I’m not from Alabama. I’m from Arkansas. But I still grew up hearing that song and like it a lot.

So, fast forward a few years, to mid October, 2006. We learned Reuben Studdard was passing through Charlotte talking about his new album and we would get the exclusive television interview.

Our friends at WPEG and WBAV had the radio side covered. My co-anchor, Colleen Odegaard is great at these celebrity interviews. But she’s also a very busy mother of two and a 5:30 p.m. call time at a Wal-Mart store near Uptown is a difficult one for her to take. So, I volunteered and after getting to chat with Reuben, I was glad I did. Here’s the way it went down.

I arrived at the store to find a line of people, at that time, at least 50 in line waiting to get their CD’s signed. That day Reuben had been on the ‘Today’ show from New York. His Charlotte arrival came after a long day of performing and traveling. Now, granted, he’s making some change so it probably doesn’t seem like hard work to him.

Having never met him before, I had no idea what to expect. If you watched season two of the blockbuster ‘American Idol’ and thought the big guy from Birmingham was genuinely nice, I’m HAPPY to report you were correct.

In the rush of a hectic schedule and waiting fans, Reuben took a few minutes (about five or so) to talk to me. I asked about the new album, about his plan to stay in his hometown and of course about Simon Cowell. Read the accompanying story for his answers.

But it’s fair to say, the “velvet teddy bear” as his fans dubbed him, is a really nice guy. Without being rude, he let his handlers know that he needed to keep the interview quick, so he could get to the fans. I overheard him saying this because after all, they’d been waiting. A celebrity who’s more worried about his fans than promoting himself, that’s pretty cool.

Reuben’s new release is aptly titled The Return. After two years away from the spotlight, he says it takes listeners back into the soulful sounds of R & B.

I asked him what he thought of his friend and fellow Idol Alum Clay Aiken’s new work. He said, “I think it’s great.”

After graciously answering all of my questions, some he’s probably tired of hearing, he made his way out into the store and to the now 400 or so fans waiting in line. You would’ve thought the most famous person in the world walked in. It seems what ‘American Idol’ started, Reuben Studdard’s been able to maintain.

I say, good for him!