sign in sign up
<<
Home , 19 Recordings, 8stops7, Amanda Overmyer, Analog Heart, Axium, Big Wreck

INTERVIEWS WITH DAVID (1999 - 2008) LAST UPDATE: 2012-02-09 HIGHLIGHT – NEW SINCE LAST UPDATE

INDEX Click on the links below to go directly to the relevant article. PRE- 1999-12-29 - EXAMINER - Real preparation, mock trial 2000-02-10 - EXAMINER - Sharks, Jets rumble at Blue Springs South 2000-06-08 - EXAMINER - Scholarships, trophy goal of South debate students 2001-04-19 - EXAMINER - South sending six to nationals 2001-04-28 - EXAMINER - Teens drive home a gruesome point 2001-05-2001 - EXAMINER - South team wins state in debate 2001-06-21 - EXAMINER - A national success 2001-07-12 - EXAMINER - Following in big footsteps 2001-07-14 - EXAMINER - Rainouts, rescheduling create nightmare for Moran 2001-07-25 - EXAMINER - Fike‘s Cook fine in finale 2004 - ROCK KANSAS - bio for album Blindsided 2005-04-28 - MULESKINNER - Local bands play big venue for charity 2006-XX-XX – MWK INTERVIEW – Old interview w David, Neal & Andy (Transcript by Jeannie) 2006-05-01 - MUSIC EQUALS LIFE - Interview with David Cook 2006-11-11 - URBAN TULSA WEEKLY - Local favorites MWK and Brandon Jenkins celebrate new CD releases DURING IDOLS 2008-02-14 - URBAN TULSA WEEKLY - Shepherds, Idols and Saints 2008-03-07 - EW COM - '': Q&As with the Top 12! 2008-05-06 - BILLLBOARD - Q & A: David Cook of American Idol 2008-05-19 - TV GUIDE - Streets of Dreams POST-IDOL WIN 2008-05-21 - AMERICANIDOL COM - David Cook's Post-Win Interview (Transcript) 2008-05-21 - FOX KC - Extended interview with David Cook after win (transcript) 2008-05-21 - EW - Idol Backstage Q & A: David Cook 2008-05-21 - MYFOX WASHINGTON DC - Holly and David One on One (Transcript) 2008-05-21 - MYFOX WASHINGTON DC - Holly Morris interview with David Cook (Transcript) 2008-05-22 - ACCESS - Backstage with David Cook (Transcript) 2008-05-22 - ACCESS HOLLYWOOD - David Cook takes the Idol Quiz (Transcript) 2008-05-22 - ACCESS HOLLYWOOD - DC Crowned New AI (Transcript) 2008-05-22 - ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY - Idol Backstage Q & A: David Cook 2008-05-22 - LA TIMES - SHOWTRACKER - 'American Idol' news conference: The Davids sing each other's praises 2008-05-23 - AI Interview with David Cook - The Rocker Takes All (Transcript) 2008-05-23 - LIVEJOURNAL - Text chat with David 2008-05-23 - NEWSDAY - American Idol: Exit Interview with David Cook 2008-05-24 - UTICA-OD - David Cook says 'thanks' to hometown fans 2008-05-24 - USA TODAY - Idol champ Cook: Life has a weird way of working itself out 2008-05-26 - REALITY TV - David Cook Talks about Post-American Idol Album 2008-05-30 - ABC NEWS - 'Idol' Cook Dating, Having 'Time of My Life' 2008-05-30 - CELEB TV - American Idol Winner David Cook Ignores Dating Rules 2008-06-XX – ACCESS HOLLYWOOD – DISH OF SALT -- David Cook and Talk Idol Tour – Interview (Transcript by Coolshades) 2008-06-01 - SEVENTEEN - Dating: Seventeen questions for David Cook 2008-06-02 - TV GUIDE - King David 2008-06-03 - FOX News Radio - Interview with David Cook (Transcript by Coolshades) 2008-06-05 - 104.5 XLO (, MA) - Interview with David Cook – (Transcript by Coolshades) 2008-06-05 - Kansas City Radio – Interview (Transcript by Coolshades) 2008-06-06 - 105.1 The Buzz – Sheryl Stewart - Celebrity Playlist (David Cook) – Interview (Transcript by Coolshades) 2008-06-09 - PEOPLE - Rock Idol 2008-06-10 - ESPN MAG – An interview with David Cook 2008-06-11 - PEOPLE - David Cook rocks prime-time National Anthem 2008-06-12 - Dave and Jimmy (Various Markets) – Interview (Coolshades) 2008-06-13 - 101.9 WTMX -- Eric and Kathy in the Morning (, IL) – Interview (Transcript by Coolshades) 2008-06-13 - Rocket and Teresa in the Morning - Mix 93.3 (Kansas City, MO) - Interview (Transcript by Coolshades) 2008-06-14 - Q102 WKRQ (Cincinnati, OH) – Interview (Transcript by Coolshades) 2008-06-15 - - David Cook: America's Accidental Idol 2008-06-16 - PEOPLE - Sexy and sensitive: David Cook 2008-06-18 - 104.1 KRBE -- Roula & Ryan Show (Houston, TX) – Interview (Transcript by Coolshades) 2008-06-17 - XM Top 20 – Interview (Transcript by Coolshades) 2008-06-17 - XM Flight 26 – Interview (Transcript by Coolshades) 2008-06-18 - KANSAS CITY STAR - David Cook, front and center 2008-06-18 - KHOP 95.1 - The Morning Paper (Modesto, CA) – Interview (Transcript by Coolshades) 2008-06-23 - 102.7 KISS FM -- On Air With (Los Angeles, CA) – Interview (Transcript by Coolshades) 2008-06-25 - 104.5 CHUM FM (, ON) – Interview (Transcript by Coolshades) 2008-06-28 - TULSA WORLD - American Made 2008-07-08 - TIMES - Idol moments with winner David Cook 2008-07-10 - LIVEDAILY - Interview w David Cook 2008-07-22 - ESPN 1070 - The Fan Kravitz & Eddie -Indianapolis – Interview (Transcript by Annlah) 2008-07-23 - FREE POP PRESS - ‗Idol' David Cook talks cougars, crosswords as tour hits Detroit 2008-07-25 - BILLBOARD - David Cook Promises Twists, Turns on Debut Album 2008-07-25 - CANADIAN PRESS - American Idol David Cook's idol? Canadian singer- 2008-08-04 - NEWSDAY - David Cook: We sing better on American Idols Live tour 2008-08-05 - KISS FM (Los Angeles, CA) – Interview (Transcript by Annlah) 2008-08-08 - BOSTON GLOBE - Cookin' along, fueled by Idol 2008-08-09 - ALWAYS ACOUSTIC - Interview with David Cook 2008-08-13 - DCO (Blogs) - Hey Guys... 2008-08-20 - DCO (Blogs) – Promises, Schromises... 2008-08-21 - ROCK STAR STORIES - Interview w David Cook (Transcript) 2008-08-22 - OKLAHOMAN – BAM‘S BLOG David Cook clings to Tulsa memories 2008-08-25 - CNS EXCLUSIVE - David Cook Talks About Idol Tour, Skechers Endorsement And New Album 2008-03-09 - EXAMINER - A happy homecoming 2008-09-04 - SHREVEPORT TIMES - ‗American Idols‘ talks about shopping, shoes and a bad case of senioritis 2008-09-11 - KANSAN - Question & Answer with David Cook of American Idol 2008-09-18 - DCO (Blogs) – First new blog for new site!! ALBUM PROMO (Oct to Dec 2008) 2008-10-17 - EW COM - THE Q & A - David Cook: I just think this record is me 2008-10-17 - MTV - American Idol Champ David Cook s One Wish For Video: 'I Hope I Don't Blow It' 2008-10-23 - FOX4 KC - David Cook on Making Album: 'Like Taking Off Your Clothes in Church' 2008-10-26 - USA TODAY - David Cook flicks Light On his new single 2008-10-28 - RHAPSODY - David Cook‘s Favorite Songs 2008-10-30 - ROLLING STONE - David Cook Crafts Heaviest "American Idol" Album Yet 2008-10-31 - PEOPLE - David Cook on Life After American Idol 2008-11-01 - Sirius Hit Bound -- Guest Host David Cook – (Transcript by Coolshades) 2008-11-01 - Sirius Hit Bound -- The Morning Mash Up – Interview (Transcript by Coolshades) 2008-11-01 - GUITARPLAYER.COM - American Idol Champ David Cook Talks Guitar 2008-11-01 - MEN‘S FITNESS - David Cook: The new American Idol is committed to staying trim. 2008-11-01 - OKLAHAMA MAGAZINE - David Cook - Looking for Life after Idol: The Time of His Life (Transcript) 2008-11-01 - BLENDER - Bar Exam - American Idol's David Cook Gets His Fans Wasted (Scans) 2008-11-03 - OK MAGAZINE - David Cook: ‗I‘ve Won The Lottery of Life‘ 2008-11-03 - AMERICANIDOL COM - David Cook: Life After Idol | David Cook on His New CD (Transcript) 2008-11-03 - REALITY TV - David Cook Says, ―Life Hasn‘t Changed‖ 2008-11-06 - 99.5 WZPL - Smiley in the Morning (Indianapolis, IN) – Interview (Transcript by Coolshades) 2008-11-06 - 105.1 The Buzz -- Nelson and Terry (Portland, OR) – Interview (Transcript by Coolshades) 2008-11-06 - EW COM - THE Q & A David Cook: 'I Just Think This Record Is Me' 2008-11-07 - Z 104 -- Connie and Fish (Madison, KY) – Interview – Audio only (Transcript by Coolshades) 2008-11-07 - COLUMBIAN - Idol worship puzzles Cook 2008-11-09 - EW COM - Judgment Day - David Cook: Inside His New CD 2008-11-10 - MIX 98.5 -- Lander in the Morning (Boston, MA) – Interview – Audio only (Transcript by Coolshades) 2008-11-10 - Bob and Tom (Various Markets) – Interview – Audio only (Transcript by Coolshades) 2008-11-10 - 106.1 KISS FM -- Jackie and Bender (Seattle, WA) – Interview – Audio only (Transcript by Coolshades) 2008-11-10 - POPEATER - David Cook Dedicates Song to Brother 2008-11-11 - MEN'S STYLE - 60 Seconds with David Cook and 2008-11-12 – TRL - David Cook on Total Request Live – Interview (Transcript by Coolshades) 2008-11-12 - Dave and Jimmy (various markets) – Interview – Audio only (Transcript by Coolshades) 2008-11-12 - REUTERS - Idol‖ David Cook says CD comes out ―guns blazing‖ 2008-11-13 - MIX 93.3 (Kansas City, MO) – Interview (Transcript by Coolshades) 2008-11-14 - L.A. TIMES - "American Idol" David Cook: his new album, hair metal and the ladies 2008-11-16 - SAN FRANCISCO CHRONICLE - Pop Quiz - David Cook 2008-11-16 - BILLBOARD - Ready to Rock - Cook-ing With Gas 2008-11-17 - 106.7 Lite FM -- Karen and Christine (New York, NY) – Interview – Audio only (Transcript by Coolshades) 2008-11-17 - LA TIMES - 'American Idol's' David Cook gets some help for new album 2008-11-18 - ABC News Radio –Interview - Audio only (Transcript by Coolshades) 2008-11-18 - Fresh 102.7 (New York, NY) – Interview (Transcript by Coolshades) 2008-11-18 - KISS 98.5 -- Janet and Nick (Buffalo, NY) – Interview (Transcript by Coolshades) 2008-11-18 - USA TODAY - Introducing ‗David Cook‘, first album from the Idol winner 2008-11-19 - - Idol champ David Cook keeps rocking on new album 2008-11-19 - CNN - Idol champ eyes long-term success 2008-11-19 - WJZ Baltimore -- Coffee with David Cook – Interview (Transcript by Coolshades) 2008-11-19 - WPLJ (New York, NY) – Interview (Transcript by Coolshades) 2008-11-19 WPLJ -- Recycled Interview (New York, NY) – Interview (Transcript by Coolshades) 2008-11-19 - Z100 -- Elvis Duran Morning Show (New York, NY) – Interview (Transcript by Coolshades) 2008-11-20 - FOX KC - David Cook: ‗The Whole Album Felt Rushed‘ 2008-11-20 - REUTERS - Just a Minute With: "American Idol" David Cook 2008-11-22 - Radio Disney -- Ernie D (various markets) – Interview (Transcript by Coolshades) 2008-11-22 - Entertainment Tonight -- David Cook one-on-one with Kevin Frazier – Interview (Transcript by Coolshades) 2008-11-23 - CINCINNATI COM - A lot's riding on Cook's album 2008-11-29 - AQUARIAN - David Cook: Raising the Roof 2008-11-28 - KCTV 5 -- Plaza Lighting Ceremony (Kansas City, MO) – Interview (Transcript by Coolshades) 2008-11-29 - Sophie 103.7 -- Jennifer White (, CA) – Interview (Transcript by Coolshades) 2008-11-29 - RADIO - David Cook with Murphy in the Morning on WKZL 107.5 (Winston-Salem) (Transcript) 2008-11-30 - RADIO MYX () – Interview (Transcript by Coolshades) 2008-12-01 - DCO (Blogs) - Happy (Belated) Thanksgiving! 2008-12-01 - KC MAGAZINE 100+10 - Really Cooking (Scans) 2008-12-03 – Z100 - Interview – David Cook (Transcript by Seriously) 2008-12-05 – XL 106.7 – Orlando, Florida - David Cook Interview (Transcript by Seriously) 2008-12-08 - PEOPLE MAGAZINE - David Cook answers YOUR questions 2008-12-16 - JOURNAL-CONSTITUTION - Interview and video performance at the Q100 Christmas concert 2008-12-27 - DCO (Blogs) - My XMAS BLOG 2008-12-31 - BUSINESS MIRROR - Taking a Big Step

PRE-IDOLS

1999-12-29 - EXAMINER - Real preparation, mock trial

Source

December 29, 1999 Section: Feature Real preparation, mock trial Traci Menke The Examiner It's nearly January and only midway through the season for high school debate and forensic teams. Tournaments started in the fall and go through the spring. "The season runs the second week of October to the state tournament in April," Blue Springs South Coach Brady said. And there is a one week season in June for those who make it to the national level. South has had students qualify almost every year. "Our best showing so far was at Lee's Summit, where we got first and second in championship debate," Brady said. 'We're usually in the top three (at tournaments)." The first tournament of the season is usually the one co-sponsored by both Blue Springs high schools. Georgia Brady coaches the debate and forensic teams at Blue Springs South High School. The debate squad includes 14 varsity (experienced) teams of two, 25 novice (beginning) teams of two and 10 Lincoln-Douglas debaters. Lincoln-Douglas is individual debate. Students also compete in mock trial, which starts in January. There also are dozens of students who compete individually in forensics. "Almost all the varsity do more than one (event)," said Coach Georgia Brady. "They are required to do individual as part of the curriculum." The cross examination debate topic this year is on education. Students are debating whether the federal government needs to establish a system that significantly increases academic achievement in secondary schools. "I like the debate topic. It's very timely and relevant," Brady said. "I would really like to have a chance for the public to hear the kids on this topic." Bryan Schwappach, a debater, agreed. "I like the topic. It's good because it is a broad topic and something we (students) can relate to," he said. Ryan Hays agreed. "I thing it's a good topic. I like it," Hays said. But, like true debaters, not everyone agrees. "I think it is too general and too broad. Debate is better when it's not on a personal level," said Joanni Luteran. Edward Tompkins said he is warming up to the topic. "At first I thought it was too broad. I'm starting to enjoy it more," he said. Schwappach said the topic makes it easy for the affirmative side, the group that wants to change the status quo. He said there is a lot of support for changing things. The affirmative team is required to develop a plan that changes things for the better. One of the points of his team's plan is to start the day later for high school students. He said research has shown older students are more alert later in the day. "So kids can get more sleep in the morning and they aren't sleeping in class," he said. Hays said one of the points of their plan to increase academic achievement is to have universal preschools. The Lincoln-Douglas debate issue is whether economic sanctions are moral. Ben Williams competes on the forensics side for South. So far he has competed in humorous interpretation, duo interpretation, prose, dramatic interpretation, storytelling and improvisation. "You name it and I do it," he joked. "I like forensics because I've always enjoyed acting. I like to win. I don't like to lose," Williams said. And the students have nothing but accolades for their coach. "Mrs. Brady has a really tough job," Williams said. "And even though we frustrate her some times, she never loses her cool. She is always happy about her students successes." David Cook agreed. "Mrs. Brady would give her right arm and leg to see one of her students succeed," Cook said. Hays said," Mrs. Brady is wonderful. She is the most dedicated teacher I've ever meet." Schwappach agreed. "She's the best teacher I've ever had," he said. Williams and Cook agreed that debate and forensics brings people together because they spend so many of their weekends during the school year with each other. Traci Menke can be reached at [email protected] or 224-7217. Audrey Truschke, left, and Lindsay Wegener, Blue Springs South debate students, look over the Missouri Mock Trial information during Georgia Brady's debate class just before Christmas break. The mock trial competition begins in January and is part of the school's debate program.

2000-02-10 - EXAMINER - Sharks, Jets rumble at Blue Springs South

Source

February 10, 2000 Section: Feature Sharks, Jets rumble at Blue Springs South Traci Menke The Examiner For Andrea D. Smith the chance to play Anita was a role she waited for what seems like forever. "I love it. She (Anita) loves to sing and dance. It's like a triple threat. I love her spark and her character. I've always wanted to play it," she said. The Blue Springs South High School drama department is presenting the musical "West Side Story" at 7 p.m. Thursday, Friday and Saturday at the Barbara Landes Performing Arts Center, 1200 Taylor Road. There is a matinee performance at 1 p.m. Saturday. Kati Flowers, a junior, has her first lead role in the drama as the innocent Maria. "It's my first major role. I love it. It is my favorite musical. I think it has really come together," Flowers said. Flowers said the story allows her to show a wide range of emotions. Smith likes her role because she has the chance to do a lot of dancing. David Cook plays Riff, the head of The Jets. "The show is great. It's about 40 people coming together to make it look good," Cook said. Bobby Kerr, who plays one of the lead roles as Tony, also likes the musical. "It is one of the best musicals ever written," Kerr said. "I've had a great time. It's been a lot of hard work." Bernardo, one of the other lead characters, is played by Matt Brown. "I think it will come off nicely," Brown said. This is the first musical for Brown, who said he likes the character. "He gets the bigger picture," Brown said. "West Side Story" has sometimes been controversial because it is about racism. Several students in the play said they think the issue is something people should examine. "I think it's a good musical because it shows how we do have racism and how it can affect our world. People can learn from it," Flowers said. Smith said, "It should be shown because it opens eyes more. They (those in the play) only looked on the outside instead of the inside." Cook said the musical may reflect on racism but says the cast and audience are mature enough to handle the material. "It shows the way things really were and are in real life. It shows real emotions," Kerr said. Tickets are $6 for adults and $5 for seniors and students. To reach Traci Menke, send e-mail to [email protected] or call her at 224-7217.

2000-06-08 - EXAMINER - Scholarships, trophy goal of South debate students

Source

June 8, 2000 Section: News Scholarships, trophy goal of South debate students Traci Menke The Examiner Students representing Blue Springs South High School have a few days to perfect their speaking skills before taking on other students in national competition. Ryan Hays, Matt Brown, David Cook and Ben Williams leave for Portland, Ore., this week for the National Debate and Forensics Tournament. The tournament is Monday through Friday next week. Hays and Brown competed in nationals last year. Brown is a recent graduate, and Hays is a senior. Hays is competing in foreign extemporaneous speaking, and Brown is competing in U.S. extemporaneous speaking. Last year, Brown competed in student congress, and Hays competed in debate. In extemporaneous speaking, a contestant draws three topics about current events, selects one, and has 30 minutes to prepare a speech. Cook and Williams are competing in duo interpretation. Their piece is called "." They each play a different character, but by the time it is finished, the characters have switched personalities. "It makes me stretch as an actor. You're forced to perform and feed off each other," Cook said. Williams said: "I think it is fun. I have had a good time with it. It will be interesting to see how far we go." This is their first trip to nationals. Cook said he would like to take first place because of the scholarships available. "And the trophy is about three feet tall," he said. Coach Georgia Brady said Brown was a surprise in the extemporaneous category. He was entered in the event at the district tournament because there was a slot open. "But we knew Matt could do OK," Brady said. "It surprised a few people." "Including me," Brown said. To make final preparations for the tournament, Brown is watching the late news on television or picking up what he can on the Internet. Hays has been competing in foreign extemporaneous all year and would like to take at least third or fourth place at the tournament. Brown said he hopes to have the chance to talk about technology-related topics. Hays said he likes any topic dealing with Russia or nuclear weapons. They planned to take their good luck charms with them, including Doctor Woo, a cardboard cut out that was passed down a 1995 graduate. They'll also take a picture Brown found at a previous tournament. "It's some kid's school picture," Brown said. Williams is taking a picture of his girlfriend for good luck, and Cook is taking clothing featuring frogs. They also are taking T-shirts bought for them at a store than sells overruns. The shirts have "Moore Family Reunion," printed on them.

2001-04-19 - EXAMINER - South sending six to nationals

Source April 19, 2001 Section: Feature South sending six to nationals Traci Menke The Examiner Editor's note. This is the third in a series of four stories about Blue Springs and Blue Springs South high school students who are going to the National Debate and Forensics Tournament June 10-15, in Norman, Okla. Blue Springs South has five chances to get a win in the national forensics tournament in Norman, Okla. Six students have qualified in four individual events. Two of the individual qualifiers, Ryan Hays and Corey Owens, also qualified in team debate. David Cook and Ben Williams qualified in duo interpretation, Hays qualified in foreign extemporaneous, Lindsey Morehead qualified in dramatic interpretation, and Owens and John Wirtz qualified in oratory. Hays, Wirtz, Williams and Cook are seniors. Morehead and Owens are juniors. This is a return trip to nationals for Cook, Williams and Hays. It is the first time for Owens, Morehead and Wirtz. "It was somewhat unexpected," Wirtz said. Wirtz and Owens agreed one of the secrets in doing well in oratory is a good topic. "You need to pick something you feel passionate about ... You have also have to be eloquent in your delivery," Wirtz said. Owens agreed. "I echo John. It's a lot in the delivery. A good delivery can overcome content," Owens said. Wirtz's topic deals with something that is close to his heart, teen-agers and their lives. He said many adults say teen-agers don't live in the "real world." "What does that mean? We live in an imaginary world? That's been a pet peeve of mine for years," Wirtz said. Owens has done an oratory about teens and drinking. He picked the topic because of events at school. During the last school year students were collecting money for two unrelated incidents. One was a student injured in an accident that may have involved drinking and another for a school police officer who had health problems. He said there were more efforts to raise money for the student than police officer. That concerned Owens. He said drinking seems to be spreading among high school students. Morehead's piece is called "Heart of A Dog." It is a short play by Terry Galloway. It is about a deaf woman in an institution. She selected the piece because it is a different type of social commentary. She said most dramatic pieces are on racial issues and domestic or child abuse. "It's unique," Morehead said. Her piece is also a little different from the standard dramatic pieces because there are some humorous moments in it. "The character lightens things up and tells some jokes," Morehead said. Cook and Williams are doing "Greater Tuna." A piece they say has been used by many others for several years. "It's a lot of fun," Williams said. The piece is about a radio station in Tuna, Texas. It is filled with stereotypical characters. "It's been a really good year for us," Williams said. Cook and Williams said their coach Georgia Brady talked them into doing the piece and making it their own. Their goal for nationals is to at least make it to the final rounds. Before going the humorous route, they had tried other avenues in duo interpretation. "We tried dramatic but we stunk," Williams said. Like others on the team, Williams and Cook said they are excited about going to nationals. Cook said he and Williams have been for several years. Cook joined forensics because of Williams. Both have competed in forensics for four years. This is Hays' third trip to nationals. He has gone in debate and foreign extemporaneous before and this year he goes in both. Hays said he likes foreign extemporaneous because it gives him a chance to educate the judges about issues. He said it is important to be up on foreign affairs to compete in the event. In this category, participants draw questions and then are given time to prepare their piece. Hays was happy that the question he got in the final rounds of districts was something he had studied, the international monetary fund. Hays said one of the important things to remember in preparing an extemporaneous piece is that events don't happen in isolation. "You have to know what is going on in the world," Hays said. His goal is to first win, but he would settle for doing better than the Top 30.

2001-04-28 - EXAMINER - Teens drive home a gruesome point

Source April 28, 2001 Section: News Teens drive home a gruesome point Kelly Evenson The Examiner Tyler Parsons said he was the lucky one. He did not have to deal with the suffering of the events after the car accident - the accident that ended his life. Parsons, a senior at Blue Springs South High School, portrayed one of the victims in a dramatic presentation sponsored by the Youth Outreach Unit in front of the high school Friday morning. The drama, presented to juniors and seniors, showed the sequence of events that happens after an accident is caused by drinking and driving on prom night. Blue Springs South's prom is tonight. "Even though I died early on in the presentation, I heard all the screaming," Parsons said. "I could feel my parents pulling at my body and screaming because I was dead. I didn't have to feel any pain. I was the lucky one." Matt Shull, school resource officer at Blue Springs South, said the purpose of the drama was to demonstrate to students the effects of drinking and driving. He said by seeing people they know inside the cars injured, it might have more of an impact and change bad decisions into the right ones. Anne Loughran plays a victim in a mock accident presentation for the Blue Springs South students as a firefighter helps her onto a backboard Friday. "What we are trying to do is have an impact on these kids," Shull said. "We hope that they will see what is going on, and it will change their perspective about drinking and driving before, during or after the prom." The docudrama showed two vehicles, one driven by a suspected drunken driver, crashed into each other. Parsons died in the accident while the others were taken from the vehicles, placed on back boards and taken away in ambulances. The drama simulated the actual events that would take place at an accident scene involving those from the Blue Springs Police Department, Central Jackson County Fire Protection District, emergency medical technicians, Hickman Tow and a funeral home. David Cook, senior and the suspected drunken driver, said if he had known what was going to happen, he would never have taken a drink. "This could happen to anyone here," Cook said. "This happens every day across the nation because of people like me. Don't drink and drive - that's the bottom line." Shull said the program, which has been going on for the past six years, took about five weeks to organize. He said he believes programs such as the one in front of Blue Springs South helps deter teen-agers from drinking and driving. "I think it has made somewhat of an impact on these young people," Shull said. "They see their friends in there and realize that participating in this type of practice is dangerous and has its consequences." David Beck, senior at Blue Springs South, said he thought the presentation was well done and brought to life the tragedy that happens when people make unwise decisions. "I hope that this will prevent kids from making bad choices at prom," Beck said. "I think students saw what could happen when they make foolish choices, and it could encourage them to make the right choices and have fun." Kelly Evenson can be reached at [email protected] or at 229-9161. Emergency personnel respond to a mock accident scene Friday at Blue Springs South High School. The girl on the back board is Anne Loughran, vice president of the Students Against Destructive Decisions chapter at the school. The South prom is Saturday evening and the mock accident was staged to remind students to drive responsibly. Paul Beaver/The Examiner

2001-05-2001 - EXAMINER - South team wins state in debate

Source Section: Feature South team wins state in debate Kelly Evenson The Examiner Two Blue Springs South High School students have brought home the school's first state championship in debate. Now, the duo has its sights set on a bigger prize. Ryan Hays, senior, and Corey Owens, junior, took first place in the Missouri State Debate and Forensics Tournament in cross-examination debate. The tournament was April 20-21 at the University of Missouri-Columbia. Hays said it felt great winning state in his last tournament before graduation. "I went to state last year with a different partner, and we lost to a Lee's Summit team in the quarterfinals," Hays said. "This year, we met the same team in the semi-final round and beat them. It was a sweet win." Owens said since this was the first time he'd gone to state, he was not sure they would win anything. He said since they had already qualified for the national tournament, state was more relaxing, but as they got closer to the final round, he said he became more nervous. "We were sitting in the final round, and I looked back on the rest of the tournament and couldn't believe we had made it this far," Owens said. "It just felt so good that we were able to do this for Ms. Brady. She has done so much for us and we did it for her." Georgia Brady, debate and forensics team coach, said the championship is the school's first in debate. She said she was both relieved and excited when it was announced Hays and Owens had taken the championship because she knew it had been a good round. "It is a wonderful feeling that they would want to do this for me and not for themselves," Brady said. "They are all wonderful kids and they work really hard. It is easy to let down at the end of the year, but they continue to practice and research." Other students that placed in the state tournament from Blue Springs South included: David Cook and Ben Williams, both seniors, placing third in duet acting; and Lindsey Morehead, junior, placing third in dramatic interpretation. All of the students have qualified for the national debate and forensics tournament in June in Norman, Okla. "We were actually surprised we made the cut into the final round because we have only practiced our piece once or twice together," Cook said. "Once in finals, it is a completely different monster to tame. We were glad we made it, but were kind of disappointed we only placed third." Owens said now that they have won state, their next goal is to bring a national championship to Blue Springs South in debate. "We had a team a couple of years ago place 13th overall, but they never won," Owens said. "My goal for next year is to try to live up to this year. I want to be the second team in the state to win back-to-back state championships. I want to do something that hasn't been done for Ms. Brady." Kelly Evenson can be reached at [email protected] or at 229-9161. Corey Owens, left, and Ryan Hays, won first place in team debate in state competition in Columbia. Paul Beaver/The Examiner

2001-06-21 - EXAMINER - A national success Source

June 21, 2001 Section: Feature A national success Kelly Evenson The Examiner It was a topic on terrorism while in Oklahoma that placed Blue Springs South debater Ryan Hays third in the nation - and he wasn't the only one from Blue Springs who came home a winner. Mary Westfall and Rachel McRae, Blue Springs High School, and Hays, David Cook and Ben Williams, Blue Springs South, returned home last weekend with several honors from the National Debate and Forensics Tourn ament in Norman, Okla. Hays placed third in extemporaneous commentary while Westfall and McRae placed in the top 40 in team debate. Westfall also placed 32nd in domestic extemporaneous. Cook and Williams placed in the top 30 in duo interpretation. Hays said he actually qualified in two other events, foreign extemporaneous and team debate, however did not manage to break the top 60. Instead, he said he went on to his supplementary events, which are considered consolation rounds. In extemporaneous commentary, Hays had to draw topics from a hat in each round and then prepare a five-minute speech. He said he had topics ranging from Bill Clinton to sex and then terrorism in the final round. Hays said once he was focused on what he was supposed to be doing, the speeches became easier. "Senior year is really busy, and I didn't do a whole lot of preparation for debate before nationals. I kind of neglected major developments in the world," Hays said. "Once I was eliminated from the main rounds and started concentrating on the supplementary, I was surprised I advanced beyond the first rounds. I was looking to do better in the competition, but it was a lot of fun." To qualify for nationals, students had to make the final round and then place first or second in the district tournament earlier this year. McRae, who has not been to nationals before, said the experience was fun, but not as much pressure as she expected. "I think going into the competition, I thought there would be more competition from the other schools," McRae said. "But placing the top 40 was a great way to end it. Four years of hard work paid off great." Westfall said she and McRae did not really prepare much going into nationals. She said she knew they would be up against tough competition, but the question was how much did the other teams prepare. "We did a lot of preparation for district like looking up articles and becoming updated on current events," Westfall said. "But senior year gets busy. We didn't even open our crates after we qualified. We were a little surprised we did so well because there was some impressive competition, but it was the best way to end the year." Cook said last year, he and Williams were just happy to qualify for nationals, but this year they were more determined to do well. He said the whole experience was kind of bittersweet because competing with his friends is over. "We did well, our school did well, but nationals is finished," Cook said. "I don't get to do this with these guys anymore. Four years of work and competition is done." Williams said he was a little disappointed with nationals because a person goes into any competition to win. He said, however, he has learned a lot from participating on the team throughout high school. "I have definitely learned how to talk more since participating in debate and forensics," Williams said. "Doing something like this for four years and you would learn how to talk a lot." Next year, the five students will be headed in different directions as they begin pursuing college education. Westfall plans to attend the University of Kansas majoring in pre-medicine. McRae is going to Creighton University majoring in international business and law. Hays is attending the University of Minnesota majoring in business while Cook and Williams will stay in Missouri. Cook is attending Central Missouri State University majoring in broadcasting and film communications and Williams is attending Truman State University with an undecided major. Only Hays and Williams have definite plans to continue in debate and forensics in some way during college. Cook is still considering the idea while McRae and Westfall said they are going to spend time concentrating on something else for awhile. "Debate is a pretty big time commitment," Westfall said. "There is a tournament every weekend and you are researching all the time. I think it is time to do something else for awhile."

2001-07-12 - EXAMINER - Following in big footsteps Source: http://nl.newsbank.com/nl- search/we/Archives?p_action=doc&p_docid=122D5AE96BDF0C70&p_docnum= 37&p_theme=gatehouse&s_site=EIMB&p_product=EIMB July 12, 2001 Section: Sports Following in big footsteps BILL ALTHAUS The Examiner /snip/ "This is just a great tournament," Fike pitcher David Cook said. "One of the big reasons I'm playing Legion ball is to play in this tournament. "It's on the lips of everyone associated with Legion ball and it's special to be a part of it and even more special to be a part of Fike's first win."

2001-07-14 - EXAMINER - Rainouts, rescheduling create nightmare for Moran Source: http://nl.newsbank.com/nl- search/we/Archives?p_action=doc&p_docid=122D5AF163E57FB8&p_docnum=40&p_t heme=gatehouse&s_site=EIMB&p_product=EIMB July 14, 2001 Section: Sports Rainouts, rescheduling create nightmare for Moran Bill Althaus The Examiner /snip/ Despite the rain, rescheduling and headaches that go with being tournament director of the 13th annual Wood Bat Invitational, Jim Moran has managed to keep his sense of humor. "I don't think I'll ever talk on the phone again after the tournament is over," Moran said, grinning. Three telephones and his pager were seemingly ringing in unison. Along with being the tourney director, Moran led his Blue Springs Post 499/Fike team to a 2-1 tourney start. "We want to win this tournament for Jim," Fike pitcher David Cook said. "It's such a great tournament and to win it for Jim would be unbelievable."

2001-07-25 - EXAMINER - Fike‘s Cook fine in finale Source

July 25, 2001 Section: Sports Fike's Cook fine in finale Lorenzo Butler The Examiner In the postseason, the old adage is to play every game as if it's your last. For Blue Springs Post 499 Fike pitcher David Cook, it was indeed his last game. And the 18-year-old who wears No. 1 played like it as he tossed a complete- game, five-hit shutout, helping his Fike squad to an 11-0 rout of Independence Post 21 in the opening round of the Fifth District Tournament at Santa Fe Trail Park. "It's a good way to go out," said Cook, who has vacation commitments that will prohibit him from playing the remainder of Fike's season. "It's nice to go out that way. You treat every pitch like it's your last pitch." Tuesday was no different for Cook as he gave up only one hit through the first three innings. Ross Williams, Fike #4, slides safely back into second base in an pickoff attempt in the bottom of the second inning by Daniel Logston, Post 21 #17, Tuesday. Paul Beaver/The Examiner And while Cook set the table on the mound, teammate Brent Kreisler provided the goods from the plate. "I've kind of been struggling at the plate," Kreisler said. That ended Tuesday as he went 3-for-4 with a single, a double and a triple and five runs batted in. "I just hit the ball at the right place at the right time," Kreisler said. David Cook, Fike #1, pitches against Post 21 Tuesday. Paul Beaver/The Examiner

2004 - ROCK KANSAS - Album bio for Axium album Blindsided

Source: http://rockkansas.com/axium/ formed : Blue Springs, MO – 2001 active : yes, in Kansas City - touring regionally members : David Cook [lead vox, rhythm guitar] Jeff Shrout [lead guitar] Bobby Kerr [drums, backin vox] genres : rock, alternative pop/rock adjectives : ROCK...done right! similar to : Alice N' Chains, doubleDrive, labels : discography Matter of Time [2002] Blindsided [2003] ALIVE IN TULSA [2004] contact info booking : [email protected] email : [email protected] or [email protected] website : www.axiumrock.com bio Axium www.axiumrock.com BLINDSIDED BIO Loved or hated, but Never Ignored "I think it's important to write what you know," says David Cook, the voice behind Axium. "Everybody has inner demons in the closet. I just confront these inner demons in a public forum. Inspired by love, loss, and everything in between, Cook and his band mates--guitarist Jeff Shrout and drummer Bobby Kerr -- have built a formidable fan base through two years of high-octane performances, during which time they have shared concert bills with artists ranging from Caroline s Spine and to Smashmouth and Fountains of Wayne. Capturing the energy of Axium's live shows, the group's newest album Blindsided balances delicacy and aggression in equal measure. Stirred by honest antagonism (Feed Your Ego, Clean Break) and emotional sub currents (Just In Case, Testament)the songs on Blindsided seek a deeper resonance to obvious realities. Of special note is "Truth Is A Gun," based on the ideal that honesty can, and sometimes does, force you to leave your comfort zone. My mindset in writing Truth was to convey my regret for whatever dishonesty I had committed in life and how it had hurt those around me. Cook says of Blindsided s first single. The lyrics, however, contradict that idea. The lyrics seem to suggest that I am condemning others for lying, when in fact I‘m condemning myself. Blindsided traces the group's journey thus far, and points towards new achievements ahead. Throughout, the album emphasizes raw, edgy guitars laced with memorable hooks--the signature approach which has fueled Axium since its inception. Born in Houston, but raised in Kansas City, David Cook helped form Axium in 1999. Teaming up with his childhood friend, Bobby Kerr, the two began making music under the name Redeye. It wasn't until 2001, after a chance meeting with 8STOPS7 lead singer Evan Sula-Goff that they decided to change their name to Axium and begin to really delve into songwriting. After landing current lead guitarist, Jeff Shrout on guitar in the fall of 2001, Cook had finally found the 1-2 songwriting combination he d been looking for. The two immediately began writing for their debut album, Matter of Time, which was released in December of 2002. Upon its release, an immediate buzz began circulating about Axium throughout the Midwest. The album was heard by, among others, Midwestbands.com, who named Axium their Band of the Month. Having an alternative slant to their rock, [Axium's] music is not only fresh and distinctive, but with the strong vocals and BIG sound it is reminiscent of the power rock of the 80's: A little dark, but not depressing a little edgy, but not scary. It's strong, feel-good, soul strengthening music! Midwestbands.com The group has steadily built a rabid regional fan base with their compelling performances onstage and their friendly demeanor offstage. We've been on the other end of that spectrum, where musicians are so unfriendly. Kerr states, We don't want to be that band. We love our fans. Hell, I don't even know if you can call them fans. 'Friends' is almost more appropriate." This friendly attitude, coupled with a musicianship wise beyond their years, the members of Axium have shown perseverance that has brought powerful results. With the release of Blindsided and national touring already under their belt, Axium continues their upward rise across the country! Mp3 clips > Close Your Eyes > Peace of Mind > Somber > Why Do You Care?

2005-04-28 - MULESKINNER - Local bands play big venue for charity

Source: http://media.www.themuleskinner.com/media/storage/paper563/news/2005/04/28/Feature s/Local.Bands.Play.Big.Venue.For.Charity-943589-page2.shtml This Saturday the Uptown Theatre in Kansas City will host "Scream for Relief," an all- ages concert featuring a medley of local bands, to raise money in aid of the tsunami and Sudan relief efforts. The concert headliner is Warrensburg band Axium, accompanied by area bands such as Ides of April, Grifter, Flee the Scene, Freshmen and The New Foes. All bands have agreed to play the concert free of charge. "More than anything, it's important to use whatever talents you have to better everyone else around you," said David Cook, Axium's lead singer and student at Central. (snip) With Saturday's event being staged in the Uptown Theater, a major venue in the Kansas City area, Cook believes the bands involved will gain from this experience, not only from a philanthropic standpoint, but also from a career standpoint. "It's kind of a co- opportunity," Cook said. "We hope that there are a lot of people there, and that they learn about us as a band, and that people enjoy us. But we also hope (the relief effort) is a success, to a point that something like this can thrive in Kansas City. It's not every day that you see an all local show at a venue like the Uptown Theater." (snip) Cook, who is selling tickets in order to further the effort, is also hopeful for the concert's monetary success. "I think that people are inherently good and constantly want to help other people," Cook said. "And I think this is a very good outlet in which to do so."

2006-XX-XX – MWK INTERVIEW – Old interview w David, Neal & Andy (Transcript by Jeannie)

Source: http://www.pinoyexchange.com/forums/showpost.php?p=48084512&post count=1555

View: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tdNt0bbfcsg

transcript by Jeannie on DCO:

Dave: If you write a good song, and it reaches 10 people on a completely different level, you know it's one of the coolest things I've ever seen. To see people interpret a song that you wrote... I mean I've written songs about things that I read in the newspaper, and somebody will find some way to connect it to themselves and their story. I think that's awesome.

Neal: Wisconson. The night ends up with our old drummer gets this huge scar on his face for like three weeks, Andy gets pissed on, and then... I think the drummer(?) might have got pissed on back as revenge. It was a great night.

Andy: I was home sleeping - home (makes a face) - hotel room, Lacrosse, Wisconsin. Robbie Merritt comes in with Brian Jewett... No, without Brian Jewett. Brian Jewett was sleeping in the bed next to me. Robbie Merritt comes in, sleeps for a couple hours, I'm already asleep, wakes up at about four or five in the morning... probably five. Wakes up, starts peeing on me, from the other side of the bed. I wake up. Don't really know what to do. I try to maybe hit him with a pillow, but then I realize quickly that if I hit him with the pillow, his pee would spray, and probably get my face. So I don't do that. I just yell at Brian Jewett. A lot... to try and stop him. Doesn't really do anything. And then I get up and Robbie seems very kind of uncomfortable. Lays back down, right where he peed on me, and then I uhh... I poured beer on his head.

Dave: We were in Cedar Rapids, Iowa... No. Yeah. Cedar Falls, Iowa? Cedar something Iowa and we were on tour with the Kings. I was in my band Axium at the time, and we did like a two week tour with the Midwest Kings, and the last out of town date was in Iowa. Cedar something. And um, we went and ate at this sub place, and the bass player - the old bass player - for the Midwest Kings got a horrible bout of diarrhea. And so we ended up staying at the sub place for about four hours until he could get it under control enough to be on the road.

Could probably make a lot more money and be a lot more emotionally stable if I had a job that I was good at. Umm... but I feel like, I feel like the talents that I was given kind of lends itself to music, and to just the arts in general. And so I don't want to be one of those people that wastes or squanders a gift.

My dad is head and shoulders a better guitar player than I am, and he sells jewelry for a living. He makes s*** money, and it's just something where, you know, either way, I'll probably never make a lot of money, but if I'm doing something I enjoy it kind of offsets the cost.

My girlfriend lives in Kansas City. Umm.. so distance... sucks. In general relationships, it's just a matter of being honest and upfront with the people that you care about and saying, "Hey. This takes precedence," nine times out of ten. Obviously with family the situation's a little different.

I think I know what you're asking. I had to cancel a couple of dates here and there. So yeah, it happens. (Smiles)

There was something early on where I told my dad this is what I want to do, and he said "Set your price now, and if it ever becomes too expensive, get out." So you know, I'm 23, going to turn 24 in December, and I figure, you know, with a degree and everything, I've got my entire life to be the corporate suit kind of person. So I'll enjoy it now, while my hair's still on my head, not on the shower floor.

2006-05-01 - MUSIC EQUALS LIFE - Interview with David Cook Source: http://musicequalslife.com/Site/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=26&Ite mid=1 Interview with David Cook David Cook, formerly of Axium, just released his first solo album. He has such an amazing voice and lyrics that always seem to tug at your emotions. He's just one of those writers that always seems to find the perfect way to present what he's feeling that everyone can relate to it. David recently took some time during the middle of the night in May of 2006 to answer some questions for us.

