There's plenty of heavy guys who are out of breathe, huge, and so on. The lead singer of Blue's Travler, for example, used to be HUUUUUUUGE... And still put on great shows. Ruben has been out of breathe when he sings; but he was still able to sing pretty damn good, even out of breathe. That doesn't mean his talent is any less... He'll still put out good music.

Basically... I have to agree completely with your second paragraph. It SHOULD be about the music. But, one thing is... FOR ANY TRUE MUSICIAN, THAT'S WHAT IT'S ABOUT. I'm sure Ruben and Clay, who are true musicians(singers, I should say), would know that it's their music we should be listening and voting for... Not the image. And I'm just saying that's why I like Ruben better; his musical style and vocals, and not his image. I don't like Clay's style too much. And, I can also say I like alot of popular music. Green Day, Nirvana, Goo Goo Dolls, Stone Temple Pilots, Rage Against The Machine, Ramones, Sex Pistols, Clash, etc... Popular, but never the less, good.

What's being a pop star really; deep inside -- at the core and in the beginning -- about? Music. What are they doing? Singing and making music. What do teens and media make it into? Image... BUT, what it should and really is about is the music. Weather it be rock, rap, pop, country; it's the music, not the image. And that's why Ruben should have, and did, win. More people like his music style than they did Clay.

We'll see about that... I'll have fifty extra bucks in my pocket; and you'll be fifty bucks poorer. We'll see when Ruben has a number one album, with hits from his CD.

Now... I'm gonna get back on my vacation. Just came back to this one topic for tonight since it was the finale of American Idol. I said I'd be gone a couple weeks at first; but I'll be busy within the next month. Should be back mid to late June. I'll probably check in tomorrow -- and every now and then -- just on this thread. Besides that... I'm off like a dirty shirt. See ya.