David Cook is the American Idol 2008

What a journey it has been for David Cook. He is the Midwestern boy from Blue Springs, Missouri who conquered Hollywood.

In his official American Idol video interview a few months ago, Cook was just happy to be part of the final twenty four chosen to continue the road to a major recording contract.

"It was vindicating," he had said. "You see all these people put in all this time to make it to this point, so for the people that make it-its a huge accomplishment. The days of living in ambiguity are soon far behind us."

Now everything is certainly clear for Cook as he beat out David Archuleta in the season finale of American Idol.

In between amazing performances from legends such as Donna Summers and George Michael, Cook performed song after song not knowing his future.

In the meantime, Mike Myers as the Love Guru gave his philosophical perspectives and advice to contestants. Robert Downey Jr, Ben Stiller and the phenomenal Jack Black (who continues to vicariously live out his music dreams through various sources) served as Gladys Knight's Pips in a most entertaining performance filled with awkward soulful dance steps.

The battle of the David's seemed to last forever as viewers anticipated the outcome.

Growing up in Missouri, David Cook told A.I viewers he fell in love with music at an early age. In his A.I video blog, Cook said when his mother found out he could sing she contacted his music teacher, Mrs Gentry who put him in the Christmas Pageant. That would be his first gig but not his last.

Cook immersed himself in music through out his academic life. He graduated from high school and attended the University of Central Missouri. Receiving a scholarship in theater, he ended up majoring in Graphic Design which seemed more practical.

After graduating with his Bachelors, Cook told the Associated Press that he moved to Tulsa, Oklahoma where he auditioned to play in the band, Midwest Kings. He landed the job as their guitarist and tended bar to make some sort of income.

Cook credits his family to helping him financially as he pursued his dreams. His work touring in the band created a blueprint for his incredible work ethic and dream. Paying his dues with pleasure, Cook traveled through the Midwest Region playing gigs at clubs and bars.

When the opportunity to audition for A.I came his way, Cook jumped on it with no hesitation. He made it to Hollywood and shined throughout the season with his rock n roll edge. Cook described himself as "a mix between Bo Bice and Chris Daughtry."

He never steered away from the fact that he was a bit strange telling A.I that, "I'm an open book and kind of weird. What you see is what you get." Simon Cowell was quick to validate Cook's self-perception by calling him a nerd in the first rounds of competition.

Far from the bad boys or sex-symbols of the past, Cook's ambivalent low key personality attracted viewers by the millions. Strange or not, America tuned in to vote for him week after week. The twenty-five year old singer who said his talents included "sleeping, eating and television watching" managed to sweep America off his feet with his humor and Midwest charm.

Cook had said that "whether I win or not I have great friends and family to go home to."

The results of twelve million voters proved that humility will carry you far. David Cook is the American Idol for 2008.