Nags: David, first I want to thank you for taking the time to answer these questions for us. I know you're a busy man, so I really appreciate it. David: Any time. I'm a media whore, anyway, so this works out perfectly for me. Nags: OK, so, this has to be a bittersweet time for you. For the past seven years, you've been fronting a band called Axium. You recently played your last show with Axium, and then right around the same time you released your first solo album. How has all this gone for you? David: Axium was an amazing ride. I was fortunate that my first band ever was one that saw some realtive success outside of the high school parties that the band originated from. I love the guys to death, and I'd be lying if I said I didn't miss it from time to time. Plus, we couldn't have asked for a better fan base. It's a feeling I can't really explain adequately, when someone finds something for themself in a song you wrote about your own experience. The solo album is, so far (crossing fingers), doing well. Initial feedback has been positive, and as soon as I finish relocating to Tulsa, OK, I'm hoping to get some shows set up to support it. This album has been a labor of love for me. There's so much stuff that needs to be done on a consistent basis....It's a trip, man, but I'm loving it. Nags: You are also playing in a band right now called Midwest Kings, how is that treating you? David: MWK is the best band on the planet. Quote me. It's refreshing to be playing with some new musicians, playing new tunes, and meeting a new fanbase. I've been very lucky to get into a group with phenomonal fans. And the guys in the band, I've known for awhile, so while everything is new, it's also very comfortable. Nags: So, this new cd. I see that it's 10 songs. Are you planning on touring behind it at all? And where can people hear it/get their hands on it? David: I am going to work on getting some sort of a tour together, although it will be limited to the midwest for the first go-round. The CD itself is on sale now at cdbaby.com, and will be up on iTunes within a month or so. Nags: I always like to find out what people are currently listening to. It's a great way to find out about bands that we may never have heard of. So, what's the top 5 cd's that you've been listening to lately? David: Acceptance - Phantoms A burned CD of Flight of the Conchords David Cook - (SHAMELESS PLUG) (**M=L Note: Click to go to DOT COM to buy the MP3 version of the cd**) Revis - Revis Jim Gaffigan - something with 'pale' in the title

Nags: What are your thoughts about downloading of music - let it be legal or illegal? Do you see it as a tool or as a crime? David: that's a tricky subject. I can see both sides. Music is, in my opinion, the most emotionally-stimulating medium alive. It's meant to be accessible to anyone. I think the whole legal/illegal side of it is too touchy to touch on, other than to say Illegal is illegal, whether or not it should be banned. Hell, in Missouri, it's illegal to give or recieve oral sex. So laws can and sometimes are trite. Downloading, on any scale, should be viewed by industry as a tool. The problem is, most industry point fingers and don't offer any viable solutions to capitalize. Myspace, I think, got it right, to some degree. through their database, Aerosmith is of the same device as the hippo rapists from Butte, Montana. Every band is accessible to the same extent. Now, all that needs to happen is the bands need to figure out how to use that to their advantage. Some already have. Nags: So, I know you're about to move, but have been in residing in Missouri lately. And I know the state nickname is "The Show Me State". Just what exactly are we showing you? David: In grade school, I was taught precisely what that meant. Currently, though, I have no idea. Let me check the internet.....hold on... This info taken from http://thelibrary.springfield.missouri.org/faq/files/moshowme.cfm The Missouri State Archives web site gives several theories as to the origin of Missouri’s unique nickname: "There are a number of stories and legends behind Missouri's sobriquet "Show-Me" state. The slogan is not official, but is common throughout the state and is used on Missouri license plates. The most widely known legend attributes the phrase to Missouri's U.S. Congressman Willard Duncan Vandiver, who served in the House of Representatives from 1897 to 1903. While a member of the U.S. House Committee on Naval Affairs, Vandiver attended an 1899 naval banquet in Philadelphia. In a speech there, he declared, "I come from a state that raises corn and cotton and cockleburs and Democrats, and frothy eloquence neither convinces nor satisfies me. I am from Missouri. You have got to show me." Regardless of whether Vandiver coined the phrase, it is certain that his speech helped to popularize the saying. Other versions of the "Show-Me" legend place the slogan's origin in the mining town of Leadville, Colorado. There, the phrase was first employed as a term of ridicule and reproach. A miner's strike had been in progress for some time in the mid-1890s, and a number of miners from the lead districts of southwest Missouri had been imported to take the places of the strikers. The Joplin miners were unfamiliar with Colorado mining methods and required frequent instructions. Pit bosses began saying, "That man is from Missouri. You'll have to show him." However the slogan originated, it has since passed into a different meaning entirely, and is now used to indicate the stalwart, conservative, noncredulous character of Missourians." ...Couldn't have said it better myself

Nags: If you had the chance to play a show with a group of musicians of your choice (living or dead), who would you choose to fill out a band? David: Vocals - me, because I'm a self-indulgent little shit, if not me, though, Raine from Lead Guitar - Synester Gates from Avenged Sevenfold Rythym Guitar - The Edge from U2 Bass - Geddy Lee (...of a SALESman!) Drums - Tommy Lee Nags: What was your first tape/record/cd? David: Oh jesus... Kris Kross. I hate myself already.... Nags: What was your last tape/record/cd? David: Acceptance - Phantoms Amazing album. It's epic. Makes me want to jump off a bridge, just to get the rush, you know? Nags: A lot of people are stating that ROCK is DEAD. What do you think? David: ROCK is not dead, it merely lies in a comatose state, frozen in some cryogenic lab. It'll actually be unfrozen in 2026, along with Rasputin's penis, and the head of Ted Williams....no, seriously.... Nags: And the question that everyone gets, if the statement, "You are what you eat" was true. You would be a what? David: Right now, my hand...I'm f'n hungry. In fact, I'm leaving to go eat. So, in closing, I'll leave you with a quote from Will Ferrell, heard originally on SNL: "I'm outtee 5000! Take it sleazy!"

2006-11-11 - URBAN TULSA WEEKLY - Local favorites MWK and Brandon Jenkins celebrate new CD releases Source: http://www.urbantulsa.com/gyrobase/Content?oid=oid%3A15413

NOVEMBER 29, 2006 New Songs in Hand BY GARY HIZER By all accounts, the last few months have been pretty busy on the local music front with big tours, band showcases and CD releases--no better way to celebrate the holiday season than with a party. Looking for gift ideas? Give local! Kings of the local rock scene It's hard to believe that it's been more than two years since MidWest Kings released a disc, especially since Judging a Bullet still owns a spot in the regular rotation in my car's CD player. Nevertheless, I've been itching for some new Kings tunes and the band has been anxious to get new material out to the fans. Much has changed for MWK over the past couple years, with the most obvious transition being a change in personnel that has seen the departure of drummer Robby Merrick and bassist Justin Briggs. Normally, the departure and replacement of an entire rhythm section would be a major blow, but MWK remains a tight knit unit even amidst a stream of changes that led to the band settling into its current line-up with David Cook on bass and Josh Center at the . The Kings continue to put together concisely crafted rock songs with big hooks that grab you by the collar and don't let go. Even though there hasn't been an official release since ...Bullet, the band has posted a few new songs, such as "One True Thing" and "Make Me", on their myspace page. Not surprisingly, local fans have latched onto the new tunes and they've even popped up on local radio shows like The Edge's Homegroan and RSU's Local Flavors. Now with a new EP, Incoherent with Desire to Move On, in the can, MWK is ready to officially put those songs (and a few others) in your hands and, as the title suggests, continue to move ahead. When discussing the disc with David Cook recently he said that "The main goal with the disc is really just to keep the band's creative movement flowing. We figured we'd just knock out an EP as kind of a teaser and a picture of where we are right now." And just where are they? It seems that they're standing on the edge of a breakthrough. With the band lineup now solidified and the songwriting continuing to evolve, it will be interesting to see what lies ahead for the band. This weekend, MWK will be holding the release party for its new CD/EP, Incoherent with Desire to Move On, at the Blue Dome Diner and Roadhouse on Fri., Dec. 1. Admission is $10, which includes a copy of the new disc, and Citizen Mundi will open the all-ages show at 8:30. The band decided to make it not only a release party but also a video shoot to capture the band's live energy in front of an audience. More details will be forthcoming as that project develops, but right now it's time to enjoy the party and the new CD. The only question that left remaining is: who gets dropped from your personal rotation to make room for the new MWK disc?

DURING IDOLS

2008-02-14 - URBAN TULSA WEEKLY - Shepherds, Idols and Saints Source: http://www.urbantulsa.com/gyrobase/Content?oid=oid%3A19788 Valentine's weekend heats up and two of Tulsa's favorite singers step into the spotlight

BY G.K. HIZER Another Oklahoma Idol? Yes, the question has finally come down to this: Am I really going to have to start watching American Idol after successfully avoiding it this long? Unfortunately (or fortunately, depending on the point of view), it certainly looks that way. If you have to ask why, you must not be paying attention. If you've heard the rumors, yes it's true: local boy David Cook appeared on TV a couple of weeks ago, filmed at the Omaha auditions. Paula reportedly loved him and Simon didn't even have a wisecrack, so Mr. Cook has officially moved on to the second round. When I ran into David at the Tulsa Original Music show at the Cain's, he was still playing coy on what's really up, saying that so far "it's all been kind of crazy" as the surreality of it has hit him, with a few people he doesn't know recognizing him from TV. He did admit that he was being flown back out to last week, so that's a good sign, but he won't admit to knowing anything firm yet. Other people I've talked to have said that a camera crew has been seen following him around (rumor only at this point), so that combined with another flight to the West coast indicate that American Idol will be potentially picking up a whole lot more viewers from Tulsa this season. Word on the streets is he's a shoo-in for the final twelve, but we'll have to wait and see. In the mean time, Cook told me that the most frustrating thing about it is waiting in limbo. "I just finished my new album, with Neal (Tiemann, of MWK) producing, and it sounds great. I just don't know when or if I'll be able to release it now," he said. If you'll think back to last year, Cook took home the Urby at UTW's Absolute Best of Tulsa awards for "Best Locally Produced, Independent Album" and made an appearance in our Soundproof Concert Series at the Tulsa Press Club during the fall. Maybe UTW and our readers know more than they get credit for, huh?

2008-03-07 - EW COM - 'American Idol': Q&As with the Top 12! Source http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,20007164_20171835_20182949,00.html Does Archuleta have it wrapped up? What are their dream songs to cover? The finalists answer these questions and more

AMERICAN IDOL: Final 12 By Adam B. Vary

Adam B. Vary To say the scene last night at the American Idol Top 12 party was hectic would be a little like saying David Archuleta is cute. The dozen finalists hopped along the massive press line — practically every major market Fox affiliate was there — that stretched along the candy-color cubist façade of the Pacific Design Center in West Hollywood, Calif. All 12 contestants gamely answered the tidal wave of questions from journalists who knew this would most likely be their last chance to talk with these kids until they either get the boot or belt out an unspeakably cheesy pop song at the Kodak Theatre finale. Inside the party, the contestants' friends and family, a few party crashers, and previous Idolers including , Gina Glocksen, and Constantine Maroulis milled about sipping ''Sour Simon'' martinis and noshing on Wolfgang Puck finger food. As for the finalists, they showed a love for , some mixed feelings about dipping into the careworn pool of popular Idol songs, and a steadfast attachment to keeping their hair as is. And, yes, David Hernandez finally talked about all the press attention on his alleged strip-teasing past. (Additional reporting by Shirley Halperin) ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY: What do you think about buzz that David Archuleta's already got this whole competition sewn up and it's really a race for second place? MICHAEL JOHNS: Oh, this isn't the finale?! Oh, I didn't know! [Shakes fist at sky] Damn you, Archuleta! No, David's a talent, man! What were you doing at 17? I certainly wasn't that composed and that great. He's phenomenal. All praise to him. DAVID COOK: The finale's in May, so we got a long way to go. But he's a fantastic performer, and more importantly, he's a fantastic guy. Whatever happens, nobody here doesn't deserve this — and that's a double negative, but that's okay. : I stay away from all the opinions in the media. I'm very focused on myself. I know this is a competition, but I'm competing against myself. There's things I know I have to work on as a performer, and every time I go out on stage, I critique myself. I'm my own worst critic. DAVID HERNANDEZ: I don't let that stuff get to me. Archuleta's a talented, talented kid, and on top of that, he is an incredible person. So the competition, it can go any way. It wouldn't be the first time that things have happened unexpectedly. RAMIELE MALUBAY: I love that he gets all that hype, because he is the most humble person you will ever meet. What you see is what you get. He's a sweet guy. He definitely deserves all the praise he gets. DAVID ARCHULETA: Aw, naw, not yet! [Laughs nervously] So much happens in this competition. Anything can happen. You can start out really well, but you just have to see where it goes from there. It's totally unpredictable. NEXT PAGE: The theme nights the finalists can't wait to tackle ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY: There's a bunch more theme nights coming up — are there any from past years that you'd love to take a swing at? Any you're dreading? JASON CASTRO: I kinda can't wait for country. I'm a big fan of country. That'll be fun. In reality, I'm scared of all of them [laughs], 'cause it's just really hard to find that's good for you. : Musical theater! I would lllllove to do musical theater. That would be the greatest pleasure to me. That, and maybe not a night, but a soul sort of thing. Or a blues night — oh, yeah. DAVID COOK: I'm trying not to think too far ahead, because I worry that I'm going to overlook all this. So tonight, I'm enjoying all of this, but come tomorrow it's all about next week. KRISTY LEE COOK: You know, I really want to do country. That is what I'm looking forward to doing. is going to be awesome. DAVID HERNANDEZ: Country night. I love country music. Some of the best songs are country songs, so I would like to take a stab at a really good country song. I'm a pretty versatile singer. MICHAEL JOHNS: I know they've done songs from the year of your birth. That's pretty cool. And me being 1978 — that's right, I didn't stutter people, '78 — there were some pretty good bands in that year. RAMIELE MALUBAY: I really want to do so bad, but I don't know if they're going to do it this year. I love every genre, but I think I sound really horrible singing country. I'd totally butcher it, I'm so sorry! SYESHA MERCADO: Big band. I'm sure there's others that's missing, but that's the one that pops out to me. My band back home in Sarasota really helped me prepare for the different genre weeks. I'm really not afraid to take on a different style. : I think a theme night that I would love that hasn't been mentioned before is duets with other contestants. I would love to do one with Amanda. She's my roommate. She'd be great. : 1970s night was great. I love the music that came out of that time. You know, there's good songs from every kind of music; it's just about making it yours. : I'm not dreading any of them... Regardless of the genre, the good thing is it forces me to pick songs that I wouldn't usually pick and make them my own, which is the fun part. I look forward to every single one because it gives me the opportunity to go on TV and show America what they would see if they came to see me live. So far I'm still here, so yay for me. Is there any song you're dying to sing on the show? JASON CASTRO: I would love to sing some Ray LaMontagne. He's my favorite singer-songwriter. I love doing his songs. DAVID COOK: If I get to do anything by Our Lady Peace or Big Rick, I'll be really happy. Two of my favorite bands. If they ever fell under the parameters of what we do week to week, I'd just be pleased as punch. CHIKEZIE: I already did! ''I Believe to My Soul'' by . I've wanted to do that for years! KRISTY LEE COOK: If I got my voice back, I would definitely want to do ''.'' DAVID HERNANDEZ: ''I Believe I Can Fly.'' It's one of my favorite songs. It's my little staple song. I would love to sing it on national television. MICHAEL JOHNS: Yeah, I would like to sing another Queen song with a whole band. RAMIELE MALUBAY: ''Love You Inside Out.'' I think Melinda did it last year. I love that song. SYESHA MERCADO: '''' by Michael Bublé. BROOKE WHITE: Yes, but that will have to be a surprise for y'all. I'd love to sing something that I could write; that'd be cool. ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY: Are you ever concerned about choosing songs that have already been sung on previous seasons of Idol? DAVID ARCHULETA: You're always concerned about that. You always want to be you. Even if you do sing [a previously sung song], you always have a different feel, I guess, because you always have a different feeling. Like me and her [points to Amanda Overmyer] can have a completely different interpretation of a song. CHIKEZIE: If you can put your own ''stank'' on it, then more power to you. DAVID HERNANDEZ: If the song touches you, and you're really passionate about it, nothing else should matter. There's been a lot of people who've done a lot of covers, in music throughout the course of history, and it shouldn't stop you. RAMIELE MALUBAY: You don't want to get compared to them in a good or a bad way. I try really hard not to pick songs that I know are too much for me, but I want to pick something that's challenging. So if somebody else has done it better than me, I try not to watch that one on YouTube so I don't feel so bad! BROOKE WHITE: Yeah, you think about it, because fans of the show know what's been done. But it's not always out of the question; it's just dependent on how you do it. Song choice is the most important thing, but number two is how you put it together. Ever frustrated that your song choices are sometimes limited by whether the producers can clear the rights to sing it? JASON CASTRO: Yes, very. It's hard enough to find a song from the 1980s, and on top of that, when there's a few you think, ''Oh, this would be awesome,'' [they say,] ''Nope, you can't do it.'' Aww. You know, it's frustrating. CHIKEZIE: The first week, yes. But as time goes on, you just become better until you start to listen to songs for more than just the song. You get to hear behind it — chord structures, the flow of it, the speed of it. Then you can put your own stank on it. KRISTY LEE COOK: I do feel a little limited, because this is all new to me. I don't know how to do arranging and not singing the whole song. But I'm learning every week, and I'm getting better every week. CARLY SMITHSON: They're all saying online that we have a list to pick from. I believe we had a list in Hollywood week, and it was a big list; we had a lot of songs to choose from. But since the live shows have started, we get to choose whatever we like, which is great. They're very supportive of everybody's originality, they really are. When the judges go off into their own world and bicker at each other, what goes through your mind? JASON CASTRO: It's never happened to me, but I've watched it and thought, ''Wow, that's awkward.'' Especially if they've just said something really bad, and someone's really down, and then they just start arguing, you know? It's really weird to see the tension. CHIKEZIE: ''Woo! Break time. Now I don't have to say anything; all I have to do is just wait for them to figure it out and come back to me as soon as they know.'' While some judges can be a little more harsh than they may mean to be [rolls eyes], there's some truth in it all. They've done this for several years now, they've seen it all, and sometimes it just helps to just listen. Even if it may seem like I'm not listening [laughs], at the end of the night, I'm like, How can I make my next performance better? Honestly, I wasn't raised to be disrespectful to my elders, but the thing is I never saw Simon as an elder. [Laughs] Simon, he's a great guy. We're two-of-a-kind, you know — there's very little filter between the brain and the mouth, so we just kind of say whatever's there. MICHAEL JOHNS: After ''Light My Fire,'' that kind of happened, and I was the last contestant. I just had to stand there, and I had this scarf on and this warm jacket, and I was just like, ''I'm totally sweating right now in front of, like, 40 million people.'' I was so embarrassed. You're at their mercy! RAMIELE MALUBAY: You have to take it for what it is, you can't really stop them from doing what they do. Oh my gosh, we over-analyze [what they say] so much. We really need to stop, all of us. NEXT PAGE: Makeover options! ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY: The finals are when some contestants have makeovers. Anything you'd love or loathe to change? AMANDA OVERMYER: Yeah, I could lose about 10. [But I'd never change] my hair and my makeup. DAVID ARCHULETA: I'm always open to stuff. I'm kinda in that teenage place where you're still experimenting. It's fun. [Smiles] I like trying new stuff. JASON CASTRO: I'm pretty good, man. If they want to give me a new shirt, I'd take that. No haircuts! I'm pretty comfortable with who I am. I don't plan on changing it. [My hair's] been in dreads for about three-and-a-half years now. CHIKEZIE: Not a change, but a growth — of my shoe collection. [Laughs] Definitely what I'm looking forward to, shoe shopping. That is the best part. DAVID COOK: [Pushes out stomach and grabs it] I've got this fantastic ab that I've been working on for a while. [Laughs] You know, the hair is always going to be a work in progress. I've got 15 hairs on the top of my head to work with, anyway. You know, I'm more worried about my performance at all times, and the image stuff is nice, but to me, it's secondary. KRISTY LEE COOK: I don't want them to cut my hair off. I've never had my hair short, and I don't want it to be short. DAVID HERNANDEZ: Yeah, the stylists are trying to get me to do different things. Like, I'm wearing a [sweater] vest right now, and I never would've worn that in the past. This is what it's all about, trying to reinvent yourself and create different looks for yourself. I'm excited about it, because I've never had the ability to do that. MICHAEL JOHNS: I don't know what I'm going to do. My style is my style. Being the oldest contestant, I pretty much know what's going on with me. But if they've got suggestions for what's better, I'll listen. SYESHA MERCADO: I love my hair, how big it is, but actually, today I curled it, which I never do! I love it! So that's something I want to do again. Also, I love straightening my hair. CARLY SMITHSON: I don't know. I definitely just want to be myself, and I'm very out there with what I wear. Tattoos; I like big, big hair. Hopefully a few designers may like me and hopefully I'll get some clothes. BROOKE WHITE: As long as they make me look pretty, I'm all good. I probably won't cut my hair, though. RAMIELE MALUBAY: Love it! I mean, I love the cut already; I just want to play with the colors. Maybe for my next performance, I'll wear heels and a cute little dress. Maybe. Promise!

Posted Mar 07, 2008 | Order Article Reprints

2008-05-06 - BILLLBOARD - Q & A: David Cook of American Idol Source: http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/esearch/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=100379942 0 May 06, 2008 Fred Bronson, L.A. David Cook only decided to audition alongside his younger brother at the last minute, but now the 25-year-old is among the last four singers in the season seven competition. Having sung everything from 's "Billie Jean" to Free's "All Right Now," the Missouri native sat down for an exclusive Billboard interview, revealing how he chooses his songs, how former contestant Michael Johns' departure was a wake up call, and how "Idol" fans' interest in him has been "awe inspiring" and how the whole experience has been "vindicating." You have been in a couple of bands and have released a solo album. How did you decide to audition for "American Idol" My little brother Andrew had wanted to try out for a long time. I didn‘t really have any interest. I was working on another record and was really content to do it my way [but] he asked me if I would go as moral support up to Omaha while he tried out. As we got closer to it, my mom and my little brother were being a little bit more persuasive in trying to get me to audition with him. So at the last minute, I decided to do it. He didn‘t make the first cut and we were in the same audition group of four. It was very awkward, like to the point where I turned to him and said, ―Is this something you want me to do, because if you don‘t want me to it, I won‘t.‖ And his response was, ―If you don‘t, I‘ll beat your ass.‖ So yeah, it‘s entirely his and my mother‘s fault that I‘m here and I‘m very grateful for it. What songs did you and your brother sing at the audition? I‘d done some acoustic gigs and played ―Livin‘ On A Prayer‖ by but there‘s a version they did that was a little more mellow called ―Prayer ‘94‖ off their ―Crossroads‖ record [that] I played at shows and stuff so I knew I could do it. Andrew auditioned with ―Last Request‖ by Paolo Nutini. I really thought he would make it through at least the first cut with that song because he did really well with it. I‘ve given up trying to figure out other people‘s logic. How have you gone about choosing songs each week? For lack of a better way to phrase it, there‘s an idiot savant aspect to the way that I pick these songs. When given a theme like the Beatles or the ‘80s, there are parameters which help because it gives me a limited list of songs. If the vibe of a song grips me and/or if I can immediately hear what I would want to do with that song, that‘s usually a good indicator that I probably should do that song. As far as , I operate on the mantra, "just keep it simple, stupid." If I feel like the song needs something to access the vibe that I want to go with it, I‘ll try it but I try not to over-think anything. Like with inspirational week, I really second-guessed myself on how I wanted to do that song [―Innocent‖ by Our Lady of Peace] and so by the time I got to perform it, my head was just going a million miles a second as opposed to just really focusing on the vibe of the song. Another lesson learned. I‘ve had to force myself to trust myself. What other lessons have you learned doing the show? This show and this whole process has allotted me a brand new lease on life in that I‘m more sure of who I am now than I ever was before. When you‘re trying to be a career musician and you have $200 in the bank and your car‘s breaking down and you‘re lonely, you tend to think about whether or not you‘ve got what it takes to do this, you know? To be here now, be in the top [four] and to have this outpouring of support from people I‘ve never met and may never meet, it‘s awe inspiring that in a couple months time that large an amount of people have managed to invest themselves in who I am. It‘s allowed me to walk around with this new aura about me. I feel like, ―All right, I‘m in this. I know why I‘m here and know what I want to do and I‘m not going to accept anything less,‖ which is cool. So yeah, I think the whole process has been very vindicating. I think everyone wonders if they are good enough. I‘ve been fortunate in that some really cool things have happened to me throughout this show that have kind of alleviated the day-to-day concerns. When Michael Johns left, that taught me a huge lesson, because it was like you can go home at any time. So if you get caught up in this week-to-week thing, you‘re going to flounder. Since then, it‘s given me a new lease because it‘s like I‘m just going to go out on stage and I‘m going to embrace that minute and a half. If it doesn‘t work, I‘m okay with that. During the week, there were a few things personally going on that I would choose to remain private, but with all that going on, to have the judges say what they said, to get a standing O from Randy and everybody, that moment solidified the whole experience for me. I could walk away tomorrow and feel like that moment was my bookend. I said [when I made the] top 24, I feel like I already won. I still feel that way. How do you feel about being judged after every performance? It‘s been a process for me. To have three people of their caliber invest their time enough to say anything, it‘s pretty cool in and of itself. But what it took for me was really kind of detaching myself from the song as soon as I got done singing, and that‘s been the hard part for me. In order for me to do these songs the way I want to, I have to spend that week leading up to it investing myself in that song. I learned a very hard lesson in week two when I sang Free‘s ―All Right Now‖ and Simon referenced the pre-packaged video and I made some comment and I didn‘t say anything bad and I certainly was not trying to be demeaning toward him in any way but at the time, it was a speak-before-you-think kind of vibe. The lesson I learned is when Randy, Paula or Simon talks to you, unless they ask you a question, you probably shouldn‘t say a word, which in turn has allowed me to listen a little bit more. You were under the radar before you emerged as a front-runner. What has that experience been like? I loved the way that this has all panned out. I do. I like that I snuck up on people in those first couple weeks. There are 24 people to sift through and so my vibe was, ―You don‘t have to be one of the best yet. Just don‘t be one of the worst.‖ It was fun for me because I felt like there wasn‘t a whole lot of pressure. I was able to find my footing doing what I wanted to do. As we get further into this, the only pressure that I really feel is to try to one-up myself, which is fun for me because I don‘t feel like I‘m competing against the other kids. I feel like I‘m competing against last week‘s version of myself, it allows me to evolve. I watch myself when I did ―Happy Together‖ during week one and I watch myself coming into week and I‘m a completely different performer. I feel like I‘ve done what I needed to do, whether or not that makes me a frontrunner is not really up to me. If the other contestants see me as a frontrunner, if anybody else sees me as a frontrunner, I take it as a compliment and nothing more at this stage, because anybody can go home at any point and if I‘m the last one standing, awesome. If I come out [fourth], that‘s nothing to be ashamed of.

2008-05-19 - TV GUIDE - Streets of Dreams

(David‘s part only)

In to win ―What?‖ asks David Cook with mock bewilderment. ―This is how I always dressed before Idol.‖

This is an elaborate lime-green matodor costume, with hot-pink knee socks and black ballet slippers, the get-up for a Ford music video. Cook strides into a tumbleweed-strewn Spanish town – actually a movie set 30 miles north of Los Angeles – and waves a red flag as a black Ford Mustang charges him at top speed.

―If I ever make my own music video,‖ he cracks, ―I hope I don‘t have to dress in Lycra.‖

Certainly, there will be more videos. Not since has an Idol seemed so poised to rock his way onto the charts. Like Daughtry, Cook has risen above Idol‘s limitng theme nights by putting his own guitar-based spin on nearly everything he does, from ‘s ―Hello‖ to Mariah Carey‘s ―Always Be My Baby‖. He delivered his most surprising performance by bucking his usual change-ups, crooning a faithful rendition of the chestnut, ―Music of the Night.‖ ―I did musical theater in middle school and high school,‖ says the 25-year-old Blue Springs, Missouri, native, ―so I knew that I could sing like that. I kinda got this vibe from everybody that was like, ‗Man, I wonder what he‘s gonna do with this.‘ And the fact that I had the ability to do it straight was fun.‖

A year ago, the idea of doing anything on American Idol seemed unlikely. Cook‘s trek to the Omaha auditions began as a gesture of moral support for younger brother Andrew, who tried out but didn‘t make the cut. ―I feel like I kind of had a leg up on other people who tried out in that I didn‘t really have a whole lot invested in it,‖ Cook says. ―I was invested enough in my performance to do well, but I‘d never been a huge fan of the show. It was ―If it happens, it happens. If it doesn‘t, it doesn‘t.‘ I was kinda content doing what I was doing.‖

What he was doing was playing Keith Urban covers in Tulsa bars on nights when he wasn‘t serving drinks. (He named his signature concoction the Cookie: ―equal parts Jäger, Razzmatazz, cranberry and pineapple juice.‖) Even while renting a room in a buddy‘s house for $200 a month and sleeping in until 11 every morning, Cook had ambitions. ― I had it ingrained in my head that I was going to make it as a musician,‖ he says. He‘d fronted a rock band called Axium in college, recording an independent EP, before striking out on his own with acoustic gigs.

While Cook has made the leap from local attraction to national obsession look easy, he insists it‘s because – not in spite – of his well-documented family crisis. ―I welcome the show in that it‘s a mental break,‖ he says about older brother Adam‘s battle with brain cancer. ―By the same token, what he‘s going through allows me to kind of have a purer perspective. Yeah, Idol is huge and it‘s career-building, but it‘s just a show.‖

Before the news broke about his brother‘s illness, Cook‘s only public comment had been the initials ―AC‖ on his guitar, ―my way to talk to him,‖ he acknowledges. While David says Adam‘s recent appearance in the audience ―made all this worth it for me,‖ he admits he‘s not comfortable with attention paid to his personal situation. ―The sympathy vote idea leaves a real sour taste in my mouth,‖ he says. ―I swore to Adam and I swore to myself that if I was gonna do well or poorly, it was gonna be on my own merit.‖

And make no mistake, he wants to win, his rebel-rocker image notwithstanding. ―I think it‘d be a huge slap in the face of everybody else who auditioned if I didn‘t want to win. Out of pride and respect, I definitely want to.‖ Even if it means having to wear a little Lycra along the way.

POST-IDOL WIN

2008-05-21 - AMERICANIDOL COM - David Cook's Post-Win Interview (Transcript)

Source: http://www.americanidol.com/archive/videos/index.php?vid=1279

Q: How did you take Simon‘s apology?

A: Well Simon‘s apology came a little late for the votes. But, uh, you know, um, I didn‘t really know that the apology was warranted. I thought what he said was … was an opinion and nothing more. But at no point did I feel disrespected. Uh, yeah, I mean, I‘m appreciative of the fact that he decided to apologize. An apology from Simon is a … is a pretty rare gem.

Q: What was going through your mind as Ryan called your name as the winner?

A: That my music teacher, Mrs. Gentry, made me sing in a Christmas pageant in 2nd grade and uh, and now I‘m here. And so the ride‘s been pretty … pretty nuts. You couldn‘t write this. You know, you couldn‘t write this. So … or maybe you can. Maybe you guys can. But I can‘t.

Q: How did you feel sharing the stage with David Archuleta?

A: The respect I have for David Archuleta is very much past a competitor thing. He‘s … he has more talent at his age than I know what to do with at 25. So, um, you know, to be able to share the stage with him was an honor for me. Um, and, uh, I kind of went into to Tuesday just to have fun. And so the fact that, um, I walk out of here the next American Idol is not a testament to me so much as it is a testament to the other 23 contestants we had this season and to everybody behind the scenes.

Q: What was your favorite performance?

A: The last one, you know? I‘ve been holding my breath for 4 months. So, tonight was just about exhaling and enjoying what the show is and what it isn‘t.

Q: How did it feel to have your brother on stage when you were crowned?

A: You know, I‘ve been asked that a couple times tonight, and for me, it just made the whole experience full circle. In August, I stood in line in Omaha, Nebraska, at 5:30 in the morning when it was raining, with no intention of auditioning. And now I‘m here and I got to share that moment with the same 2 people I stood in line with 7 or 8 months ago. So yeah, it was a nice bookend.

2008-05-21 - FOX KC - Extended interview with David Cook after win (transcript) Source: VIEW

Interviewer (Dave, right?): Congratulations man.

DC: Thank you. Thank you very much.

Dave: David Cook. Your new American Idol, Kansas City.

DC: What‘s up guys? Thank you so much. Uh, this is a trip.

Dave: To use your word, it would be trite or something to ask you how it feels, but how does that title sit with you?

DC: Uh, you might have to ask me in a couple of days. I don‘t… I haven‘t even attempted to process it. Um…… Wow.

Dave: Let me just give you a couple of tidbits you can respond to.

DC: OK.

Dave: The Power and Light District is blowin‘ up like the Royals just won the World Series.

DC: I love it!

Dave: We heard audio of the Royals game I think against the Red Sox tonight when they broke in with ―we‘ve just heard David Cook is your new American Idol‖ the broadcasters.

DC: They didn‘t get no hit tonight did they?

Dave: I don‘t believe so.

DC: Thank God. Heh.

Dave: But all of Kansas City, I mean it‘s like the Chiefs or the Royals won a Championship.

DC: Yeah, yeah.

Dave: Everyone is so happy for you.

DC: I‘m happy that Kansas City embraced this, ya know. I… this whole experience has just been unreal, um, and so to be standing here now uh, I didn‘t really see happening when I was talking to you in Omaha.

Dave: We were looking at that video again today. You come out when you‘re just in front of the producers kind of play it off. You come out, you‘ve got your ticket, kind of play it off. At one point you said ―it‘s a gauge.‖

DC: Yeah.

Dave: Well, how do you feel gauged right now?

DC: Um, you might have to ask them (points to screaming crowd). Hold on, let‘s ask ‗em. (walks over to crowd) Hold on. Shhhh. I need you to tell him how I feel.

Crowd: (screams)

Dave: Well that‘s a pretty good gauge.

DC: That‘ll work. Yeah yeah yeah.

Dave: Real fast. Andrew and your mom, up there with you right at the end. We were watching, I was thinking back to the Quest Center in the atrium out there and now there‘s 30 million people watching your mom right at your shoulder. That‘s pretty cool.

DC: That made the whole experience full circle, ya know. Just to be able to have them there as bookends throughout the whole thing was amazing for me. And um, I‘ve said it all season. It‘s their fault. So….

Dave: Congratulations. You deserve it.

DC: Thank you very much. Thank you.

Dave: See you in Kansas City.

DC: Thank you.

2008-05-21 - EW - Idol Backstage Q & A: David Cook Source: http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,20201771,00.html ''It's crazy how things turn out,'' the humble season 7 winner told EW.com backstage after the finale. In this interview, the singer talks about the secrets behind his surprise victory

DAVID COOK ''Basing it off of the judges' comments from Tuesday, yeah, I went into tonight thinking Archie was gonna win.''

Michael Becker ALL ABOUT AMERICAN IDOL By Shirley Halperin How did David Cook beat presumptive front-runner David Archuleta to pull off one of the most dramatic American Idol upsets ever? Was it the Missouri native's rock-star swagger? The unconventional song choices and ? His seemingly unflappable disposition? Three hours, dozens of interviews, and hundreds of hand-shakes after his live coronation, Cook (who rated his fatigue factor at 94 on a scale of 1 to 10) sat down with EW.com to discuss his keys to victory. ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY: How much sleep did you get last night? DAVID COOK: I got a good night's sleep, not a full night, but five hours, which is pretty much par for the course with this show. Take us back to Tuesday's show: Did you feel Simon was being exceptionally harsh? No. You gotta have a thick skin to do this, so I just kind of took it as a challenge, which I welcomed. Plus, the fact that he was saying those things means that he's invested himself enough in who I am as an artist to want to give me his opinion. As for his apology tonight, it was appreciated, but I don't know that it was needed. I never really felt disrespected. What about the judges' consensus that the night — and competition — belonged to Archuleta? Had you also resigned yourself to the notion that you'd be the runner-up? It never really felt like a competition to me. Tuesday was all about having fun, just enjoying the moment and being able to share the stage with someone I respect and admire. Nothing more. But basing it off of the judges' comments from Tuesday, yeah, I went into tonight thinking Archie was gonna win. It's crazy how things turn out. Did you want to win? Absolutely. I think to be in this competition and not want to win is just a slap in the face to everybody that auditioned. Did I fall into it? Yes, but I never went into this thinking, I wanna take fifth or 10th place. I think that's very disrespectful. But were there moments when you tried not to invest yourself too much and maybe disconnect a bit from the competitive aspect? What I cared about was being able to walk off the stage and know that I did what I could. Past that, I can only care about things I can control, which, with this show, isn't much. I can't control who votes for who, what the judges say, whether I get the right lighting or the right spot in the show lineup. It's all a crapshoot and you just gotta ride with it. That's how the season was for me — I just kind of stepped back and let it play out. Did you vote last night? I did not, but I voted three times this season and each one was for Archuleta. As you progressed in the competition, was there a strategy? Yes and no. I had one, in that I wanted to show America who I was gonna be as an artist once this was over, and I feel like I succeeded. I don't feel I compromised who I was at any point. But, I don't know, to be yourself isn't really a strategy, I just did it. What about with your song choices? If you look at my song choices throughout the season and put them in order, it's like a set list. That's the vibe that I wanted and the theory I went with, and it seems to have worked out. ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY: Was there a piece of advice you've gotten that's carried you through this whole experience? DAVID COOK: ''Whether you're pleasing or pissing everybody off, you're doing something wrong.'' I have no idea who said that to me, but I've had it for a while. It means you gotta take the good and the bad. Everybody's gonna have an opinion and not everyone's gonna like you, but as long as somebody likes you.... You've copped to a theater-geek background. Did that make the boxing stunt and all those Ford commercials any easier to execute? It didn't hurt! I've never been one to take myself too seriously. The boxing thing, I gotta admit, going into this week, I thought, It's gonna be goofy. But it was actually a lot of fun and it seemed to go over pretty well, judging from the response we got. Back to music, give us your top five favorite bands. Our Lady Peace, , 8Stops7, Jimmy Eat World, and Foo Fighters. Have any musicians gotten in touch? I got to talk to Raine Maida from Our Lady Peace, which was one of the highlights of this whole experience. He was just a really down-to-earth, genuine guy, very appreciative that I sang ''Innocent'' on the show. And I actually got a chance to talk to Ed Roland, the singer from today, and he also had nothing but nice things to say. That's the badge of honor for me — to have the people who wrote these songs complimenting you and thanking you, it's amazing. Speaking of writing, when it comes time to record your debut album, will you be writing your own songs? Absolutely. I have to be involved. Whether it's me writing by myself or with other people, I definitely want to have my hand in the creative process. That's part of why I got into music in the first place. Who would you die to tour with? Anybody right now! [Laughs] Umm...the reunited . Or any version of Zeppelin, like Let's Zeppelin, a cover band in the Oklahoma area. Through this whole experience, what have you learned about television? That it stops for nobody. [Laughs] Television is a weird thing. One of the things that was really tough for me to grasp was how people can really invest themselves in you as a person, based off of what they see in an hour or two. Why do they cry when somebody gets sent home? Because these are relationships that were created long ago. It's interesting.... One of the things that viewers have noticed about you is your confidence and maturity. Maturity? You guys don't see me when the cameras are off. I'm a goof and a nerd. The confidence comes in knowing what I can do and what I can't, what works for me and what doesn't. I never tried to fake it. It's been a process, but my family and my friends have kept me really grounded, and that's probably where it comes from. So, Mr. Bartender, what will you be drinking later to celebrate? Iced coffee. I'm probably going to take it easy tonight: We've got a long day tomorrow that starts at 4:30 in the morning. Really, could tonight have been any better? Tonight was a trip. I got to play with ZZ Top and introduce and George Michael. And to have it all topped off by me winning American Idol?! It's pretty absurd.

2008-05-21 - MYFOX WASHINGTON DC - Holly and David One on One (Transcript)

View: Wordnerds (Scroll down for link)

Interviewer: I can only imagine how you are feeling, but ok, for the record, how are you feeling?

DC: I have no idea. Uh, it‘s amazing. Um, and I told myself when I walked on stage, I was like ―ok, I‘m gonna take second so whenever they say Archie‘s name I‘m just going to turn to the right and congratulate him.‖ And they said my name and I still heard Archuletta‘s. So it…Words escape me. It was just an amazing feeling and I couldn‘t imagine standing up there with anybody cooler than that kid, so…

Interviewer: Oh my God, and you cried and you made almost half of the [?] cry. Ok seriously. The emotion was so strong. At that moment when you really realized it was you, your life has obviously changed. What where you thinking? I mean come on.

DC: I‘m thinkin‘… I‘m thinkin‘ that uh, I‘ve come a long way. Uh, but the work starts now and I look forward to it. You know, do what you love and love what you do and I‘m now fortunate enough to be in a postion where I get to try. I look forward to it.

Interviewer: What going to be your most memorable experience from tonight and just the whole thing?

DC: Um. I don‘t know. I haven‘t processed the whole night yet. Um, you know, to be able to stand up on that platform at the end of the winner‘s song with the other 11 Top 12. Uh, that meant the world to me. You know, those guys are all my friends and to be able to share that moment with all of them was uh, was pretty heavy.

Interviewer: What did you think about Simon. What he said to you today, retracting what he said feeling like he was boderline disrespectful?

DC: Uh, ya know, I appreciate the apology. I don‘t know that it was necessarily warranted. I never took what he said um, as disrespectful, it was just an opinion. And um, you know I said it last night, I stand by the decisions that I made, you know, with my songs and, and it worked out. So, uh, yeah. No harm, no foul.

Interviewer: So this is it for you. Your world is completely different than it was 8 months ago. And now, where you are now, the door‘s wide open. Is there an artist out there who you want to work with eventually?

DC: All of them. Let‘s bring ‗em all on, ya know. Just line ‗em up and I‘ll work with every one of them. Uh, no, I would really like to work with Raine Maida from Our Lady Peace and uh, Diane Warren. Ya know, I was lucky enough to get to do one of her songs in Top 3 and I would love to work with her. But the list goes on. I could have this conversation for the next 3 hours so…

Interviewer: Alright, so congratulations and I don‘t know. I‘ll see you down the road.

DC: Thank you.

2008-05-21 - MYFOX WASHINGTON DC - Holly Morris interview with David Cook (Transcript)

View: Wordnerds (Scroll down for link)

Holly: That‘s right. We‘ve been talking about the American Idol all morning, right now we‘re going to talk to him.

DC: Alright.

Holly: Good Morning.

DC: Good Morning.

Holly: Has it sunk in?

DC: Uh, we‘re gettin‘ there. We‘re getting closer. But not quite.

Holly: I can im…. It‘s a pretty amazing feeling. Kinda give me an idea of what it was like when they said your name.

DC: Uh…. They said my name, lot of noise, lot of lights. Uh,

Holly: And then some tears…

DC: A few

Holly: It was emotional.

DC: A few. Um, ya know, I just… It‘s one of those thing like, you, you just go go go once the season starts and then it‘s done and uh, and it just kind of hit, ya know?

Holly: As a cool rocker, did you expect to be so emotional about

2008-05-22 - ACCESS HOLLYWOOD - Backstage with David Cook (Transcript)

VIEW: ARCHIVE* | WORDNERDS*

* Scroll down for links

Interviewer: Hi David. It‘s good to see you.

DC: Good to see you too.

Interviewer: It‘s been so long.

DC: I know, right?

Interviewer: Ok, you know what? Simon was right, it was a knock-out. 12 million. But he had the wrong corner that was doing the knocking-out.

DC: Ya know.

Interviewer: Come on, you don‘t have to be modest anymore, because you won.

