David Archuleta’s self-titled debut album (out Nov. 11) isstarting to make the press rounds, but without giving too much away(that’s what critic Chris Willman is for; look for his review innext week’s EW), we’d like to preview the American Idol runner-up’sextensive liner notes, which clock in at just over 3,500 words (2,000of which are his Thank You’s) and include 6 lol’s, 8 haha’s, and 16exclamation points. Some highlights:
Props to the fam:
Dad: Thanks for putting up with mefor so long, never giving up, and keeping your cool. You alwaysbelieved in me even during the times I didn’t, and you always try tolead me in the right direction. You’ve dedicated a lot of your time andI appreciate that. So thanks for all of your help.
Mom:You raised me to be who I am and have taught me so many things. Whenthings get frustrating, you’re there to try and lighten things up. I’velooked up to you for being very understanding, and trying to keepthings peaceful. Even though I’m pretty sure I get my communicationskills from you and we’re both bad with words (haha), you’re sensitiveto people’s emotions. Thanks for letting me do this.
More snippets from Archuleta’s liner-tome after the jump.
BFFs:
Thanksfor the advice you guys gave, and for your opinions on pictures andsongs for the albums (lol)… Jessie, you didn’t let me stay a hermit,and I’m glad for that (haha). Thanks for making me laugh all the time.Fish, for being so amazingly cool. Your obsession with taking picturesactually helped a lot with what was to come and you helped me get overmy fear of cameras (lol).
Musicians/Influences:
I’d also like to thank some ofthe artists who have inspired me to love music. Thank you Tamyra Grayand Kelly Clarkson for showing me how a performance can really moveyou. Thanks to Natalie Cole for being one of my biggest influencesmusically. Stevie Wonder for showing the creative and soulful side.Natasha Bedingfield for showing you can be yourself, and not belimited. Eva Cassidy for showing me that music can change lives forthe better. Thank you to my recent influences Jason Mraz, John Mayerand Sara Bareilles for helping remind me the artistic expressive sideand letting me have a good time listening too.
Shout-out to the UT:
Thank you to all of my neighborsand members from church who have shown their love and support everystep of the way… It has meant the world to me to see the support fromUtah, and I hope I make everyone there proud 
Go Murray, Utah!
All hail vocal coach Dean Kaelin:
It’s meant a lot tome that you were so willing to help out and would take time out of yourbusy schedule to do it whenever I was feeling worn out (haha). Youhelped me stay in my small space and keep my vowels narrow even thoughI still forget now and then. All those calls have done so much! Thanksfor sticking with me and helping me get through those rough years whenI had all those issues (lol).
American Idol and Fox:
Thanks for helping make thisdream come true… It’s amazing how many people were a part of thatexperience and each one of you made it an amazing memory for me…Thank you Wendy Wilhite! You were so understanding to the pressure andintense schedule, and being able to talk every day helped me getthrough the crazy schedule each week. Thanks for helping me get throughmy schoolwork and letters (haha). You made it so much fun… Thanks Jill Hudson, Alex Gillespie, Jennifer Sprague and DruLibby for getting me through the PR things smoothly while having a goodtime! haha
"My ‘family’ for the last year (haha)":
Cook, Syesha,Jason, Brooke, Carly, Kristy, Michael Johns, Ramiele and Chikezie: Youhave all been so inspiring to be around, and I look up to you guys aton. You’ve been like my big brothers and sisters and I’ve had so muchfun. I hope we’ll still be able to keep in touch, and I look forward towatching you all grow in your careers. I really feel like you guys werethere looking out for me and helped me get through some of thedifficult moments, even if you didn’t realize it since I was alwayskinda in the background spacing out or whatever (lol). But thanks.
Not to harsh on Archie, but we’re barely skimming the surface here.He goes on (and on…and on…) to mention executives at 19Entertainment, Jive Records, songwriters and producers who worked onthe album — among them, new Idol judge Kara Dioguardi, DianeWarren, David Hodges and Robbie Neville (strangely absent is JC Chasez,with whom Archuleta co-wrote the track "Don’t Let Go") — as well as hisbeloved Abuelita (grandma, whom he addresses in Spanish), members ofhis management team, the Idol tour crew, and finally, the fans.
Okay, so maybe he’s a little green, but how about being more green? Think of all the trees that had to give their lives for his CD packaging. Of course, as many of us know, a post-Idolrecording contract by no means guarantees you’ll have a follow-up, somaybe Archie just had to take the opportunity to get it all out. But ifthis isn’t an argument for transitioning to digital delivery, I don’tknow what is. Who’s with me?
More on American Idol and David Archuleta:
David Archuleta signs with Azoff Management
David Archuleta vs. David Cook
Can David Archuleta go it alone?
David Archuleta’s father banned from American Idol
Chris Sligh: Is David Archuleta over-praised?
Comments (1-30) of 345 Add your comment
If Shirley ’s high school level writing style and lack of wit isn’t an argument for better employee screening procedures at EW I don’t know what is. Who’s with me?
lmao @ sue. I’m with you!
This great article made my day!
What David’s lack of eloquence reveals is his heartfelt gratitude for those around him. What could be daily irritations or obstacles, he sees as opportunities.
I’m tired of the empty words, carefully staged interviews of the Hollywood crowd and their even emptier lives.
Thanks David for being unaffected, passionate and wholesome.
ummm….you wrote an article about album thank you notes? really?
