Thanks for the music. I have downloaded all your AI songs and your Analog Heart record onto CDs (yeah, I’m over 40 and not into the ipod thing) and listen to them, well daily. My favorites are your brilliant studio version of Billy Jean, Don’t Say A Word and The World I Know but there are also moments when I cannot get enough of The Truth, Baba O’Reilly, Always Be My Baby (as a dedicated fan of rock and classic rock, I have never heard Mariah’s version but yours is phenomenal) , I Don’t Want to Miss A Thing and Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For (when I had heard that you were covering U2 – no offense but I cringed – I mean no one can do Bono but Bono and yet you absolutely soared, you didn’t just pull it off - you nailed it – congrats on that.) I love the way you emotionally connect with the lyrics of your songs and your AI covers. The vibe is emotional, vulnerable and powerful all at the same time and whether its mellow rock or hard hitting, it really gets me the same way as Clapton, Springsteen and Pink Floyd . I am eagerly anticipating the release of your new album – I suppose you hear this a lot, but I have pre-ordered it. I am encouraged because you appear to have the strength of character to fight for what you want and make it rock.

Aside from the music, I have to thank you for a comment that you made during an interview on AI that really has really affected me. I am paraphrasing, but you said that (and I am paraphrasing) you were making an effort to enjoy the experience rather than just experiencing the experience. Somewhere along the way I had stopped doing that; maybe because I was too busy (or just caught up in the corporate world held up in my dull office reviewing and analyzing contracts all day) but it bled over into my whole life; I have not been unhappy, just partially shut down and unaffected - it happens I guess. Your words startled me and continued to echo until I began to remind myself to take the time to really enjoy the moment once again and going a step further to realize that I am enjoying it (when appropriate because analyzing contracts and legal briefs is not usually a thrill) rather than just experiencing it. It makes me feel like I am walking out of a sepia tinted frame and into a colorized world (again) – its not yet HD but I’m working on it. Thanks does not really cover it, but Thanks.

Lastly, if you can tolerate a little piece of advice from someone who is close to your Mom’s age (and if you can’t, its cool, just stop reading this now)… You are going to be a huge – I suspect that you will be the first American Idol to actually deserve the “idol” part. You have thus far (at least from an outside perspective) done a great job of staying true to yourself and enjoying the experience. (BTW, Great job with the new auto pilot answer regarding your personal life.) However, you are going to get more and more exposure to the money making machines (media and corporate) and yes, your fans as well, and most of them see you as a commodity or as who they want or imagine you to be. Please be a little on guard so that these experiences do not start to infuse sepia tones into you.