DC: But I am. I don‘t think that it‘s modest. I thought Archie did amazing last night. And uh, so to have that kind of a discrepancy…

Interviewer: 12 million. Were you... what were you thinking it was going to be?

DC: Uh, I had my mind made up that I was taking second and I actually had it all like in my head like alright, they‘re going to say his name and I‘m just going to make sure I turn and congratulate him properly and uh, when they said my name I heard Archuletta at first so I turned and then I processed as I was turning.

Interviewer: You were about to congratulate him?

DC: Yeah, yeah. This is the last thing I could have anticipated when I was pushed into auditioning.

Interviewer: By your brother.

DC: By my brother Andrew, yeah. And so to be… God, to be here now is kind of a trip.

Interviewer: He still speechless.

DC: Yeah. I haven‘t processed it at all.

Interviewer: But you know what? You‘re saying you were all set to take second. Was that because of what the judges said yesterday?

DC: No. I just… I‘ve got such a high level of respect for Archie, you know.

Interviewer: And you thought he did better than you? DC: I thought that, I honestly thought he‘d been more consistent this season. For a 17 year old kid… Never mind, not even for a 17 year old kid. For a performer, he‘s amazing. And uh, you know, it was an honor just to share the stage with him. I, I just kept, I kept catching myself almost crying tonight throughout the whole process because it was just like ―what am I doing here?‖ uh, but you know, it was a trip. It was heavy.

Interviewer: You know what, it was very emotional and what was it like for you to have your family here and to celebrate this win, because it was kind of like for them?

DC: That meant everything. Everything. Uh, you know, to kid of have everything come full circle. You know, I stand in line with my mom and my brother, and then they come on stage. Uh, you don‘t write stuff like that. You know what I mean?

Interviewer: It still gets you kind of teary eyed just thinking about it.

DC: Yeah. Yeah.

Interviewer: What does you mom and brother say to you on stage?

DC: Uh. My mom just sort of laughed hysterically just at the absurdity of the moment. Uh, I don‘t think anybody, I don‘t think anybody in my family necessarily saw this. You know what I mean? So to come from 103,000 to 1 is…

Interviewer: Is quite amazing.

DC: Yeah. The odds definitely were not in my favor when I stood in line.

Interviewer: And you said something to little Archie as you call him. What did you say to him as you won and then you hugged him?

DC: I just told him that I loved him. I‘ve definitely got big brother syndrome with him. And uh, you know, I‘m just proud of him. I‘m proud of like what he was able to do uh, from start to finish. He was, he was the front runner from the get go, so to be able to carry that torch all the way through was uh… my hat‘s off to him. I couldn‘t of done it.

Interviewer: Ok. So what do you do to celebrate? How do you celebrate this? I mean, it‘s the biggest thing that‘s happened to you?

DC: I haven‘t celebrated in 4 months. I don‘t know. Um, you know, I‘m going to do, I‘m going to do all this fantastic press.

Interviewer: Yeah. You‘ve been talking to a lot of people.

DC: And then I‘m going to go hang out with my friends and my family and let it hopefully sink in.

Interviewer: yeah. And then you‘re going to start making an album, right?

DC: Hey. That starts tomorrow morning.

Interviewer: Does it?

DC: I don‘t know. I hope so.

Interviewer: You want it to, right?

DC: yeah, yeah, yeah.

Interviewer: Well, congratulations. Everybody says you‘re just so deserving because you‘re such a great guy.

DC: Thank you

Interviewer: And I‘m sure all your Idol colleagues are very happy for you.

DC: I can only hope.

2008-05-22 - ACCESS HOLLYWOOD - David Cook takes the Idol Quiz (Transcript)

View: ARCHIVE* | WORDNERDS* *Scroll down for links

Interviewer: I know you‘re tired,

DC: Uh-oh

Int: But that‘s ok. This is what it is to be the next American Idol. I have brought for you a quiz.

DC: Oh boy

Int: To see what you have learned with your time on American Idol.

DC: OK

Int: And uh, we‘ll see how you do. You ready?

DC: Mm-hmm.

Int: Alright, here we go. What song did you sing during Top 12 guys week. The first week you performed. Live.

DC: Happy Together by .

Int: Very good. And what did Simon say about the song?

DC: Uh, I don‘t remember.

Int: He told you, I‘ll do my bad Simon [in bad Simon imitation] ―you almost made it believable‖.

DC: OK. Yeah yeah yeah.

Int: Do you remember that?

DC: I do now, yeah.

Int: And what did you think when he said that?

DC: Uh, I was just thinking, as long as it gets me to next week.

Int: As long as Simon says something good the first week, I think you‘re good.

DC: My theory, the whole process was just don‘t take last any week. Don‘t be in last place.

Int: And you never were. You were never in the bottom 3. That‘s pretty amazing.

DC: That‘s pretty nuts.

Int: There‘s not that many people over the course of the 7 seasons that can say that.

DC: I know, right?

Int: That is extremely impressive. What did you think when Simon backtracked last night. Did you think ―he must know I‘ve won and that‘s why he‘s backtracking, to save face‖?

DC: No, I just, uh, I appreciated the apology but uh, you know, when he said that disrespectful, I never really thought he was disrespectful. I think he was opinionated and honest which is what he gets paid to do so.

Int: That‘s just Simon for you.

DC: Yeah

Int: So, continuing on our quiz. What is Brooke‘s husband‘s name?

DC: Dave

Int: ding ding ding. And what would he not do until she was voted off the show?

DC: Cut his hair.

Int: Very good. You‘re doing well. Who was in the bottom 3 Top 12 week?

DC: Uh, David Hernandez

Int: Correct

DC: Kristy Lee Cook

Int: Correct

DC: And Amanda Overmeyer?

Int: No. 2 out of 3. Syesha.

DC: Oh. Wow.

Int: Syesha who made it all the way to the Top 3 was in the bottom 3 the first Top 12 week. Where in Ireland is Carly Smithson originally from?

DC: Dublin

Int: Very good. And then Michael Johns. Where in Australia is he from?

DC: Perth

Int: You are doing really well. You know your American Idol contestants.

DC: I pay attention. I pay attention.

Int: What are the names of David Archuletta‘s siblings?

DC: I remember one of them is (sp?), but I can‘t remember any of the others.

Int: Oh, come on. He‘s like your little brother

DC: I know

Int: You‘ve got to embrace all his siblings

DC: I know, I‘m working on it.

Int: Ok remember these. Claudia, Amber, Daniel, and Jazz.

DC: Claudia, Amber, Daniel, and Jazz.

Int: Commit that to memory. Alright, continuing on. You‘re almost done here and you‘re doing great.

DC: OK Thank you.

Int: Where did Kristy Lee Cook‘s fiancé pop the question to her while she was still competing on American Idol?

DC: Uh, was it in the gym?

Int: Close, close. It was in a gym, but it was also inside of a portion of a gym.

DC: Oh, it was in the sauna.

Int: Yes. Very good. Amanda Overmeyer, what song did she sing the week she was eliminated?

DC: Back in the U.S.S.R.

Int: Yep. Who said this ―I feel like I‘m already looking at the American Idol‖?

DC:

Int: Said to who?

DC: Me.

Int: That‘s a good feeling right, when Paula Abdul says that to you?

DC: Yeah, absolutely. It‘s a good feeling when anyone says it to ya.

Int: And she was right. She knew what she was talking about. Ok. Couple more.

DC: OK

Int: How tall is Ramiele?

DC: 4‘11‖

Int: Yes.

DC: Wow.

Int: Whew. You are doing well. What television show was Jason Castro in on MTV?

DC: Cheyenne

Int: Yep. I should‘ve made these questions harder.

DC: No, no. These are, this is hard hitting journalism.

Int: Ha. I know. You‘ve been going all day long being asked the same questions over and over.

DC: right right right. I love this.

Int: I figured I‘d give you something else to do.

DC: I love this, I love this.

Int: OK. 3 more.

DC: Ok

Int: What did Chekieze do before he was on American Idol?

DC: Worked for TSA

Int: Yes. Which of your fellow, this is a hard one, so if you get this I‘ll be impressed.

DC: OK

Int: Which of your fellow contestants had already appeared in a Ford commercial before they started the show?

DC: Syesha

Int: Yes! You got it. And the final question. What did Randy call your performance of Music of the Night?

DC: Uh, molten lava hot? Did he say that?

Int: Pretty close. I‘ll give it to you. A molten hot lava bomb.

DC: ok, yeah.

Int: So let‘s see, you got, you only missed what? You missed one.

DC: I missed more than one.

Int: No you did, you missed this one about Simon.

DC: yeah

Int: Um, oh, you missed two. You missed the Archuletta siblings.

DC: No, I missed 3.

Int: What was the third one?

DC: Cause I missed that one. The bottom 3 Top 12 week.

Int: Oh, you‘re right. Ok. So you got 13 out of 16. That still makes you a winner.

DC: That‘s a passing grade.

Int: That is a passing grade. That‘s a what? A minus?

DC: I don‘t know. I was bad at math.

Int: Thank you. Me too.

2008-05-22 - ACCESS HOLLYWOOD - DC Crowned New AI (Transcript)

VIEW: Wordnerds (Scroll down for link)

DC: Good Morning Access Hollywood. Uh, welcome to my first day uh, as an American Idol. It is about ten ‗til 5 in the morning. I have my coffee. We‘re about to see how cool this whole thing can get.

Female anchor: Not even 5am yet and Idol winner David Cook had already spoken to dozens of media outlets from across the country.

Random anchor: Have you slept at all?

DC: Not at all.

DC: Bring it on.

Random anchor: Yeah? You‘re ready for it?

Little kid anchor: This is very neat.

[DC laugh]

Female anchor: 3 hours later, finally daylight, the interviews continued and a tired David was still going strong. And 17 year old Idol runner-up David Archuletta was still singing Cook‘s praises.

DA: Cook‘s just totally awesome. I‘m just really glad.

DC: I just finished the first press junket for the day. And now we are heading to uh, come see you guys.

Female anchor: David‘s next stop? Our Access Hollywood stage.

DC: We‘re here at Access Hollywood. And uh, I think I‘m going to go in and do an interview and sing a song. So, uh, we‘ll see how that goes.

Female anchor: Has reality set in though? I mean having that many people watch this show, and you‘re the winner of the whole thing and thinking of how many people auditioned?

DC: Um, to go from 103,000 to one is pretty absurd to think about. Has reality set in? No. And I hope it doesn‘t.

Female anchor: After winning American Idol, what does the future look like for David Cook?

DC: I want to put out a record right now that, uh, that makes the hair on the back of my neck stand up.

Female anchor: You channeled like one of the biggest movie stars in the, in the world last night. .

DC: Oh yeah. With the, yeah.

Female anchor: Putting on undies.

DC: Yep, yep.

Female anchor: Yeah. You have some nice legs, David Cook.

DC: Thank you very much. It‘s amazing what a spray on tan will do for you. I‘ll tell you what. That was actually a, a very welcome break. Amidst all the, the uh, the rehearsal and everything for this week. I mean, that was just, it was like just a couple hours of fun. And short of having to jump off the coffee table on to my knees 40 times…

Female anchor: Let‘s take a little look at it right now. You want to, you want to see yourself in the skives again?

DC: Not at all, but ok.

Female anchor: Take a look. Look at the split. That‘s like a cheerleader split thing.

DC: I do what I can, I do what I can.

Female anchor: Would you like to say anything else? Reach out to Tom Cruise. You know we have connections.

DC: Um, great choreography and uh, it was actually really tough to learn. So my hat‘s off to ya man.

2008-05-22 - ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY - Idol Backstage Q & A: David Cook

SOURCE: http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,20201771,00.html

''It's crazy how things turn out,'' the humble season 7 winner told EW.com backstage after the finale. In this interview, the singer talks about the secrets behind his surprise victory

DAVID COOK ''Basing it off of the judges' comments from Tuesday, yeah, I went into tonight thinking Archie was gonna win.'' Michael Becker ALL ABOUT AMERICAN IDOL

By Shirley Halperin How did David Cook beat presumptive front-runner David Archuleta to pull off one of the most dramatic American Idol upsets ever? Was it the Missouri native's rock-star swagger? The unconventional song choices and arrangements? His seemingly unflappable disposition? Three hours, dozens of interviews, and hundreds of hand-shakes after his live coronation, Cook (who rated his fatigue factor at 94 on a scale of 1 to 10) sat down with EW.com to discuss his keys to victory.

ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY: How much sleep did you get last night? DAVID COOK: I got a good night's sleep, not a full night, but five hours, which is pretty much par for the course with this show.

Take us back to Tuesday's show: Did you feel Simon was being exceptionally harsh? No. You gotta have a thick skin to do this, so I just kind of took it as a challenge, which I welcomed. Plus, the fact that he was saying those things means that he's invested himself enough in who I am as an artist to want to give me his opinion. As for his apology tonight, it was appreciated, but I don't know that it was needed. I never really felt disrespected.

What about the judges' consensus that the night — and competition — belonged to Archuleta? Had you also resigned yourself to the notion that you'd be the runner-up? It never really felt like a competition to me. Tuesday was all about having fun, just enjoying the moment and being able to share the stage with someone I respect and admire. Nothing more. But basing it off of the judges' comments from Tuesday, yeah, I went into tonight thinking Archie was gonna win. It's crazy how things turn out.

Did you want to win? Absolutely. I think to be in this competition and not want to win is just a slap in the face to everybody that auditioned. Did I fall into it? Yes, but I never went into this thinking, I wanna take fifth or 10th place. I think that's very disrespectful.

But were there moments when you tried not to invest yourself too much and maybe disconnect a bit from the competitive aspect? What I cared about was being able to walk off the stage and know that I did what I could. Past that, I can only care about things I can control, which, with this show, isn't much. I can't control who votes for who, what the judges say, whether I get the right lighting or the right spot in the show lineup. It's all a crapshoot and you just gotta ride with it. That's how the season was for me — I just kind of stepped back and let it play out.

Did you vote last night? I did not, but I voted three times this season and each one was for Archuleta.

As you progressed in the competition, was there a strategy? Yes and no. I had one, in that I wanted to show America who I was gonna be as an artist once this was over, and I feel like I succeeded. I don't feel I compromised who I was at any point. But, I don't know, to be yourself isn't really a strategy, I just did it.

What about with your song choices? If you look at my song choices throughout the season and put them in order, it's like a set list. That's the vibe that I wanted and the theory I went with, and it seems to have worked out.

ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY: Was there a piece of advice you've gotten that's carried you through this whole experience? DAVID COOK: ''Whether you're pleasing or pissing everybody off, you're doing something wrong.'' I have no idea who said that to me, but I've had it for a while. It means you gotta take the good and the bad. Everybody's gonna have an opinion and not everyone's gonna like you, but as long as somebody likes you....

You've copped to a theater-geek background. Did that make the boxing stunt and all those Ford commercials any easier to execute? It didn't hurt! I've never been one to take myself too seriously. The boxing thing, I gotta admit, going into this week, I thought, It's gonna be goofy. But it was actually a lot of fun and it seemed to go over pretty well, judging from the response we got.

Back to music, give us your top five favorite bands. Our Lady Peace, Big Wreck, 8Stops7, Jimmy Eat World, and Foo Fighters.

Have any musicians gotten in touch? I got to talk to Raine Maida from Our Lady Peace, which was one of the highlights of this whole experience. He was just a really down-to-earth, genuine guy, very appreciative that I sang ''Innocent'' on the show. And I actually got a chance to talk to Ed Roland, the singer from Collective Soul today, and he also had nothing but nice things to say. That's the badge of honor for me — to have the people who wrote these songs complimenting you and thanking you, it's amazing.

Speaking of writing, when it comes time to record your debut album, will you be writing your own songs? Absolutely. I have to be involved. Whether it's me writing by myself or with other people, I definitely want to have my hand in the creative process. That's part of why I got into music in the first place.

Who would you die to tour with? Anybody right now! [Laughs] Umm...the reunited Led Zeppelin. Or any version of Zeppelin, like Let's Zeppelin, a cover band in the Oklahoma area.

Through this whole experience, what have you learned about television? That it stops for nobody. [Laughs] Television is a weird thing. One of the things that was really tough for me to grasp was how people can really invest themselves in you as a person, based off of what they see in an hour or two. Why do they cry when somebody gets sent home? Because these are relationships that were created long ago. It's interesting....

One of the things that viewers have noticed about you is your confidence and maturity. Maturity? You guys don't see me when the cameras are off. I'm a goof and a nerd. The confidence comes in knowing what I can do and what I can't, what works for me and what doesn't. I never tried to fake it. It's been a process, but my family and my friends have kept me really grounded, and that's probably where it comes from.

So, Mr. Bartender, what will you be drinking later to celebrate? Iced coffee. I'm probably going to take it easy tonight: We've got a long day tomorrow that starts at 4:30 in the morning.

Really, could tonight have been any better? Tonight was a trip. I got to play with ZZ Top and introduce Bryan Adams and George Michael. And to have it all topped off by me winning American Idol?! It's pretty absurd.

2008-05-22 - LA TIMES - SHOWTRACKER - 'American Idol' news conference: The Davids sing each other's praises Source: http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/showtracker/2008/05/american-idol-p.html 08:27 AM PT, May 22 2008

"I didn't really know that [judge 's] apology was warranted," mused David Cook, during a news conference at the Nokia Theatre on Wednesday, just hours after being handed the "American Idol" crown. Cook wasn't expecting Simon Cowell's apology, but that doesn't mean he wasn't happy to take it. "An apology from Simon is a rare gem!" He chuckled.

Cook was in his glory during the news conference, and rightfully so. He couldn't help but look back at how far he'd come over the course of his singing career, even recalling a grade school teacher who "made me sing at a Christmas pageant." It was Cook's moment of glory, but he still made sure to shower praise on his humble competitor, David Archuleta. "He has more talent at his age than I know what to do with at 25," marveled Cook. When asked which of his performances was his favorite, Cook didn't miss a beat. "The last one," he said, still glowing from the rush of that final performance. "Tonight was just about exhaling. " As for what comes after the exhale, Cook seemed utterly clueless –- and content with that. "I actually walked into this with no expectations and I'm walking out of this with no expectations," he stated simply. But despite his calm, cool and collected approach to the future, Cook couldn't help but get emotional about the present. Namely, that moment up on stage with his mother and brother. In August, Cook, his mother, and his brother all waited in line together "in Omaha, Nebraska, at 5:30 in the morning when it was raining." Then, nine months later, Cook's mother and brother stood beside him once more, as he won "American Idol." It was like coming "full circle," he explained. After Cook was whisked away, Archuleta emerged, grinning from ear to ear. "Um, it's a big relief," he stammered. "Oh my gosh, no more getting judged after each performance!" The questions inevitably turned to that other, bigger David, and Archie lit up. "He's like my big brother!" he exclaimed. On the subject of Cowell's apology to Cook, Archuleta was quick to take a stance. "I'm glad [Simon] apologized to Cook," emoted Archie, as though personally insulted by Cowell's comments. "Because I don't think anyone realizes how much work we put into this." Over the course of the conference, the sense of solidarity in Archie's tone was unmistakable; criticism of Cook was also criticism of Archie, and a win for Cook was also a win for Archie. When the subject of Archuleta's own success in the competition came up, he was as modest as ever. "I didn't even know I'd make it past the first round, for Pete's sake!" he exclaimed. As for making it, not just past the first round, but into the final two, Archuleta was utterly baffled. "I just can't believe that people have decided for me to be next to him of all people!" And Cook wasn't the only one Archuleta gushed over. He couldn't say enough kind things about his "Idol" mentors, especially Mariah Carey. "Mariah had me doing things I was afraid of doing before, like using my head voice," recalled Archuleta. The questions kept firing, and the young Archuleta fielded them with enthusiasm and sweetness, only halting once, to lick his lips. "Sorry," he muttered with his trademark bashful smile. "My lips are getting dry." -- Stephanie Lysaght Can't get enough of 'American Idol'? Join us for a chat at 11:30 a.m. PST. Bookmark it: May 22, 2008 in American Idol | Permalink

2008-05-23 - AI Interview with David Cook - The Rocker Takes All (Transcript)

SOURCE: http://www.fansofrealitytv.com/forums/american-idol-10/75316-ai-interview- david-cook-rocker-takes-all.html

Friday, I had the opportunity to participate in a media call with the newest American Idol, David Cook. He had lots to share about his experience on American Idol. I can’t wait to see where his new career will take him and wish him success with it.

At the beginning of the season, Simon calls you cocky. He calls you pompous and then suddenly on Tuesday night he’s calling you one of the most sincere contestants he’s ever met.

D. Cook: What a journey, huh?

Yes. So here’s the question: Did Idol change you? Did you change yourself? What happened?

D. Cook: You know, I really didn‘t change much of anything as strange as it is. I went into this with kind of a different perspective from everybody else. I didn‘t have any expectations as to what the show was going to do for me or what I was going to do for the show. I just went into as an opportunity to expose myself musically to a large audience. So my confidence level really never wavered and maybe that‘s what got misinterpreted as cocky or arrogant. I think as the season went on maybe he saw the work that I was putting in not just on my own stuff, but really just to try to make it a positive working environment for everybody.

Do you think that to some degree you maybe didn’t understand what the scale of American Idol was at first and that over the course of the long season you sort of got a sense of just how big this thing is?

D. Cook: No. I think I understood the brevity of what the show encompasses, but I just don‘t think I chose to get wrapped up in it. I think for me I just wanted to not just experience the experience, but enjoy the experience.

Why don’t you tell us about your first album coming out of the Idol gate? What sort of songs are going to be on it? Are you going to write a lot of them, all of them? Best case release date?

D. Cook: I think it‘s going to be a mixture of my writing and hopefully writing with some other people. The bottom line is I just want to come out of the gate with a solid record, so if can do that I‘ll be happy.

But the type of the music and the ideal release date?

D. Cook: Well, the ideal release date is as soon as possible if you‘re asking me, but obviously these things take time. As far as the type of record, it‘ll probably be a rock record, but I think that‘s a pretty vague generalization. I just want to make a record that‘s going to make the hair on the back of your neck stand up.

How is it that you’re still single?

D. Cook: Well, I have no idea. That‘s all I can say.

I wanted to know if you’ve had any sleep. I saw you on a bunch of TV appearances yesterday and I’m thinking is this guy getting any rest? Are you awake right now? What’s going on?

D. Cook: Well, I got an hour nap in about … rest of the day, which was nice. Then as soon as I got done yesterday I went straight to bed, so I‘m actually moderately rested today.

How did you deal with all the songs? I was trying to count here. You had the group numbers, the duet with Archuleta. You had three songs that you performed in the final and then the new song, the winning song that you sang. How did you deal with all that new material for just one week’s worth of shows?

D. Cook: Well, they made it very, very easy for us with everything going on. I think it‘s just a matter of trying to focus in on each song at a time and not really worrying about I‘ve got five songs left, I‘ve got six songs left. It‘s just taking a step back and going one moment at a time.

Sometimes people kind of exaggerate and they make it sound like a bartender came out of nowhere and suddenly won a contest. Can you kind of straighten this out a little bit about your musical background? How often did you get a chance to go out and play? Did you have a full band of your own? How did you end up in Tulsa of all places?

D. Cook: Well, I started in bands when I was 15 years old in Kansas City and was fortunate enough to get to play in and around Kansas City quite a bit and got to travel around the Midwest on occasion. The move to Tulsa, I‘d graduated college and the opportunity to continue music presented itself in Tulsa, so I went. I played acoustic gigs a couple of times a month. I played full band gigs a couple of times a month and I just kind of hoofed it around the Midwest for about 10 years.

As far as the previous question about getting all the songs mastered and so forth, because you were doing so many of them, were some of them on teleprompter for you guys for the last night, and in particular the winning song?

D. Cook: Yes, some of them were on teleprompter for us. At the end of the day – and I keep saying it – you can get the words, but it‘s still about the performance.

And just tell me on that last song, did you think you had a real good chance of winning? Had you worked hard on the last song, or was it way in the back of your mind because you had been convinced that you weren’t going to win?

D. Cook: You know, I‘d worked as hard as time would allow on the last song. The thing is you have to hope for the best and prepare for the best, but expect the worst and that‘s pretty much how I operated. I made sure that I was prepared to win, but I actually [think Archie] did a great job. I said it the whole time: I definitely thought if you‘re basing it off of two, that he deserved to win. He came out and did three amazing songs.

Can you update me on how you guys celebrated?

D. Cook: I met up with my family and we went to the 19 party and just kind of hung out for a couple of hours and talk to people. I went home and called it a night. I just wasn‘t able to shut my brain off apparently.

And what about you and your brother? Are you going to maybe collaborate on anything? Obviously Andrew’s musical too.

D. Cook: You know, I‘ve left the option open. I‘m kind of leaving it up to him. It‘s however he wants to operate in this whole deal. I know he wants to try to make his own way, so I‘ll support him whatever he decides to do. I wouldn‘t mind writing with him.

You guys seem really close. Maybe he’s going to come on tour with you guys?

D. Cook: Well, we‘ve talked about it. He‘s actually still in school and so the scheduling might be a conflict. I‘m hoping to maybe get him out at least for a short stint, maybe like a week or so.

So your brother I know was a really big influence and a huge part of getting you on the show. He pushed you and talked you into doing this. Is there anything that you’ve ever pushed your brother to do, maybe even as kids that he turned out to be really good at?

D. Cook: Well I feel like inadvertently I‘m responsible for getting him into video games, but past that our family‘s kind of operated on we‘ll support you in whatever you do. Just try to find your own way about it. He‘s done a really good job. He‘s studying to be a teacher and seems to be really into it. So whatever he decides to do, it‘s kind of like you have to find where your own heart is.

Was there anything really surprising that you learned about American Idol once you became a contestant that you really weren’t expecting?

D. Cook: Yes. When the cameras are on, that‘s when it‘s easy. You know, there‘s so much stuff that goes on in the hours that show is not airing. There‘s a lot of behind-the- scenes work both on the contestants part and on the production staff‘s part that completely gets overlooked, the lighting, all of it. It‘s just an amazing production.

So I want to ask about the Internet phenomenon that is Cook Mania. So far I’m checking and seeing your commercial has over 200,000 views on YouTube and your songs are like the top four downloaded songs on iTunes. How does it feel?

D. Cook: Well you know, it doesn‘t feel bad. I can‘t believe the level of support that has come out of my doing this crazy TV show. All I can do is try to embrace it and make all the effort people are putting in to supporting me worthwhile and that‘s going to start with a record and hopefully moving down the road a tour and a lot of success, so the sky‘s the limit right now.

I know a lot of people really enjoyed your cover songs and just have been sharing them legally and illegally and everything. Does that put pressure on you to come out with your original work and have it be just as loved?

D. Cook: No, I don‘t think so. I don‘t really feel like there‘s any added pressure other than what‘s already there. I want to come out with a record that makes the hair on the back of your neck stand up and I keep saying it. I just want to put out a record that‘s going to be able to stand up on its own long after I‘m gone and if I can do that, then I‘m set. The covers were great, but I‘m ready to get back into the creative process of writing songs and basically kind of baring my soul on these records, so I look forward to it.

I was just wondering, when you went in we all wrote rocker, David Cook and you were categorized right away. Then as the season wore on, I was so surprised at your amazing versatility and you could take almost any song and sometimes you’d put your own spin on it, which was a little bit more edgy and all that. You just let your soul come through. Did this change your feeling about other music and would you come out with a song that was more Andrew Lloyd Webber-ish or something like that on your album?

D. Cook: Well I don‘t see myself putting out a record of standards or anything like that. You know, for me I‘ll probably end up putting out a rock record just because I feel like that‘s the kind of music that I enjoy playing. You know, that was the exciting thing to me about the show. I loved knowing that there were things that I could do that people would never expect that I could do. You know, Andrew Lloyd Webber night was fun for me. I loved the fact that everybody was like, ―What?‖ I‘m going to try to recreate that energy within this record. I want this record to have some twists and turns. I want people to feel like they got taken on a trip from beginning to end. I got my work cut out for me. It should be a lot of fun.

I just wanted to ask when are you going to be able to actually go home to Missouri? I know that you’re on Larry King tonight and then you’re going to be doing other things I’m sure.

D. Cook: As of right now, I‘ll be on Kansas City August 29th and 30th playing at the Sprint Center. Past that, I don‘t know. I‘m kind of just on for the ride a little bit and whatever free time I‘m allotted I‘m going to try to get home as soon as I can and spend some time with my family. I have a new nephew that I have to see for my home visit and I can‘t wait to see him again.

You always seemed to either pick songs or turn songs into – particularly with like the Mariah Carey song and the song – sort of these unexpected songs and turn them into these sort of really emotional moments. It seems like you were really connecting on those levels with those songs. What is it that you sort of look toward to turn them more than just sort of like a good vocal performance or something like that. It seemed like a lot of times you were really taking it to the next level.

D. Cook: Actually there was a short article that Debbie, our stage manager, hung up in the red room kind of related to this season. It talked about Frank Sinatra and how he would go about the song process about recording a song. Before he listened to the music, he would read the lyrics and basically try to tune into what the lyrics were saying and what the song was about and then he would go into the music aspect of it and figure out the melodies and all that. So for me that was a really eye-opening article. It made me think I just need to step back. Before I even try to learn this song I just need to read the lyrics and that really helped as far as trying to find the vibe. You know, with the Mariah Carey song I loved that the lyrics had a little bit of longing in them, but that it was still packaged in kind of this upbeat pop song. So for me that was a very natural transition, just to kind of slow it down a little bit and really kind of get the music to tune in just a bit more to the vibe of the lyrics. That was probably the biggest lesson I learned throughout the show.

Now, were you born in Houston? Is that right?

D. Cook: I was born in Houston, yes.

Now, do you have any connection here or recollection or any family here still or anything like that?

D. Cook: I don‘t actually believe so. I think my parents moved down there for work, but I was born in Bay Town or Bay View Memorial.

Yes, Bay Town.

D. Cook: Yes, Bay Town Memorial. I was born there and we lived in Houston for about a year and a half and then my dad got transferred not long after Hurricane Alicia I think.

I guess it was sort of cool because you did the thing on the finale with ZZ Top who are from here. What was that like?

D. Cook: I‘ll tell you what. Those guys were so nice. You know, you hear horror stories all the time about established rock bands and musicians just kind of being about them and that couldn‘t have been further from the truth with those guys. They made it so fun and so easy, given the fact that there were 90 million other things going on. I couldn‘t ask for a better scenario and hopefully somewhere down the road we could do something like that again.

So did you know during the competition that you were really running away with the votes? As we heard you won by about 12 million, so did you have any idea during the competition that there was that much of a gap between you and David A.?

D. Cook: You know, I think that number is actually really misleading. Obviously within the bubble of Idol, it‘s hard to kind of get a vibe on what‘s going on. I thought Archie was probably a little bit ahead of me if I‘m being honest. I think as far as the finale goes, there‘s a lot of conspiracy theories out there. I attribute the finale vote discrepancy just to my fans just being awesome. I don‘t really know how else to explain it. You know, my hats off to Archie for the whole scenario. I mean, he handled himself with a lot of grace. More importantly, he‘s just an amazing human being, so I was just honored to share the stage with him.

Do you think that Simon’s criticism of you during the season sort of got your fans to rally around you and sort of give you that many more votes because they wanted to … what Simon says?

D. Cook: Wow. That‘s not a bad theory. I don‘t know. You know, all I can hope is that it was based on my own merit. Regardless, I‘m happy where I‘m at. Simon‘s blunt and he‘s honest and that‘s why they pay him the money that they pay him. The goal of the season for me was just to try to find some constructive criticism on what he was saying, which sometimes was a little tough, but that‘s part of the show.

First of all, why did you move to Tulsa? How did you choose to come here? Second of all, what kind of experience did working in the bars and clubs give you that might have given you an edge on American Idol?

D. Cook: Well, when I graduated from college I had a choice of moving to Tulsa and playing music or staying in Kansas City and getting a real job. So I moved to Tulsa to join a band called The Midwest Kings. They needed a guitar player and I‘d known them for years and I consider them great friends. So it just seemed like I wasn‘t ready to give up on music and I didn‘t think music was ready to give up on me. I just made a decision to chase the dream a little bit. I think working in the clubs and bars and stuff helped me as far as from a humility standpoint, you get pretty humble playing shows to five people. Having that experience made the Idol experience all the sweeter. To go from one extreme to the other, you kind of appreciate the huge crowds and all of that. I definitely think my time in Tulsa was needed in order to have any form of success on the show.

So have you heard from any of your friends in Tulsa since the win?

D. Cook: Absolutely. I‘ve heard from a lot of them. It‘s amazing the level of support I‘m getting, not just from my friends. They tell me things that are going on in Tulsa with people that I‘ve never met that are supporting me. That‘s the cool thing about this show is I think it allows such a platform not only for me to showcase who I am musically, but it allows people to get to know me and invest and that‘s promotion and support that money that could never buy. So I‘m extremely about Idol for that.

I wanted to ask you about Analog Heart. That sort of popped out during the completion and then people were finding in on Amazon and then it apparently got pulled. I wanted to know what the story was sort of behind making and trying to release that and if there’s a plan for a re-release at all.

D. Cook: Analog Heart actually got released independently in May of ‘06. I spent a good year just playing out and promoting that record as much as I could. So it got sold and a lot of people, thank God, bought the record. I think I ended up close to selling out like right before I came out. Then about midway through the season, I had to have the record pulled obviously for fairness issues in the show. I got it pulled offline and then somebody – I have no idea who – reposted it on Amazon. So while all that was going on, I was kind of at a loss. I had talked to Amazon about getting it pulled and there‘s a bunch of mass confusion about it. I‘m extremely appreciative of how well it did. I thought that was amazing that it went number one. Yes, I was certainly just kind of a pawn in that whole game.

Was there was sort of a theory that maybe you might do better off not winning, sort of like Daughtry has in terms of like keeping what some might call some rocker credibility and not having the sort of more mainstream pop American Idol winner label winner. Now that you are the American Idol, I guess I wanted to get your thoughts on maybe that theory going in and how you feel about that now.

D. Cook: Well, I mean obviously the theory‘s there. Did it cross my mind at any point in the competition? I mean, sure, but only as an objective point. I think going into this was an idea that you don‘t want to win I think is a huge slap in the face to the 103,000 people that auditioned this season that really wanted to win, so I definitely went into this to try to win it. As far as having more success by not being a winner, I think that‘s something that‘ll get played out hopefully in the next couple of years. I think Daughtry‘s success is amazing. So for me like right now I‘m not trying to be Daughtry. You know, I‘m just trying to put out a solid record. Even if it doesn‘t do well commercially, as long as I can say that I put out a record that I‘m proud of, that‘s the goal right now and hopefully if I can do that, then success will follow.

I know just very quickly you talked about wanted to go back to writing your own songs. Were there any of the cover songs that you did this season that you’re thinking or planning or hoping to include on your album?

D. Cook: As of right now there are no plans as far as an album recording. You know, I look forward to after the tour and stuff and trying to get another show together, maybe incorporating a live show, just something fun. You know, things change on a dime around here so I have no idea.

Any songs in particular?

D. Cook: No, not really. I think at this point I haven‘t really wrapped my head around the idea.

I wanted to ask you to talk a little bit about your growing up years in terms of the activities you were involved in both in terms of music and then maybe whatever else you liked to do as a kid in elementary school and middle school.

D. Cook: Well, I was a sports nut and music was kind of a hobby, so a lot of baseball, football, basketball. I did choir and theater and stuff like that in high school too. I had a pretty well-rounded, I guess, experience with school and everything. I did sports. I think music just kind of presented itself.

At what point did you start to think music is what I’d like to do for my career. I’d like to be an entertainer. Do you remember what age you really started to think that might be a possibility?

D. Cook: I was probably 16/17. I‘d been in a band a couple of years and we played in the United Way assembly at my high school. I think we played ‗Wild Thing‘ with our assistant athletic director, Dan McLaughlin. I just remember being so nervous, but it was a different kind of nervous. It was very anxious and the feeling was actually something that drove me for a long, long time.

You were just such an entertainer week after week, so it was great to have you on the show. I just want to ask you a little bit about your brother, Andrew. He was obviously so proud and it was really touching in the finale when he kind of mouthed the words ―That’s my brother‖ on stage. I don’t know if you know that. Can you talk a little bit about the morning that you decided to go the audition with him and whether he ever had any hard feelings for how it turned it?

D. Cook: Well, as far as hard feelings. I really lucked out in that arena. He has been my number one supporter from day one and has routinely told me how proud he is of me. I can‘t wait to see what happens after this. I can‘t wait to hopefully help him out and try to him enjoy some of the fruits of my labor, since this is – as I said on the show – all his fault. No, the audition process was strange. He really wanted me to audition with him and I was just hesitant, not for any negative stigma associated with the show, but I didn‘t really see this as my path for whatever reason. To stand in line at 5:30 in the morning in Omaha and the sun hasn‘t come up. The producer comes by with a camera and interviews my brother and then turns to me and I‘m like, ―I‘m not auditioning‖, and he goes, ―Well you are now.‖ Life has a weird way of working itself out sometimes.

So when you were standing there you weren’t thinking, ―I’m going to win this thing.‖

D. Cook: Oh no. Not at all. You know, I just figured I‘d go in and sing a song and they‘d say I wasn‘t what they were looking for and I‘d go back to Tulsa and work on my record some more, but apparently somebody had another plan.

I was watching American Idol Extra the other night and you said that when you look at the initial songs that you had done like in the first few rounds, that you don’t really recognize that guy. Can you talk a little bit more about that?

D. Cook: Well, this show‘s been great for my diet. I‘ve lost probably 10 – 15 pounds through the season. There was definitely a progression for me on this show. Early on – I‘m talking like the third or fourth week in – Debra Byrd, our vocal coach, really hit home with me on a particular lesson. I think going into this, I put up a wall, kind of a protective barrier between me and the audience just to kind of protect myself, a little bit of a defense mechanism. She kind of forced me to break that down and I think it helped in the performances. Everybody talks about how towards the end I started crying a lot. Well, you know there was just a lot of intensity into the last few weeks as far as just what was at stake and all the work that had been put into it. I said in a lot of interviews yesterday the crying after I won was like an exhale. This whole experience has been about eight months, including auditions. I felt like that whole time I was just holding my breath. So to be able to breathe and to enjoy the moment was amazing.

David, do you have any closing remarks?

D. Cook: No other than I definitely want to pass on as much thanks as possible to everybody that offered support and hopefully it continues. I can‘t wait to put this record out and show people what kind of artist I am.

Thank you to FOX for allowing us to participate in this media call.

2008-05-23 - LIVEJOURNAL - Text chat with David

Source: http://community.livejournal.com/davidcookai7/245690.html Q: Jenna Bush voted for u 40 times, lightweight! lol! Did u get to meet her? A:I did get to meet her and Laura Bush as well! They were so sweet. One vote. 10,000 votes they all mean the world to me! Q: A lot of people now have your songs as their ringtones. What is on YOUR ringtone? A: by Collective Soul Q: Does your star necklace have any significance? A: Yes. There is actually a handcuff on each side of the star and the significance is being handcuffed by being a star. I thought it was cool. Q: How does it feel to not only be America's newest favorite singer but a sex symbol to millions of women including me? A: LOL! I wasn't aware that I was a sex symbol. It's humbling. But I'm just ready to make music. Q: You're a word nerd. Can you describe the feeling of winning in one word? A: Hmmm...Supercalifrailisticexpialidocious! Q: Hey Cook! just want to say you're awesome. You have a great voice and are super hot. What's the one thing America doesn't know about you? A: Wow. I have three tattoo's. I have a brain tumor awareness on my sternum, AC on the inside of my left arm, and a bleeding heart on my chest. Q: Who do you think would win in an actual boxing match: you or Archuleta? A: Archie! He's too nice of a kid. He would have flashed me that smile and I would have let my guard down. Then he would have bopped me a good one! Q: Luv ur boots! Who makes them? How many pairs do u have? A: LOL! I get my boots at Boot Star in LA. And BTW, I wear a size 13.

2008-05-23 - NEWSDAY - American Idol: Exit Interview with David Cook Source: http://xml.newsday.com/topic/zap-americanidol- davidcookexitinterview,0,6227699.story

'Idol' winner has kind words for David Archuleta and now he's ready to rock Daniel Fienberg | Zap2It.com May 23, 2008 David Cook beat David Archuleta by 12 million votes to claim the American Idol crown on Wednesday (May 21) night, but don't expect Cook to explain his margin of victory. "I think that number's actually really misleading," Cook tells reporters on Friday morning. "Obviously, within the bubble of Idol, it's hard to get a vibe on what's going on. I thought Archie was probably a little bit ahead of me if I'm being honest. I think as far as the finale goes, there're a lot of conspiracy theories out there. I attribute the finale vote discrepancy just to my fans just being awesome. I don't really know how else to explain it." He continues, "My hat's off to Archie just for the whole scenario. He handled himself with a lot of grace and, more importantly, he's just an amazing human being. I was just honored to share the stage with him." Going into the finale, there was extensive online discussion of whether or not Cook might, in fact, be better served by letting Archuleta take the American Idol win. Chris Daughtry, the conventional wisdom said, didn't win on Idol and he turned out OK. That wasn't the way that Cook was thinking. "Obviously the theory's there. Did it cross my mind at any point during the competition? I mean, sure, but only as an objective point," he acknowledges. "I think going into this with the idea that you don't want to win is a huge slap in the face to the 103,000 people who auditioned this season who really wanted to win. So I definitely went into this to try to win it." Still, Cook's win came after a performance Tuesday where judge Simon Cowell praised the rocker's sincerity and personality, but scored it a knockout win for Archuleta. But even that praise was something of a victory for Cook, who Cowell derided as cocky and arrogant earlier in the season. Asked about the journey from pomposity to humility, Cook hedges a little. "You know, I didn't really change much of anything, as strange as it is," he says. "I went into this with a kinda different perspective from everybody else. I didn't have any expectations as to what the show was going to do for me or what I was gonna do for the show. I just went into it as an opportunity to expose myself musically to a large audience. And so my confidence level never really wavered and maybe that's what got misinterpreted as cocky or arrogant, but I think as the season went on, maybe he saw the work that I was putting in, not just on my own stuff, but really just to make it a positive working environment for everybody." Thanks to those awesome fans, though, Cook now faces the pressure of following up an Idol win. "I can't believe the level of support that has come out of me doing this crazy TV show, he says. "All I can do is try to embrace it and make all the effort that these people are putting into supporting me worthwhile and that's going to start with a record and hopefully moving down the road a tour and a lot of success. The sky's the limit right now." And what can we expect from Cook's album? "I think it's going to be a mixture of my writing and hopefully writing with some other people. The bottom line is I just want to come out of the gate with a solid record, so if I can do that I'll be happy. The idea release did is 'as soon as possible,' if you ask me, but obviously these things take time. As far as the type of record? It will probably be a rock record, but I think that's a pretty vague generalization. I just want to make a record that's gonna make the hair on the back of your neck stand up." Other highlights from Cook's exit interview with the press: On his musical journey: "When I graduated from college, I had a choice of moving to Tulsa and playing music or staying in Kansas City and getting a real job. I moved to Tulsa to join a band called the Midwest Kings and they needed a guitar and I'd known them for years and consider them great friends. So it just seemed like I didn't give up on music and I didn't think music was ready to give up on me, so I just made the decision to chase the dream a little bit. I think working in the clubs and the bars and stuff, I mean it helped me from a humility standpoint. You get pretty humble playing shows to five people and having that experience made the Idol experience all the sweeter." On his brother, without whom he never would have tried out: "As far as hard feelings? No. I really lucked out in that arena. He has been my No. 1 supporter from Day One and has routinely told me how proud he is of me and I can't wait to see what happens after this, I can't wait to hopefully help him out and try and help him enjoy some of the fruits of my labors since this is, as I said on the show, this is all his fault." On confounding expectations: "That was the exciting thing for me about this show, is I loved knowing that there were things that I could do that people would never expect that I could do. Like Andrew Lloyd Webber Night was fun for me. I loved the fact that everybody was like 'What?' I'm going to try to recreate that energy within this record. I want this record to have some twists and turns in it. I want people to feel like they got taken on a trip from beginning to end. I've got my work cut out for me, but it should be a lot of fun." 2008-05-24 - UTICA-OD - David Cook says 'thanks' to hometown fans

SOURCE: http://www.uticaod.com/ghs/features/x360360476/David-Cook-says-thanks- to-hometown-fans

By Stephanie Boothe GateHouse News Service Posted May 24, 2008 @ 04:59 PM

Belton, Mo. — David Cook may be the most famous person ever from Blue Springs, Mo. And now that the guy who had hopes of his high school band making it big is the newest "American Idol," he's being followed by paparazzi and doing a media blitz as the 2008 champion. But he didn't forget about his hometown fans, the ones he says got him where he is. The Examiner had 10 minutes via phone to ask him about his experiences and how growing up in Blue Springs prepared him for stardom.