Give the young man a break! This is a monumental occasion for him, and he deserves on this first CD to express himself in whatever manner he sees fit. That’s part of his appeal and charm to the fans – and we will gladly read and savor every last word – because it’s all from that big heart of his… BRAVO DAVID ARCHULETA! WE LOVE YOU, AND ARE PROUD TO BE CALLED YOUR FANS!
Give the young man a break! This is a monumental occasion for him, and he deserves on this first CD to express himself in whatever manner he sees fit. That’s part of his appeal and charm to the fans – and we will gladly read and savor every last word – because it’s all from that big heart of his… BRAVO DAVID ARCHULETA! WE LOVE YOU, AND ARE PROUD TO BE CALLED YOUR FANS!
Hey, Sue, joining the gang beginning to surround you.
I loved every word printed here (from David, not the EW writer) and I’ll look forward to reading the rest of the liner notes. The kid is gracious and plenty could learn from him.
Hey, Archuleta fans, do you think Ms. Halperin’s tone is sincere, or is she just yanking our chains again to gets hit to EW, who STILL hasn’t won me back as a fan?
Surely, you can’t be serious (haha)! I’m not “with you” at all. When’s the last time you knew someone who was so grateful to be given an opportunity and took the time to thank those who helped him get started. And at the age of 17? Not many in that category. I feel badly for you. You’re about to be verbally pummeled, which is kinda fitting, considering that’s what you just tried to do to David. I suggest you get to know someone a little before writing such absurd things.
That “being more green” snarky little attempt at humor? What will be more green after the album release on 11/11 is David’s bank account!
Well i will certainly enjoy reading all the things that he has to say once i have the copy of the album. And to compensate for all the trees that will be used, i will do my best in…uh…recycling stuff haha. Anyways thanks for posting this up.
And fellow Archie fans, just keep it cool head will ya? peace.
David’s note to his mother made me tear up. And that CD is going to kill me — heard snippets on Amazon and haha, LOL and !!!!! It’s good.
Give the young man a break! This is a monumental occasion for him, and he deserves on this first CD to express himself in whatever manner he sees fit. That’s part of his appeal and charm to the fans – and we will gladly read and savor every last word – because it’s all from that big heart of his… BRAVO DAVID ARCHULETA! WE LOVE YOU, AND ARE PROUD TO BE CALLED YOUR FANS!
I did my part to ‘go green’ this Idol season by cancelling my subscription to EW.
Guys, going back and forth like this with EW is not going to help anyone. It has been like this all season long. Lets just be thankful with the snippet they gave us, even if i’m not agreeing with the views of the writer.
This young man can give lessons on gratitude and appreciation. What a wonderfully positive outlook on life! And, I’m guessing no one he mentioned is complaining in the least about his kind words.
The part that touched me was his thankfulness to Idol and to his fellow Idol contestants. David, at his young age, already realizes the power of a simple ‘thank you’ – and how important it is to nurture relationships with others. I don’t begrudes one word of his liner notes.
Thanks for posting them!
David I love every word! I’ve just heard your snippets of your album and I am blown AWAY!!!
AWESOME! Man I need the rest like NOW!!!!
Oh brother. Criticizing his thank yous. Whatever. EW, you have crossed the line from annoying to pathetic. I guess you can’t accept David A.’s success since you did what you could to see him fail. You are heartless losers.
Loved David’s thank you comments! It doesn’t really surprise me that he would be wordy. He usually writes a lot in his blogs, which I love. He’s just grateful and appreciative for this opportunity to share his music.
Sorry, not with you at all. I love liner notes. Bring ‘em on Archie, you rock!
I am loving David’s liner notes! Thank you, Shirley, for including these in your article. I cannot wait to read the rest once I have the album in my hands! And, I listened to the album song previews, and that just solidified for me that this album is AMAZING! I cannot wait for David’s highly anticipated album to finally drop on 11/11! Thank you, God, for David Archuleta.
oh my gosh i’m like crying right now, david is sthe best why does he have to be so awesome??? david i’m so proud of u! u r n always will be my little angel! love u so much. n ew i dont know what to say u, but i will be fallow david n wont say anything bad to u, thank u 4 posting. peace
I did my part to ‘go green’ this Idol season by cancelling my subscription to EW.
haha!! i luv u lynn…QFTW…
thats david..humble and appreciative..nuff said.
No no no… it’s not too long at all! I mean, it does look kinda long, but it actually felt a lot shorter when I read it. Aww… he is the sweetest person ever!!! I just can’t wait to get the CD and read it all! He’s so genuinely amazing and I love love love him!!!!!! <33
Ya’ll need to get a sense of humor. This is why people think Archies are crazy. Anywhoo… that kid is adorable. But he is a tad long winded, huh? Killing trees indeed. LOL.
To EW, cant you find the positive about things? You cant find anything about the album and you run after the “liner notes”, cmon give the boy a chance.
What I don’t get is this:
It is his album and he can write WHATEVER he wants as MUCH as he wants. No one is forced to read the liner notes, including you EW. As for David…proof positive that good things happen to good people! I support him 100%… WORDS AND ALL!!
His liner notes are so very much his personality. His spirit shines in those notes. I love him for being true to himself in a business full of phonies. Thanks for leaking this for us, even if you did have to get in a few snarky comments.
Heartfelt words, just like his performances. Beyond his amazing talent, this is just a good kid who is filled with humility and gratitude. Just an awesome example to all of us.
He’s very excited- and we all know he’s pretty long-winded. I really hope his album doesn’t tank. He’s such a sweet kid, and I wish him the best.