It was 8:45 p.m., and I was pumped to see David Cook perform. The crowd was finally starting to walk into the venue. Then, it was my turn to take my seat, and I realized that I was able to grab one in the fifth row, although, as I looked around, it was obvious that any seat was a good seat.
   Being that this concert was held at Rowan University, there were, of course, a lot of college students, but surprisingly, there were also families. Then, too, there were also many older women. I guess the ladies love David Cook.
   A little after 9 p.m., the lights went down, and before I knew it, a guy came to the stage with his guitar. It was so dark that I was thinking it was David Cook, but I was proven wrong when a spotlight hit his face. The singer was Ryan Star.
   I had never heard of him, and by the look of the crowd, only a handful seemed to know who he was. He played an acoustic set of eight songs. His music reminded me of Gavin DeGraw, but his humor was that of Adam Sandler.
   He would sing a sweet song about love and then go into a more harsh song, such as “Psycho Suicidal Girl.” He drew the crowd in and made them part of the music by bringing a fan onto the stage to play tambourine during a song. As my eyes went from him to the crowd, I saw that he was winning the crowd over with his humor, as well as his music. By the end of his set, everyone, including myself, was cheering well after he left the stage.
   There was about a 20 minute interlude before the man himself took the stage. Everyone was excited, and I couldn’t help joining in the madness. The lights went down again, and everyone stood up and began screaming and shrilling. Then, before I knew it, there he was: David Cook and his band. It was amazing how he got the crowd going.
   He seemed so cool on stage, with that rocker edge, but yet so down to earth when he spoke. The crowd went crazy with every song, and Cook even played a couple of covers, including Van Halen’s “Hot For Teacher,” which I thought was completely appropriate given the place I was in. Students, children, teachers and everyone else that compiled the crowd were on their feet the whole time, and I was among them, dancing and singing along.
   Cook had a solo moment with just him and a band member playing the keyboard. The crowd was quiet and just listened as he sang. It was like he was exposing himself, his personality and music, in a good way. Throughout the concert, there were solos from the drummer and the guitarist, as well.
   As a music fan, I love seeing performers who look so appreciative of where they are and where they are going. David Cook looked like he’d been doing this for years and loved every second of it and his band was right there with him, enjoying the moment.
   He played about an hour-long set and ended the concert with his latest single “Light On.” He said his thank yous and then was off the stage. The crowd wasn’t done though, and they began chanting his name. They wanted him back for more.
   Sure enough, he and his band came back for an encore performance. During this time, he introduced each member. Then, for the final time he said thank you and good night, and that was the end. The lights went out and he was gone for good.
   The concert was excellent and the screams from the audience were evidence of that. David Cook proved why he won American Idol last season, and I think he is going to do great things in his career.