Q: What is your fondest memory of growing up in Blue Springs? A: Wow. There's a lot to pick from. I loved playing baseball in the summer. Playing in the Blue Springs Little League was always a lot of fun.

Q: Will you get to come home anytime soon, or will you be kind of on a non-stop schedule with "Idol?" A: Well, I can only assume a non-stop schedule, but worst-case scenario, I'll get to come home for a few days in August for the tour. But I'm hoping to maybe snag a couple of days to, you know, breathe and kind of sit down and wrap my head around what just happened.

Q: What have the last couple of days been like for you? A: A whirlwind for starters. A lot of press and just kind of gearing up to promote the tour that's coming. I have a single out on iTunes. So far that's been doing very, very well. And then just start working on a record, which is kind of the whole purpose of this anyway.

Q: Will you get to put any of your original songs that you have written before on this album? Do you know yet? A: I'm hoping so. If it works, trying to get all that mapped out, but hopefully. Hopefully, yeah. I'm just looking forward to being able to put out an album that I'm proud of.

Q: Back when you were playing with Axium, I think it was back in 2004 when we had The X, you told us that you wanted to make it big in the music industry. Were you expecting something of this magnitude? A: Expecting, no. But hoping for, absolutely. I'll be the first person to admit this is the last avenue that I thought I was going to take to make it. And not in reference to any sort of negative stigma with the show. I never could have fathomed this was going to be my path. I just want to make music that means something. That's my goal.

Q: There were watch parties everywhere in Kansas City. Your mom's neighbor had them. They had them in Blue Springs. Were you aware of everything that was happening back here, all of the support that people were generating for you? A: That's the feeling I got, and then I came home and I saw all of it, and I was just, I was very moved by it. You know I was just glad that everybody showed so much support around me to be put in a position to win this thing. I've said all along this title isn't a tribute to me. This is a tribute to everybody who took time out of their lives to vote. It's unreal.

Q: I saw on one of your forums that someone had voted for you 10,000 times before the final three. Did you ever think growing up in the Midwest, coming from Blue Springs, that you would have that kind of impact on people you've never even met? A: No. I never even sold that many records before the show. That's the amazing thing about the show, it's such an avenue. It's such an opportunity. To hear those kinds of stories is extremely flattering and kind of mind boggling that somebody would text message or call in 10,000 times in four hours. I hope they didn't mess up their phone.

Q: I want to take you back to the sixth grade. You toured The Examiner with nine of your classmates. Do you remember coming to The Examiner and writing that story that came out the next day? A: I do actually. I remember there was a photo of us huddled around an editor's desk. So yeah, I do. I have a vivid memory of that.

Q: Are there any messages that you want to deliver to your fans back here? A: I'm humbled and extremely moved by just their support. To start at point A and to be here. This is awesome. .... I can't wait to come home and give them a proper "thank you." Hopefully those two nights at the Sprint Center will get something running. I have a feeling, in exchange, the next couple of years of my life I'm going to be busting a hump to make sure everybody understands that I appreciate it.

Q: You said on "American Idol's" Web site that your dream performance venue was the Sprint Center. Now you get two days there. How does that feel? A: It's kind of a trip. And to think that I get to play last. It's going to be me and nine of some of my best friends. I couldn't have asked for a better scenario. I couldn't write a better script.

Q: Do you think your training and performances in theater at Blue Springs South helped you prepare for the "Idol" experience in any way? A: I think absolutely. To take the opportunity to perform in front of people is going to help especially if it's the life's path that you want to take. But yeah, you know I spent time performing in high school. And then performing with Axium and Midwest Kings I think definitely helped me coming into this because it helped me understand how to operate within such an odd realm.

Q: Have you done any searches on eBay or Google and seen that your Axium CD, or even your last solo CD, sold for hundreds of dollars? Is that kind of a surreal feeling for you? A: Yeah, if I had known they were going to be able to sell for that much, I would have started doing it before the show. I'm very, very flattered by that. That's what this show is. It's an awesome, awesome springboard. I can't wait to show people what I can do next.

Q: How does a guy from Blue Springs, Mo., who, you know, went to school to be a graphic designer, trying to make it on his own in the music industry, how do you go from kind of being known in your hometown to having paparazzi following you? How do you handle the celebrity status that comes along with all of this? That's the tough part. That's another thing about "Idol" is they put a great support team around all of us to kind of help us because there's no school for this. Coming into this, it's very much a 0-to-60 scenario. But I handle it just like I've handled everything else. You just kind of reach into the bag of ideals that got you to this point. For me growing up in such a grounded base - Blue Springs - was definitely a foundation. I feel like I've managed to maintain a sense of self, which has proven to be really helpful.

Q: Simon said early in the season that you lacked charisma when you said you were a word nerd, and he really didn't take kindly to your reply. Looking back, how did that moment on the show affect you, and how did feel when your fans rallied around you and started calling themselves the "Word Nerds?" A: Well, you know, any time anybody's going to rally up behind me, I certainly appreciate it. That moment, for me, I learned from that that it's probably better to keep your mouth shut and your head down. The outpouring of support off that and everything thereafter. You know I've been asked a few times if there's anything I would change, and looking back I don't think there is. That moment, and really all the moments where I kind of stumbled, I learned from them, and they were great experiences. And I'm here just as much because of that as because of, you know, "Billie Jean" and "Hello."

Q: Well, David, thank you so much for your time. I know our readers are going to really appreciate the chance to hear you tell your story in your own words, and we're all so proud of you here. A: Ah, thank you so much. I can't wait to come home and say "thank you" everybody. Copyright 2008 The Observer-Dispatch, Utica, New York. Some rights reserved

2008-05-24 - USA TODAY - Idol champ Cook: Life has a weird way of working itself out Source: http://www.usatoday.com/life/television/news/2008-05-23-idol-exit-cook_N.htm

By Angela Haupt, USA TODAY Rocker David Cook, American Idol's Season 7 winner, chatted with reporters Friday, following Wednesday's finale. USA TODAY listened in on the conference call. Q: You doing OK? Have you recovered from the excitement and the exhaustion? A: Hopefully never. Q: At the beginning of the season, Simon (Cowell) calls you cocky, he calls you pompous. Then (during the finale), he calls you one of most sincere contestants he's ever met. So did Idol change you, did you change yourself? A: You know, I didn't really change much of anything, as strange as it is. I didn't have any expectations as to what the show was going for do me, or what I was going to do for the show. I went into it as an opportunity to expose myself musically to a large audience. And so my confidence level never really wavered, and maybe that's what got misinterpreted as cocky and arrogant. But I think maybe as the season went on, he saw the work I was putting in — not just to my own stuff — but really to make it a positive working environment for everybody. Q: Maybe you just didn't understand what the scale of American Idol was at first. And then as the season went along, you got a sense of just how big this thing was. A: I understand what the show encompasses — I just don't think I chose to get wrapped up in it. For me, I didn't want to just experience the experience, but enjoy the experience. Q: Tell us about your first album coming out of the Idol gate. What sort of songs are going to be on it, are you going to write a lot of them, some of them? A: It's going to be a mixture of my writing, and hopefully writing with some other people. But the bottom line is I just want to come out of the gate with a solid record, so if I can do that, I'll be happy. Q: How is it that you're still single? A: Well, I have no idea. That's all I can say. Q: I wanted to know if you had any sleep. Are you awake right now? A: I got an hour and a half in mid-yesterday. And as soon as I got done yesterday, I went right to bed, so I'm moderately rested today. Q: How did you deal with all the songs? You had the group number, the duet with (David) Archuleta, you had three songs performed in the finale, and then the new song. How did you deal with all that new material for one week's worth of shows? A: They made it very, very easy for us with everything going on. It's just a matter of trying to focus in on each song at a time and not really worrying. Q: Were some of them on teleprompter? A: Yes, some of them were on the teleprompter for us. But at the end of the day, you can get the words, but it's about the performance. Q: That last song. Did you think you had a real good chance of winning? Or was it on the back of your mind because you were convinced you weren't going to win? A: You've got to hope for the best and prepare for the best, but expect the worst, and that's pretty much how I operated. I made sure I was prepared to win, but Archie (Archuleta, Cook's runner-up) did a great job. I definitely thought that if you based it off Tuesday, he deserved to win. He came out and did three amazing songs. Q: How did you guys celebrate? A: I met up with my family and we went to the 19 (Entertainment) party and just kind of hung out for a couple hours and talked to people, and I went home and called it a night. I just wasn't able to shut my brain off, apparently. Q: Your songs are like the top four downloaded songs on iTunes. How does it feel? A: Well, you know, it doesn't feel bad. I can't believe the level of support that has come out of me doing this crazy TV show. All I can do is try to embrace it and make all the effort people are putting into supporting me worthwhile. Q: When you went on, we all wrote "rocker David Cook." You were categorized right away. And then as the season went on, I was so surprised at your versatility. Did this change your feeling about other music? Would you come out with a song that was more Andrew Lloyd Webber-ish? A: I don't see myself putting out a record of standards or anything like that. For now, I'll probably end up putting out a rock record because I feel that's the kind of music that I enjoy playing. But that was the exciting thing about the show — I loved knowing there were things I could do that people would never expect I could do. I'm going to try to recreate that energy within this record. I want people to feel they got taken on a trip from beginning to end. I've got my work cut out for me, but it should be fun. Q: You always seem to turn songs into these incredibly emotional moments. What is it that you sort of look to, to turn them into more than a good vocal performance? A: There was a short article that Debbie, our stage manager, hung up in the break room about Frank Sinatra, and how he would go about the song process in recording a song. Before he listened to a song, he would read the lyrics and basically tune into what the lyrics were saying, and what the song was about. And then he would go into the music element of it. For me, that was really eye-opening. It made me think, "OK, I just need to sit back — I need to learn the lyrics." And that really helped as far as trying to find the vibe, you know. Q: You won by about 12 million (votes). Did you have any idea during the competition that there was that much of a gap between you and David Archuleta? A: Obviously within the bubble of Idol, it's hard to get what's going on. I thought Archie was actually a little ahead of me, if I'm being honest. There are a lot of conspiracy theories out there. I attribute the finale vote discrepancy to my fans just being awesome. I don't really know how else to explain it. My hat's off to Archie for the whole shebang. He's just an amazing, amazing human being. I was honored to share the stage with him. Q: Do you think Simon's criticism got fans to rally around you and give you that many more votes? A: I don't know. All I can hope is that it was based on my own merit. But, regardless, I'm happy where I'm at. You know, Simon is blunt and he's honest, and that's why they pay him the money. The goal was to find some constructive criticism, which sometimes was a little tough, but that's part of the show. Q: What kind of experience did working in bars and clubs give you that might have given you an edge on American Idol? A: You get pretty humble playing shows to five people. And having that experience made the Idol experience all the sweeter. To go from one extreme to another — you kind of appreciate the huge crowds and all that. Q: What's the story behind (your pre-Idol album) Analog Heart? Is there a plan for a re-release? A: Analog Heart got released independently in May 2006. I spent a good year playing and promoting that record as much as I could. A lot of people, thank God, bought the record. About midway through the season, I had to have the record pulled, obviously, for fairness issues on the show. And I got it pulled offline. But somebody, I have no idea who, reposted it on Amazon, so while that was going on, I was kind of at a loss. I talked to Amazon about getting it pulled, and there was a bunch of mass confusion about it. I'm extremely appreciative at how well it did. But I was kind of a pawn in that whole game. Q: There was sort of a theory that maybe you would be better off not winning, like (Chris) Daughtry, in terms of keeping rocker credibility. Now that you are the American Idol, your thoughts on that theory? A: Obviously, the theory is there. And did it cross my mind at any point in the competition? I mean, sure, but only as an objective point. You don't go into this with the idea that you don't want to win. I think it's a huge slap in the face to the thousands of people who auditioned this season and really wanted to win. And as far as having more success by not being a winner? That's something that'll get played out in the next couple years. Daughtry's success is amazing. But right now, I'm not trying to be Daughtry, I'm just trying to put out a solid record. Even if it doesn't do well commercially, as long as I can say I put out a record that I'm proud of — that's the goal right now, and hopefully, if I can do that, the success will follow. Q: You talked about wanting to get back to writing your own songs. But were there any of the cover songs you did this season that you were hoping to include on the album? A: As of right now, no plans. I look forward to, after the tour, maybe incorporating them into the live show, just something fun. But things change on a dime around here, so I have no idea. Q: About your brother Andrew. He's obviously so proud, and it was really touching in the finale when he mouthed the words, "That's my brother." Can you talk a little about the morning you decided to go to the audition with him, and whether he had any hard feelings? A: I really lucked out in that arena. He has been my No. 1 supporter from day one and has routinely told me how proud he is of me. I can't wait to see what happens after this, and I can't wait to hopefully help him out. And hopefully help him enjoy some of the fruits of my labor, since this is all his fault. The audition process was strange, you know. He really wanted me to audition with him, and I was just hesitant. Not for any negative association with the show, I just didn't really see this as my path, for whatever reason. But 5:30 in the morning in Omaha, standing in line and it's raining, the sun hasn't come up. And a producer comes by with a camera and interviews my brother and then turns to me. I say, "I'm not auditioning." And he says, "You are now." Life has a weird way of working itself out sometimes. Q: You weren't really thinking, "I'm going to win this thing"? A: Oh, no, not at all. I just figured I'd go in and sing a song and they'd say I wasn't what they were looking for, and I'd go back to Tulsa and work on my record some more. But apparently someone had another plan. Q: You said (on American Idol Extra) that when you look at the first few rounds (of Idol) that you don't really recognize that guy. Can you talk about that? A: This show has been great for my diet. I've lost probably 10 to 15 pounds. There was definitely a progression for me on this show. Early on, I'm talking third, fourth week in, Ken Leverne, our vocal coach, really hit home with me on a particular lesson: I put up a wall, kind of a protective barrier between me and the audience. It was a little bit of a defense mechanism to try to protect myself. He had to force me to break that down. Toward the end, I started crying a lot. There was a lot of intensity — as far as what was at stake and all the effort that had been put into it. The crying after I won was like an exhale. This whole experience has been about eight months, including the auditions. And I felt like that whole time I was holding my breath. And to be able to just breathe and enjoy the moment was amazing.

2008-05-26 - REALITY TV - David Cook Talks about Post- American Idol Album Source: http://talk.realitytvmagazine.com/american-idol/54-david-cook-talks-about-post- american-idol-album.html

May 26, 2008 07:44:49 by Joe Reality During the American Idol competition, an album by David Cook called ―Analog Heart‖ surfaced on Amazon.com. When asked about his Analog Heart album, David Cook explained, ―Analog Heart actually got released independently in May of ‘06. I spent a good year just playing out and promoting that record as much as I could. So it got sold and a lot of people, thank God, bought the record. I think I ended up close to selling out like right before I came out. Then about midway through the season, I had to have the record pulled obviously for fairness issues in the show.‖ In regards to the album showing up on Amazon.com, David Cook said, ―I got it pulled offline and then somebody – I have no idea who – reposted it on Amazon. So while all that was going on, I was kind of at a loss. I had talked to Amazon about getting it pulled and there‘s a bunch of mass confusion about it. I‘m extremely appreciative of how well it did. I thought that was amazing that it went number one. Yes, I was certainly just kind of a pawn in that whole game.‖ When asked about the release date and genre of his first post-American Idol album, David Cook said, ―Well, the ideal release date is as soon as possible if you‘re asking me, but obviously these things take time. As far as the type of record, it‘ll probably be a rock record, but I think that‘s a pretty vague generalization. I just want to make a record that‘s going to make the hair on the back of your neck stand up.‖ Even though David Cook received much praise for his cover songs on American Idol, fans will be able to look forward to originals on his album. David Cook explained, ―I just want to put out a record that‘s going to be able to stand up on its own long after I‘m gone and if I can do that, then I‘m set. The covers were great, but I‘m ready to get back into the creative process of writing songs and basically kind of baring my soul on these records, so I look forward to it.‖ When asked if he might put an Andrew Lloyd Webber-ish type song on his album, David Cook replied, ―Well I don‘t see myself putting out a record of standards or anything like that. You know, for me I‘ll probably end up putting out a rock record just because I feel like that‘s the kind of music that I enjoy playing. You know, that was the exciting thing to me about the show. I loved knowing that there were things that I could do that people would never expect that I could do. You know, Andrew Lloyd Webber night was fun for me. I loved the fact that everybody was like, ‗What?‘ I‘m going to try to recreate that energy within this record. I want this record to have some twists and turns. I want people to feel like they got taken on a trip from beginning to end. I got my work cut out for me. It should be a lot of fun.‖ When asked how it felt to so popular on YouTube and iTunes, David Cook said, ―Well you know, it doesn‘t feel bad. I can‘t believe the level of support that has come out of my doing this crazy TV show. All I can do is try to embrace it and make all the effort people are putting in to supporting me worthwhile and that‘s going to start with a record and hopefully moving down the road a tour and a lot of success, so the sky‘s the limit right now.‖

2008-05-30 - ABC NEWS - 'Idol' Cook Dating, Having 'Time of My Life'

SOURCE: http://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/story?id=4957054&page=1

By ANDREA DRESDALE and STEVEN BAKER (@stevenrbaker) May 30, 2008 A few weeks ago on "American Idol," David Cook announced that he was single. Well, it looks like his status is changing.

Monday, on ABC's "Live with Regis & Kelly," Cook admitted he took "Idol" Season Two finalist Kimberly Caldwell out on a date to Ruth's Chris steakhouse. Apparently, the date went well. Later, the 2008 winner told ABC News Radio, "She's great, and I look forward to seeing her again."

Caldwell and Cook bonded over their joint "Idol" journey. "We got a chance to talk a little bit about the whole experience, and it's nice to get a fresh perspective," Cook said. "For me, all this is new."

The newly crowned champ remains humble. "I'm just a nerd who got lucky," he said of his win.

In fact, Cook was never the sure winner. Back during Hollywood week, judge Simon Cowell voted not to let him through, but fellow judges Paula Abdul and overruled him. Cowell also declared that Cook's finalist competitor, David Archuletta, had beaten him in the final sing-off -- but fans disagreed, making Cook the winner by 12 million votes.

So, is it time to stop listening to Cowell? Cook said no. "Simon, 99 percent of the time, is pretty dead on," he said. "I can only hope I won him over."

Cook believes the key to his success on the show was the fact that he was allowed to play guitar.

"Without instruments, this season, I [would've] probably been one of the contestants that didn't make it through," Cook said. "It definitely added to my performance ability. I've talked to some past Idols, and a lot of them are very talented instrumentally. It's just the show never really catered to that. So to have that come in this season, I thought, was a blessing for me."

Cook's Favorite Songs

"Nightline" sat down with Cook this week at Southern Hospitality in New York, the sports bar co- owned by Justin Timberlake, to talk about his musical influences and favorite artists.

"I think some of the best songs are the ones that you don't really know why they grab you, they just do," he said.

Growing up, Cook says he had "a little bit of an eclectic musical upbringing," listening to everything from pop to rock to country.

"Garth Brooks' 'Thunder Rolls,' I thought was a great song," he said. "My parents always sort of allowed me to find my own way," he added. "Growing up I think the first band I got into — just following the trends like everyone else — I got into Boyz II Men and Kriss Kross and stuff like that."

"It's really funny because on the show I got to meet Mariah Carey, and one of my favorite songs Boyz II Men ever did was 'One Sweet Day' [with Carey]. I remember I bought that Mariah Carey album, actually. So it was a trip to meet her."

Cook also said he had an "awkward moment" with the superstar when the two met on "American Idol." He told Carey that one of the first records he bought was one of hers.

"I couldn't really remember what [the album was] called, so I said the one that's gold," he recalled. "She said, 'Honey, all my records are gold.' And I was like, no, the one that's actually gold." As a teenager, Cook told "Nightline" that his musical tastes continued to evolve, and he was particularly influenced by two songs with "edge" and "a little bit of angst."

"Around the age of 13, I was visiting my family in Kokomo, , for the summer and was staying with a cousin, and we were listening to radio late at night and two songs came on — 'Closer' by Nine Inch Nails and 'More Human than Human' by White Zombie. … And you know, coming into my teenage years, like a lot of kids, you're always looking for something that sounds the way you feel."

"I think the first rock album I ever got into was 's 'Ten,' specifically the song Jeremy," Cook said, adding that recently he's into the music of bands like Our Lady Peace (he performed their song "Innocent" on "American Idol") and Big Wreck.

"I've always tried to find a happy medium between being a pop rock song writer and having that kind of Big Wreck vibe, having each song stand on its own and also work in a collective. So that sort of brings us to where I am now."

'Exciting Uncertainty'

Cook says that before going on stage during "American Idol," he would listen to the Imogen Heap song "Hide and Seek" to relax. He added that the last song he performed on "Idol" — Collective Soul's 'The World I Know' — summed up the "exciting uncertainty" of the experience.

"The lyrics of that song — 'as I step to the edge and see my world below' — really I felt spoke to my experience on that show, especially towards the end because nobody, especially us contestants, know how this is going to pan out after the cameras are turned off, so it felt like after the show ended I was standing at the edge of this precipice looking down at this black void. … You know, moving forward I'm anxious, and part of that song has a lot of hopefulness to it. So in a lot of ways it felt like that was the perfect song to end the season with."

Cook certainly had his share of distractions during the competition, namely the fact that his older brother Adam is battling brain cancer. But instead of sidetracking Cook, his brother's battle kept him grounded.

"The negative things going on in my family's life were things that kind of allowed me to keep perspective on what the show is and is not," he told ABC News Radio. "I kind of went into the show with no expectations and walked out with the same. So, if nothing ever happens from here on out, I'm still pretty content."

Cook told "Nightline" that since the show ended, he's been "trying to take a break from music in order to relax."

That's pretty unlikely. Just a week after winning the top-rated TV talent show, Cook sent a record-breaking 11 new tracks onto Billboard's Hot 100 singles chart.

His debut single, "The Time of My Life," had the best showing, at No. 1 on iTunes and No. 3 on Billboard, with 236,000 downloads. It's the first release from his upcoming album, for which he is currently writing songs. He'll record the album during the "American Idols" Live tour, which starts July 1. And somewhere along the line, he hopes to fit in that trip to Disney World he said he was taking right after winning the competition.

Reuters contributed to this report

2008-05-30 - CELEB TV - American Idol Winner David Cook Ignores Dating Rules Source: http://www.celebtv.com/2008/05 May 30, 2008 4 Comments David Cook isn‘t a rules guy. The newly crowned American Idol winner says he doesn‘t abide by the conventional three-day wait period after a date. ―I don‘t really believe in any sort of theories,‖ the 25-year-old singer told the Associated Press before appearing on the Today show Thursday. ―I just kind of call when I call.‖ Earlier this week, Cook admitted he had a date with Idol alum Kimberly Caldwell. He told Regis and Kelly on Tuesday‘s Live With Regis and Kelly that the pair had a dinner date and will ―probably hang out again.‖ No word yet on whether the rocker called Caldwell, but he did respond diplomatically when asked about Caldwell Thursday morning. ―Great girl, we hung out and we‘ll see what happens,‖ he said Thursday morning. Cook defeated 17-year-old David Archuleta last week in a landslide victory. The rocker/ex-bartender transformed into this season‘s heartthrob around the time he got rid of his unpopular comb-forward haircut and grew facial scruff. When asked if his in-season makeover contributed to his success, Cook said: ―I don‘t really know. I think, you know, for me it was time to get a haircut. I forgot to shave one week. It‘s really all it is. … I hope that at the end of the day, I did well on my own musical merit.‖ Cook said he‘ll begin recording his album (slated for release in the fall) this summer while crossing the country on the American Idol’s Live! Tour. The tour, which features the show‘s top 10 contestants, kicks off July 1 in Glendale, Ariz., and ends in September in Tulsa, Okla. ―I‘m gonna do like a calypso jazz fusion record,‖ he joked. ―No, I mean big surprise: my record will probably be a rock record.‖

2008-06-XX – ACCESS HOLLYWOOD – DISH OF SALT -- David Cook and Kristy Lee Cook Talk Idol Tour – Interview (Transcript by Coolshades)

Reporter: Laura Saltman

Laura: Helloooooo

David: Hello

Kristy Lee: Hi

Laura: Cook and Cook!

David: Yeah

Kristy Lee: I know

Laura: I like it.

David: I wonder what-- what made them put us together for this.

Laura: Just so I could say that.

Kristy Lee: That's a very good question.

David: Just, just--

Laura: That's the only reason.

David: Probably just random. Like, drew out of a hat.

Kristy Lee: We have nothing in common, like...

David: I know.

Kristy Lee: Ya' know?

Laura: Exactly. Um, one of you is newly engaged, and one of you is People's Sexiest Bachelor.

[David puts his head down, visibly embarrassed. Laura laughs]

David [to Kristy Lee]: You got named People's Sexist Bachelor?

[Laura laughs]

David: That's nuts. No, just kiddin'.

[Kristy Lee laughs]

David: Uh...yeah, I mean...it's, it's cool. I mean it's, it's a pretty huge honor. And, and uh...ya' know, you grow up walkin', ya' know, through the supermarket, and you see People magazine, and...and it's like Brad Pitt, George Clooney, and all that stuff. And so to, to kinda...

Kristy Lee: And David Cook. [laughs]

David: Yeah. The name doesn't really strike me as, as [makes quote sign with left hand] sexy. But uh, I don't know. I mean, it's cool, but...at the end of the day, I, I, I hope that uh... [pauses] I hope that the music that I put out predicates it, I guess. I don't know.

Laura: Well hopefully. But it's not a bad thing...

David: It's not a bad thing, but...

Laura: ...to have on your resume, right?

David: It's not a bad thing, but...

Kristy Lee: Not at all.

David: I don't know. It's, it's uh... [pauses] it's new terr-- it's new territory for me.

Laura: Like, what are you gonna say, though? You can't be like: Yeah. I'm sexy.

David: Right, right.

Laura: You know what I mean? You have to be a little humble.

David: I don't know...

[Kristy puts out her arm and fakes a haughty look]

Kristy Lee: Hello!

David: It's, it's...I don't know. I mean, it's cool. I, I, I guess I feel a little uncomfortable about it. I don't know.

[Kristy Lee laughs]

Laura: As well you should.

David: Yeah.

Laura: Ok, let me make you more uncomfortable. [to Kristy Lee] Do you think he's sexy?

David: Awwww

Kristy Lee: David Cook is very sexy.

David: Easy, sis. Easy.

[Kristy Lee laughs]

Kristy Lee: For my brother.

David: Yeah

Laura: Yeah, that's what everyone's been saying when I've been-- they've either been teasing you and you haven't heard it. They've been, you know, saying things, and you're, you're occupied. Or they've said that you're like a brother. So they can't really...yeah...

David: Right, right.

Laura: ...say it.

Kristy Lee: Well I can literally vouch for brother, since we have the same last name.

Laura: Yeah!

[Kristy Lee laughs]

Laura: There you go. Maybe you were related in a, in a life, long, long ago.

David: Yeah perhaps. Perhaps.

Kristy Lee: I think I might look into that.

Laura: Yeah. Definitely. [to Kristy Lee] How are, uh, wedding plans going?

Kristy Lee: Uh, you know, I haven't even started planning the wedding. Um, I've been really busy with just, the tour, and getting ready for the tour. So, ya' know, after the tour is done, and hopefully I'll get an album out, um...then I'll start planning it. [laughs]

Laura: That's a good answer. [To David] How's your hot romance going? [laughs]

David [smiling]: It's good.

[Laura laughs]

Laura: Is that the strangest thing in your life, though? That nobody could care any the less about you, and now all of a sudden it's like: Who are you dating? What are you doing?

David: Well I...I think...I, I think for me like, it sounds so cliche to say, but I got into music because I wanted to make music. And, and uh...so it's funny whe-- it's funny now, like, cuz people ask me about my personal life. And, and, and there's, there's such an ab-- such an absurdity associated with everybody just, from all corners askin' about it. It's like: I don't feel like I have one. Um...so, ya' know, for me, I, I'm, I'm stoked about this tour, cuz I feel like to some degree, it's a bit of an escape. Like, I can get out on the road and concentrate on music, and...and uh...but uh...

Laura: Until an interview comes up.

[David laughs]

Laura: Then you're in big trouble again. [laughs]

David: Right, right. So ya' know, I mean, I'm in a good place in my life. I, I think on all fronts I'm, I'm happy. So...um...that's, that's my concern. That's what I'm concerned about. As long as I'm happy with every aspect of my life, then...

Kristy Lee: There you go.

David: It's all good.

Laura: So what are some of the songs you guys are gonna be singin' on this tour?

Kristy Lee: Well uh, we're definitely gonna be...bringing some stuff up from what we did on the show. Um...but basically it's gonna be kind of what we wanna do. So, I'm going to my country roots, and doin' some rock and country stuff. And uh, I believe Dave is going to be singing some contemporary music. [laughs]

David: Yeah. That's...

[Kristy Lee puts a hand on David's shoulder]

David: ...some calypso. Uh...a little bit of free-form jazz.

Laura: Yeah!

[Kristy Lee laughs]

David: No I, I mean...

Laura: Maybe throw in some of that "So You Think You Can Dance"...

David: Right, right.

Laura: ...like, lyrical stuff.

David: I've actually got a seven-minute, uh, interpretive dance routine...

Laura: Oh

David: ...in the middle of my set. Um...

Kristy Lee: Break dancing

David: Yeah. No, my, my vibe is probably, obviously gonna be rock.

Laura: Yeah

David: And um...but uh, ya' know, I've got some twists and turns in there. And, and some stuff-- uh, my goal is to try to make my set, uh, a little um, audience-friendly, and get some interaction and...

Laura: Yeah

David: ...and so uh...that's kinda where I'm headin'. But I, I-- ya' know, everybody's gonna have their own vibe and their own set. And so...I, I think for the people that come to the tour, there'll be a little somethin' for everybody. So if you don't like rock, um, there'll be R & B, there'll be country. And...uh, ya' know...every other...

Laura: If you don't like Syesha, there'll be Ramiele. If you dont' like Mich-- there's something for everybody, right? [laughs]

David: Yeah, yeah. You'll like somebody. You know? Um...and if you don't like anybody, then...

[Laura laughs]

Laura: Don't come.

David: Then maybe you don't like music. I don't know.

[Laura and Kristy Lee laugh]

David: So...but I, I mean, there really is something for everybody. So...

Laura: Are you gonna do any of, uh, original stuff that you guys have written before? Are you allowed to do that? Or is that not allowed?

Kristy Lee: I...I don't know about everybody else but, um, I'm not going to, just because I want to do stuff that people know. That they can really be like: Ohhh I love that song.

Laura: Yeah

Kristy Lee: You know?

Laura: Yeah

Kristy Lee: So...it's kinda that.

Laura [to David]: And you?

David: Uh...nah, there's no original music for me on this one. I, I, I think uh...I think with it being the AI tour, I think we're all kinda...

Laura: Yeah

David: ...still on the whole...doin' other people's stuff. So, um...but ya' know, they let us do our own spin on stuff, and, and uh...ya' know, for us it's, for us it's just about gettin' out there and sayin' thank you to these people that, that invested their time and their phone bills in us before, and now are obviously buyin' tickets to the show. So...uh, ya' know, this is just but...one big glad-fest.

Laura: Well I think people are interested to see what you're gonna do with your first album.

David: Uh, ya' know, I...it's, it's been really interesting. I, I've gotten into the writing process and...and uh...ya' know for me, I just, I wanna put out music that, that, that, that...is still...ya' know, popular music, but also kinda strays from that, like, one-four-five chord progression, vibe. So...um...yeah, it's been interesting so far. I've come up with some really cool songs, and...and uh...stuff that uh, I'm really proud of. I feel like I...I, I am at a place musically that I've never been before. So it's...it's uh...it's interesting. This record will be... [pauses] it'll be somethin'. Yeah.

Laura [to Kristy Lee]: Now you gonna head off back to uh, or not back to, cuz you're not from there, but you gonna go to Nashville, and go the country route after the tour is over?

Kristy Lee: Um, I definitely think after the tour. I already looked-in to buying a house over there. So, um...I, it looks like my plans are headed towards Nashville.

Laura: And how's the uh, soon to be hubby think about that?

Kristy Lee: Actually, uh, he's, he's very excited. Um, his-- today is his birthday.

Laura: Aw.

David: Ahhhh

Laura: Happy birthday.

Kristy Lee: Aw, thanks. [laughs]

David: Happy Birthday, Andy!

Kristy Lee: Thanks Andy!

Laura: Happy birthday!

Kristy Lee: And uh, no, he, he actually had a bit of a bad birthday. He, like, broke his ankle, so...

David: Oh!

Kristy Lee: Yeah. But--

Laura: And his, his leading lady is not with him.

Kristy Lee: Yeah

David: So it's either a really bad birthday or a really good birthday.

Kristy Lee: Yeah. It's either really bad or really good. But...no, um...he, he's really excited. He's actually very excited to move to Nashville. He's like: "Oh my gosh! I can't wait to go there and get, like, our own life started!" And then he's like: "Are there woods, so I can go in the mountains?" Yes. There...there's woods. [laughs] There's two trees out back, Andy. [laughs]

END OF INTERVIEW

2008-06-01 - SEVENTEEN - Dating: Seventeen questions for David Cook Source: http://www.seventeen.com/dating/17-questions/david-cook-17q-0608

David Cook American Idol winner David Cook answers Seventeen's juicy questions, including why he'd like to trade places with his dog! 1. When was your first kiss? I was in seventh grade, so that makes me how old? Twelve or 13. 2. Who's your celebrity crush? Not sure, actually. I’m gonna say Burt Bacharach. 3. What's a girl fashion trend that confuses you? The whole uncomfortable-shoes thing. I understand to a degree the "pain is beauty" thing, but the whole scrunching your toes into a shoe that's two sizes too small because it matches your dress seems a little absurd to me. 4. What's the girly movie you secretly love? Three to Tango. 5. What's your TV guilty pleasure? Mythbusters. 6. Who would play you in the movie version of your life? My brother Andrew. Or myself. 7. What's your dream job? Musician. 8. If you could trade places with anyone in the world for one day, who would it be? I’m gonna go with my dog, Penny. I think there’s something very beautiful in being able to go through a day and not have to worry about anything except "Why didn’t my owner put food in my dish?" 9. Who in your family are you closest to? I’m close to pretty much everybody in my family. I don’t know that I could single out one person. I’m a big proponent of family. 10. What's your favorite Website? Funnyordie.com, specifically Will Ferrell's "The Landlord." Wow, I didn’t even have to think about that one. 11. What's the fast food you can't live without? Burger King chicken sandwich, light on the lettuce. 12. What's your worst habit? I don’t know that this is a habit, but when you're turning the volume up on the radio — you know, you get the numbers from zero to 50 — the number always has to be an even number or a multiple of five for me. I'm a bit of a neurotic that way. 13. What's the last song you listened to on your iPod? "Breathe" by Anna Nalick. 14. What's the last thing you bought? Toothpaste. Colgate Baking Soda & Peroxide with Oxygen Bubbles. Why do I remember that? 15. What did you dream about last night? I was playing baseball with kids that I used to play baseball with, but I was an adult. It was a good dream. 16. How much money is in your wallet right now? I think $60 left over from when I took my brother to Santa Monica Pier for his birthday. 17. Fill in the blank: When I was 17, I was ______. Awkward.

2008-06-02 - TV GUIDE - King David

Source: Unknown

Moments after ex-bartender David Cook‘s name was called in a shocking 12-million-vote landslide victory over teen dream David Archuleta, Cook‘s euphoric family gathered in the back of the Los Angeles‘ Nokia Theatre. His father, mother, stepdad, grandmother and brother Andrew group-hugged this reporter as they struggled to put the experience into words, ―All I can say is, ‗Whooo!‘‖ yelled Andrew, whose own Idol audition led to David‘s tryout. ―I screamed out lout when they announced his name!‖ mom Beth Foraker added. Said his stepdad, ―I clapped so hard, I busted a blood vessel in my hand. What a night!‖

And what a family affair. Thanks to an anonymous donor, Cook‘s older brother Adam, who‘s battling brain cancer, and his wife, Kendra, were able to make the trip to L.A. (They watched the show from a seat in the balcony, away from prying cameras.) More than three hours after winning, an exhausted and thrilled Cook wrapped up his Idol journey the same way he began it last summer at the Omaha audition: with brother Andrew by his side.

―There are no words to describe what it means to be surrounded by those I love most on this night of all night,‖ said David. Andrew lightened the mood: ―He‘s still just my big brother. He‘s still the guy who used to come into my room in the morning and go, ‗you‘re doing my chores today. I‘m going back to bed‘, and walk out scratching his butt.‖

In fact, as David took a seat to chat with TV GUIDE, the 25-year-old Idol seemed sincerely humbled by the experience.

After the final performance show, many expected David Archuleta would win. Did you expect you’d emerge victorious? Not even a passing thought. I went into this week just to have fun. I respect and admire Archie for what he‘s done this season …. I would‘ve voted for him.

Ryan Seacrest announced on the show that you’d won by 12 million votes. That’s a pretty decisive victory, no? We need a recount! There‘s no way it was that large. I refuse to believe it.

Simon was very harsh with you during the final round, particularly for choosing ―The World I Know’ by Collective Soul. Why did you decide to stand up for yourself? I almost but my tongue. But that was my last moment as a competitor on this show, and I felt like it needed to be said. So to have him apologize to me tonight, I appreciate it, but I never really felt disrespected by what he said. I tried to decipher the constructive criticism out of it. Because it‘s the Idol finale, but it‘s not the career finale, hopefully. So I saw it as something I could take with me after this.

How were you the morning of the finale – anxious, excited? I got up at about 6:15, and the day was all about going through the paces. We had so much going on that I didn‘t even think about the fact that I was gonna find out if I was the next American Idol or not.

Really? How is that even possible? I know, right? But with all the medleys and being able to play with ZZ Top, I was just excited. If I took second place, I still had a great time. I couldn‘t have imagined this. This is great. It‘s such a trip! I‘m totally stoked. This is something that 102,999 other people would have killed for this season, so it‘s very humbling to be the last one standing. And to be able to do it on my own terms is, I think, what means the most to me. I don‘t feel like I compromised myself all this season. That‘s what I walk away from this with. That‘s what I‘m most proud of.

Why was it so important to do it your way? It just goes to show you, there‘s no formula for winning this. Be who you are and if it works, it works, if it doesn‘t, it doesn‘t. But I think if anything can be learned from me doing this, there‘s a quote – I think it‘s ―Luck is when opportunity meets preparedness‖ – and that‘s literally what happened. The opportunity presented itself, and I‘d been playing music long enough to have some inkling of who I am as an artist, and when the American Idol people saw something in me, we ran with it. And here I am.

Ryan sure took his sweet time announcing which David had won. What was going through your mind between the ―David‖ and the ―Cook‖? I was just trying to remember to breathe because it was just one of those moments where you could easily stop. It definitely felt like the longest pause in history. I was glad I got to share that moment with Archie.

How did it feel to front ZZ Top? I figured it was gonna be, they show up, I sing a verse and play guitar. But I met them yesterday, we kind of went over the song, and they told me I was gonna sing the whole thing. I was like, ‗No, it‘s your song,‖ but they insisted. They were really excited to do it, which was cool, because I was geeked! To be able to share the stage with them was something to keep in the memory bank, for sure.

Were you intimidated at all playing guitar with them? No, but only because I simplified that as much as possible. I think I droned out one chord forever. (Laughs)

You looked pretty comfortable fronting a band. Do you think you’ll do that, a la Daughtry, or go solo? Why not both? I just want to get out there. I wanna get the ball rolling on my record. Those discussions will come. I‘m just trying to wrap my head around tonight.

Will you be writing some material? I‘m definitely going to be involved in the writing process. The reason I got into music was I wanted to be creative and take the negative energy I carry with me and turn it into a positive source.

What else do you see in your future? The sky‘s the limit. I said when I first got on this show that I wanted to win a Grammy and an Oscar. I figure if I set lofty goals for myself, even if I fall short, I still do OK. Tonight was step one, down. Now it‘s on to step two.

2008-06-03 - FOX News Radio - Interview with David Cook (Transcript by Coolshades)

SOURCE: http://dclibrary-radio.4shared.com

Interviewer: Dave Anthony

Dave: I'm Dave Anthony, FOX News Radio, and we're spending a few moments with David Cook, THE American Idol. What does that sound like?

David: Uh...still a little absurd [laughs]

Dave: Absurd because you said -- you know, you, you didn't really intend -- you didn't think you'd even get in.

David: No, I mean, I [pauses] I never really saw this as my path. And, and once I got on it was..kinda...a million miles a minute. So...

Dave: You went there with your brother.

David: Yeah. My little brother Andrew - he'd wanted to audition for a couple years, and so decided that Omaha was the time for him. And I, I offered my moral support and showed up, and uh...

Dave: Now did you -- I mean your brother, did he tell you you'd probably get through? I mean, was he thinkin' you'd make it at least to the...the L.A.? I mean-

David: Uh...

Dave: Did he think you could?

David: Well, you know we never really talked about it, just cuz everything happened so fast. I think I was standin' in line with him still not intending to audition. And...uh...

Dave: Why not? I mean, you sang.

David: Yeah, ya know it's just - ya' know for me, it just never really seemed like my path. I was content doin' what I was doin' in Tulsa. And ya' know, recordin' records independently and, and travelin', and...uh...

Dave: Did you even watch Idol?

David: Very residually. I, ya' know, I watched a little bit the year that Daughtry was on. And...

Dave: Right. Cuz it-- and people have compared you two, because he was the rocker.

David: Yeah

Dave: The first one.

David: Absolutely, absolutely. Ya' know, but past that, ya' know... ya' know it just wasn't something that ... I guess didn't really appeal to me. Ya' know, no discredit to the show, cuz I, I never really looked at it as the root of all evil or anything like that. I think, I think it's a great opportunity. Uh...

Dave: Well, it turned out to be a pretty good one for you. [laughs]

David: Right. Yeah, it seems to have worked-out.

Dave: Yeah. Now you got into the show, and then you got branded the Rocker right away.

David: Yeah

Dave: Uh, was that hard? Or did you-- were you happy?

David: Um...ya' know, I'm not a hundred percent sure of what that term means. I sing . I don't know that that necessarily makes me a "rocker" or anything like that. Um...ya' know for me it was-

Dave: But you play the guitar...

David: Yeah, I mean, I certainly play rock music. So I, I get the connotation I guess. But I felt like there was a little bit...I felt like I had a little bit more depth than that. And so for me it was just a matter of: Ok, here's a challenge. And , ya' know, let's meet it head-on. And so, I liked kinda spinnin' everybody's idea of me on its head a little bit throughout the season. That honestly made it fun for me.

Dave: For a lot of people, you had them at "Hello."

