I auditioned.

Oh, I'd caught a performance or two as I walked by the TV at a friend's house. I remember watching Elliot Yamin. He had that neo-soul sound I love. He knew who he was as a vocalist. I liked him a lot.

Other than that, I didn't have a perception about American Idol one way or the other. Well, maybe I did- I thought it was a bit cheesy. But, hey, I didn't know.

My friend Josh called me the night before the auditions hit Seattle. "Hey! The American Idol auditions are tomorrow. You have to come!"

I thought it over a bit and asked myself, Why not? After all, I had the same chance as anybody else. I had nothing to lose. I had just quit my job doing construction to focus on music full-time and was living with my family again. I told myself, If you make it, you make it. If you don't, you don't.

There was only one problem- I missed the registration. I was a bit disappointed, but later that night I was playing a show at the Triple Door in Seattle, and Josh called me again.

"Hey, I just went to the Key Arena and registered for American Idol. You can go there right now. There's no one in line," he said. "It will take you two seconds and then tomorrow morning I'll pick you up at five, we'll make some sandwiches, and we'll go audition."

I didn't realize it was a conversation that would change my life forever.

The next few months were pretty much a blur. They were so full, so exciting, so packed that the details get all mashed together in my mind. I did some beat-boxing-that I know- and a lot of singing. I met some of my biggest inspirations, which was awesome.

It was cool to sing with Rudy Cardenas again. We'd been in two different Seattle-based a cappella groups- Kickshaw was mine and M-Pact was his. Rudy was the friend I could trust, the friend I confided in. My low point hit when he got cut from the Top 24.

I had a great time writing a song with Chris Sligh and playing guitar with my man Chris Richardson. But even when it was down to the Top 10, I still didn't really understand what the American Idol experience meant, outside of the little bubble we lived in as contestants day and night.

Then I made it into the Top 3, and flew back to Seattle to film the homecoming piece for the show. When I landed at Boeing Field, I started to get it. That's when I finally began to understand. To know.

Everywhere I went, there were hordes of people. Westlake Center was packed; people filled the plaza. Seeing all those faces, those fans, those friends-all those who came to see me, to appreciate my art-that was really tight. And my mom and dad were there, of course.

I was getting it.

I met Pat Monahan of Train. I beat-boxed with Sir Mix-A-Lot. We hit all the FOX affiliates for TV interviews and went to four different radio stations. I had a house party with seventy friends. It was all incredible and overwhelming.

On the return flight, I sat and thought about it all. You see, I put myself and my goals out there to universe all the time. I believe that things happen for a reason, and if you project yourself in a positive way and just be true to yourself, then good thing will come back to you.

Just hold on and stay true, even through times of struggle. Never stop imagining, wishing, and planning. Someday those wishes will start to take shape. It's amazing. It works. For me, American Idol was absolute proof, validating that it can happen to anyone.

Trust me; I know.
Now I really, really know.