We haven’t heard the last from David Archuleta

Fans have been tweeting David Archuleta words of encouragement this evening at a dizzying pace.

So I guess it’s true. The guy who was the runner-up in season seven of Idol, who appeared to be the judges’ favorite throughout that season, is no longer a member of the Jive record label, having been released or dropped.

I figured that if I waited until this evening to address the issue in a blog, one of David’s hometown papers in the Salt Lake area would surely have gotten to the bottom of the matter.

They haven’t. So we’re left to draw deductions from a couple of tweets from his former management team and the unnamed source who told Hollywood Reporter on Friday that “David was released from our roster.”

It caps a strange couple of months for the former Idol finalist, who has one of the most devoted fan bases you’ll ever find.

On one hand, David’s been featured at a number of high-profile events, appearing on NBC’s Skate for Heart in mid-January, starring on FOX’s New Years Eve Live, and performing in front of thousands at the Children’s Medical Center Holiday Parade in Dallas in early December.

And when Billboard asked folks to vote for their favorite album of 2010, those loyal David Archie fans made his “The Other Side of Down” number one. That’s right, number one. In front of Eminem’s “Recovery,” Lady Antebellum’s “Need You Now,” Taylor Swift’s “Speak Now” and all the rest.

Ah, but online votes are not CD sales, and if the numbers I’m reading everywhere are correct, “The Other Side” has sold a paltry 63,000 copies. And I kept checking David’s website for news of a tour to support the album. It never materialized.

In contrast, his debut album was certified gold in a matter of months; and the Christmas album David released in the fall of 2009 was well received, selling nearly 250,000 copies according to one source I saw.

To my ears, “The Other Side of Down” is David’s best album yet. But it was also released to a fickle public enraptured by new pop sensations like Justin Bieber and Kei$ha. And it was released in the highly competitive period right before the holiday shopping season, when lots of artists are rushing new music to fans.

True to form, David seems to be taking the latest development in stride. And remaining upbeat.

I’ve interviewed the guy twice about upcoming concerts in this area. He always comes across as humble and gracious.

And he might not have a record contract with Jive, but he still has that voice. More than one of this year’s Idol contestants cited his performance of “Imagine” as their favorite Idol moment ever.

Since Friday, David has sent out tweets thanking fans for their support, to let them know that “I am excited for the opportunities ahead” and that “things are going where I feel they should.”

I’m sure we’ll find out where that is in a matter of time. Give that voice, I have no doubt we’ll be hearing more from David.

Editor’s Note: For a look back at David’s September performance at the Pullo Center in York, go here.

For a look back at his Idol performances, click on the 9 Years of Idol link above, the click on his name under Season 7.

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