David: Oh, yeah

Dave: That was the song [David laughs]

Dave: That, that really put you out there. Because no one had heard a version like that. And even Lionel Ritchie apparently said he loved it.

David: Yeah, I-- ya' know that was amazing. To have somebody of his caliber, um-

Dave: Yeah he's done alright in the business.

David: ...say, say my name, ya' know? It was just like: Whoa. Yeah that song was fun. Ya' know, I'd had, ya' know, conversations with b- … with ex band members back in Tulsa. And, and we'd kinda-- they'd played it at some acoustic gigs, and we'd always kinda joked like: That would be a great power ballad. Ya' know? And I'd had two kinda rough weeks comin' in. Simon wasn't really in tune with what I was doin'. So I was like: Ya' know, if I'm gonna go home, I'm gonna go home havin' fun. So...threw that song together. And ...

Dave: But that put pressure on you, didn't it? People were like: Oh what's he gonna do this week? What great song is he gonna change and be-- and make really different this week?

David: Um...

Dave: Did you feel that pressure? Or no?

David: No. I mean, I didn't really. Uh, ya' know, for me, I...I just...I guess I just had it ingrained in my head that, like, I was just gonna do whatever I found fun and interesting. And if it worked out, great. And if it didn't, then ..ya' know, then I'd go home, and I was on American Idol, which there's a ton of people that would have killed to be in that position. So...

Dave: Oh yeah, absolutely. I mean, and then you had, like, 30 million people watch you and David in the finale.

David: It was amazing, yeah.

Dave: What's he like?

David: Archie? Um...

Dave: I mean, you guys really are not the same [laughs]. It's so different watching you two.

David: Yeah, yeah. Um...Archie's uh...he's a very quiet, very polite, very genuine 17-year-old kid, ya' know? But he has such a firm grasp on who he is and what he wants to do. I wish I'd have had that focus at his age, ya' know? I wish I had that focus now. Um...

Dave: But I mean, this is what he's gonna do. I mean...

David: Yeah. I mean...

Dave: I mean, finished second. He's done really good for himself.

David: Absolutely. I mean, it's a rare occurrence to find somebody of David Archuleta's caliber where not only do you have the talent, but you have the drive, and, and you have just kinda the one-track mind to know exactly who it is that you wanna be.

Dave: And now, what about you? I mean, you now have the single, of course, because you win American Idol.

David: Mm-hmm

Dave: And you have an album that you have to do.

David: Yeah

Dave: What about your older stuff? That-- like, the album that was so successful, that, that did all this great selling on the internet-

David: Yeah

Dave: --while you were on the show

David: Yeah [sigh]

Dave: --causing controversy. What happens with all that?

David: Well, I mean, we submit those songs to the process and, and see how they fare. Ya' know, this-- I, I just want this record to be as strong as possible. And so, um...

Dave: So you could do maybe some of those songs?

David: Yeah, I mean, I pride myself on the songwriting that I've done. But I also get that I'm 25 years old, and I got the world to learn. So ya' know, we're gonna bring in, ya' know, some , and I might wanna collaborate. And we're gonna see what happens. So...

Dave: This won't be the same, though. I mean, you're not gonna have the only say, I guess, in this process.

David: Well, I may not have the only say, but I will have the final say. Ya' know...

Dave: OK

David: And so...cuz, at the end of the day, ya' know, I've got-- I've gotta be able to put my heart behind this record. And if it doesn't pan out like that, then I think it's way too much to ask for me to have to go out and try to push this record that I don't believe in. So… ya' know, and as far as the single right now, I'm....kinda blown away by it. Ya' know I I heard the song for the first time, ya' know about a week and a half, two weeks before the finale. And I just thought it was a great song, ya' know? It's ya' know, 6/8 time signature. And f-- … and just the feel of the song I thought meshed well with me. So to have the public embrace it the way they did. Ya' know it's number one on iTunes right now, which is huge for me.

Dave: Well you've, you've had that success [laughs]

David: Yeah

Dave: ...on the internet for awhile now.

David: Well, I mean it's just, it's amazing to, to see [pauses] the level of support I've gotten through the show just kinda perpetuate itself into sales like that. So ...I can only hope that [laughs] that the record will do that well.

Dave: When do you reflect and say: Wow, what just happened to me?

David: Uh...I'll probably reflect on this years down the road, after its, after I've had a minute to breathe. Ya' know, everything's happenin' so quick now. It kinda hits in 20-second bursts, really. Ya' know, where I get to uh...uh...try to wrap my head around what's going on, ya' know?

Dave: Yeah

David: It's my first trip out here to New York, and uh..it's just, it's amazing, ya' know, to, to uh, to be where I'm at right now. I'm certainly not uh, I'm not upset.

Dave: [chuckles] Very few people have been in your shoes at this point, but...

David: Absolutely

Dave: Uh, good luck to you.

David: Thank you

Dave: Got the album and the tour

David: Yeah

Dave: Very busy time ahead. And again, uh, David Cook. The uh, new American Idol. Thanks for joinin' us.

David: My pleasure. Thank you for havin' me.

Dave: We've been spendin' a few moments with David Cook. I'm Dave Anthony, and this is FOX News Radio.

END OF INTERVIEW

2008-06-05 - 104.5 XLO (Boston, MA) - Interview with David Cook – (Transcript by Coolshades)

SOURCE: http://dclibrary-radio.4shared.com

Interviewers: Zito and Jen

Zito: Well this is exciting for us. We watched this guy go right down to the wire. This year's winner, American Idol David Cook joins us. Hi David.

David: Hey man, how are ya'?

Zito: Aw pretty good, pretty good.

Jen: You're livin' the life David. We must say. We've seen you everywhere. David. I know. It's nuts, right? I just uh, I, I get off the show, and I'm thinkin' hey I'm gonna get this nice break, see family, and...man it's been non-stop. But uh...

Zito: Not so much. But we did see you singin' the National Anthem at the Staples Center the other night.

David: Yeah.

Zito: And, and you know that our Boston Celtics are involved very directly with the NBA Finals.

David: Yeah, Yeah. I, I read that somewhere. [Jen laughs]

Zito: Yeah. So we have to know, we have to know your pick for the NBA Finals, David.

David: Alright. Well here's, here's uh, here-- here's my PC answer for ya'.

Jen: Ok.

David: I uh, my, my older brother Adam actually went to Indiana State University. Larry Bird is an alum.

Zito and Jen: Ok

David: So I want the Celtics to pull it out a little bit.

Jen: Yay! [laughs]

David: So I'm gonna say the Celtics.

Zito: Nice job, David.

Jen: David, you, you just mentioned your brother Adam. How's he doin'?

David: He's doin' well. Just celebrated a birthday. And uh, ya' know, movin' on full steam ahead. Just tryin' to, tryin' to beat it. So um..It-- it's uh, it-- it, it, it's been, it's been interesting, ya' know, to say the very least. But at the moment he's doin' really really well. And uh, I actually got a chance to head out to Indiana for a day to help him celebrate his birthday. So it was, it was a good time.

Zito: Oh, that's great. I was readin' the little Q & A you had in People magazine.

David: Uh-huh

Zito: Lot of uh, lot of Michael Johns talk. Is there a little mancrush going on there, David? [Jen and David laugh]

David: No, not so much a mancrush. I've heard mancrush, I've heard bromance, I've heard all sorts of words. Uh...

Jen: [laughing] BROMANCE!

Zito: Bromance! Yeah, that's a good one.

David: Uh, Mike...

Zito: I like that.

David: Mike, Mike and I hit it off uh, in Hollywood week. Uh, it was the two of us and Luke Menard and Jason Yeager. And we all just kinda buddied-up, and...

Zito: Oh, Ok

David: Uh...ya' know, didn't really imagine that all four of us were gonna make it to the Top 24. So when we did, it was just, ya' know, just kinda solidified some things. Mike, Mike's been a... a, a great friend throughout all of this, and a huge kinda, um, ya' know, part of my support team. So...uh, he was actually my roommate for awhile.

Zito: Yeah, but-

David: Which was interesting.

Zito: He does have -

David: Uh, Mike-

Zito: That sexy foreign accent, though. C'mon, David.

Jen: Oh, Yeah. Please.

David: Yeah, Yeah. Y-- It's tough to-- it's tough to understand him on the phone. Uh... [Jen laughs]

Zito: Oh no kidding. Oh, I didn't think of that.

David: But uh, but he's uh, I'll tell ya' what, Mike Johns is an absolute stand-up guy. And, and uh, ya' know, I couldn't ask for a better friend through all this. So he's been great.

Jen: Well David, I have to let you know that every year around American Idol, we do this thing called our American Idol bet. I had selected David Cook.

David: Nice.

Jen: And look who's the big winner. Yeah, I picked you!

David: Very-- well good call.

Jen: Yeah.

David: I'm glad, I'm glad uh, I'm glad I could help you be correct.

Zito: Well I, I, I had picked David Archuleta. And you, you really seemed like-- I mean, what is he, seventeen years old?

Jen: Seventeen years old, yeah.

Zito: You-

David: Seventeen, yeah.

Zito: There really was sort of a big brother vibe, there. Is that the kind of relationship you have with young Mr. Archuleta?

David: Uhhh, you know what, it, it's, a little bit. Uh, a lot of it's just predicated on, on, on me just having a huge amount of respect for him. He's so immensely talented....that it, it, it's almost disgusting. [Zito and Jen laugh]

David: So...

Jen: Almost [laughs]

Zito: It's unbelievable, isn't it? For a kid that age.

David: Yeah.

Zito: Imagine.

David: Oh man, I-

Zito: By the time he's your age, he'll be unbelievable!

David: Ya' know he's, he's, he's got such a focus at his age, that, ya' know, I'm 25, and, and I'm not 100% sure that I have that kind of focus. He's, he's very, very aware of his surroundings, and what he wants.

Jen: Is that, is-

David: And, and, that's-

Jen: In your opinion, is that partly because-- I mean, we kept reading all these stories about his dad. And how-- ya' know, did he-- did you notice him putting a lot of pressure on him?

David: No, not at all. I-- uh...Jeff, um, loves his son, wants his son to do well. And-

Jen: Right

David: And I saw nothing but that. Um...

Zito: Yeah, so you didn't witness any of-

David: He uh, Jeff's got a really keen musical mind. Ya 'know, he's-

Zito: Oh really?

David: He was uh, he was a jazz trumpeter, I, I think. For a long time. So...

Zito: I see, yeah. He's a musician.

David: Uh, yeah. So, I, I, I never saw anything negative on that. And, and, honestly, ya' know, if uh, if I had the time [chuckles] ya' know, I probably still wouldn't have seen anything. It was, everybody was so kinda...busy with their own thing that we all just kinda let each other do their thing. So I never saw anything negative at all.

Zito: Well uh, David Cook, continued success. Uh, Time of My Life is blowin' up. And I'm sure it won't be the last we hear of you. We, we think you're gonna be around for a long time, and...

David: Aw, thank you.

Zito: We appreciate ya' bein' on with us, and uh, say hi to your sweetie pie Michael Johns, there. [Jen laughs]

David: [laughing] Will do. You guys take care. [Zito laughs]

Zito: Alright, pal. David Cook.

Jen: Have a great day!

Zito: Thanks, man.

David: Alright. Take care.

Jen: Bye

David: Bye

END OF INTERVIEW

2008-06-05 - Kansas City Radio – Interview (Transcript by Coolshades)

SOURCE: http://dclibrary-radio.4shared.com

Interviewer: What can you tell us about the record?

David: Uh...well it'll be a jazz calypso record. And um...no I'm lyin'. [interviewer laughs]

David: The uh, um, it'll be a rock record. But uh, ya' know, the goal is to, to kinda put some twists and turns in it and make it, make it a little interesting. So...

Interviewer: Do you have, uh, songs picked for it already?

David: Um...we're actually in the writing process right now. Uh, I've got, ya' know, some songs, um, that I've done in the past to, to-- that have been submitted. But uh...nothin', nothin' as of yet has been decided. I have no idea what's gonna be on this record and what won't. So...

Interviewer: Will, um...so you've submitted songs, like, off the Analog Heart record?

David: Uh...it's just been-- basically off of, uh, everything that I've done.

Interviewer: Right

David: Um...from my first band, uh...to now. So...

Interviewer: Do they know whether you're gonna be part of a band? Or are you just gonna be solo, with, ya' know, a regular group of musicians behind you? Has that been decided?

David: Um...well I'm actually, uh, I, I would like to do, um...somethin' a little bit in between. Kinda, ya' know, it might end up bein' a little...ambiguous, I guess.

Interviewer: Mm-hmm

David: But uh...um...ya' know, I, I just, I, I like the idea of a band atmosphere. Uh...just because it, ya' know, you get out on the road and, and uh, to be able to...kinda have a, a quote unquote band of brothers...

Interviewer: Mm-hmm

David: Um...ya' know, definitely would kinda ease the transition. But uh...ya' know, at this stage of the game, uh, we're, we're more just kinda bouncin' around a lot of ideas, and nothin's been *completely* set in stone. Um...but uh, I'm, I'm, I'm of the mind that a b-- that a band wouldn't be such a bad idea.

Interviewer: Um, I wanted to ask you a little bit about your time here in Kansas City when you were um, working w-- with bands and, and doing club wars and things like that. What do you remember about that time, and what did you learn back then that--

David: Um...

Interviewer: ...maybe still applies.

David: Man, I just remember....I, I just remember playin' shows for next to no money, and havin' nobody there, and still lovin' it.

Interviewer: Mm-hmm Daivd: And, and uh...ya' know, and doin' those kind of shows were probably more...eye-opening for me. Ya' know, showing me that this is really, really what I wanted to do.

David: Mm-hmm

David: Um...as opposed to...ya' know, a lot of the bigger shows. Um, cuz it's...it's easy to, to get that feeling when you're playin' in front of a few hundred people and they're all really in to what you're doin'. But...if you can have that same feeling playin' to, ya' know, an empty club, um...probably means you're doin' somethin' right for yourself. So...

Interviewer: You never got discouraged?

David: Ah, well...uh...yeah , I mean, I got discouraged. I think that ha-- that'll happen to anybody. Ya' know, you, you take your, your lumps and you move on. But...uh, in ten years of bein' in bands, um...yeah, I mean, there were times I got discouraged and wondered if...ya' know, if I was gonna be one of those, uh...one of those sob stories down the road, ya' know?

Interviewer: Mm-hmm

David: The, the, the road to where I'm at is paved with a, with a ton of musicians who are far more talented than me that never got the opportunity, so...

Interviewer: Mm-hmm

David: I feel like I'm not only representing myself, but, in, in a very small way, maybe representing a lot of those people too.

Interviewer: So what prompted you to move to Tulsa?

David: Um...ya' know, I'd been in the Kansas City scene for a long time, and...um...just thought that maybe a change of scenery would kind of spike some, some uh, some inspiration...

Interviewer: Mm-hmm

David: And so...the opportunity to, to, to move down to Tulsa sh-- had, had come up. And...and I, uh, ya' know, I'd traveled to Tulsa a lot to play shows. And...and uh, ya' know, really kinda fallen in love with, with, with just the, the music vibe down there. So...

Interviewer: Mm-hmm

David: Uh...just seemed like a natural progression to me. And it was close enough to, to home that I could come back and...and uh, and not feel like I had dropped a fortune. So...

Interviewer: Was the scene much different down there from what it is in Kansas City?

David: Um...ya' know there's, there, there were different nuances. I, I, I think overall, ya' know, good music is good music. So...um, but uh, ya' know, Kansas City's got a great...obviously a jazz history. And then uh, ya' know, with the indie scene in Lawrence, uh, kinda..in, integrating into that scene. And...uh, it was just uh, Kansas City was...was uh, a little bit more of a melting pot. Um...uh, and, but Tulsa kinda had uh...had a few more pop sensibilities, I guess. Ya' know, you get artists like Garth Brooks and Hanson that come out of the area, and still call that place home. Um...ya' know, for me it was, it was just about...um...ya' know, getting, getting into this head space and getting into this environment...um, that, that cultivated, ya' know, the kind of music that, that I wanted to write. Which was uh, just ya' know, good rock with some pop sensibility to it.

Interviewer: Sure. Uh, let's talk about the show now. Um...let's start with the finale. Cuz I was out there for that, uh, part two, and uh...

David: Oh, really?

Interviewer: What struck me was uh...just how much work-- or preparation you must-- you and the other David had to go through to pull that off. With-- between commercials, and the Mike Myers skit, and dance routines, and learning songs, and...how long were those days?

David: It wasn't, it wasn't unfathomable to do a 12-15 hour work day. Um...just kinda preppin' for it. But...ya' know it never-- it, and oddly enough, and I say this thing, and quite honestly, it never felt...like a long day. I mean, there were times when it got a little bit more...uh...maybe stressful?

Interviewer: Mm-hmm

David: Um, cuz obviously, ya' know, it's a huge platform. But...ya' know, Archie and I were both...pretty firm in our resolve that this, ya' know, love what you do and do what you love. And, and, and we were certainly kinda, for lack of a better word, afraid of livin' the dream at that point. So...

Interviewer: But there was a lot to remember, wasn't there?

David: Oh for sure, for sure. And, and uh...how we both managed to make it through it relatively unscathed is, is beyond me. It's uh, ya' know, it's definitely uh...you, you learn it, and then you kinda have to omit it from memory until you get to that point, and then just hope that you can...kinda recapture the, the memory of what...

Interviewer: Sure

David: ...what's supposed to happen when. So...

Interviewer: When did you find out you would be, um, performing with ZZ Top?

David: I found out, uh, about a week before.

Interviewer: Ok

David: And uh...

Interviewer: What was your, what was your reaction to that?

David: Oh, I mean, just...[laughs] glee, really. For lack of a better word. It was just, ya' know...I uh, I can't say that I was ever a huge ZZ Top fan, ya' know? But...to, to, to have any knowledge of music, uh, as, as far-- from a pop culture standpoint, I mean, we have to...recognize and acknowledge just how important ZZ Top is.

Interviewer: Mm-hmm

David: And...and so, uh, to be able to share the stage with them was great. And the fact that they were so kinda down-to-earth, and...and really opted to make it easy as possible for me, ya' know...

Interviewer: Yeah

David: Obviously with...twenty million other things goin' on. They were fantastic. And uh...

Interviewer: What'd they say to ya'?

David: Uh...they just um, ya' know they just, they just tried to give me, ya' know, little snippets of advice here and there.

Interviewer: Mm-hmm

David: Just, ya' know, enjoy it for what it is. And, and uh, ya' know just have fun. I mean, that's what Wednesday night was about, for sure. I mean, the votes are in. There's nothin' you can do. So may as well just enjoy it. And uh...and, and I mean I, I, I honestly did. Like just to...share the stage with them, and with Bryan Adams, and George Michael, and...and, and so many other people that were very, very giving of their time. I mean...that was massive.

Interviewer: You uh, will be back here for two shows in Kansas City. I think it's in August, um...

David: Yeah, 29th through 30th of August.

Interviewer: Um...what do you remember about your visit back home here down at the Power and Light District? And um...the re-- the response you got here. Which...

David: That was...

Interviewer: ...must have been pretty overwhelming.

David: Absolutely overwhelming. Yeah, I mean, you hit the nail on the head. It was just, uh...to talk to the crowd, and see old friends that I hadn't talked to in awhile, and...and uh, ya' know, just to, just to kinda see that kind of support, ya' know? For, for a nerd who got lucky on a TV show...ya' know, to have to see that many people kinda rally around. Uh...it definitely recharged my batteries goin' in to the end of the season, and...and uh, ya' know, I honestly have to credit a huge part of this win to that. Ya' know, just uh...to kinda know that, ya' know, win lose or draw, that I got that many people in my, in my corner is...is pretty heavy.

Interviewer: Um, I wanted to ask you about the, the Dolly Parton week. Where, um...

David: Uh-huh

Interviewer: You did um, uh, "Little Sparrow."

David: Uh-huh

David: And um...sounded great. But also, th-- there was uh, there was a story about that afterwards, you needed, uh, some medical attention, and...

David: Mm-hmm

Interviewer: All that that was goin' on. What, what, what do you want to say about that week? And, and just...

David: Um, well just that...that was probably the first inkling to me that...the...that my life had really changed.

Interviewer: Mm-hmm

David: Um...it was just so strange, cuz it was such a, it was such a precautionary thing.

Interviewer: Mm-hmm

David: I, I was no-- I was in no immediate danger. Um, ya' know, I've, I, I've, I've got genetically high blood pressure and...uh, ya' know, it just spiked a little bit. And it wasn't anything major. I wasn't...in, in any risk of death or anything like that.

Interviewer: Mm-hmm

David: Um...it was just kind of a precaution. And, and it just got blown so far out of proportion. Um...and I learned a really important lesson from that. And, and, the lesson I learned was just...90% of this whole celebrity thing is so absurd. [interviewer laughs]

David: Ya' know? It, uh, I mean, it's nice, it's nice to have some name recognition, ya' know, to be able to use for the things that are important to me, ya' know. But uh, ya' know, I'd, I'd heard that some news stations reported that I died. And uh, I mean, I just thought that was such a...a gross miscalculation. Ya' know all-- and all you can really do is kinda laugh about it. But...that whole experience, just...it was hard for me to wrap my head around. I just thought, I thought, I found it to be so...abnormal. Um...that...all I could do was laugh it off and move on.

Interviewer: Um, and also there's been-- there were a lot of questions about this necklace you wore with the star on it. Sorry, I didn't notice it. But, but um...a lot of ladies want to know what that means.

David: Um, well, it was actually given to me by our stylist, Miles, at um...at a m-- I, I think it was a merch shoot for the Top 10 for this tour that we're doing.

Interviewer: Oh, Ok. Mm-hmm

David: And um...and he gave it to me. I thought it looked kinda cool, and...and uh...I put it on, and he explained to me kinda what the vibe of the necklace was. It's supposed to mean "captured by fame." Uh, so it's got these two handcuffs kinda holding a star. And...

Interviewer: Mm-hmm

David: And uh...I think given the context, ya' know, it's, it's uh...it's kinda fitting, ya' know? Um...you know, you mentioned that phrase earlier about everything I say being scrutinized. Well that kinda plays into this necklace, really.

Interviewer: Exactly

David: So...uh, I just, I thought it was, I thought it was just a, an interesting kind of microcosm of the whole experience for me. So...

Interviewer: Well I noticed, based on some of the questions we got that, uh, pretty much everything you say is scrutinized. Um...

David: Yeah.

Interviewer: Um, and one of the questions we got several times was, I guess on some show you said one of the things you wanted to do was get a dog. So at least 400 people want to know what kind of dog you want. [David laughs]

David: Uh...I would like to get a Great Dane and name him "Quagmire."

Interviewer: Perfect.

Interviewer: I wanted to, um, ask a little bit about the, the process of, of, uh, the Idol process. And picking songs and the arrangement of those songs. How much of that is up to you entirely, and how much...uh, comes from the band and the show, and...just how free are you?

David: Well...I, the, uh-- the arrangements and, and the song selection is all the contestants. Ya' know, we are...every week obviously, ya' know, with the themes and stuff, we're given parameters...

David: Mm-hmm

David: ...with which to choose in. But um, uh, um, it's, it's on us. And then as far as, uh, the finished product...um, ya' know we, we send our notes for the arrangement to, to the band, and, and they do... what they, what they can with those notes. And so...um, from that standpoint, I mean, it's a, it's a little bit of a give and a take. But they give us, they give us as much time as possible to...to make sure that...um...ya' know, we're able to s-- make the song suit what we want to do. And, so...

Interviewer: Mm-hmm

David: I mean, it's on us.

Interviewer: You said, um, in the, uh, like, press conference right after you found out you won, that um, the finale was about exhaling. But um...

David: Yeah

Interviewer: It seems like since then [laughs] you've probably been on a, a treadmill, or, a hundred miles an hour, or, ya' know... [David laughs]

Interviewer: What, what has life been like since you exhaled that night?

David: Uh, a little different. I mean, obviously this kept me pretty busy, which...uh...kinda comes with the territory. But, um...ya' know, it's a different vibe. I'm, I'm out in the open a little bit more. And, and so I'm getting to, uh, kind of experience some of the fruits of the, of the labor a little bit.

Interviewer: Mm-hmm

David: People-- for the mo-- for the majority, I mean, people have been great. And very complimentary, and, and respectful, and, and uh...ya' know, I've gotten a lotta, a lot of great compliments about my family, which is huge. Um...but, so, I mean, from that aspect, it's nice. But...ya' know, I can sleep when I die... [Interviewer laughs]

David: And, and the work starts now. I'm uh, I'm, I'm kinda welcoming it all right now. It, it's sensory overload, but, part of what I like about it.

Interviewer: Did you have a favorite of all the songs you did?

David: I honestly enjoyed "Music of the Night." Um...I, I, I, I loved that, ya' know, I'd...kinda gone into that week with...with, with uh, s-- a, a little bit of momentum, I guess. And had kinda done a lot as far as rearranging, and, and I, and I felt as though people kind of expected it of me at that point.

Interviewer: Mm-hmm

David: So to be able to do the song straight, and...and, and uh...ya' know, it was something I knew that I could do, cuz I have a theatre background.

Interviewer: Mm-hmm

David: But uh, it was somethin' I didn't really think a whole lot of people knew. So I was, I was, I was excited about that week, cuz, ya' know, to be able to do the song straight and have it be unexpected was, was uh, was actually a nice little break for me.

Interviewer: Um, a lot of people, like you said, are, are asking about your family, and, and, and your brother. What, what do you want to tell...us. I mean, everybody's wondering how you're doing. And your mom, and, and your brother. Um, how are ya'?

David: Um, it was just uh...all I can really say about it is "thank you." I, I mean, ju-- to see...everybody show such a, a huge level of support, ya' know, for, for my family's well being is amazing. Um...ya' know, and that uh...ya' know, moving forward, ya' know, every little bit helps. So...uh, ya' know, donations...ya' know just giv-- giving of yourself, uh, I, I think is probably the biggest thing that anybody can do. So...uh, ya' know, to, to the people that have done it and hopefully will continue to do so, I mean, all I can say is "thanks."

Interviewer: Well listen buddy, thanks, thanks so much for your time.

David: Oh, my pleasure.

Interviewer: And uh, it was nice talkin' to ya'.

David: Alright, take care.

Interviewer: Ok, bye.

END OF INTERVIEW

2008-06-06 - 105.1 The Buzz – Sheryl Stewart - Celebrity Playlist (David Cook) – Interview (Transcript by Coolshades)

SOURCE: http://dclibrary-radio.4shared.com

DJ: Sheryl Stewart

Sheryl: Celebrity playlist is brought to you by Toyota. Yes, you heard right earlier today. Our guest celebrity today is [pauses] your American Idol, David Cook. Hello David.

David: Good morning.

Sheryl: Congratulations, too, by the way. I've ….

David: Thank you very much.

Sheryl: Been dying to tell you that.

David: Thank you.

Sheryl: I voted for you. I did not want another Daughtry situation to happen. [laughs] So I was a-

David: Aw, bless you. Thank you.

Sheryl: ...crazy voter. Uh, and I actually think this is the first time since that somebody I actually voted for won. So...

David: Heeeey! [Sheryl laughs]

David: I'll take that. Wow.

Sheryl: So has your life just become completely insane since you won?

David: Uh, yeah, I mean, a little bit. Um, ya' know, I've gotten to do some really cool things the last few weeks. And, and uh, ya' know, movin' forward, I get to do this awesome tour, and put together a record, and...

Sheryl: Yeah. Yeah.

David: And I'm excited. It's a, it's a very fruitful time to be me.

Sheryl: That's a nice way of putting it. And we're gonna talk about all that in just a second. I wanna talk about-- I read somewhere, and you can correct me if I'm wrong, because Wikipedia can be highly inaccurate. Uh, you actually picked up a guitar and started playing music when you were 12? Is that right?

David: Um, well I started singing when I was in second grade. My music teacher, uh, Ms. Gentry, gave me a solo in, like, this Christmas pageant that we were doin'. Uh..and so that's where that started. Uh..

Sheryl: Do you remember your solo? Do you remember what it was?

David: Uh...it was called "I Wonder." I don't remember the melody or anything. But uh, I, I've seen the video, uh, recently. And uh, ya' know, I'm dressed up like a cowboy at Christmas. Which is...an odd image. But, uh...

Sheryl: [laughing] It sounds adorable.

David: Well ya' know, you say, you say adorable, I say awkward. [Sheryl laughs]

David: It all, it's all the same thing. Um, and then uh, yeah I, I actually started on violin in fifth grade.

Sheryl: Oh

David: I played violin for three years. And uh...

Sheryl: I'll bet that made you popular with the girls. [laughs] Not.

David: You know, you would think. Uh, but no, not too much.

Sheryl: Aww

David: And then uh, after a few, after a few uh, bus stop beatdowns, I decided to uh, switch to guitar.

Sheryl: Good choice, good choice.

David: Yeah

Sheryl: Who made you want to be a musician in the first place, and, and, to follow this path?

David: Uh, my dad. I grew up watchin' my dad play guitar. And, so yeah, the seeds were planted early.

Sheryl: David Cook, the big winner this year for American Idol, is our guest celebrity today on Celebrity Playlist. And I wanna get to your songs. I understand two of the songs on your list come from CDs that are pretty special to you. They're older CDs, but they are CDs you were listening to you while you were learning how to play guitar. What are the discs?

David: I think the three records that I learned guitar to were, uh, 's ""...

Sheryl: Nice

David: Foo Fighters' "Color and the Shape," and uhhh...Our Lady Peace's "Clumsy," I think were the three records.

Sheryl: Excellent choices.

David: Yeah.

Sheryl: I could totally see you being like, totally into the grunge thing when that happened, too. Like...

David: Yeah, yeah

Sheryl: Wearin' the flannel shirt.

David: I really was, I really was. Like the Nixons, uh, Our Lady Peace, Foo Fighters, Big Wreck. Ya' know, bands like that really, really early on, shaped it for me.

Sheryl: Alright well this one from the Foo Fighters' "Color and Shape," it is "Everlong," and I especially love this version of it. The acoustic version of "Everlong." Foo Fighters. Celebrity Playlist. David Cook. On 105.1 The Buzz. [song break]

Sheryl: It's Green Day and "." Part of a celebrity playlist for David Cook. American Idol winner, David Cook. And earlier, um, he was mentioning that that one and the Foo Fighters track both from CDs that he used to listen to all the time, and play guitar to. In fact, those CDs-- listening to those CDs helped him learn how to play guitar.

Sheryl: David, I wanna thank you once again for being our guest celebrity today on Celebrity Playlist. And I've been wanting to ask you this question, because we know that before winning American Idol you were working as a bartender. And every bartender I know has their specialty drink, the one that people come in from all over to get, because no one else in town makes it. What was your "David Cook" special drink?

David: Um, I made a drink that I called a "Cookie," but it was actually a s-- called a surfer on acid. [Sheryl laughs]

David: Uh...and it's uh...it's equal parts-

Sheryl: Sounds delicious.

David: Yeah, yeah, doesn't it? It's uh, equal parts Jäger, Raz-ma-tazz, cranberrry juice, and pineapple juice.

Sheryl: Mmmm

David: It's not .

Sheryl: I imagine you're not gonna have too many of your fellow American Idol people on the tour, though, having you make it, since most of them aren't old enough [laughs] to...

David: Right, I was gonna say, I don't think Archie's gonna be beatin' down my door for...

Sheryl: Noooo

David: ...for that recipe any time soon.

Sheryl: The relationship between you two guys was so cute on American Idol. And, and, and maybe I was imagining it, but it seemed like you kinda took on a big brother role to him.

David: Yeah, I think so. Um, he dealt with a lot comin' in, I think. Ya' know, there's all-- I, I mean, all the-- eyes were on him, ya' know, from the get-go. And...

Sheryl: Mm-hmm

David: And I couldn't imagine havin' to deal with that kind of pressure, ya' know? I had a couple weeks uh, at the beginning of the season to kinda get my bumps and bruises out of the way. So...

Sheryl: Mm-hmm

David: Um...ya' know he's, he's just a very driven, focused, but, but also very humble and unassuming kid. I mean, ya' know I thought, I thought a lot of the stuff that, that he had to deal with, uh, was pretty extraordinary. So yeah, I did kinda take on a big brother vibe with him, because I, I couldn't have imagined going through some of the stuff he went through.

Sheryl: Of all of the contestants on the show that were on with you, are there any that you would actually, like, hang out with now that the show's done?

David: Yeah, I mean, uh, I've-- I, ya' know, we're, we're all tourin--uh, doing tour rehearsals together right now. So..uh...

Sheryl: I mean, you have to hang out for that. But like...

David: Well...

Sheryl: ...just for fun. Like, once the tour's done, you could see yourself meetin' up and goin' to play golf or whatever.

David: Well I mean, Mike Johns, Carly...

Sheryl: Yeah...

David: Ramiele, uh, uh, Brooke, Jason. Uh [laughs] most of them, really. I, I mean, we were a real close-knit group this season, which was cool. I, I, I feel like uh, there really wasn't a whole lot of drama. I mean, all the drama was just associated with the stress that, you-- accrued from the show. So...uh...

Sheryl: Yeah, it was almost like, um, for publicity's sake, a lot of times they were trying to [laughs] create drama for this season. Cuz ya' know...

David: Yeah, yeah, it was-

Sheryl: ...that drives ratings.

David: It would seem that way, yeah. Uh...

Sheryl: But-

David: We all love each other and, and I mean obviously to go through this experience, I mean, it's , it's pretty unique. [laughs] And, and so, to kinda be able to share it with people, you, you form this pretty ethereal bond with each other. So...uh...

Sheryl: Yeah. Now you originally were not going to try out.

David: Yeah.

Sheryl: Why? I mean, did you not-- cuz you wanted to be a musician, obviously. That was-

David: Yeah, yeah.

Sheryl: Bu-

David: I just, ya' know, the show, the show never really struck a negative chord with me. I never looked at the show with any sort of disdain. I just...I think for me, ya' know, it's all about what you see as your path. And the path that I kinda tried to pave for myself just didn't involve the show.

Sheryl: Mm

David: Um, I was in Tulsa. I was workin' on my second solo record. Ya' know, I was bartendin', and was paintin' apartments and...was content. Ya' know, I, I was happy doin' that. And I'm a firm believer if you're not happy with ten dollars there's no way you'll be happy with a million. So...

Sheryl: Absolutely

David: Yeah, the show kinda-- I fell backwards into it. It was just one of those things that, that, the stars aligned and everything kinda fell into place. So...

Sheryl: And as the weeks went on, were you ever at any point, like, surprised that you had gotten this far?

David: Every week. Ya' know, my goal every week was just...I wasn't worried about being the best at any given week, with the exception of the last one. But...ya' know, for me it was just "don't take last." If you can, if you can not be the worst at any given week, then, ya' know, maybe you're OK.

Sheryl: It's a good day, yeah. Did you have a favorite mentor? You worked with some really awesome-- legends.

David: Um...I loved Andrew Lloyd Webber. Uh..ya' know he, he came in, and, and I think we all thought that, ya' know, him comin' from this different school of, of music, ya' know, comin' from the, the theatre side, that, that he was gonna kinda have a little bit of a disdain for the show in general. And he came in just a million miles an hour and just completely immersed himself in what we were doin'. And...he, he struck a chord with me just with how he attacked-- he wasn't concerned with us hittin' every note right. Uh, he was concerned with us singin' the song properly as far as the emotion was concerned. And, and uh, I really kinda took that to heart, ya' know? Cuz that was somethin' that I tried to do all season, was just-- I know that I'm not the best singer here. And so, if I can tune in to what this song is tryin' to say...

Sheryl: Mm-hmm

David: and, and put that across accurately, then, then that's how I'm gonna be able to hopefully even the bar a little bit. So...

Sheryl: Yeah. Well I think that's what helped people connect with you. I loved hearing you sing Switchfoot's "Dare You To Move." And, and...

David: Oh

Sheryl: ...partly because John Foreman is an old friend of mine. And, and, love him, love the song. And I thought your voice fit it really well. But it was kinda weird that they had to chop it down into, ya' know, the minute or whatever. Do you regret choosing that song? Cuz the judges were kinda hatin' on it a little bit.

David: I don't regret choosin' any of the songs I chose. Ya' know, I, I, I learned a valuable lesson with "Innocent" by Our Lady Peace, and then uh, the Switchfoot song. And, and uh, and that's uh, ya' know sometimes what makes a song work in a four-minute capacity is, is, is the vibe that, that, that gets created in that four minutes. And so to try to chop it down, it doesn't always work.

Sheryl: Yeah

David: Ya' know, but that's one of the, that's one of the hurdles of the show is, is really just, tryin' to make it work. And...

Sheryl: Mm-hmm

David: And ya' know, for, for those uh, for those songs where I stumbled on, ya' know, hopefully I made up for it in other, in other songs. [song break]

Sheryl: Switchfoot and "Dare You to Move." 105.1 The Buzz. It's Celebrity Playlist today, with our guest celebrity David Cook. You may remember the week he sang that on American idol. The uh, judges didn't really love his version of it, but he does not regret choosing it. Loves the song as well.

Sheryl: Um, were there any songs, David, when you were on American Idol, that you really wanted to do but didn't get a chance to do?

David: Um..."Open Arms" by Journey was somethin' I kinda wanted to do all season. It just never really seemed to fit, so...um...

Sheryl: Do you think you might be able to do it on the tour?

David: Ya' know, never say never. But uh, I, I think at this stage of the game, I think our sets are pretty much, uh, figured out. So...ya' know I, I, I've got a few surprises. Nothing crazy. [Sheryl laughs]

Sheryl: Are you gonna come out on stage and, and recreate your Guitar Hero commercial? [laughs] All uh, Risky Business.

David: Um...ya' know...I, I doubt, uh that anybody's gonna be seein' me in my underwear again for awhile. That was, uh... [Sheryl laughs]

David: It was a really cool experience [laughs], but...uh..it, it's very unnerving to see yourself like that.

Sheryl: Did you have to psych yours-- cuz most people would be really-- that, that would be a really hard thing for them to do. Did you have to psych yourself [laughs] up to allow yourself to be filmed...

David: Well...

Sheryl: ...in your skivvies?

David: I got really excited when they first told me. I was like aw man, it's gonna be so funny. It'll be great. And then I got there, and I quickly realized I'm not wearing any pants... [Sheryl laughs]

David: ...in front of a lot of people that I've never met before.

Sheryl: Uh-huh.

David: And uh...

Sheryl: Awkward

David: Um yeah, it was a bit awkward. But uh, ya' know, Brett Ratner directed it. He was the guy that's directed all the Rush Hours, and...

Sheryl: Mm-hmm

David: And he was just really cool. And, and made it, made it about as comfortable as he possibly could for us. And so...uh, it ended up being a really fun experience. Having said that, I, I think uh, I think for somebody to get me to dance in my underwear again is probably gonna... [Sheryl laughs]

David: ...it might cost 'em a bit.

Sheryl: It's classic. And, and just think about this. Ya' know, someday when you're, like, sixty years old, [laughs] and you might not look as good in your underwear as you do now...

David: Right, right...

Sheryl: It will live on forever.

David: I've got it documented that at one time, I may, may have possibly looked OK in my underwear.

Sheryl: [laughs] Right on. David Cook is our guest celebrity today for Celebrity Playlist. You voted for him on American Idol, he won the whole thing not too long ago, and he will be back in Portland as part of the Idols Live show that's comin' up. Super excited about that. You're gonna have a chance to win lots of tickets from 105.1 The Buzz.

Sheryl: But I wanna get back to your celebrity playlist, David. And I see that One Republic song "Stop and Stare" is on here. Did you choose that because you're working with Ryan Tedder on your, your new CD? At least I read that somewhere. Have you already started workin' with him?

David: Uh, I haven't had a chance to, to, to work with him yet. Uh, I know the name's been thrown around. And ya' know for them to- - comin' to fruition, I would absolutely welcome it. Ya' know, I'm, I'm a huge fan of that song "Store and Stare" that he's got out right now. And...

Sheryl: Yeah

David: And uh, I mean, obviously "Apologize" and "Bleeding Love" have both been just massive. So, uh, ya' know if I can get-- if, if I could write a song with him that would do a tenth of what those two songs have done, I'd, I'd be set. [song break]

Sheryl: And our guest celebrity today has been your American Idol winner, David Cook. And, and I told him earlier on, I'm so excited that he won. It's like, the first time since Kelly Clarkson somebody I actually voted for [laughs] actually won the competition. We're gonna have to wrap up his celebrity playlist here very quickly. But uh, I wanted to mention to you, thank you again David, for bein' our guest celebrity today. Chattin' with us, and just goin' by the songs on your playlist, you have excellent taste in music, and I think I'm going to love your CD when it comes out. Now, are you guys very far into the whole recording process? Have you written some songs?

David: Um, yeah, we've actually, we've started the writing process. And, we've nailed down a few. And, uh, so far I'm really happy with that. Ya' know to, to kinda get outside of Idol and, and get back into the uh, ya' know, into a bit of a different creative process I think is uh, is what excites me right now. So...uh, movin' forward I'm, I'm, I'm pretty stoked about where this record's turnin'. It'll, it'll be an interesting little rock record.

Sheryl: Yeah. I imagine in the position that you're in, you can pretty much ask for anybody you wanna work with, and they'll probably move mountains to get-

David: Well I mean, I can ask. That doesn't mean it'll...happen.

Sheryl: Really?

David: Like...of-- sure. Yeah, I mean...well...

Sheryl: The American Idol cannot get, like, Bono to come do a guest shot on his record? [laughs]

David: You know, you would think. Uh, but uh, but no. I, I, I, I, I don't know. I'm kinda one of those guys that I don't, I don't wanna take advantage of the situation...

Sheryl: Mm-hmm

David: ...cuz it, it could be extremely fleeting. And, and I got asked the other day, like, "What kind of crazy things are you gonna put on your tour ride?" And I'm like "uh, bread, peanut butter, and a case of water." Like, wha-- I, I don't know what else I would need. So...I don't know.

Sheryl: Right on. I'd be surprised if you were, you know, one of those "no green M&M" guys. You know what I mean?

David: Yeah, well, I mean, I'm all, I'm all for the green ones. It's the blue ones that really bother me. [Sheryl laughs]

Sheryl: What is the best perk of being the American Idol so far?

David: Um...the best perk. Um...all of it. I don't know. I mean, I got to...be on Leno. I got to sing the National Anthem at the Lakers game. I got to...uh, you know, visit a Children's hospital in New York. I, I got to be on The Today Show. I mean, there's just a ton of things that I've gotten to do that, I've been afforded these opportunities because of bein' on the show. So I mean it, it, it's all gravy, man.

Sheryl: Were you able to see Jack at the Lakers game? Jack Nicholson? Cuz he-

David: I did see him. I didn't get a chance to talk to him. I, I uh, ya' know, he's a bit intimidating. And so I couldn't really get the, the, couldn't really muster the courage to go say hi.

Sheryl: Well don't feel bad, because I also would have been totally intimidated and way too scared to talk to him. Even just having him in the same room. I mean, when you were singing, was he giving you that intense Jack Nicholson stare?

David: I-- hopefully he was lookin' at the American flag. Cuz that's what I was doin'. But uh, my deal on it, I, I, I got done with it, and it was a, such a cool experience. And I told my manager, I was like: that was the coolest thing I think I've ever had the opportunity to do. And I never wanna do it again. [Sheryl laughs]

David: Like, I was so nervous. Like, I was sh-- visual, like, visibly shaking.

Sheryl: Oh, man

David: It was ridiculous.

Sheryl: I-

David: Worse than anything I went through on the show.

Sheryl: You are one of the nicest people I think I've ever talked to in my life. And so...

David: Ohh

Sheryl: I'm so happy that all these good things are happening for you. And we cannot wait...

David: Appreciate it.

Sheryl: ...to see you come through with the American Idols tour.

David: Oh, yeah yeah yeah.

