For almost six months, millions and millions of television viewers watched the Fox network's hugely successful "American Idol" show and week after week, they voted.

On May 21, 2003, the final vote was cast: Ruben Studdard - nicknamed the 'Velvet Teddy Bear' by the legendary soulful diva Gladys Knight - emerged as the winner of the intense competition with over twenty-four million callers logged. Two months later, in the midst of a hectic national tour with fellow 'Idol,' competitors, the 25-year old native of Birmingham, Alabama calmly reflects, "I got over stage fright early in life so I never got nervous doing the show, week after week. Having a career in music is what I've always wanted to do so this is the fulfillment of my dreams!"

Born Christopher Ruben Studdard, known to his family as 'Chris' and now known to the world as the soulful young singer carrying on a musical tradition that includes artists such as Donny Hathaway, Stevie Wonder and J Records labelmate Luther Vandross (all three considered primary influences), this genial giant is putting the finishing touches to his much-anticipated debut album.