Sheryl: Lookin' forward to the CD. Of-- of course, we were playing the heck out of the, the first single. Now this is not-

David: Aw, thank you so much for that.

Sheryl: Oh it's our pleasure. It's a great song. This is not a song that you wrote.

David: No no no. This was uh, this is the, the, the winner's single for the show. And..but they did allow us to kinda tweak the arrangement a little bit and make it work for us. And...I'm, I'm really, really happy with the song. I th-- I think it's uh...ya' know, I, I, I mean, the proof is in the pudding. And, and, and I've gotta, I've gotta give some merit to ya' know, the, the fact that people have gotten behind it the way they have. So, the title says it all. I mean, if, if, if any point in my life were the time of my life, I think now would probably be it. [song break]

Sheryl: David Cook and "Time of My Life." 105.1 The Buzz. And a big "thank you" again to David Cook for being on Celebrity Playlist today, sharing his tunes with us.

Sheryl: Now we didn't have time for everything that you love, obviously. What are some other tracks, if people are lookin' to uh, ya' know, share some stuff with your iPod. What are some tracks they should look in to?

David: Um...there's a song "Dizzy," by Jimmy Eat World, that I'm really into. I just, I, I love the instrumentation of it. There's a song called "Pretty Handsome Awkward," by .

Sheryl: Mmm great song.

David: Uh, the groove on that song is just ridiculous. And then..."Yellow Brick Road" by Raine Maida. I, I uh...

Sheryl: Oh yeah, from Our Lady Peace.

David: Yeah. Like, I saw uh, I saw the, the video treatment that he did for this song. And, basically what he did, he went in, uh, he went into a, a city in Canada, and played on the sidewalk all day to raise $30,000 to build a school in Africa...

Sheryl: Wow

David: ...and had just documented it, essentially. And I thought it was just so cool, like, such a good idea for a video. And, it made me backtrack into this record, and...such a good record. Really cool.

Sheryl: Any idea on when your record's gonna be out?

David: We are lookin' at uh, October/November. Yeah.

Sheryl: Just in time for Christmas lists. [laughs]

David: That's what they're sayin'.

Sheryl: Right. Alright, well David Cook, good things to you. And uh, we look forward to seein' you when you come through Portland on the American Idols tour. Thanks for takin' the time.

David: Aw, thank you for havin' me.

END OF INTERVIEW

2008-06-09 - PEOPLE - Rock Idol

Source: http://www.people.com/people/archive/article/0,,20204156,00.html

By Monica Rizzo American Idol Winner David Cook Talks About Dating, Being a Closet 'Nerd' and Dealing with Private Pain as His Brother Struggles with Cancer

From PEOPLE Magazine Click to enlarge What's it like to win American Idol? David Cook isn't really sure yet. "I need a couple more days to wrap my head around what happened," says the 25-year- old Missouri rocker, who topped runner-up David Archuleta by a landslide 12 million votes. "It's such a life-changing thing." And a bittersweet victory: Cook's brother Adam, 36, has been battling brain cancer but was able to attend the May 21 finale. David wipes away tears as he talks about dealing with his brother's struggle during the competition. "I know that he's proud, and that is kind of getting me through at this point," he says. "He's still fighting, which is all we can ask for right now." His mom, Beth Foraker, and brother Andrew joined Cook onstage after his win: "I loved that I got to share that moment with them."

Cook, who was tending bar in Oklahoma less than a year ago, is now getting used to paparazzi, who recently caught him stepping out with season 2 Idol alum Kimberly Caldwell, 26, to Ruth's Chris steak house in L.A., after he asked her out live on the TV Guide Channel's Idol Tonight preshow. Cook, who says he's "single-ish," finds all of the female attention "very, very new." And odd. "I'm thinking, where was that before the show?" he jokes. "I'm just a nerd. I'm a goofball. You guys might want to get to know me a little bit more."

2008-06-10 - ESPN MAG – An interview with David Cook

Source: http://sports.espn.go.com/espnmag/story?id=3435319 by Laura Lane

Getty Images

American Idol winner and Royals diehard (!) David Cook. The Lakers return tonight to L.A. for Game 3 of the NBA Finals, and if there's anything we learned from Game 2 it's that it takes talent, luck and some love from the judges (refs, in this case) to win. No one knows this better than American Idolwinner David Cook, who will be singing the National Anthem at tonight's Lakers-Celtics showdown. Cook follows in the footsteps of past idol winners Kelly Clarkson,, , andJordin Sparks, who have all sung the Anthem at a Finals game. In between recording an album, preparing to go on tour with Idol and balancing all the other demands of his newfound stardom, Cook made time to tell us why he won't be cheering for the Lakers—or Celtics—at the Finals. Will you be sporting a Lakers jersey or a Celtics jersey during your performance? You know, it's tough for me. My older brother went to Indiana State so by proxy I'm a Larry Bird fan, but nothing beats Showtime and the Lakers. I'll probably dress in something mutual. Are you going to do the half-and-half jersey, ala Brady Quinn's sis? I don't know about the half-and-half jersey. I may just try to stay away from any sort of team affiliation. I was thinking of wearing my Royals jersey. Have you been watching the playoffs? I didn't get to watch Game 2 but I heard it was an amazing game. They've kind of kept me pretty busy trying to get ready for this tour and this record. I've been trying to keep up as much as possible. I was really excited at the beginning of the season with all the moves that the Celtics made. It seems like all of those moves paid off and got them here. There's been a lot of American Idol winners who've sung in the Finals, who's your favorite past winner? That's a tough question. I've been a real residual viewer in the past. I'm going to go with who I've met and say Carrie Underwood and , probably a tie. They've been very, very supportive. You bartended in Oklahoma, were born in Texas, raised in Missouri and now you're in L.A. Who do you cheer for? I spent a majority of my life in Kansas City, so I am a Chiefs and Royals guy. I used to work for the Royals for like five years in the suites department and in the stadium club restaurant. The Royals allowed me to make some money, which was nice. With the Chiefs, you can't live in Kansas City and not like the Chiefs. To go catch a game at Arrowhead is a pretty great experience. I haven't had the chance to go to games anywhere else, but, from what I'm told, I don't really need to. You haven't been to a game anywhere but K.C.? Well, I've been to a couple games out here in L.A. with the Dodgers. And actually, I think the Royals just traded Angel Berroa to the Dodgers. Think it's a good trade? You know it depends. At the end of the day I certainly enjoyed Berroa when he played for the Royals. He won the Rookie of the Year award in '04 or '03 [Ed.'s Note: He was ROY in 2003, beating out the likes ofHideki Matsui and Mark Teixeira.] I thought he was a great contributor to the Royals while he was there. What's the craziest thing that ever happened at Royal's stadium when you were there? Besides them having a winning record that one season? The craziest thing for me was getting to throw the first pitch. I was joking around all day saying, "I'm gonna shake 'em up and throw a curve ball." Then I get in the dugout and a couple of the players are like, "Aw man, you got to short-hop him." Brett Tomko was the guy who was catching. We're getting ready to go out on to the field and Tomko tells me, "Hey, just so you know, there was a celebrity that came through and he threw out the first pitch and he short-hopped it and they booed him off the field." And so then I started freaking out, I don't want to get booed of the field! So I just threw a four-seam fastball and barely made it there. I almost threw it in the dirt and then Brett Tomko comes up to me and goes, "Great slider." It wasn't a slider, but I didn't have the heart to tell him. What's been the coolest thing you've done post-Idol? I actually got to write with one of my musical heroes, a guy named Raine Maida from Our Lady Peace. I got to sit down and write some songs with him, and that was pretty heavy. I listened to Our Lady Peace growing up. It got me through the teenage angst. Have you gotten used to all the fan attention yet? No, not at all. I mean, really the attention has only been around since the end of February but before that I couldn't get people to pay attention to me. It's a different beast for sure. I'm just trying to be levelheaded about. I understand that fame is fleeting, so I'm trying to enjoy it as it comes and not look too far ahead. At least you'll be used to big audiences. Have you thought about what you'll say after you sing the anthem? I'm probably not going to say a word. It's better to keep your mouth shut and be thought a fool than to open your mouth and remove all doubt. I'm probably just going to keep it short and sweet.

2008-06-11 - PEOPLE - David Cook rocks prime-time National Anthem Source: http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20205763,00.html

By Bryan Alexander Originally posted Wednesday June 11, 2008 07:45 AM EDT What's harder – belting out hits on American Idol or singing the national anthem before an NBA playoff game? "The nerves are way worse [than on Idol]," David Cook told reporters moments before his Tuesday night rendition of "The Star-Spangled Banner." "It's the one song you don't want to mess up. I'm going to try not to notice Jack Nicholson sitting in the front row and think about the lyrics." The only saving grace about his performance before game three of the Celtics- Lakers NBA championship series? "No matter what I do, I don't have Simon [Cowell] telling me how dreadful it was," the 25-year-old joked. But the Idol winner nailed the vocally and lyrically tricky anthem – and was spotted backstage looking relieved. "It was crazy," Cook told PEOPLE. "I still have the shakes a little bit. I got through it. I don't think I messed up any words." His girlfriend, Idol alum Kimberly Caldwell, was there to cheer him on. But even with her support, Cook said, "That was the scariest thing I have ever done."

2008-06-12 - Dave and Jimmy (Various Markets) – Interview (Coolshades)

SOURCE: http://dclibrary-radio.4shared.com

DJs: Dave and Jimmy Note: Dave and Jimmy did not identify themselves during the interview, so I just went with Dave as the interviewer.

Dave: Dave and Jimmy, it's 7:31. Talk about a show. Chachi breaks a world record, which we'll get into a little more here in a minute. But...now, the winner of American Idol. Your man and I, David Cook.

Woman's voice: Dave and Jimmy, you're on the line with David Cook.

Dave: Hey bud!

David: Hey, what's goin' on?

Jimmy: Hi Dave You-

David: Hello, hello

Dave: You've been asked this, uh, probably a million times, but I really wanna hear it from you. You know, the night before you were given the American Idol crown, it seemed like the chips were down for you in every single way. The judges weren't breaking with you. N-- how did you pull out the victory, you think, by twelve million votes?

David: Um...no idea, man. Uh, sheer luck, I imagine. I, I don't know, man. It's, it's uh...it, it's, it's strange, ya' know? I think, uh, walking out of Tuesday after what the judges had said, I certainly, ya' know, to, to continue this over-used boxing analogy, I was on the ropes. And then uh...uh, ya' know, goin' in to Wednesday to hear the percentages, uh, I was like: Ok. Second place is uh, is alright with me. I look good in silver. So...um...but uh, ya' know, to be, to be called the winner, I-- I, I was in absolute shock. So...

Dave: We were out there for that, and that-- ya' know, the shows are great in person. I tell ya', you don't get a feeling on TV what-- the excitement that's really goin' on, do ya'?

David: It's-- the excitement live is, is somethin' that I still have not been able to really adequately explain.

Dave: Did you guys feel silly...doin' the whole boxin' thing, when they made you come out in the trunks and all that?

David: Are you kiddin' me? I looked good in that robe, man.

[Dave and Jimmy laugh]

Dave: So, let's get to some meat, here. Um...the Kimberly-- we know Kimberly Caldwell pretty well. She's the-- call our show about once a week during the season.

David: Yeah

Dave: Ha-- has this thing just started, or was it goin' on-- I heard a rumor it's been goin' on for a few months.

David: No, no. We--we've, we've, we've, we met a few months back through the show and stuff. But uh...didn't really start hangin' out until, uh, after the show was done. But uh...she's so far been amazing and very, very supportive.

Dave: How'd you get the guts to ask her out, man?

David: Uh... [laughs]

Dave: I don't care who you are, it's nervous.

David: I, I, I, and-- and, I didn't-- I don't know. I have no idea. [Female in the studio laughs]

David: Cuz I, I uh...to be as blunt as possible, I was very, very nervous.

Dave: Tell us about the National Anthem the other night.

David: Oh, God. Uh...that was hands down the scariest thing I have ever done. Uh, ya' know, it's just...I, to, to b-- well-- I'm a sports fan. And so obviously, there's, there's some nervousness there associated with "Oh my God, I'm singin' at the NBA Finals, and it's the Lakers and Celtics." Um...and then...ya' know, it's one of those things, like, if you sing the song....well, everybody's like: "Ok he sang the song well, that's great. Let's get on with the game." But if you mess it up...uh, that, that's definitely a losing situation. Uh...

Dave: Ya' know, I don't think that song was written to be sung well by ANYONE. [Female in the studio laughs]

David: Uh, yeah, I mean, it, it's a pretty tough song on it's on. I g-- I got asked a couple times before I did it, ya' know, "Are you gonna put any runs in it," da da da. Well no, why [laughs] why would I add to the difficulty? [Dave laughs]

Dave: Did you get to meet any of the players or anything?

David: Um, past that, it was just kinda...I, I saw players, ya' know what I mean?

Jimmy: Ok

Dave: Yeah

David: Uh, everything was happenin' so quick that...I didn't wanna-- I, I didn't wanna intervene on any sort of concentration. So...I just uh, I kinda sat back and became an observer.

Dave: What was your most nerve-wracking moment of the uh, I mean performance wise, of the season? When did you get out there and-- cuz you seemed pretty, like, a cool cucumber the whole season. But I know you couldn't have been, ya' know, uh, you-- there had to be times when you were unnerved. What was the worst moment for ya'?

David: W-- Everybody says that I kept my cool, man. I, I must have fooled you guys. I was nervous every week. Um...

Dave: Were ya' really?

David: Oh yeah, I mean, singin' in front of 20, 30 million people every night. That'll...that'll...that'll uh...that'll definitely put you out of your comfort zone. Sure.

Dave: Is, is there a nervous part of the stage? I mean, physically put me there. What's the ner-- most nervous? In the wings, waiting? When you grab the mic, walking? Where is it?

David: Uh, in the wings. I think, once, once you get out on stage, um, ya' know, adrenaline takes over. And whatever vibe is in that room takes over. And uh...ya' know, for me, it was all about putting blinders on, and just really tryin' to focus on what I wanted to do with this song. And, and, and I kinda lost track of everything else. Um...but uh...nothin', nothing...could top Wednesdays. I, I, I lived for Tuesdays and I died by Wednesdays. I c-- I...still just cannot stand Wednesdays because of the show. [laughs] [Dave and female in the studio laugh]

Dave: Was your AC on your guitar, is that for your brother?

David: Uh, it's for both my brothers. Um...ya' know, it, it's, it's uh, both my brothers, Adam and Andrew, have those initials. And, and for me it was just kind of uh, a superstitious thing for me to have that there. Um...cuz I, I did that on sp-- on, on sporting equipment whenever I was, like, in seventh grade. Uh, and it just kinda stuck, so...I'm a, I'm a fairly superstitious individual. So...

Dave: Wait, why would you do it when you were so young? Just...to, to be-- were paying tribute to your brothers at that age? Or just...lovin' em, or what?

David: Uh, no. At, at first, at first, ya' know, seventh grade was about the time when my brother got diagnosed. And so, uh, I threw AC on it then, ya' know, I, I, I couldn't NOT...uh...

Dave: Let me give you one last question which you're not gonna want to answer. But uh...did you ever see David Archuleta's dad backstage cause any of the ruckus that we've read about every day?

David: Nope, not at all. I, ya-- I was so busy, uh, ya' know, focusin' on what I was doin' that uh...I, I didn't really have the time to stop and, and, and try to...uh, ya' know pay attention to what anybody else was doin'. I never saw Jeff be anything but uh, uh, uh, a loving, proud father. So...I, I, I, I don't read a lot of the stuff [laughs] anyway. But what I have read seems so um...uh, grossly miscalculated.

Dave: Alright, David. Hey listen, uh, we, we know [laughs] the next one year is gonna rip ass for you. We wish you well.

David: Thank you very, very much. Nice talkin' to you guys. Jimmy: See ya', man

Dave: Take it easy.

David: Take care

Dave: He will have a thrilling 2008.

END OF INTERVIEW

2008-06-13 - 101.9 WTMX -- Eric and Kathy in the Morning (Chicago, IL) – Interview (Transcript by Coolshades)

SOURCE: http://dclibrary-radio.4shared.com

DJs: Eric and Kathy

Eric: Is he on the road right now?

Kathy: They're not on tour yet. The American Idols Live Tour starts July 1st.

Eric: Oh, here we go. Are you ready?

Female voice: Ooooooh

Kathy: Oh my gosh, I'm nervous. Ohhhh yes! [Ryan Seacrest recording: This is your American Idol, David Cook]

Eric: Ah, that's right. It's time...

Kathy: Ohhhhh

Eric: ...to talk to David Cook. Hey David!

David: Heeeey that's quite the presentation! [laughs] [Kathy laughs, Eric chuckles]

Eric: Ya' know... we're tryin'. Uh, now David, I'm-- we were just talkin' off the air. You need to know somethin', OK?

Kathy: Mm-hmm

David: Ok, just let...

Eric: Uh...

David: ...let me know.

Eric: I, I was thinkin', when, ya' know, we uh, booked ya' on the show earlier this week, ya' know, this would be an average, everyday interview. We could all hang out and have a good time?

David: Sure

Eric: That's not the case.

Female voice: Nope

Kathy: Oh no. Not even close.

David: Uh-oh

Eric: The world is listening in. We've heard from all over the globe at WTMX.com. The David Idol, the Cookies, the Word Nerds, they're all-- they're-- they've lost their mind...

Kathy: Sure

Eric: ...in anticipation of your arrival this morning.

Kathy: The Cougars for Coo-- we've heard from , the UK, Italy, Brazil...

David: Wow...

Eric: Yeah. How gratifying must that be for you?

David: Oh man, I'm just, I'm just a goof from the Midwest who got lucky. That's, that's huge. I can't get over that, actually. [laughs]

Eric: Does it ever start to sink in? I mean, as you're walkin' around-- and I, I mean, a virtual sensation, you know, is happening around you.

David: Man, I...I hope it doesn't. Like-- I, I've been-- I, I ju-- I just feel so...so lucky to be where I'm at right now, and...and everybody that I've met and had the chance to talk to on a one-to-one basis has been...so complimentary, and so....just humbling. Like, it's...I can't wrap my head around just how nice people are being. So....um, I, I really hope it doesn't sink in. I really don't.

Kathy: Can you go anywhere unnoticed anymore?

David: Um....I actually...I, I did get a chance to go, uh, to a show out here in L.A. a couple days ago. I got to go see Augustana. And uh...I c-- completely got lost in the audience. Like, nobody said anything to me. It was great.

Eric: Well now were you uh...

Kathy: Cool

Eric: ...were you-- did you have a hat pulled down low, dark sunglasses on, like everybody else in L.A.?

David: Uh, well I was wearin'...I was wearin' a long blonde wig....

Eric: Good call

David: And uh... [Kathy laughs]

David: Yeah, so...

Eric: And people were like [whispers]: I think that's Pam Anderson. [Kathy and David laugh]

Eric [whispering]: I think Pam Anderson.

David: Nice

Eric [whispering]: I thi-- she's got a beard, now. But I'm pretty sure that's her.

David: Just the light hit the face the wrong way. That's all it was.

Eric: So when the whole thing started, when American Idol started, and ya' know, with each subsequent week America followed along your journey through the process, and it gets down to the final moments, and you're on stage just before Ryan Seacrest announce-- announces the results. I'm, uh, you've told the story before, but please tell it to us. What was going through you and churning inside you at that moment?

David: Um....well, before he said my name, I...I wasn't really that nervous. I'd kinda resigned...uh, the, the, the title to Archie. I thought, Tuesday, ya' know, with the judges' comments, and then with hearin' the percentages on Wednesday, I was...I was set for second as far as I was concerned. So...uh, when he said my name it was...um...ya' know, shock and awe, pretty much.

Kathy: David seriously...you're performing in front of over 31 million people. And you're not nervous?

David: Well no, see we're talkin' about two different things. I wasn't nervous on Wednesday night. I was *really* nervous on Tuesday.

Eric: Mm-hmm

David: Um...ya' know, but...at the end of the day, I mean, you just kinda gotta put blinders on and just do it. Uh, cuz they weren't gonna-- [recording cuts to dead air for approximately 22 seconds]

David: ...uh, just...uh, uh, I...it, it's...it's a weird thing to try to explain. So I apologize. But it was, uh...ya' know, I just kinda put these...mental blinders on. And, and..

Eric: Mm-hmm

David: I don't hear anything around me, and I don't really even see the audience. I'm just kinda zonin' in and I'm thinkin' about what I wanna do.

Kathy: Ya' know...

David: Uh...

Kathy: It was very sweet when your mom came up on stage.

Eric: And your brother

Kathy: Yeah

David: Oh yeah, yeah

Kathy: And...

David: Yeah they're uh...they're good people. Ya' know?

Kathy: I read that um, your mom is struggling a little bit with your success, because her coworkers keep coming to her and telling her how sexy and hot you are. [David laughs]

David: Yeah she, she call-- called me once and told me this story, and...uh, it was about a, a coworker. And...I guess my mom had finally had enough. And she's like: Hey, I'm all for you guys sayin' nice things about my son. But please don't tell me that my son is sexy. It's just weird. [Kathy laughs]

David: And uh...ya' know, I mean...sorry mom. [Everyone laughs]

Eric: Did your mom ever decide, ya' know, "David, it might be time for you to let yourself go a little bit, because they think you're sexy. If you put on some weight maybe, and uh, ya' know, uh...."

David: Well, and see, that's what's funny, is like, I, I'm, I'm actually, like...I'm not in the best shape of my life by any stretch of the imagination. So I don't know what else I've gotta do, here. [Eric and Kathy start laughing]

David: Short of, ya' know...throw on another 200 pounds. So...

Eric: Yeah, you're like: I'm trying to turn you people off!

Kathy [laughing]: Right

David: I've been, I've been tryin' since Freshman year of college to do that, mom. [Kathy laughs]

David: It's just, uh...I don't know what else to do.

Eric: [laughing] Right

Kathy: You're tryin'

Eric: Well, it's a burden, it really is.

David: Yeah, yeah.

Kathy: You know, you got sick once and went to the hospital. Was that-- that was high blood pressure. Do you still have that?

David: Ah, um, yeah. I mean, I'll always have high blood pressure. It, its, it's...yeah that got blown waaaay out of proportion. It was just uh...uh, I, I went as a precaution, just to, ya' know, for liability issues for the show, and...

Eric: Sure

David: And uh, I, I mean, cuz...I was in no life-threatening danger or anything like that. It's just...

Kathy: Kinda young, though

David: I got a little nervous. I...I, I didn't know the lyrics as well as I should have for that Dolly Parton song. So I got nervous. [Eric and Kathy laugh]

Eric: Yeah well...that's tough.

Kathy: That's understandable

David: Yeah

Eric: Now that you're the American Idol champion, and uh, a, a worldwide sensation-- ya' know, you were on the Tonight Show last night with Jay Leno. You've had the opportunity to meet all sorts of cool, interesting people. Has there been anybody uh, during those travels that has really, really impressed you and taken your breath away?

David: Um...yeah. I actually got a chance to uh, to, to talk to during the show a little bit, and, and got a chance to actually meet, once the show was done, uh, Raine Maida from Our Lady Peace. And...uh...he was just...so down to earth, and so unassuming.

Eric: Mm-hmm

David: Uh, and given that he was one of my musical idols goin' into this...

Eric: Right

David: ...uh, that, that was one of the coolest experiences, cuz you hear all these horror stories about, ya' know, you meet your musical idols, or your entertainment idols, and, and they're mean. And it's just kind of a huge letdown. And so, to have him kinda...stand up to all these, uh, expectations I'd put together in my head was, was really, really cool.

Kathy: What about any athletes? Because I know you sang the National Anthem at the Lakers/Boston Celtics game. Although--

David: The only, uh, the only athlete that I got to meet was John Sally. And uh, he was uh, he was actually really, really cool. We talked shop for a minute. Uh, but, ya' know, the players were all so busy gettin' into the game and stuff, that I didn't really get a chance to, to say much. Uh...

Kathy: Is--

David: But I got a--

Eric: Kobe didn't give you a wink or anything?

David: Uh, I gave Kobe a head nod, and he looked at me like...like...like I was really in the wrong place at the wrong time. So.. [Eric and Kathy laugh]

Kathy: Awww. Like, crazy man.

David: I'd just get goin'

Eric: Yeah, and you're like: Whatever, dude. You're down three to one.

David: Yeah

Eric: That's nice.

Kathy: Is it--

David: Well yeah....I wasn't...no [mumbles]

Kathy: The-- is it true you're a die-hard Chicago Bulls fan?

David: Uh, yeah, I'm a pretty big Bulls fan. I think, ya' know, I, I, I got into basketball about the time that, that uh, ya' know, it was Jordan, and Pippen, and...and John Paxson, and...uh, Will Purdue. Ya' know, I mean the, the glory years for the Bulls.

Eric: Whoa whoa whoa whoa whoa whoa. Wait wait, whoa whoa David. Uh, nothin' against Will Purdue. But very few people go: Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen, John Paxson, and Will Purdue in the same sentence. [Kathy laughs]

David: Well, I mean, ya' know, it, it, it's gotta be done.

Eric: Ok

David: Somebody's gotta give the man some credit.

Eric: Alright.

David: Uh, and then Bill Wennington

Eric [in a "growling" tone]: Ohhh yeah...

Kathy: Ohhhh

Eric: Now there's your man right there.

David: Yeah

Kathy: Yeah

Eric: Wennington.

David: Yeah, see? Yeah.

Eric: Can drop the 15-foot jumper from the side every time. Hey, you were on the Tonight Show , we mentioned that, last night. Is it true what they say, that the Tonight Show green room is one of the best in the business? They've got a good fruit platter and that kinda stuff?

David: Oh man, it's, it's, it's up there. They, they uh, they apparently just got these new TVs in, which were really nice, I gotta say.

Kathy: Ooooh

Eric: Mm-hmm

David: Uh...but yeah, I mean...it, uh yeah. Honestly, uh, uh, so far I'd have to say, it probably is one of the best green rooms.

Eric: Wow. Maybe someday.

David: Maybe

Kathy: Maybe someday. [Eric laughs]

Kathy: No experience

Female voice: Keep dreamin'

Kathy: It's certainly--

Eric: Next time, next time ya' go, can you bring us with ya'? I think that'd be awesome. [Kathy laughs]

David: Sure. Yeah let's do it. Why not?

Eric: I'll take ya' to a Bulls game, and you take us to the uh-- to the Tonight Show. Is that a deal?

David: You gotta deal.

Eric: Alright. Now the Word Nerds continue to uh, send notes. They want us to, uh, say hello on their behalf, and acknowledge you. And I'm, I'm certain the Word Nerds, uh, cuz we were talkin' about this earlier, hold a, a, obviously a place in your heart, right?

David: Yeah, absolutely. I mean, they put me where I'm at. So I kinda owe 'em everything, right?

Eric: Mm-hmm. Where did that start? You're a big word nerd yourself?

David: Uh...well, the whole crossword thing, uh, really, I mean, probably...early high school. Uh..I, I grew up watchin' my mom and my grandmother do crosswords. And then just kinda...I guess I got the bug. So...uh...and then it's, I don't know. It's gotten into...I, I've really been into, like, sudoku lately. So..I go-- I guess maybe number nerd, too. I'm, I'm not sure.

Kathy: Eh...

Eric: Wow

Kathy: "Sudoku Nerd" doesn't sound as good as "Word Nerd."

Eric: That'll cause a whole new...

David: I know, I know.

Eric: ...global sensation.

David: It doesn't roll off the tongue quite as well.

Eric: Yeah. Well congratulations obviously on your enormous, enormous success. Well deserved. Many, many people around the world are, are very, very happy and proud of you. And, and what's next? uh, what-- what's your summer lookin' like?

David: [sighs] Well, we've got this AI tour that starts July 1st in Glendale and goes September 13th uh, in Tulsa. Uh, that'll be a lot of fun. Just kinda get out on the road and...and get a whole new experience with these people that I've already shared the show kinda aspect of it with. And then uh, other than that I'm gonna be workin' on and finishing my first record, which is gonna be, uh, out hopefully...late October, uh, early November. And uh...

Eric: Boy, I sure hope that sells. [Kathy laughs]

David: I, I'm...so far I'm excited. So far it's just...it's exactly what I want it to be.

Kathy: Did you hear what--

Eric: Yeah, yeah.

Kathy: Did you hear what Eric said, David?

Eric: Yeah

David: No, I went off on a rant.

Eric: No, I, I'm, I'm...ya' know, I've, I've got my fingers crossed for ya'. I hope that, I hope that moves. I hope that sells. [Kathy laughs]

David: As do I.

Eric: Yeah, yeah.

Kathy: I think it'll do just fine.

Eric: I, I, I really hope there's a market for that, David. [Kathy laughs]

Eric: I'm not certain, based on what I've seen. But uh, you know, I got my fingers crossed for ya'. Yeah.

David: Yeah I don't know, I don't know. It's kinda on the cusp, it could go either way.

Kathy: Oh I'm sure it'll be fine. Didn't you say you wanted it to be a little quirky?

David: I do. I want there to be some twists and turns in it that make people...ya' know, want to buy it. I mean, I, I don't wanna just put out a, a stock rock record. I want, I want there to be some twists and turns to it where people like, actually wanna go out and buy it and be proud that they own it, and...and uh, and at the end of the day, I mean, I wanna be proud of it as well. So...um, I got my work cut out for me, but so far so good.

Eric: Well congratulations on all your success, and thanks for callin' in this morning and spendin' a few minutes with us. Have a great summer, OK?

David: Aw, thank you. Talk to you guys soon.

Eric: Thank you

Kathy: Thanks David.

Eric: There he is. [Ryan seacrest recording: This is your American Idol, David Cook]

Eric: How 'bout that? Nice guy.

END OF INTERVIEW

2008-06-13 - Rocket and Teresa in the Morning - Mix 93.3 (Kansas City, MO) - Interview (Transcript by Coolshades)

SOURCE: http://dclibrary-radio.4shared.com

DJs: Ponch and Teresa

Ponch: Good morning. We are the Rocket and Teresa show on Mix 93.3, Kansas City's number one hit music station. Ah, Rocket had to take off a little bit early, so it's, uh, me and the T.

Teresa: I like that.

Ponch: It's me and the [with strange accent] T.

Teresa: Me and the T.

Ponch: Me and the T. We're about outta here, but uh, I think this is the phone call we've been waiting for.

Female voice on the phone: Ponch and Teresa, you're on the line with David Cook.

Ponch: Hello, Mr. Cook.

David: Whadduuuup?

Teresa: David Cook on American Idol. How are you?

David: Oh, fantastic. I've been waitin' for this interview for three days.

Ponch: Very good, man!

Teresa: That's so awesome! Last time you were here, it was down to just you and David Archuleta, and I think Syesha was still in it, wasn't she? That's when you came to town.

David: Yeah, and y'all made me cry.

Teresa: Awww

Ponch: I know, we're sorry.

Teresa: That's cuz we love you! [David laughs]

Ponch: You know we've got to, uh, d-- definitely next time you're in town, and we've had a lot of spottings of you poppin' in and out. I know you're very busy, but uh, we gotta get another picture of you. Because the whole staff got a picture, and basically, we covered your face up. [Ponch and Teresa laugh]

David: Oh noooooo.

Ponch: We're, we're like, all tryin' to get in the picture with you, and then you're just kinda pokin' out from behind goin': I'm here.

Teresa: Yeah. [David laughs]

Teresa: We're like: wasn't the whole point to see David in that picture?

David: Next time I'm in town, we'll fix it.

Teresa: Congratulations. Not on-- only on winning American Idol, but man, your music is takin' off like crazy.

David: It's kinda nuts. Thank you guys so much. And thank you for playin' the single. I, I...it's uh, it's mind-boggling to me just how well it's, it's managed to do so far. So...

Ponch: You know, you-- you know it's fantastic that uh, Jenny Matthews is tellin' me that we get huge requests for it. We were one of the first radio stations in the country to play it, and it's nice to see the West Coast and the East Coast following our suit. Because I heard yesterday uh, , the big station there, Z100, just added your song as well.

David: Yeah I mean, I-- [sighs] it's giving me goosebumps, dude. I just, I can't...I really don't want to, nor can I wrap my head around what has transpired the last two and a half weeks.

Ponch: Just--

David: And...

Teresa: What--

David: It's nuts.

Teresa: What do you think when you hear things like: The Beatles hold the record for having fourteen songs on the Billboard charts at one time, and then you had eleven.

David: Um....what? [Teresa laughs]

David: Uh, that's all I can say to-- I, it's just...uh...I, I, I cannot make sense of it. I can't. I, I don't know what else to say. It's just...I'm lost.

Teresa: Does it still just seem like a whirlwind, like it's...

David: Yeah uh--

Teresa: ...not even happening?

David: Yeah, it really does. I feel like at any point, I'm just gonna, like, wake up one morning and be back...ya' know, in Kansas city, uh, lookin' for work. So... [laughs] [Ponch and Teresa laugh]

Teresa: Hey um, we saw how you went out on a date with Kimberly Caldwell. It was all over, you know, TMZ and all that stuff. But what's so funny is, I mean, we saw the one date, and then all of a sudden now you guys are dating, and you found love. Is that true? Are you gonna see her again, or was it just a one time thing?

David: Uh, ya' know, we've, we've been hangin' out, and she's uh, she's, she's a great girl. She's been very, very supportive. And uh...and uh, ya' know it's nice to...just hang out with somebody that's on a, on a person-to-person basis. So...

Teresa: She's gorgeous.

David: Um...oh, she's great. She's absolutely great. So...um...ya' know, moving forward, I think, I, I think if things continue to go the way they're goin', I mean, I don't see any reason to stop hangin' out with her. So...

Teresa: Great! Well we're glad...

David: Ya' never know.

Teresa: ...that you're happy.

David: Yeah

Ponch: So, I've been talkin' to uh, your new and all that. And, and...

David: Yeah

Ponch: ...they tell me that you're very busy with American Idol still. Doing like, uh, you have to do like, rehearsals for the Idol tour? Is that right?

David: Yeah we got this tour comin' up. And uh...ya' know I'm, I'm, I'm actually really, really excited about it. Ya' know, we g-- I get to go back out on the road with...with uh, with nine other contestants who, you know, kinda shared this experience with me. So...uh, it'll be cool, ya' know? Get to wake up in a different city every day, and...kinda meet these people on a one-to-one basis that...put uh...you know, put their time and their phone bills into us every week. So...uh...

Ponch: Well you know, if you do have a uh, spare moment uh, this summer, I don't know, around June 28th, if you want tickets to uh, Red White & Boom and come hang out with us man, you got an open invitation. If you're not bu--

David: [sighs] June 28th.

Ponch: June 28th.

David: If uh...

Ponch: It's a Saturday. It's the weekend before the Fourth of July.

David: If I'm not busy, and you guys can maybe swing me a backstage pass...

Ponch: Y--

David: ...we'll see what we can do.

Ponch: you g--

Teresa: I'm sure we could do that. [David and Teresa laugh]

Ponch: Yeah, we got it for ya'

Teresa: We would love to hang with you, David. Hey, now I know that--

David: I would love to--

Teresa: I know you're busy, and it's all kinda new, but do you know enough yet about what your album will be, your CD, whatever you wanna call it. Um, like, cuz I know that you released your own CD a couple years ago. Will you maybe remaster or remix some of those songs? Will you do any of the things that you sang on Idol and put those on your CD?

David: Um...well the Idol stuff I, I, I, I don't think I will. Um..I, I haven't completely shut the door on the idea yet. I just--I, ya' know, that was a, a cool...part of my life. But...um...yeah, I think I'm kinda ready to move forward a little bit. I think as far as the, the stuff that I did before the show, uh, kinda the same thing. I think if it fits the record, sure. But, um...ya' know, I, I, I-- those songs, those songs were written at a time that I'm just...maybe not at anymore. So, I mean, if it fits...great. But uh, if not, then...

Ponch: You gotta do your own thing, man. We--

Teresa: Yeah

David: Yeah, yeah

Ponch: We, we get what you're sayin'. There's a-- you're not disrespecting anybody at Idol or anything. You just gotta do your own thing. There's nothin' wrong with that.

David: Yeah. Yeah, I'm, I'm just uh...I, I wanna, I wanna move on to the next phase of all this, and just kinda show people what kind of artist I am.

Ponch: Well hey...

David: So...

Ponch: Hey uh, we're talkin' to David Cook. Uh, Kansas City's very own, winner of American Idol. We're runnin' out of time, but uh, is there anything you'd like to say to Kansas City?

David: Uhhh yeah, there's a lot of things I'd like to say to Kansas City.

Ponch: It's all yours...

David: Um...

Ponch: ...go ahead.

David: Well first off, I mean...thank yous are in order. Uh...ya' know, I'm in this great position in my life because of Kansas City essentially kinda...buildin' me from the ground up. So...uh...I can't wait to come out, uh, August 29th and 30th to come see you guys at this tour. I really hope you guys come out. It should be an awesome experience. And then uh...uh, we've got some surprises in store down the road, I think. We're talkin' about uh, how we wanna map out this whole album release situation. So...uh...keep your ears to the ground, and maybe somethin' interesting will pop up.

Teresa: Awesome.

David: So...

Teresa: Well good luck to you. I hope that you just enjoy the ride, ya' know, just take it all in and...enjoy it.

David: Oh absolutely. And I can't wait to-- I honestly cannot wait to get to Kansas City and come say hi. So...

Teresa: Well you definitely have to do that. You know where we are. Don't forget.

David: Absolutely. [Teresa laughs]

David: We gotta get this picture taken. So...

Ponch: David, you know what, too, real quick. It's funny to hear people name- drop you now. [David laughs]

Ponch: Because we've, we've known you for a-- awhile. And uh, there, there's a bar that uh, hung out-- hang out at a little bit. And you do too. Uh, Fuel in Overland Park, I know. And then there's like...

David: Uh-huh

Ponch [mimicking a guy's voice]: So did you hear David Cook was in here the other night? And blah blah blah blah blah. And I was like: Do you know him? "Well no, but he was here, and blah blah blah blah, and he was wearin' this." And I'm like, goin': Come on!

David: Yeah, no I um, I...I uh, got a chance to take a minute to breathe and, when I was home last. And, and, went out for a drink with some friends. And...uh...yeah. It was, it was kinda, it was kinda weird. Like, I was in there, and I, I didn't feel like I could relax, cuz everybody kept takin' pictures and stuff. And...

Teresa: Awww. But isn't it kind of...

David: And uh...

Teresa: ...exciting, too?

Ponch: And that was just Rocket. That was the weird thing. [Teresa and David laugh]

Ponch: He's like: Get away from me, you little midget!

Teresa: Hey one last question, David.

David: Awww

Teresa: Is your brother, um, is he hangin' out with you? Cuz I know that, you know, he like, run the parade with you, and he was there, and he got to be onstage at the finale. I mean, if I were you, I'd like, make him my personal assistant or something. Are you gonna hook him up?

David: Uh you know, I'm, I'm, I'm tryin' to get him on the payroll. But he uh...

Teresa: Awesome

David: He's actually-- I'm really excited. He's gonna come out to L.A. uh, the end of this weekend and hang out for a couple days. His birthday's on Monday. He turns 21. So...

Teresa: Uh-oh

David: Uh, so....well no no. No no. I'm gonna take good care of him. So...

Teresa: Yeah sure. [Ponch laughs]

Teresa: Now that you have...

David: Yeah

Teresa: ...rock star status, he's in trouble. [laughs]

Ponch: Nice

David: Um...uh...uh...no comment. [Teresa laughs]

Teresa: Alright David, well you take care, and best of luck to you. And we can't wait till you come back home.

David: Alright, thank you guys, it was great talkin' to you.

Ponch: Hey have a great weekend David.

David: Uh, you too.

Ponch: Thanks buddy.

Teresa: Bye

END OF INTERVIEW

2008-06-14 - Q102 WKRQ (Cincinnati, OH) – Interview (Transcript by Coolshades)

SOURCE: http://dclibrary-radio.4shared.com

DJ: Brian Douglas

David: Ah Brian, I'm good. How are you, man?

Brian: I'm doin' great, man. Thanks for askin'. David first off, congratulations on winning American Idol.

David: Aw, thank you. No, it's been uh, it's been a bit of a whirlwind, but I'm lovin' it. So...

Brian: Ya' know, what was goin' through your mind at that moment when Seacrest-- you and uh, David Archuleta are standin' up there, and Seacrest opens the envelope. What was going through your mind as he read your name?

David: Uh...as he read my name? Or...uh...

Brian: Or just before.

David: I...

Brian: Just before.

David: Oh, well I mean, just before I'd, I'd, I'd resigned myself to silver. I mean, with the judges' comments on Tuesday, and then to hear the voting discrepancies on, on Wednesday, um...I, I figured Archie had it in the bag. So, uh...it was uh...t-- when, when they said Cook, I was a little, uh...shocked, really.

Brian: Well we're happy you won. It's Brian and Laura on Cincinnati's Q102 with David Cook. Dude, loved a lot of your performances on the show. What was your favorite performance that you did on the show?

David: Um...Music of the Night, Andrew Lloyd Webber week.

Brian: Uh, really?

David: Right. Yeah.

Brian: And that one would shock a lot of people, I think.

David: Well I think uh...y-- ya' know, it was uh, it was one of those funs weeks for me where I, I felt like everybody was expecting me to do something crazy with the song, and...and I knew I could do it straight and...didn't really see the need to rearrange it. So...um...ya' know for me, that was fun. Cuz I, I-- I just knew goin' in that...there was gonna be some weird irony in me actually doin' the song straight... Brian [laughing]: Right.

David: And people bein', like, taken aback by it.

Brian: Right

David: So...

Brian: W-- what was it like some of those, uh, some of those weeks where you did these amazing arrangements. Uh...you do the song, you hear the judges, and then...do you get feedback? Or are you so isolated from the outside world? I mean, do you hear the people just g-- losin' their minds the next day about the things you've done on the show the night before?

David: Ya' know I, I actually tried not to wrap my head around...around uh...the outside world too much, I guess is the way to put it. It was...ya' know, the, the, the...the, the, the preparation for each week is so constant that uh, I, I think to get caught up in what everybody else is sayin' you kind of lose track of what you're supposed to be doin'. So...um...I really tried to take a, a huge step back from, from everything else. Just...ya' know, if I felt good about it, then...ya' know uh, that's all that I have control over. So...um...past that, it was just...um, move forward. Move forward full steam ahead all the time. So...

Brian: David, I read a quote where you said: "I've never-- I never got into the music business for the celebrity aspect."

David: Mm-hmm

Brian: Ya' know, now that you had, ya' know, 55 million people vote for you, you're a household name, how are you dealing with that part of it? Or, what's been the toughest part of your life changing like it has?

David: Um [sigh] ya' know, i-- the, the...the hardest part is, is really the time away from my family and stuff. I, I'd, I'd...gone from, ya' know, seein' my mom and my brother , ya' know, once every three, four weeks to now, ya' know I'm, I don't know when I'm gonna get to see 'em again.

Brian: Mm. That, absolutely, would be very, very tough. It's Brian and Laura with David Cook on Cincinnati's Q102. Dude, we're really lookin' forward to seein' the American Idols tour here in Cincinnati at the US Bank Arena in July. Uh, I've heard rumors you're goinna be recording your CD that'll be released in the fall while you're out on the road?

David: Uh yeah, I'm gonna be writing and recording while I'm out on the road. It's uh, I take-- they've definitely, uh, set this up to where I'm gonna be pretty busy this summer. But um...but yeah, no, we've got a...I've got a great team around me on this record. And, and, and uh, 19 and RCA are, are amazing. They want me to make the record that I wanna make. And so...uh...I feel like I'm in a really good position to, to uh...essentially succeed or fail on my own. Uh, and hopefully, it's uh, it's the former. So...

Brian: I don't think you got anything to worry about, dude. If, if the response is anything like what it has been for the song we're gettin' ready to play -- you're at number five this week, uh, with "Time of My Life" -- you got no worries at all. Let's take a listen. David, hang on. We'll be right back with more from David Cook, your American Idol, on Cincinnati's Q102. [Brian plays "Time of My Life"]

Brian: Number five this week on Cincinnati's Q102, the weekly top ten countdown.-- and movin' up, that's David Cook and "Time of My Life." Dude, congratulations. I mean, the song is the most requested song on the radio stations, just blowin' up the charts.

David: Yeah I'd, I d-- and all I can say is "thank you" to that. I mean, ya' know, I-- I-- uh, again, I feel like I'm just in, in an amazing position, ya' know, to...to uh, to hopefully kinda get k-- keep this momentum, and, and, and move forward, and, and put out a record that not only I can be proud of, but, that uh, ya' know, the people that can buy it can be proud to say they own. I, I, I'm, I'm not in a bad place at the moment. [laughs]

Brian: [laughing] Hey, life doesn't suck for David Cook.

David: Exactly, yeah. [Brian laughs]

Brian: Hey, uh, I know you're gonna right a lot of the stuff, or-- and I heard you're gonna collaborate with maybe Ryan Tedder, One Republic, and some other folks. Who are you workin' with on the record?

David: I know Ryan Tedder's name has been, has been mentioned. Uh, and...uh, if it ends up comin' to fruition, I mean, I would love to work with him. I got a chance to meet him at, at . Er, I'm sorry, the uh, the finale.

Brian: Mm-hmm

David: And um...he's...real down to earth, and had...obviously, I mean, has a hu- -a great musical mind. Uh as, as...evidenced by uh, "Apologize." So...

Brian: Yeah. And "Bleeding Love" wasn't too bad as well. [laughs]

David: "Bleeding Love" was good. [Brian laughs]

David: And I love that new song "Stop and Stare."

Brian: Yeah

David: So uh...he's battin' three for three.

Brian: Yeah. Hey, what kinda, what kinda stuff, if you were just uh, say on your iPod, what kinda stuff would we find on it today? Like what are you listening to right now?

David: Oooh [sigh]...uh, right now? I'm listening to uh...The Used...

Brian: Mm-hmmm

David: Uh...Jimmy Eat World. Um...Big Wreck, Our Lady Peace. Um...I guess the bands that people would expect me to listen to, so. I'm uh [clears throat], now I'm, I'm a rock guy, but I love those quirky rock records that...that uh, ya' know, (A) have something to say, and (B), um...ya' know, music-wise, are just...interesting.

Brian: Right. Is that, is what-- is that what your fans should expect from the record that you're gonna put out hopefully in the f-- I, I hear in the fall, right?

David: I, I w-- I can on-- I, I should hope so. Yeah.

Brian: Yeah [laughs]

David: I mean I, I want this..I want this record to be palatable. Uh, I don't wanna come out with, like, ya' know, some uh, some crazy left-field record. But uh...ya' know, I also want there to be some uh...some interesting twists and turns on it. So I, I...I think if uh, if things continue to go the way they've been goin' as far as the writing process is concerned, I think people can expect to, to be uh...ya' know to, to have that little head-tilt at a couple spots in this record. Just like "oh...ah, well that's weird." [Brian laughs]

David: So...um...so yeah, I'm, I'm excited. I think, I think this record will be a very good indicator of who I am as an artist.

Brian: Cincinnati's Q102, it's Brian and Laura with David Cook. Dude, the last eight, nine, ten months before Idol...does that life seem like a lifetime ago?

David: Absolutely. Yeah I, I, ya' know, I, I feel like...I auditioned for the show, like, three years ago, is what it feels like. So... [Brian laughs]

David: Um...yeah, I mean, it, it's...there's been a lot goin' on in the last few months of my life. And so to, to try to sit down and process it all, I mean, it, it feel s like...just decades.

Brian: Yeah. Well what-- what was a typical day life-- uh, like in your life, David, before this whole Idol thing started?

David: Oh wow, before Idol?

Brian: Yeah

David: Uh...I would usually get up...uh, 11:30, noon...

Brian: Uh-huh

David: And uh... [laughs] and either go bartend or play shows. I mean, that was pretty much my existence. Um...and now, ya' know, I get up a little earlier, and I get to do some more things, and...and then uh, I, I don't have to bartend anymore. [Brian laughs]

Brian: Hey dude, uh, I, I wanna ask you about the dating thing. Got a lotta emails from ladies young, and old or...whatever. And, and I know y-- I'm not gonna ask you about a specific person in your life. You, you probably gettin' tired of answerin' the question about dating already?

David: A little bit.

Brian: Yeah, I mean, I gotta think, that's gotta be difficult to be in the public eye the way you are. And everybody...but I did get a lot of emails from ladies. And I'm not gonna ask you about anyone in particular. They're wanting to know, you know, there have been a lot of ladies tha-- Cougars for Cook? [David laughs]

Brian: The older ladies

David: Yeah, yeah

Brian: Now, they wanna know: exactly how old would you go, and if there's an application online somewhere they can apply?

David: If there's an application...uh... [Brian laughs]

David: I'm not aware of any application online... Brian [laughing]: I'm kidding

David: ...but what I will say is that age is a number...

Brian: Mm-hmm

David: That's it. It's how old you are, uh, mentally that, that I'm concerned with.

Brian: Ok. Well tha-- that's good news for the tri-state, OK?

David [laughing]: I hope so. [Brian laughs]

Brian: Well David Cook, thank you for being such a pleasure . And we look forward to seeing you next month at US Bank Arena on the American Idols tour. Thanks for takin' the time, man.

David: Aw, my pleasure man. I look forward to it as well. Thanks for havin' me.

END OF INTERVIEW

2008-06-15 - ROLLING STONE - David Cook: America's Accidental Idol Source: http://www.allaboutjazz.com/php/entity.php?id=12005

Posted: 2008-06-15 David Cook didn't even plan to try out for American Idol - and then he won Less than a week after winning American Idol, David Cook is sitting in a glitzy restaurant on the south tip of Manhattan's Central Park. The chef, who proudly says he was among the 55 million who phoned in a vote for Cook during Idol's finals, presents the singer with an off- the-menu treat -- foie gras on toast -- that leaves Cook unnerved. "That looks dangerous," he says. ―I'm a little scared." Tossing the bite-size morsel in his mouth, he chews slowly and quickly lunges for his Sprite to drown out the taste. Later, when the chef returns with a delicate flan of pured peas, Cook looks at the plate, picks it up and sets it aside to be cleared. Weird food isn't the only thing to have appeared in the 25-year- old's life in the week since Idol wrapped. After his upset win over teen crooner David Archuleta on May 21st, Cook jetted to New York for his first-ever visit -- during which he hit Regis and Kelly and signed a record deal with /RCA. Whisked around the city in a limousine, he was constantly assaulted by fans. ―Sorry to bother you," said one middle-aged woman, interrupting Cook's dinner to plead with him to sign anything. ―But the rest of your life is going to be like this." Like Chris Daughtry before him, Cook has struck a (power) chord with rock fans across the country. The Idol finale brought in nearly 100 million votes, and by the next week, 11 of Cook's songs had entered Billboard's Hot 100 -- more than any other artist since the Beatles in 1964. Leading the pack is his first single, ―The Time of My Life," followed by many of his Idol covers, including takes on U2's ―I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For," Collective Soul's ―The World I Know" and Lionel Richie's ―Hello." Dressed in dark jeans and a black sport jacket with the sleeves rolled up, displaying gnawed fingernails and a left forearm festooned with rubber bracelets and a single silver band engraved AC, Cook brushes off criticism about Idol's starmaking machinery. ―The overnight thing is nice and romantic," he says. ―But in this particular instance, it's not the case." For , in bands like Axium and the Midwest Kings, Cook has busted his ass to achieve a modest goal: the ability to support himself through music. ―I never got into music for the celebrity aspect," he says. ―That sounds like a cliche, but it's true." Cook was born on December 20th, 1982, in Houston. Before his second birthday, Hurricane Alicia ravaged his hometown, his father's jewelry business relocated to Independence, Missouri, and the family landed in nearby Blue Springs. Family outings were often spent at Kansas City's Kauffman Stadium, where the Royals play, and Cook grew up wanting to become a major-league ballplayer. Throughout his youth and high school he was a standout pitcher, with nasty movement on his fastball. But before he entered Central Missouri State University, he injured his throwing arm — and shifted his focus to music. "Second grade was the first time I sang in front of an audience," Cook recalls. "My music teacher, Mrs. Gentry, gave me a song called 'I Wonder' for our cowboy-themed Christmas pageant." In fifth grade, Cook picked up a violin. ("There was a girl in orchestra who I thought was cute," he says.) He officially gave it up on his 13th birthday, when his dad presented him with a brand-new Fender Stratocaster. A summer trip to visit his grandmother and play baseball with his cousin in Kokomo, Indiana, changed Cook's life forever. "One night we were having a slumber party, and Nine Inch Nails' 'Closer' came on the radio," he says. "I was like, 'That song is so cool.' There were a lot of changes going on at that point — I'd hit a growth spurt. I went to Indiana listening to country, and I came back listening to rock." He taught himself guitar by playing along with Foo Fighters' The Colour and the Shape, Our Lady Peace's Clumsy and Green Day's Dookie. Cook found rock music at a pivotal time: When he was 11, his parents divorced, and his father relocated to Indiana. "I had a great childhood," Cook says. "I got confused for a while, but my parents made a concerted effort to make sure whatever turmoil they were experiencing didn't bleed into taking care of us." Even more devastating news came a few years later, when his older brother Adam was diagnosed with brain cancer. "He's my role model, and it's something that he's been dealing with for a while — it's not terminal," says Cook, who taped "AC" onto the Gibson Les Paul he played on Idol. Throughout high school, Cook involved himself in theater productions like West Side Story and entered talent competitions — finally taking home a prize with a rendition of "Paradise City." "That was my first real rock & roll experience," he says. At 15, he formed Axium, emulating Eddie Vedder's angsty baritone. Cook says he never really applied himself in school — "I was the kid with a ton of potential" — but used his brainpower as part of a competitive forensics debate team. During the Idol competition he was given the nickname "Word Nerd" because of his crosswording hobby, but he's not yet a master. "I can do crossword until about Wednesday," he says. "After that it gets too hard." During his freshman year in college, Cook says, he ditched classes, adding that it wasn't drugs ("Never tried them") or alcohol ("I guess I'm a social drinker") that contributed to his delinquency — it was music. Though they received modest local acclaim, Axium became a dead-end street. "I tried to keep the band rolling, but it didn't pan out," he says. In his senior year, Cook took a handful of his demos and recorded a solo CD called Analog Heart. "I'd never learned so much about myself as a musician than I did that year," he says. "I was struggling to book shows, struggling to get people to come to the shows, but I loved every second of it." In 2006, after graduating with a degree in graphic arts, Cook moved to Tulsa, Oklahoma, where he had a gig lined up playing rhythm guitar in a regional touring outfit called the Midwest Kings. "It gave me a different perspective, allowed me to understand how to work a stage," he says. He scraped by, bartending and painting apartments, while his loved ones encouraged him to come home and get a real job. "The last thing I wanted to do was tuck tail and go home," he says. "I thought, 'I have my whole life to make money, and I should struggle for something I love.' It wasn't something I was ready to give up on." At 5:30 in the morning on August 10th, 2007, Cook, his mother and his younger brother Andrew, 20, stood in the rain outside Omaha's Qwest Center. "I was just there for moral support," says David — Andrew was the one actually there to audition for Idol. "I appreciated the show for what it is, a huge platform, but I never really saw it as my path." With television cameras on, and encouragement from Andy, David auditioned with Bon Jovi's "Livin' on a Prayer" — kicking off the nine-month journey that would lead him to Idol glory. "I don't want to bite the hand that feeds me" is Cook's standard answer when questions fly about Idol's authenticity. But aside from criticizing the group numbers and a particular matador outfit he was forced to wear, Cook says he got what he bargained for. "There's a vibe associated with American Idol, and the show's not for everybody, just like anything else," he says. "But I'm aware that I signed on the dotted line." Anybody who watched the last few rounds noticed Cook's incredible calm. "I was never in it to win it, and that took some pressure off me," he says. "If I'd gotten caught up in all that, I would've had a coronary." He means that literally: He suffers from genetically high blood pressure, so he's learned how to stay on an even keel, or, as he puts it, "to take the yin with the yang. If not, I'll die!" During Dolly Parton Week, he got nervous about forgetting the words, which sent his heart into a tizzy. Though he claims it was "blown out of proportion," he was still rushed to the hospital and put on medication. As far as behind-the-scenes Idol drama, Cook can report none. He's looking forward to hitting the road with his former Idol mates — especially Luke Menard, Amy Davis, Michael Johns and Archuleta. His fondest memories of the whole experience are getting to throw out the first pitch at a Royals game this year, meeting the band America in an airport ("I covered 'Sandman' in my first talent show"), dating former Idol contestant Kimberly Caldwell and, of course, winning. "That's when the Cliffs Notes version of your life races through your head," says Cook, who was in tears. "I thought Archie had it." In New York, Cook is on his way out of MTV, where he has recorded a guest spot on the network's Spanish-language version of TRL and realized that five years of Spanish classes have gotten him nowhere. Back on the street, he's asked whether Chris Daughtry's success in hard rock is a good sign for him. "I definitely think guys like Bo [Bice] and Chris have paved the way for somebody like me to have success on the show," Cook says. "But I've prepped myself to have a little bit of room to breathe, a little wiggle room, because I can do the hard rock and I can do the ballads. I don't want to make a Chris Daughtry record, I want to make a David Cook record. I feel like I know who I am." [From Issue 1055 — June 26, 2008]

2008-06-16 - PEOPLE - Sexy and sensitive: David Cook Source: http://www.people.com/people/archive/article/0,,20207274,00.html

By MICHELLE TAUBER, MONICA RIZZO, With Jennifer Garcia/Los Angeles American Idol David Cook Opens Up About Dating in the Spotlight, All Those Cougars for Cook and That 'Heartthrob' Tattoo on His Chest How did David Cook know he'd finally made it? It might've been when the 25- year-old singer was able to pick up the tab for a group of friends and family during a recent visit home. Or maybe it was when part of his first date with former American Idol contestant Kimberly Caldwell, 26, ended up on YouTube, much to his dismay. And then, of course, there was the moment on May 21 when he sang live before 31.7 million people after winning the seventh season of Idol. "It's hard not to feel," he says of the wild past few months, "like your existence has shifted." It has been an intense ride for the Blue Springs, Mo.-bred Cook, whose onstage highs have been tempered by his brother Adam's ongoing battle with brain cancer. "Dave would just put whatever he was feeling back into his performance," says fellow Idol finalist Michael Johns, who became a close friend, "and I think that's where some of that passion came from that people fell in love with." Now Cook is getting ready to record his debut album (due this fall from 19 Recordings/RCA), preparing to head out on the 49-city Idol summer tour beginning July 1—and trying to make sense of how his life has changed. "To me, it's the equivalent of when you have a birthday and someone asks you, 'Do you feel any older?'" he says. "No. I feel exactly the same as I did before all of this, and I plan to stay that way." You just returned from a visit home—how did it feel to relax with your friends and family? It was nice to recharge my battery. I took a bunch of people out to dinner—I'm in a position now where I'm able to properly say thank you for everything they've done for me, and to be able to do that feels great. How is your family handling it all? They're excited. They've expressed concern about not getting to see me as much, but I'll get to see them again at the end of August [when the Idol tour comes to Kansas City]. What does it mean to you to be able to raise awareness about Adam's illness and to have had him at the finale to support you? Having Adam there was great. He was kind of tucked away in the back, so I couldn't see him, but just knowing he was there was special—it was a pretty big comfort.... I'm going to start a foundation. The goal will primarily be funding for juvenile and adult brain cancer research. In addition to your foundation, what's next? I start the writing process for the record. We're going to try to get a producer by the end of the month, so that's exciting, and then of course the tour. Who are you especially excited to hang out with on the bus? Mike Johns, actually. He's really fun and goofy and he keeps things light, so that will be great. Tell us about the "heartthrob" tattoo on your chest! It was, um...when I was living in Tulsa, I put out a record, and this arts-and- entertainment magazine in Tulsa called me "Tulsa's Newest Heartthrob." My friends razzed me about it, and so [Heartthrob] became this nickname, and I just thought, Why not? It's a little heart. It's probably about a year old. Simon called you "one of the nicest, most sincere" Idol contestants ever— but when a woman calls you a "nice guy," isn't that the kiss of death? It can be! I remember when I was in middle school, I asked a girl out and she said she was sorry, but she felt I was in the "friendship zone"—so that's a bad place to be. You are very popular with the female population, ages 10 to 70. Wow, that's a nice demographic. How do you feel about all those Cougars for Cook out there? [Laughs] I love it! I mean, you know, age is a number. I think it's the age at which you carry yourself that's important. There is something very sexy about an older woman. I don't know what it is. Did you always have a lot of girlfriends? I guess whatever the average would be. I was able to garner the interest of the occasional female, but I wasn't trigger-happy on relationships. Medium! You were named "Mr. Jaguar" of your senior class. Explain. Oh God! Mr. Jaguar—that's right! Mr. Jaguar was this pageant that my high school did every year. It's a guy pageant; there are four categories: formal wear, swimsuits and some others. I bought black boxer briefs and then took two pieces of black poster board and put them around me and wrote "censored" on them. Do you envision yourself getting married and having kids someday? I think marriage is a long way off for me. I'm 25 years old and I've got the world to learn. But I think eventually I would love to settle down and have a family and bring some kids into the world. Time will tell. You strike a lot of women as very romantic. I'm very much a hopeless romantic. I still kind of believe in movies. Have you ever not liked your appearance? Yeah. Going to college, I got the Freshman 15 and the Sophomore 15 and then the Junior 15! My metabolism slowed down and I had horrible eating habits. But now I'm trying to turn this one ab into six. Are you working out? My working out is just doing everything [Idol producers] have got me doing. It's just a matter of trying to find a better diet and then getting into the exercise. I've got to get into tour shape! You have 14 hits on Billboard's Hot Digital Songs, and your album is No. 2 on Amazon—and you haven't even started work on it yet. Really? You just broke that news to me. That's crazy. It'll be rock, with some twists and turns.... I'll be writing and cowriting it. I want there to be some quirks on this record. People will be a little surprised. If you were to suddenly get your pre-Idol life back tomorrow, how would you feel? I'd feel the exact same as I feel today: that I'm just a goof who got lucky. MORE FROM THIS ARTICLE Mama's Boy Beth Foraker has always been her son's No. 1 fan. So what's her secret to raising such a nice guy? "My only secret is that I didn't let him get by with a lot," she says. Nowadays she's mainly protecting David from his hordes of female admirers. "A lot of the ladies that I work with would say things about David, and I was like, 'You know, you can say a lot of things about my son to my face,'" she recalls with a laugh, "'but don't ever walk up to me and tell me that you think my son is sexy!'" David on Dating Was asking Kimberly Caldwell out on live TV as spontaneous as it seemed? I didn't really think it through or I would've realized that everyone would be asking me about it. I can tell you this: I won't be asking anyone out on TV again. We went on a date. It was nice. We'll see what happens. What about the girl who asked you out during a call-in segment on Idol? I'd be open to hanging out if she's got the guts to call! Fill in the blank. On a first date I always: Try to do all the things I'm supposed to do: opening doors, paying for meals—just being a gentleman, I guess. First-date look? I just try to (a) dress for the occasion and (b) dress comfortably. Nobody wants to show up for a date and see me in Eddie Murphy's Raw outfit.

2008-06-18 - 104.1 KRBE -- Roula & Ryan Show (Houston, TX) – Interview (Transcript by Coolshades)

SOURCE: http://dclibrary-radio.4shared.com

DJs: Roula, Ryan, and Special K

Ryan: I'm still laughin' really hard, man. The video, uh, I just watched it again. Special K gettin' the bird pa-- uh, b-- bird poop facial.

Roula: Yes [Ryan and Roula laugh]

Roula: if you missed it, go to 104krbe.com. He was pretty angry when he realized we really put bird poop on his face, uh, on Friday afternoon. You can see all the video footage there on the Roula and Ryan show page. [Ryan laughs]

Roula: And ladies and gentleman, we have somebody special calling on our line. Hello?

David: Hey, you guys put bird crap on his lips? [Ryan and Roula laugh]

Ryan: Yeah, we're immature

Roula: Is this David Cook our American Idol?

David: It is.

Roula: Oh David, welcome to the Roula and Ryan show on 104.1 KRBE Houston. And yes, we did put bird poo on Special K's face.

David: Special K man, I am so sorry. [Ryan and Roula laugh]

Ryan: Well, ya' know, uh, David, what happened was is that, ya' know, we did a story in the news about, uh, it was last week, about uh, how these women in New York are spending a hundred and eighty dollars getting this bird poop facial. And we're like: Dude, I can just go down, scrape it off the car windshield. And uh...he kinda got suckered into it.

David: Oh no.

Special K: No, they lied! They lied to me!

Roula: See, now aren't you glad, David, that you have a real job... [Ryan laughs]

Roula: ...that's making you all kinds of fame and fortune, instead of having to do stuff like Special K does on our show?

David: Special K, you should be makin' the money that I'm makin' for stuff like that. [Ryan and Roula laugh]

Special K: Yes! Thank you!

Ryan: Yeah. Speaking, speaking of Mr. David Cook, our American Idol, uh, have you started to see the coin roll in yet?

David: Uh....uh, yeah know, a little bit. I, uh-- ya' know with this um...ya' know, with the record deal and all the stuff they got me doin' uh...uh, tryin', tryin' to keep up ha--has, has been priority number one.

Ryan: Have you been able to make that first, ya' know, self-indulgent, uh, buy for yourself?

Roula: My God, he just won three weeks ago. [laughs]

David: Not yet. I still, I'm, I'm holdin' out hope that I'm gonna be able to get a dog soon. I just...I want to get a Great Dane and name him Quagmire. But...

Special K [in high-pitched voice]: Giggity giggity giggity goo!

David: Giggity giggity. Giggity goo.

Roula: Yeah [Ryan laughs]

Roula: Uh, we're joined by David Cook from American Idol, on 104.1 KRBE and the Roula and Ryan show. And David Cook, you are newly crowned the American Idol. So, uh, coming off of Ryan's, uh, inquiry for you, well how does that work exactly? When you win, and then they sign you to the record deal...I guess they give you some kind of signing bonus so you can have some money to-- so you don't have to ask them if you can go buy a Starbucks? Or... [David laughs]

Roula: Wh-- what's the story there? H-- how does that work for ya'?

David: Um...well there's, uh, I mean, there's a little bit of red tape to cut through. But, um...ya' know they uh...basic-- uh, they make sure that we're taken care of. I mean, we're a-- I'm actually out here in L.A. doin' the Idol tour. Uh, for me I'm just, I, I don't know. I'm tryin' to enjoy it for what it is. And...and uh, but also try to focus on, on movin' forward and gettin' this record off the ground.

Ryan: Ya' know, that's what I wanted to ask ya', David. I mean ya-- obviously you've gotta be, uh, just totally stoked. You got the tour and everything. But...I mean, do you have, like, material that you've always wanted to record? Or are ya' comin' up with new stuff? I mean, ya' know, uh...do you have, like, songs layin' around that you're just dyin' to get into the studio and record?

David: Well, I mean, I'm in a, I'm in a good position. I actually was workin' on a record before, uh, before the show that I never released. And so, I got a little bit of m-- uh, of material that most people haven't heard to kinda lean on. And then, uh, I've been doin' some writing sessions and stuff, and...and really tryin' to, um, ya' know, get a beat on where I want this record to go. So...

Ryan: Do you get pressure, you know, for you to go ahead and like, ya' know, work with, like, major songwriters? Or, or do y-- ya' know, do they wanna come in and suggest hits and all that for ya'?

David: Uh, ya' know, for me, I...I'm, I, I, I really don't have an ego about the whole thing. I'm, ya' know, I'm 25 years old, I've played music for ten years. Th-- I, I've actually gotten a chance to write with some people and, and I'm just-- I've used it as a learning experience, and really pickin' their brains, and...and uh, ya' know, cuz there are a million different ways to write a hit song. And if I can, if I can get my head around one of 'em then...I'm in a good position. So...

Roula: We are speakin' to David Cook. He is the American Idol for this year. Of course, on the Roula and Ryan show on 104.1 KRBE. And I have to say, I was thinkin' about you the other day, uh, David, cuz I was listening to 's "With You," and I know that David Archuleta's the one that sang that on the show. But I was thinking: You know what? The lyrics of this song are pretty cute. And one of my friends is getting married, and she goes: "Gosh, if that song wasn't so cheese ball, I would use it." I go "God, all you gotta do is get David Cook to redo it for ya'. I bet it would s-- be a smash hit."

David: Awww. Well give me, give me a week, and I'll, I'll work on the rearrangement.

Roula: Yeah why don't you do that for me.

Ryan: You think, y-y-y- ya' think you could rock out anything?

Roula: Yeah!

David: Uh...ya' know what, there are some songs that just cannot be rocked-out. [Ryan laughs]

Roula: Well I'll tell you what, David. It just, ya' know what? Simon wasn't wrong in those preliminary rounds. You were the dark horse. And look at that, you came out to win it. And ya' just...ya' wowed us all. And ya' know what, I'm really bummed -out. They take you-- they took your, um, songs off of iTunes. Like Billie Jean and Hello, and all that stuff. Are there any plans with, um, your new record label, that, maybe you'll put that on an album? Like, your versions of Billie Jean and Hello and all that, so we can get ahold of 'em if we didn't buy them already?

David: Um...I don't think there's any talks of it as of yet. But I've been asked that enough to where maybe we should talk about it.

Ryan: Ya' know, uh, for week after week after week, we talked to Paula Abdul. Like, every time we'd uh, ya' know, uh, ya' know, watch the show, the next morning she'd call us live. And ya' know, she was pullin' for you by the way, almost the whole time.

David: Yeah. it was cool.

Ryan: And uh, ya' kno-- what I was wondering is, ya' know, because you d-- you did win by a substantial number of votes. When you were standing up there, did you-- did you really have, like, an idea that, ya' know, that, "yeah it's me"?

David: Oh absolutely no idea. I, I think uh...based on what the judges said Tuesday, and then...uh...

Roula: Mm-hmm

David: We got, we got in Wednesday morning, and Nigel told us the uh, the voting percentages.

Ryan: Well, the reason I--

Roula: Yeah, yeah

Ryan: The reason I'm asking is cuz, ya' know, there's a website you can go to where you can...kinda track the Idol phone call. Ya' know--

Roula: Yeah, Dialidol.com

Ryan: Dialidol.com. Where you can kinda track the--

David: Oh yeah, I've heard of that.

Roula: Yeah, yeah.

David: ...the progress. Yeah. And it's like, ya' know, that morning we looked at it, and it's like, you were, like, winning by a substantial margin.

Roula: Yeah

Ryan: We're like: Ok, David's won it. David Cook's won it.

Roula: Well, so, yeah. So when Ryan Seacrest said "By twelve million votes," I mean gosh, that was a shocker for everyone. I didn't think it was gonna be by twelve million, but...uh we're, we're glad it was you, David Cook. I mean, nothing against...

David: Ohh

Roula: ...David Archuleta. He is a good kid. But, I just think you really brought something different to this, uh, show this time. And we...

David: Aw, thank you.

Roula: ...really wish you the best success. We can't wait to see you here in Houston August 24th.

David: Ah, can't wait to be there. I actually uh, I, I haven't been there since, since I moved. I've, I was born there. And moved at, like, a year and a half.

Roula: Oh my God, that's right! But wait--

Ryan: Oh really?

Roula: But wait--

Ryan: Yeah wait wait wait...what part of town were you bor-- wha-- what part of town did ya', you know, first live in?

David: I was born uh, at the Baytown Memorial.

Roula: Oh my God, you're kidding!

Ryan: Wow.

Roula: No wait, hold on. How old were you when you moved from, uh, Baytown?

David: Year and a half

Roula: Then that, that's crazy, cuz you haven't been back since you've been born? My God, you don't remember anything! This city's so...

David: I know, right?

Roula: ...totally different!

David: That's what they tell me...from, from '82, 83. [Ryan laughs]

Roula: Uh, yeah! [laughs] We've changed quite a bit there, David Cook. And uh, continued success to ya', babe. We can't wait to see what ya' got next. "Time of My Life," we love playin' the single. It's fantastic.

David: Thank you so much, and I'm gonna hold you to that tour.

Roula: Uh, yeah!

Ryan: Alright, David. David, when you come to town, we'll take ya' out.

David: Alright, sounds good.

Ryan: Alright, man. You take care.

David: Alright, you too.

Roula: Ahhh, David Cook. Ahh, made my morning.

END OF INTERVIEW

2008-06-17 - XM Top 20 – Interview (Transcript by Coolshades)

SOURCE: http://dclibrary-radio.4shared.com

DJ: Priestly

Priestly: Good morning, an-- and, we've been waitin' for this. Your American Idol finally dialin' in to the 20. It's Priestly with David Cook. Good mornin' brotha!

David: Uh, good mornin'. How are ya'?

Priestly: Dude, we are doing absolutely fantastic. My question is: How are you?

David: Uh...you know, I'm not too bad at the moment. [laughs]

Priestly: I, I mean dude, this has been a whirlwind of chaos. So uh...why don't you just take a breath and chill?

David: Ok, that's fine.

Priestly: Do you remember how to do that? [David takes a breath and exhales deeply. Priestly laughs]

Priestly: So, I mean dude, come on, seriously, like, how are you feeling? Th-- this has just gotta be insane for you.

David: Um...I mean, I feel good. Like it's, it's uh...the-- there's a lot goin' on for sure. But um...ya' know...I--it-- [Priestly laughs]

David: ...it's uh, it's not a bad existence at this point. So I'm just kinda-- I'm tryin' to enjoy everything and, and uh...ah, take it for what it is. So...

Priestly: Definitely a lot busier than the busiest bar night, I'm sure.

David: Yes, yes. [Priestly laughs]

David: This is uh...definitely a little bit more hectic than that.

Priestly: Well he's takin' a breath, here. We've got David Cook, your American Idol, in the house on XM's 20...obviously having the time of your life. So let's get in to the uh, the song that is absolutely blown up everywhere. Like, 263 thousand downloads , what was it like, in a day?

David: Uh, I d-- I...uh... [Priestly laughs]

Priestly: You're like: Something like--

David: I don't even remember the number. I'm like: Whaaaat? [laughs]

Priestly: It's, it's been insane. Well dude, here we go, let's get it on real quickly. When-- we're gonna come back and chat a little bit more, uh, meat stuff. 866- 553-2020. Gonna let David Cook take a chill. It's something he rarely gets to do. Right now, enjoy "The Time of My Life" right here on XM's 20. [song break]

Priestly: Alright, this is XM's 20 on 20. Your boy Priestly hangin' out with American Idol David Cook. And dude, I, I gotta ask you. I mean, I'm sure everybody has asked you, but...what does it feel like to win American Idol, man?

David: Ummm [sigh] it feels like...it feels like taking a breath, a-- as weird as that is to say. I mean, you know, you go through the whole process of the show, and...every facial twitch gets, just, misinterpreted... [Priestly laughs]

David: ...and, and overdisssected. And, and uh...and so to, to make it all the way through to the end, I mean, it's obviously really gratifying and humbling and, and uh, I think that on top of that though, it's just uh...it's a chance to like, like we were talkin' about before, just uh, a chance to breathe, ya' know?

Priestly: You deserve it, man. And I gotta tell ya', I was a fan of yours from the get-go. I watched it all season long. American Idol is huge here on XM's 20. We catch up about it the morning after all the time. And, and I gotta be straight up with ya', man. I, I honestly believed...that Archuleta was gonna walk away with this thing.

David: Well, you and me both, ya' know? [laughs] He's an immense talent. I mean uh, why-- it, it, it, it, it seemed like the smart money thing, to go with Archie. So...

Priestly: Not even that. It, it was, uh, ya' know, his fans just seemed so rabid a lot of the time. And I was afraid that there was gonna be like, ya' know, the teenybopper Archuleta kinda, uh, lash-out. I was rootin' you, and I gotta tell ya', ninety percent of the 20 on 20 listeners were totally behind you, and we were just afraid we were gonna jinx it.

David: Awwww [laughs] [Priestly laughs]

Priestly: It, it, dude, I'm telling you. I heard the-- I felt the collective, like, cheer that night. It was sooo awesome when, when they announced your name, Dude. I've got goosebumps thinkin' about it.

David: Join the club, man. [Priestly laughs]

David: It was uh, it was such a cool experience. I, I mean, you know, to, to have that amount of votes come in, and then to come out on top. I mean it's ju--it's mind-boggling. Like I, I...I don't even wanna attempt to wrap my head around it. So...um, ya' know, the goal now is obviously just to get out on the road with this tour and everything, and meet, um, ya' know, everybody that, that, that took the time to vote. Ya' know, whe-- whether it was for me or for, for Archie or for anybody else. So...

Priestly: Well--

David: Um, I'm just excited to kinda get back out on that one-to-one basis as opposed to like, havin' to, havin' to throw out the mass "thank you"s to, to everybody. [Priestly laughs]

Priestly: A lotta thank you cards goin' through the uh...

David: Mm-hmm

Priestly: ...David Cook household, I'm sure.

David: Absolutely.

Priestly: Hangin' out, it's your American Idol, David Cook. We come back, gonna find out what some of the cooler things post-Idol have been goin' on in David's world. Keep it here, it's XM's 20 on 20. [song break]

Priestly: Good mornin'. It's XM's 20 on 20. Priestly hangin' out with David Cook. Gettin' votes in for "The Time of My Life" right now. 866-553-2020. Um...my next question I want to know is, of all the things you've done post-Idol, wha-- what is the coolest? I, I saw ya' on the Today Show performin' with Archuleta...

David: Yeah

Priestly: Huge. You've been on Jay Leno now twice. Uh...

David: Mm-hmm

Priestly: The National Anthem at the NBA Playoffs, dude. Wha-- what, what is like, the big standout thing of, of what you've done post-Idol now.

David: Uh...the coolest thing for me so far was probably, uh, the second time on Leno, gettin' to play with a band and, and, and, kinda get that rock concert feel back a little bit. Um...I, I, I wish I could have played some more songs, so... [Priestly laughs]

David: Um...it was probably a mix between that, and then uh, I got to visit a children's hospital in New York, and, and do a little performance and Q and A with them, and...it, it puts everything in perspective real quick for ya'.

Priestly: It sure does. You're a good man, Mr. Cook.

David: Aww

Priestly: Well if you're just listenin', David Cook, your American Idol, hangin' out right here. It's XM's 20 on 20. We're gonna take a quick break. Uh, dude, are you a fan of pop music at all?

David: Uh...well of course, I mean....popular music. Yes. [Priestly laughs]

David: Well, eh, what if we were to let you pick uh, one of your favorite pop songs right now. Anything that would, uh, come to mind for ya'?

David: Um...I'm really into that One Republic "Stop and Stare," actually.

Priestly: Well--

David: That's a great song.

Priestly: Dude, that's what operates this channel. It's all about listener requests, and votes and stuff. So, for David Cook, a little uh, One Republic, "Stop and Stare." We're gonna come back, and we're gonna definitely talk about the American Idol tour. And, and David's got somethin' really, really special coming up as well. Wanna talk about this thing called "Taste for a Cure." Keep it right here. This is XM's 20 on 20. [song break]

Priestly: Thank you so much for checkin' in. It's XM's 20 on 20. Priestly hangin' out with David Cook, American Idol. Brotha, it has been a true pleasure having you call us.

David: Aw man, it's been a pleasure just letting me talk to you guys, so...

Priestly: Now dude, I'm tellin' ya', thank you thank you. The phones are off the hook. Everybody is voting for uh, "Time of My Life, " here. So I think that's gonna find its way to number one on the next 20.

David: Aw man, I can't say thank you enough for that. I mean it's just, it's such a trip. Like to, to have these kinda numbers comin' in. And, and, and, ya' know I think it's just a testament to what the show's about, which is just, uh, a platform for, for, for musicians and artists. So, I mean, it's cool. I'm excited.

Priestly: Well, 866-553-2020. And uh, 20on20xmradio.com. Vote for David Cook. So dude, we're gearin' up for the big American Idol tour. How ya' feelin' about that one?

David: Aw man, I can't wait. Like to, to-- just to get out on the road with, with the people that I've, kinda shared this experience with is, is, is gonna be massive. Um...ya' know, and everybody's kinda gettin' their own sets. So it's gonna be a lot more of the, uh, of the individual performance kinda vibe. And...and uh, ya' know there's a few surprises along the way that I, I, I really think people are gonna be walkin' out of this show feelin' like they've, they've spent their money well. So...I'm uh, I'm very excited. We start July 1st in Glendale, Arizona, and then we spend the rest of the summer, uh, on the road until, I think, September 13th in Tulsa. So...it should be a good ride.

Priestly: Prepare to be extremely crazed. Matter of fact, Glendale Arizona, I think that's pretty much close to the former American Idol's home, uh, Jordin Sparks.

David: Yeah. Absolutely, absolutely.

Priestly: Matter of fact, she was here just yesterday.

David: Oh wow.

Priestly: An absolute sweetheart. And uh, dude...

David: Oh yeah, she is.

Priestly: She, she told me, literally, in her coronation year of being American Idol, was home for two weeks.

David: Oh no, I believe it. I've uh, I've actually been home...maybe a grand total of two days so far.

Priestly: Well, so, yep. You've got the rest of '08 to rack up that uh, well let's say...

David: That remaining twelve days. Yeah. [laughs]

Priestly: A week and...yeah, whatever you have left. So uh, it's gonna be a whirlwind, man. So enjoy it, and uh, definitely keep in touch with the friends and fam because uh, she was so...sick of not being with her brother, she got "PJ" tattooed to her neck.

David: I believe it.

Priestly: It's pretty amazing. And then speaking of, dude, you've got something going on June 21st I wanna talk about.

David: Yeah

Priestly: "Taste for a Cure." That sounds like a hell of an event.

David: Ya' know obviously, I mean, it, it's probably no big secret at this stage of the game...

Priestly: Sure

David: ...that, that uh, that cancer has uh...ya' know, a huge, huge, uh, ya' know, part of my life. And, everybody, ya' know, if you really stop and think about it, everybody has some connection to this disease. Such a, a, a, a, a large concept to try to wrap your head around a lot of the time. And, and I think, ya' know, in a lotta cases, there, there, there's just steps that, that could be taken on a, on a government level, a local level, that just kinda get passed by. And, and so it's all about, to me, ya' know, I'm in this point in my life where I can hopefully raise a little bit of awareness to where, um, maybe we can start taking these steps to eradicate this disease. So...uh, I'm just really honored to be a part of it. I think it's, uh, it's a great, great cause. And, and I can't wait to uh, to get involved.

Priestly: Well I thank you personally, being connected somewhat to cancer as well. My mother is a survivor -- knock on wood -- of breast cancer. And...

David: Ah, that's amazing.

Priestly: It, it affects everybody, dude. So I--

David: Uh-huh

Priestly: I really applaud you for using your newfound fame to bring more light to a, uh, disease, situation, I mean, it, it's become even more than a disease. We've got to eradicate this thing.

David: Mm-hmm

Priestly: We could put people on the moon. We gotta get rid of cancer.

David: Absolutely. And, and I feel like I'm doing the absolute least that I can do. So... [Priestly laughs]

Priestly: Well, brotha man, we thank you for all your efforts. Thank you for coming here to XM's 20 on 20...

David: Aw

Priestly: ...and chillin' for a minute.

David: Again, thank you for havin' me. Man it's been, it's been uh, it's been a welcome break.

Priestly: When you're in DC, we're gonna get ya' here, and we're gonna get you to uh, perform live, and uh, do what you're best at. Alright?

David: Absolutely

Priestly: Brother man, thank you again. 866-553-2020. I wanna get David Cook's "Time of My Life" to number one. So let's do this thing.

David: Alright, let's do it. Take care, man.

END OF INTERVIEW

2008-06-17 - XM Flight 26 – Interview (Transcript by Coolshades)

SOURCE: http://dclibrary-radio.4shared.com

DJ: PJ

PJ: [Flight] 26 and PJ, honored to be hangin' out with my American Idol, America's American Idol, David Cook. [David laughs]

PJ: How are you?

David: I'm good. How are you?

PJ: Oh, you know what? Uh, my whole apartment complex went totally nuts when you won. I'm not kidding. This cheer was like...

David: Oh--

PJ: ...Yeaaaaaaaah!

David: Alright!

PJ: My little boy said that if you didn't win, he would never watch American Idol again. It's true.

David: Oh man. Well...

PJ: See--

David: I'm glad he's gonna still watch it then, I guess. [PJ laughs]

PJ: Well how's it been for you after Idol? Has it been totally insane?

David: Uh, it's been a li-- it's been a little, a little of a quick pace. But uh, I've gotten to do some really cool things. Ya' know, I got to uh, perform on Leno. And uh...got to sing the National Anthem at the Lakers/Celtics game, which was huge. Um...

PJ: Oh, massive. Congratulations.

David: Oh, man...

PJ: And I saw you on Larry King.

David: Yeah, yeah

PJ: Reuniting with the rest of the Idols.

David: Yeah it was...uh, that was a, that was a trip. Ya' know, cuz uh...he gave me his suspenders.

PJ [laughing]: I know

David: And I was like: What?

PJ [laughing]: I saw that!

David: So um...yeah I mean, but, you know, that-- that's just...uh, it's one of the crazy things that they let us do, so...I, I welcome it all, man. It's been a blast.

PJ: We're gonna talk Idol, we're gonna talk about some of your experiences in just a sec. We are XM's Flight 26, so stand by. [song break]

PJ: XM's Flight 26. I'm PJ, hangin' out with David Cook, your American Idol. What's goin' on?

David: Ohhhh ya' know, just livin' life.

PJ: I gotta ask, do you still have the milk mustache? [laughs]

David: I don't.

PJ [laughing]: Ya don't?

David: No no, no milk mustache.

PJ: Yeah, you won that in Kansas City, that "Got Milk" competition. So I'm wondering if you still wore the milk mustache.

David: Oh, no no. No, I uh...I've uh, I've moved on to uh, to other things, apparently. [laughs]

PJ: Yeah. Big things. But one thing...

David: Yeah

PJ: ...I've been curious about...uh, Axium. Your band, Axium.

David: Yeah

PJ: Are you gonna be doin' stuff with the band in the future?

David: Um [sighs], ya' know, I've, I've not....completely, uh, omitted that, uh, from happening. I love those guys to death. Ya' know it's just-- it just kinda depends. I know we've uh, we-- we've, we've really kinda just started the infancy uh-- of, of putting all this together. So...um, yeah I still talk to 'em. And uh, have certainly kinda left the door open. But, uh, life has a funny way of leadin' us all in different directions. So...ya' never know.

PJ: So, how's the insanity been for you? What's it like, everywhere you go people scream and cry and ask you to sign God-knows-what. What's that been like for you? [David laughs]

David: I'll tell you what. I, I, I feel like, uh, I feel like I really lucked-out. Ya' know I've got, uh, I mean, obviously I, I lucked-out in the sense that I won the show. And then uh, ya' know, to be able to meet the people that I've met, ya' know, both, uh, on a professional level and on a personal level, ya' know, with fans and stuff. I mean, everybody's just been really respectful and really complimentary. And uh, I mean obviously that's, that support has seemed to have parlayed so far at least, uh, ya' know, in-- into the single, which uh...I couldn't have asked for a better scenario. It's just been, it's been great. It's been really, really great.

PJ: And you got the Idols tour gettin' ready to hit the road. Are you excited about that?

David: Uh, yeah, I think-- ya' know for me, it's, it's um...it'll be exciting to get that live show format, a little bit. I think, I, I think the...with...with bein' on Idol, it's weird, cuz you get to the play the song, and then you immediately have to, like, as soon as you get that energy from playin' that first song, you have to stop. And so, uh, to be able to actually, like, get into that concert vibe again and get more on a one-to-one with, with these people that, ya' know, invested their time and...and their phone bills into... [PJ laughs]

David: ...you know, us each week. I think the...I think it's a welcome change.

PJ: Aw, that's gotta be absolutely insane. Well, we gotta go now, but I'll tell you what: your song is getting more requests on XM's Flight 26 than any other. I'm gonna play it right now. But...instead of me introducing it, how 'bout if you introduce your own song?

David: Alright, I'll give it a go. Hey guys, this is David Cook, and I wanna say thank you so, so much for uh, listening to this next song. It's my single, "The Time of My Life."

PJ: Aw, you rock. Thank you. Congratulations. You gotta come by XM and perform for us very soon.

David: I...I would absolutely love to.

PJ: We love you.

David: Aww love you guys, too. Thank you.

END OF INTERVIEW

2008-06-18 - KANSAS CITY STAR - David Cook, front and center

SOURCE: http://www.kansascity.com/2008/06/06/652543/david-cook-front-and-center.html

TIMOTHY FINN The Kansas City Star Related:

Photo gallery | A look back at David Cook's rise

After a quick trip back to his hometown of Blue Springs last weekend, American Idol winner David Cook is back in Los Angeles, where he started work this week on his first post-Idol album. He talked with us on Wednesday about that record, his hometown and other Idol-related issues.

What can you tell us about the record?

It'll be a jazz calypso record.

No, I'm lying. It'll be a rock record. The goal is to put some twists and turns in it and make it a little interesting. We're actually in the writing process now. I have songs that I've done in the past that have been submitted. Nothing as of yet

Have you selected a producer?

We're in the midst of figuring that out. A few names have been thrown out but nothing solid. Hopefully we'll get that mapped out here in the next week or two.

When do you hope to release it?

The goal is mid-fall, mid- to late fall.

Will you be part of a band or will you be a solo artist?

I like the idea of the band atmosphere. Being out on the road you should to be able to have a "band of brothers" to kind of ease the transition. We're bouncing around a lot of ideas. Nothing is set in stone but I'm of the mind a band woudn't be such a bad idea.

What do you remember about your years in the Kansas City music scene? I just remember playing shows for next to no money and having nobody there and still loving it. Doing those kinds of shows was probably more eye opening for me showing me this is what I really want to do as opposed to a lot of bigger shows. It's easy to get that feeling when you're playing in front of a few hundred people who are all really into what you're doing but if you can have that same feeling playing to an empty club it probably means you're doing something right for yourself.

Did you ever get discouraged?

Yeah, I got discouraged. That happens to anybody. You take your lumps and move on. In 10 years of being in bands there were times I got discouraged and wondered if I'd was going to be one of those sob stories down the road.

The road to where I'm at is paved with a ton of musicians who are far more talented than me who never got the opportunity. I feel like I'm not only representing myself but in a very small way representing a lot of those people, too.

Why did you move to Tulsa?

I'd been in the Kansas City scene for a long time. I just thought maybe a change of scenery would spike some inspiration. The opportunity to move down to Tulsa came up. I'd traveled to Tulsa a lot to play shows and had really kind of fallen in love with the music vibe. It seemed like a natural progression to me and it was close enough to home so I could come back and not feel like I had dropped a fortune.

For me it was about getting into an environment that cultivated the kind of music I wanted to write, which is good rock with a pop sensibility.

Towards the end of Idol, there was much more for you to do than prepare to sing a song or two. For the finale alone you had several songs and dance routines, a commercial, a skit with Mike Myers. How long were those days leading up to the last week?

It wasn't unfathomable to do a 12- to 15-hour work day, just kind of prepping for it. Oddly enough, it never felt like a long day. There were times when it got a little more maybe stressful, obviously, it's such a huge platform. But Archie and I were both pretty firm in our resolve to love what you do and do what you love, it. We were certainly, for lack of better phrase, living the dream at that point. They were long days but not grueling or strenuous. But there was way more to memorize.

For sure. And how we both managed to make it through relatively unscathed is beyond me. You learn it then kind of have to omit from memory at that point and hope you can recapture the memory for what is supposed to happen then.

When did they tell you you'd be singing with ZZ Top?

I found out abut a week before.

Your reaction?

Glee, really. I can't say I was a huge ZZ Top fan but to have any knowledge of music from a pop- culture standpoint you have to recognize and acknowledge how important ZZ Top is. To be able to share the stage with them was great. The fact that they were so down-to-earth and opted to make it as easy as possible for me with 20 mill other things going on, they were fantastic

What did they tell you?

They just tried to give me snippets of advice enjoy it for what it is and just have fun. That's what Wednesday was about. The votes were in; there's nothing you can do so you may as well just enjoy it. That's what I did. To share the stage with them and Brian Adams and George Michael and so many other people who were very giving of their time: That was massive.

How vastly have things changed since the show ended?

A little different. Obviously they have kept me pretty busy, which kind of comes with the territory. But it's a different vibe. I'm out in the open more so I'm getting to experience some of the fruits of the labor a little bit. People have been great, very complementary and respectful and I've gotten a lot of great complements about my family, which is huge. From that aspect it's nice. But I can sleep when I die. I'm kind of welcoming it all right now. It's sensory overload but that's part of what I like about it.

You realize everything you say is scrutinized. Apparently you said to someone that you'd like to get a dog. A lot of our readers want to know what kind of dog you want.

I would like to get a Great Dane and name him Quagmire.

They also want to know about the star necklace you've worn. It was actually given to me by our stylist, Miles, at a merch shoot for the Top 10 tour we're going on. He gave it to me. I thought it looked kind of cool. I put it on and he explained to me what the vibe of the necklace was It s supposed to mean captured by fame: It's got these two handcuffs kind of holding a star. I think given the context, its kind of fitting. You mentioned the phrase 'everything I say is scrutinized' well that kind of plays into the necklace.

Talk about the process of picking and arranging songs for Idol. Is it all up to the contestants or does the band or someone else help?

The arrangements and song selection is all the contestant. Every week obviously with the themes we're given parameters. But it's on us. As far as the finished product, we send our notes on the arrangements to the band and they do what they can with those notes.

From that there is a little give and take. They give us as much time as possible to make sure we're able to make the song suit what we want to do. But it's on us.

Do you have a favorite?

I have to say 'Music of the Night.' I'd gone into the week with a little bit of momentum, I guess, and had kind of done a lot as far as rearranging and felt as though people expected it of me. So at that point to be able to do this song straight and it was something I knew I could do because I have a theater background which is something I didn't think a whole lot of people knew. So I was excited about that week. To do it straight ad have it be unexpected was a nice break for me.

During Dolly Parton week, you had to get some medical attention and there were all kinds of reports out there. What do you want to say about that?

Just that it was probably the first inkling to me that my life had really changed. It was so strange. It was such a precautionary thing. I was in no immediate danger. I've got genetically high blood pressure and it just spiked a little bit. It was nothing major. I wasn't in any risk of death or anything. It was a precaution. It got blown so far out of proportion.

I learned a really important lesson and the lesson I learned is that 98 percent of this whole celebrity thing is so absurd. It's nice to have some name recognition to be able to use for the things that are important to me. But I'd heard some news stations reported said that I died. I thought that was such a gross miscalculation. All you can really do is laugh about it. It was hard for me to wrap my head around it. I found it to be so abnormal that all I could do is laugh it off and move on. What do you want to say to all the viewers and fans who are wondering about your brother Adam and the rest of your family?

All I can really say about it is thank you. To see everybody show such a huge level of support for my family's well-being is amazing. Moving forward, every little bit helps. Donations and giving of yourself: To people who have done it and will continue to do so, all I can say it thanks

Looking back a month, what are your impressions of your homecoming?

To see that kind of support for a nerd who got lucky on a TV show, to see that many people rally around, it definitely recharged my battery going into the end of the season. I honestly have to credit a huge part of this win to that. To know that win lose or draw, I got that many people in my corner is pretty heavy.

So now it's full steam ahead on the album?

We started the writing process yesterday. Once we get the producer mapped out, its gonna be kind of full steam ahead. We're gonna be tracking this record while I'm on tour, which is a little bit of an interesting process. I want to get this record out tomorrow, if possible. Obviously that's not. So the goal now is to get this record done as fast as possible and trust your instincts and trust your guts and let the record speak for itself. I want it to be a snapshot of where I'm at.

Will you release anything digitally? Your Idol songs went crazy on iTunes.

I still have not wrapped my head around that, to see the single doing as well as it is and to have that many people spend their hard-earned money on these songs is amazing.

For me, I want this record to do well because obviously if it does well then I get to do another one. So for me the goal is to get the record out in a fashion that keeps people invested and makes this whole thing feel successful. I said after the finale that this is hopefully the next phase in the relationship between me and the people who support me and I want them go feel as much a part of the process as I do.

However we do that, if it means putting these songs out digitally a little early or do a little extra touring more, I'm down for all of it. I'm certainly in the position I'm at based on people investing not only themselves but their phone bills in me.

Will any of your Idol recordings make the album? The option is always there. I don't know if it's something we've necessarily discussed in any serious length. For me I want the record to have a flow to it, so if any of those songs add to the flow then maybe. I said on the show I'm not much to look back. So for a song I've already done to make the record it's going to have to be a situation where it fits.

Posted on Wed, Jun. 18, 2008 07:20 AM

Read more: http://www.kansascity.com/2008/06/06/652543/david-cook-front-and- center.html#ixzz1YdA1onZt

2008-06-18 - KHOP 95.1 - The Morning Paper (Modesto, CA) – Interview (Transcript by Coolshades)

SOURCE: http://dclibrary-radio.4shared.com

DJ: Jack and Madden

Ryan Seacrest Voiceover: The winner, by twelve million votes, of American Idol 2008 is: David....Cook

David Cook voiceover: This is amazing, Thank you.

[montage of David Cook songs performed on Idol]

Jack: David, how are ya'?

David: I'm good, how are you?

Jack: We're fantastic, man. He was just on with Leno, Larry King, and now you have your New American Idol, David Cook, inside The Morning Paper. Great to have you man.

David: Aw, thank you so much for havin' me.

Madden: I'm sure you've heard it a million times, but Jack and I actually voted. You were our favorite... [Jack laughs]

Madden: ...we like...

David: Aw, thank you.

Madden: ...were pushin' for you to win. We were so excited when you did.

David: Aw, thank you very much. Nah I was uh, I was kinda shocked, [laughs] honestly.

Jack: Brother, I had never, ever texted for American Idol ever. And because of my wife, who we'll talk about later, we went crazy on finale night. And brother, you are in as the new American Idol. How does that feel?

David: Oh man, it's, it's, it's a trip. I'm just, I, I, I hope it doesn't set in ever. Like, I've just, I, I've thoroughly enjoyed the last, ya' know, few weeks.

Madden: You seem like the most humble American Idol they've ever had. You're just like, chillin', havin' a good time.

David: Yeah, I mean, why not? I mean, I'm in a position that most people never get the opportunity to be at. So, I, I'm just enjoyin' it, I honestly am. Like, I get, I get to meet cool people. I got to, I got to do Leno, for cryin' out loud.

Jack: No doubt, man.

Madden: I knooooow.

David: Yeah

Madden: I so totally saw that. And you rocked it.

David: Oh thank you, yeah. It was uh, I was just tryin' not to be...too bad. So... [Jack and Madden laugh]

Jack: We've got David Cook, your new American Idol, inside The Morning Paper on KHOP at 95.1 with Jack and Madden. So what has the last couple of weeks been like since you beat out Archuleta a couple of weeks ago?

David: A bit of a whirlwind. I, I, I got to do uh, I got to do the press rounds for about a week in L.A. and New York. It was my first trip to New York, and...and then since then it's just uh, that was just-- I've, I've had a chance to just do some cool things and meet some great people, and...I, I got a couple minutes just to, you know, breathe and, and see family and....just celebrated my older brother's birthday, and actually I'm gettin' to celebrate my little brother's birthday on Monday. He's comin' up to L.A. Uh yeah, it, I mean it-- it's a, it's a good time to be me.

Jack: You know what man? Family, obviously, s-- ah, at least from the show, the vibe that you gave out, is super important to you. Especially the relationship you have with your brothers. I wanna talk about the two different brothers, the first one being, though, the one that you went to the audition with. And you apparently weren't even supposed to sing or audition or anything. And then you ended up doing so, won the whole thing. How did that go that day when you were in line at the auditions?

David: Yeah it was just my little brother Andrew, and uh, he'd wanted to audition for three years or somethin' like that. And, I was like: Ok, I'll go as moral support... [Jack and Madden laugh]

David: ...ya' know, but I don't wanna audition. Cuz I was-- I was workin' on a record in Tulsa and was just really content, like, doin' what I was doin'. Standin' in line, it's like 5:30 in the morning in Omaha. It's raining, the sun's not up. Producer comes up with a camera, interviews my brother: Why are you the next American Idol? And then turns to me, and I'm like: "Whoa I'm not auditioning." And he goes: "Oh, well you are now." [Jack laughs]

David: And uh...

Madden: So they didn't think you had any singing background or anything, and they just say "you're going to audition"?

David: I guess, yeah. Apparently, the-- I, I mean, cuz at the time I had that weird hair thing goin' on. [Jack laughs]

David: So I guess they thought...

Madden: Ohhhhhh

David: ...I looked weird enough to make it work.

Madden: OK

Jack: Dude, your hair rocked.

David: Oh man. It was, it was a different beast back then. I... [Jack and Madden laugh]

David: Uh, so...yeah, so...I, I picked my song in line and...it was weird. I, I never really got...nervous the first few rounds, cuz it was like-- uh, I was like: OK, well if I make it, great. And if I don't, then oh well. So I kinda backed into the whole thing, and my brother's been great. Uh, whereas it would have been so easy for him to kinda take the jealous tone. I asked him after the first round when I made it through and he didn't, I was like: "Do you want me to do this? Because if you don't, I won't."

Jack: Whoa

David: And...

Madden: That's huge.

David: And he goes: "If you--" he goes, "If you don't see this thing through, I'll kick your... [Jack and Madden laugh]

Madden: Yeah

David: ...expletive."

Madden: Good for him

David: And uh...

Madden: Good for him.

David: My brother was a wrestler in high school, and so I believed him. [Jack and Madden laugh]

Jack: We've got David Cook, your American Idol, inside The Morning Paper on KHOP at 95.1. That show when you brought, uh, your brother up on stage...I was thinking...

David: Mm-hmm

Jack: Oh dude, that's either going to be a shining moment for him, or really sting bad.

David: Yeah, I mean, and he's been very appreciative of me tryin' to push him a little bit. Ya' know, cuz obviously this is somethin' he wanted to do from the start, so...and, and if I'm being honest, I think he's a better singer than I am.

Jack: Wow [laughs]

David: Uh...so... [Madden laughs]

David: We'll see what happens. I don't know.

Jack: You need to, you need to spot that producer who grabbed you in line, like, a hundred bucks or somethin'.

David: Oh I know, right? Yeah I just uh...take him out to dinner or somethin'. [Jack laughs]

Madden: I know. I know, I know.

Jack: Hey, does it trip you out that people are like, really interested now about where you eat, who you're dating, like, stuff like that?

David: Yeah, I mean it..it's all been interesting. I, I don't know. I...I'm kinda from the Dave Grohl school, I guess, in that, like, I got into this cuz I wanna write music that, that has some substance to it. And, and all the celebrity stuff, a lot of it's pretty absurd to me. Ya' know, but it, it's also puttin' me in this position where I get to help out and, and uh, and kinda, ya' know, do my part to, to better everybody else. I don't-- ya' know, I'm excited. I think movin' forward, I'm, I'm, I'm tryin' to get involved with some cancer charities, and, ya' know, o-- obviously cancer's somethin' that's very, very close to me. So, uh, ya' know, I'm excited. I, I feel like I'm in a good spot to move forward and, and hopefully uh, promote change a little bit.

Jack: Honestly, is David Cook, like, one of the coolest guys ever?

Madden: I know! [Jack laughs]

Madden: I'm just sitting here, just kinda taking it all in.

David: Aww

Madden: Um, I have a question. Um, I don't think you're gonna be honest with me. But I'm gonna ask it anyway.

Jack: Uh-oh. She's known to do that, man. I'll warn ya' now. [Madden laughs]

David: That's fair. Alright.

Madden: Um..."Time of Your Life." Does it really seem like your...type of song? How do you feel about having to sing that? That has to be your first single, right?

David: Yeah I, I-- well, I mean I, I, I think it's my single now. I don't know that I necessarily have to put it on the record. But, um...

Madden: OK

David: Uh, ya' know the song is uh....the song is what it is. And I, and I think it's uh, it's, it's a solid, uplifting song. I, I think, I think there's a reason people have gotten behind it the way they have.

Madden: I mean, I think you've pulled it off fabulously. I think you sing it great. But I was just like: It just doesn't seem like something he would choose to do.

David: Honestly, they kinda brought the song to our attention and, and allowed us to make it our own. So, I, I felt like, du-- I feel proud of the song, ya' know, for what it is and what I was able to do with it. I think, I think as far as, ya' know, American Idol finale songs go, I think it, I think it's, it's right up there. So I, I'm actually, I'm OK with it.

Jack: So it wasn't like an Idol hand-me-down. You had some say about it?

David: Yeah, absolutely. I, I, they, they uh, they allowed us to kinda pave our own way a little bit, which was cool.

Jack: Alright. You've got American Idol David Cook inside The Morning Paper on KHOP at 95.1. And man, I gotta be honest, I think we have found... [Madden laughs]

Jack: ...David Cook's number one fan. And I'm not kiddin' about this. She's right here in the central valley.

David: OK

Jack: We're gonna tell you who it is, and get your reaction next. We have just a couple minutes left with David Cook on KHOP. [break]

Jack: Ok uh, first, before we get to your number one fan, we have to ask: What's the deal with Kimberly Caldwell? Just friends, or more?

David: Um, uh, I'd, I'd say at this stage we're probably more than friends. I mean, we've been hangin' out, and she's been extremely supportive, ya' know, and uh, and great, ya' know, with, with my family and everything. So...yeah, she's uh, very, very cool.

Madden: I've always liked her. I think she's great. I love her.

David: Yeah. She's awesome.

Madden: She's always seemed like one of the coolest ones.

David: Mm-hmm

Jack: Brother, I mean, she's met the fam. That says a lot, right?

Madden: Riiiiight?

David: Oh, well, there you go. Yeah. [Jack and Madden laugh]

Jack: Alright. Your number one fan...just happens to live in my house. It's my wife. [Madden laughs]

David: Ahhhh

Madden: She really is, like, your biggest, biggest, biggest fan. [laughs]

Jack: Let me--

David: Aw, that's awesome

Jack: Let me quickly explain. She has no celebrity crushes, she's not into the whole celebrity thing at all, she hardly even watches TV. But for whatever reason, she starts watching Idol this season. She doesn't miss an episode. The first time she saw you on camera, she's like: "That's the guy. He's gonna win it."

David: Oh wow

Jack: Way early on. Then when you win...

David: You know what...

Jack: She's like: "See?"

David: ...the sweater vest, huh? [Madden laughs]

Jack [laughing]: She, she knew, man. She felt it. So I told her, I said "Hey, babe, we're gonna be uh, interviewing David Cook." So after she gets, like, this little giddy schoolgirl smile off of her face, she says: "Please tell him one thing." I'm like: "Ok."

David: Ok. Lay it on.

Jack: We're gonna go to the Fresno Idols tour this summer...

David: Mm-hmm

Jack: And she's like: "Hopefully, your boss can get us backstage. And if he does, please tell David that he has to remember me." [Madden laughs]

Jack: That's it!

David: OK. [Jack laughs]

David: What i-- what is her-- what is your wife's name?

Jack: My wife's name is Kristen.

David: Kristen? Ok. I can remember Kristen.

Jack: Alright. Kristen in Fresno. Jack Paper's wife. Your number one fan. Dude, she's...she's giddy for you. It's weird.

Madden: Yeah. It's exciting. [Jack laughs]

David: I'm on it. I'm ready for it. Bring it on!

Jack: Alright, David Cook inside your Morning Paper on KHOP at 95.1. We're gettin' ready to play his first single, "Time of My Life," which we just talked about.

David: Yeah

Jack: Dude, did Michael Johns get ripped-off or what?

David: Uh... [sighs] ya' know, uh, I, I was ah, I was genuinely shocked. And that, that moment on the show, uh, was an epiphany for me. It really was. Cuz it showed me that, you know, you can have a great week -- I mean, Mike had like, three or four great weeks in a row, there.

Jack: Oh my goodness...

Madden: Yeah...

Jack: ...he was rocking it.

Madden: ...he was great.

David: Yeah and, and I mean, you could have a great week and go home, you could have a bad week and stay. And I mean, there's really no rhyme or reason to it. It was just-- people get invested in, you know, us as contestants for a myriad of different reasons. So, yeah, I mean, I still talk to Mike about that. It was just such a trip. Like, I c-- I couldn't wrap my head around it. I don't know that I've, I've been able to yet. There were a couple eliminations this season that kind of threw me off guard a little bit.

Jack: The look on Michael's face...you could tell it was legitimately -- he was like: "Whoa, this is not...

Madden: Yeah

Jack: ...this did not just happen."

Madden: Really? Did that just happen to me?

David: I, I mean Mike...ya' know again, Mike put together some great weeks leadin' up to that. And, and uh, ya' know, he had every reason to believe that he was gonna stick around another week. And so, again uh...that's wh-- kinda what makes the show work, is it's very, very unpredictable.

Jack: We got David Cook inside The Morning Paper on KHOP at 95.1. Hey man, you mentioned your brother, and obviously throughout the show we had heard about him and how he was doing. And I did wanna make one comment, man. The fact that you didn't play that up? I respected you so much for that. Because you could have, and you coulda won a bunch of sympathy votes. But you didn't do it that way. How is your brother doing, man?

David: My brother's good, and, and uh, ya' know, he just celebrated his 37th birthday and, and uh-- oh wait, I'm supposed to say his 24th. I'm sorry.

Jack: Oh. Ok. [Jack and Madden laugh]

David: No, but he's uh...we had a conversation before the show started and, and we both kinda came to this...agreement very easily that, ya' know, for, for me to have success on the show, for it to have any credibility, it needed to be-- I had to, I had to succeed or fail on my own merit. And um, so I mean-- it was just-- yeah I mean it was, it was a planned thing for me not to talk about it. Um, I think just because, ya' know uh, I mean on the surface, it's somethin' where it's like: Ok, I'm on th-- I'm on this huge platform. I can raise awareness for it. Ya' know?

Jack: Mm-hmm

David: But I'm also in this competition. And...ya' know, if I can do well on this, then I'll, then I'll have that platform to, to, to kinda raise awareness, and...and so now to be where I'm at, ya' know, I can't wait to get my feet wet with, with this um, with the-- with these cancer, ya' know, projects that I've, I'm tryin' to get off the ground. And, it's a very, very exciting time and...and uh, ya' know, I'm just glad to be able to kinda do my part to help.

Jack: You know what man, you did it with integrity. And I have to believe...

David: Thank you

Jack: ...that God's blessing you with an even bigger platform now to help out your brother and other people goin' through that situation.

David: Everybody knows somebody who's dealin' with it. And so, to be a part of uh, what, what can hopefully, and, and should be, the eradication of it...I mean I'm, I'm on board.

Jack: Alright, we're wrappin' up our time with American Idol David Cook, inside The Morning Paper on KHOP. We're gettin' ready to play the single. Madden, you got anything?

Madden: I got nothin'. I got everything out...of the way. [David laughs]

Jack: David man, honestly, you're one of the coolest cats that we've talked to. Obviously...

David: Oh thank you.

Jack: ...just so humble and dude, you got your head on your shoulders. Man, you're gonna have such a big career. We're so fired-up for you.

David: Oh, thank you so much. I, I, I can't wait to kinda get out on the road and say hi to you guys in a proper fashion.

Jack: July 1st the big Idols tour begins. And you are comin' through our area. I think we have three different dates. You can go to KHOP.com to check that out. You just have to make sure you remember Mrs. Paper in Fresno.

Madden: Yes [laughs]

David: That's right, that's the way to do it. [Jack laughs]

Jack: This one's called "Time of My Life," David's first big single. Oh real quick, when's an album comin' out, man?

David: Uh, we're lookin' late October, early November.

Jack: Alright, you heard it. There's a perfect Christmas present to get...

David: There you go.

Jack: ...David Cook's first CD. Here's "Time of My Life," from David Cook, on KHOP.

David: Thank you guys. Thank you for havin' me.

END OF INTERVIEW

2008-06-23 - 102.7 KISS FM -- On Air With Ryan Seacrest (Los Angeles, CA) – Interview (Transcript by Coolshades)

SOURCE: http://dclibrary-radio.4shared.com

DJs: Ryan Seacrest and Ellen Kay

Ryan: This guy owned the cougar vote. He owned the cougar vote. [David and Ellen laugh]

Ellen: He owned every vote

Ryan: He owned-- that's right. He owned the tween vote.

David: Yeah

Ryan: And the cougar vote.

Ellen: Didn't you say ninety seven million voted?

Ryan: Did I say that?

Ellen: I think it was...

David: I think so.

Ryan: Ninety seven and a half or something.

David: Point five.

Ryan: Yeah that's right

Ellen: ninety seven and a half million.

David: Don't forget that point five. They'd be very upset. [Ryan laughs]

Ellen: That's a half a million people. That's a lot to leave out.

Ryan: Your American Idol David Cook is with us this morning...

David: Good morning.

Ryan: ...on KISS FM. And remember that day. That was a long day at the Nokia. And that was a moment. And I, I looked up. And I said "David." Hold a beat. And I looked down at the name, and I thought: "Oh, it's Cook."

David: You did hold a beat there, Mr. Tivo, didn't you? [laughs]

Ryan: And, I, yeah-- you know, I had no idea, just for the record. Because people said to me: "You said: 'And the winner is...'" BANG! Right when the Tivos cut off.

David: Yeah, yeah

Ryan: If I tried to plan that to time out... [David laughs]

Ryan: ...I couldn't. That was pure coincidence. I mean, you know. We were standin' there...

David: Oh yeah

Ryan: It was a coincidence.

David: It was one of the funniest things, though. Like when, the first time I heard the story and, and actually got a chance to watch it, I mean...that kinda stuff's funny to me.

Ryan: It literally...

David: So it was hilarious. [Ellen laughs]

Ryan: The tivo time -- the window -- stopped, I don't know, right, right when I said--

David: It was either before "The winner is..."

Ryan: It was right at the end of the show.

David: It was right there...or...

Ryan: Or it was "David."

David: ...right after you said "David."

Ellen: After David.

David: Yeah

Ryan: It was something you couldn't have planned if you tried it!

Ellen: Oh my God.

Ryan: Anyway, it's good to have you...

David: Good to be here.

Ryan: Back with us and see you again. What adjustments have you had to make since winning this competition?

David: Uh... [sighs] ya' know honestly...I, I don't feel like I've had to make any. Um...I feel like I'm still the same person, it's just I get to do some cool things, and travel, and...I got to go to New York after the finale for the first time and, and uh, and had a blast. So for me it's just uh, it's kinda...sensory overload more than anything.

Ryan: Has it still sort of, just, I mean-- has it even resonated that you are on that list now? [David laughs]

David: Of being a winner on American Idol? Because you didn't even want to try out-- originally you didn't even try out for the show.

David: Yeah. I-- you know, no. I, I mean it-- Ryan [laughing]: It's still-- it's real.

David: It hasn't really--I haven't internalized it at all. It's just kinda...I, I just feel like I get to, uh, I'm like the luckiest guy on earth. I get to do somethin' I love to do. And then...uh, occasionally, like in ten second spurts, I usually think about it. And then it weirds me out, and I have to go do somethin' else. So...

Ryan: Cuz remember Ellen...

Ellen: Uh-huh

Ryan: ...the story...

Ellen: Yeah

Ryan: He, he came to the auditions initially to support his younger brother Andrew.

Ellen: Yes

David: Yeah

Ellen: I remember.

Ryan: And then David ends up auditioning -- doing OK...

Ellen: Mm-hmm

Ryan: Then it's Lionel Ritchie night. And then it's... [David laughs]

Ryan: ...you're the American Idol.

Ellen: That's right. And then that brother was the one they got a shot of, and he said "That's my brother!"

David: Yeah

Ryan: What a special moment, though.

David: Yeah, it was cool.

Ellen: That was so cool.

David: Yeah and I actually--uh, ya' know, that was one of the cool things that I've been able to do since the show ended, was uh, I got to take him out for his twenty-first birthday, and...and kind of uh...ya' know, g-- give him a, give him just a, a nice night out. So...it was fun.

Ryan: Wasn't he a...a little pissed, though? Wasn't he-- [Ellen laughs]

Ryan: ...that it wasn't him?

David: May--

Ryan: I mean...

David: Maybe--

Ryan: Just a little bit?

David: Maybe for a minute. [Ryan laughs]

David: Maybe for a minute, ya' know. But uh...

Ryan: He's a great guy.

David: He was cool. Yeah.

Ryan: Alright, David Cook is with us. It's 800-520-1027 at KISS FM. American Idols, and they're goin' on tour. Uh, what can you tell us about Idols Live?

David: Well uh...we start July 1st in Glendale, Arizona...

Ryan: Yeah

David: ...and then uh, we end...um...in my most recent place of residence on September 13th, in Tulsa Oklahoma. So...uh...it, it, it'll be a lot of fun. They've kinda set it up like everybody's got their, their mini-concert. And...uh...real eclectic vibe. Everybody's doin' their own thing. And...uh...so, ya' know, if, it you're into, it you're into a lot of different kinds of music, this would be the place to be.

Ryan: Will you get a chance to do some of those defining songs for you? Like "Hello" or "Billie Jean"?

David: Yeah. We're gonna, we're gonna...everybody's gonna kinda....everybody's got a mix of some songs that they did on the show, and then some songs that they didn't get a chance to do on the show. Um...uh...so everybody's kinda got some surprises up their sleeve. So...

Ryan: This was a defining moment for David Cook on American Idol: [clip of "Hello" plays in the background]

Ryan: Ohhh yes. And Lionel Ritchie called the next day. He was stoked. [David laughs]

Ryan: And Simon saw him at the grocery store. That was weird.

David: Yes. [Ellen laughs]

Ryan: I'll never forget that week.

David: What did he say he was buying?

Ellen: Carrots

Ryan: Was it carrots?

David: Yeah.

Ryan: I think it was carrots. Peas. I think peas, maybe.

Ellen: Peas and carrots?

David: Just carrots? [Ellen laughs]

Ryan: I mean...that week, we all saw on paper that you were doing "Hello," Lionel Ritchie, and thought: Oh my gosh. I remember... [David laughs]

Ryan: What in the hell is that gonna sound like?

David: Yeah

Ryan: And then of course you nailed it, and...and that's what they said on the show. But it was also the same week that Simon on the air said, live, "I just ran into Lionel Ritchie in the grocery store. When I was buying...peas."

David: Yeah

Ryan: And...

Ellen: Mm-hmm

Ryan: I of course thought he was just making it up. But it was a true story. [laughs] [Ellen laughs]

David: Yeah, it sounded like such an absurd story. [laughs]

Ryan: Cuz Lionel called and he's like [mimicking Lionel Ritchie]: "Yep, that's true. Anyway, that David Cook, he's amazing!"

David: Aww

Ryan: No, he loved it. M-- might of been...one of the, um...I, I guess, o-- one of the coolest things for us is the day after, when some of these artists would call in to us and say "I can't believe he did my song. And he did it so well." And for you, to hear from the original artist sometimes...

David: Yeah, yeah

Ryan: ...must have been pretty incredible as well.

David: I, I, I-- ya' know, that's like, that's like the biggest trophy I could ever get for...for doin' a song like that. So...uh...to have people like Lionel call in and, and, I think Mariah had nice things to say after I did...

Ryan: She did.

David: ...uh, "Always Be My Baby." So...I, I lucked out, man.

Ryan: After you did "Dream Weaver"? Or...what is it? "Dream Weaver"?

David: Dream Weaver. [laughs] [Ellen laughs]

Ryan: From back in the day.

David: Oh yeah.

Ryan: it's 800-520-1027 at KISS FM. [Ryan takes a call and gives away a free movie system]

Ryan: David Cook, "Time of My Life, KISS FM. [Song break]

Ryan: It's David Cook at KISS FM. His album coming out in the fall. And that is "Time of My Life." And he is in the middle of preppin' for that tour, and also writing music.

David: Yeah

Ryan: What can you tell us about that progress?

David: Uh [sighs] it's, it's been very fruitful so far. We've uh, I, I've, I've had a handful of writing sessions, and uh, they've kind of allowed me to lean on the music that I did before the show. So...uh, we've got...we're, we're, we're in the fifties as far as songs that are-- we've, we've got uh, kinda in the bag.

Ryan: Fifties

David: For this, for this record.

Ryan: That's a ton of music.

David: So...

Ellen: That's a lot.

David: So we're gonna put out a quadruple...record. [Ryan and Ellen laugh]

David: Uh...

Ryan: Yeah, exactly.

David: It's gonna be great. No...

Ryan: But that's fall, that, that you'll put the album out.

David: Yeah we're lookin' at um...kind of a, a, probably like an early/mid- November release. So...

Ryan: So get through the tour and then BANG!

David: Yeah.

Ryan: We're in stores, and you're workin' even harder after that.

David: Absolutely.

Ryan: It's 1-800-520-1027 at KISS. Kenoga Park. Terry, you're on with David Cook.

Terry: Oh my gosh. [David laughs]

Terry: He is amazing.

David: Oh, thank you.

Terry: My ten-year-old...we, we watched all of 'em. We...my ten-year-old..."Oh my God, momma. He's on." [David laughs]

Terry: I mean, all of you were amazing. But you are...unbelievable.

David: Thank you so much. It's...

Terry: God ga-- God gave you a gift. And I wish I could go see you. Ya' know, I, I would love it.

David: Well--

Terry: My ten-year-old loves it. Uh, I couldn't believe it when--

David: Well you should come out to the tour.

Terry: Yeah, well...

David: Watch us dance around, ya' know.

Terry: I'm trying to heal. I, I'm trying to get better. I've been sick...

David: Ohhh

Terry: ...for-- off and on. People got into my life, you know. But I'm trying to heal, I'm getting better. And if there's a way we can get there, we will. Cuz--

David: Well I'd love to hear it. Well...

Terry: Oh--

David: You keep your head up, and, and feel better.

Terry: Yeah, and you know what? God be with you and your family and your brother.

David: Thank you so much.

Terry: I, I went through that with my parents. So...

David: Yeah, it's tough.

Terry: Um...you goin', dude.

David: Thank you so much. It was a pleasure talkin' to you.

Terry: It was, it was great.

Ryan: Thanks Terry. Yeah, I think we're losin' her.

Ellen: Mm-hmm

Ryan [taking another call]: So, good morning Anaheim. Maria, it's KISS, go ahead. You're on with David Cook.

Maria: Hey David, I, I just wanna say that-- [A squeal of "Oh my God!" is heard in the background] Maria: ...my family, whole-- my whole family loves you.

Ryan: I think her little girl loves you.

Maria: We, we, knew you were it... [David laughs]

Ryan [mimicking little girl's voice]: OH MY GOD! [David and Ellen laugh]

Maria: Ryan, we love you too. Cuz we love watching American Idol, but...uh David, I, I think you really do have a gift. And I, and I, I, I get chills just listening to...you know, "Hello" and going how great you are.

David: Oh, thank you.

Maria: I'm sorry, my daughter in the background is saying her piece, too. [Ryan laughs]

David: I love it. I love it.

Ryan: Well fun—

Maria: Alright guys.

Ryan: Fun-- fun for the whole family. [everyone laughs]

Ryan: Sounds like you got your hands full. Thank you guys for listenin', we appreciate it. Of course, watchin' them on Idol, I mean, that's what's so great about bein' on that program, is your fanbase is sort of all over the board, isn't it?

David: Yeah, it's, it's uh...the-- I mean, the show's just a huge launching pad. So, I...I think uh... [sighs] yeah, it's nuts, man. I don't, I don't--

Ryan: Well you--when you got--

David: ...even know how to process it.

Ryan: When you got moms and you got screaming babies, that's not a bad thing. [Ellen laughs]

David: Yeah that's uh, that's a nice demographic, you know? [laughs]

Ryan: So, David, the story that I'm reading about, Ellen was talking about it earlier...

Ellen: Mm-hmm

Ryan: ...that you are, uh, dating a former Idol.

David: Yeah. Been hangin' out.

Ryan: Is there, is there truth to the-- yeah, to these hanging our rumors?

David: Yeah, we've been hangin' out. She's a, she's a cool woman. She's very supportive, and uh...yeah, life's not too bad at the moment.

Ryan: Kimberly Caldwell.

Ellen: Yeah

David: Yeah

Ryan: Season...

David: Two

Ryan: Two. American Idol.

Ellen: And you're, like, one of the only celebrities who will say "Yeah, we're dating."

Ryan: Exactly.

David: Yeah. [Ellen laughs]

Ryan: I'm so not used to that answer! [David laughs]

Ellen: I know, it's like: Really? You are? Yeah, she's really cool!

Ryan: I, I didn't even get the whole question out, and he's like: "Yeah." [Ellen laughs]

Ryan: I'm like: Well what do we do next? [Everyone in the room laughs]

Ryan: It's 8:54, a few minutes before nine o'clock. David Cook is with us. Earlier, Ken Baker, from the E! Newsroom, had this report: Recording of Ken Baker: And he said that he and Kimberly Caldwell... [David laughs] Recording of Ken Baker: ...from season two American Idol are still dating. And they are [laughing] together. They are an item. And he said that he's actually looking forward to, while he's on tour, being able to be texting and talking on the phone with Kimberly, because he said the tour that starts July first, is-- that's the only way he's gonna be in touch with her, because he's gonna be so busy, he's barely gonna get to see her.

Ryan: Gonna have a text relationship.

David: Yeah

Ryan: It is so cute. [David and Ellen laugh]

Ryan: By the way--

David: L, LOL.

Ryan: I, I don't wanna [laughs] I don't wanna make anyone feel uncomfortable...

Ellen: Mm-hmm

Ryan: ...in this studio. [David laughs]

Ryan: But...

Ellen: But?

Ryan: Jessica...can barely stand up... [everyone laughs]

Ryan: ...she's so in love with David Cook. And she's over here on the control board.

David: Uh-oh

Ellen: She won't even look at me...

David: Uh-oh

Ellen: ...because she knows I'm gonna give her, like, the visual. Ahhhh

Ryan: I looked over, and I see her hands shaking. [Everyone in the studio is laughing]

Ryan: Like...

David: Ohhh no.

Ryan: As if she hasn't eaten in a week. [David laughs]

Ryan: And, she's just vibra-- like, gyrating. Look at that palm... [David sighs]

Ryan: I mean that's just...look what you've di--look how red she's-- this is... [Ellen laughs]

Ryan: ...not comfortable at all.

David: I'm, I'm, I'm right there with ya', man.

Ryan: I mean, Jessica...what is it about -- and I don't want you to feel uncomfortable -- but what is it about David Cook... [Ellen laughs]

Ryan: ...that has you... [David laughs]

Ryan: ...moving like that?

Ellen: Look at her. Poor thing.

Ryan: And please, use, use the microphone.

Ellen: Ryan, really, you're gonna make her faint for sure.

Ryan: That's right, try a microphone. It's radio.

Ellen: A microphone. [laughs]

Ryan: There...

Jessica: I can't even talk. Why do you do this to me?

Ryan: No, but look at him. Look at him. Look at him in the eye. [everyone laughs]

Ellen: And he won't look at her.

Ryan: Look, no. Don't just stare.

David: Yeah, stare me right in the eye when you're saying this.

Ellen: This is like, the third grade.

Ryan: But I'm being serious. Look at him, look at him.

David: Oh, man.

Jessica: No, I just--

Ellen: David, look at Jessica. Jessica, look at David.

Jessica: No, cuz like, first when-- you can ask Natalie this-- like, the first time he auditioned, I was like: Oh my gosh. Guy singing Bon Jovi. Love. So great.

Ryan: Yeah, how 'bout you look at him? [David laughs]

Jessica: I can't! [everyone laughs]

Jessica: I can't hardly do it--

David: I can't look at her while she's talkin' about this stuff.

Jessica: I can't either.

David: It's weird for me, too, ya' know?

Ryan: Ok . Jessica: Thanks, David.

David: Oh, yeah

Ryan: The real story is -- and, I, she's really gonna get red-- is that on a regular basis...

Ellen: Yeah...

Ryan: ...she comes in, and she's choreographed her own little dance to this: ["Hello" plays in background]

Ryan: And we have to watch it every Tuesday. [David laughs]

Ryan: And she sings "David...I love you." She says "I love you." [Ellen laughs] [Everyone listens to the end of the recording]

Ryan: Wow.

David: Man, Lionel's getting a lot of face time today. [everyone waits for the applause on the recording to die down]

Ryan: That's the most Lionel's been played on KISS in the last ten years. [David and Ellen laugh]

Ryan: So I'm just gonna leave you guys to be and step out and take a pee. [David laughs]

Ryan: Uh, it's 800-520-1027 at KISS. But Jessica is a huge, huge fan, clearly.

David: That's awesome.

Ellen: Has been from Day One.

Ryan: Almost psycho

Ellen: Maybe even sub-one

David: Even...

Ryan: Slightly stalkerish

David: Even when I had the uh, the red bangs.

Ellen: Mm-hmm

Ryan: Uh, yeah, there was one night she was pissed at you but, other than that she loves you. [Jessica and Ellen laugh]

David: Uh-oh

Ryan: Um...Ontario, good morning. You're on KISS. Go ahead Mo.

Mo: Good morning, Ryan. How are you guys doin'?

Ryan: You sound like you're about to pick me up... [Ellen laughs]

Ryan: ...and throw me across the room. [Mo laughs]

Mo: I'm not--

Ryan: You, you sound like the guy from "Get Smart." [David laughs]

Mo: Uh yeah, pretty big. I'm about six-six, three hundred pounds. So...

Ryan: Yep, you're his brother.

Ellen: Yeah, you're him. [David laughs]

Ryan: I'm Steve Carell, and you're that big man.

Mo: Uh, yeah. I just wanted to call and uh, congratulate David Cook. Man, let me tell ya'. Phenomenal.

David: Aw, thank you man.

Mo: I am not much into...watching uh, shows like that. [David laughs]

Mo: But let me tell you, you restored my faith in anyone who would pick up a mic and a six-string.

David: Wow, man. That's a huge compliment.

Mo: It was huge and...music unreal.

David: Thank you, man.

Mo: Voice unreal.

David: Wow.

Mo: Character unreal. Impeccable.

David: Cool

Mo: Man, I'm tellin' ya. .

Ryan: Wow.

David: When d-- when--

Ryan: Mo...

David: I'll tell ya' what. Let's, lets uh...

Ryan: Let's just slow down.

David: Let's set this up where we can do this every day. [Everyone laughs]

David: I'll just come here every day, and Mo can call, and tell me these things. It'll be great.

Ryan: I l-- you know what I love about guys? And, and women, actually, when they give you a compliment...

Ellen: Uh-huh

Ryan: ...they use full sentences.

Ellen: Yes

Ryan: Like, "Your music is amazing."

Ellen: Uh-huh

Ryan: Guys are just like: "David. Phenomenal." [David and Ellen laugh]

Ellen: That's so true!

Ryan: "Amazing. Sick."

Ellen: Uh, it's a list.

Ryan: "Killing it."

Ellen: It's a list, it's not a sentence.

Ryan: it's just a list. There's--

Ellen: Yeah

Ryan: There's no connector. [Ellen laughs]

David: That's like Randy's entire, like, entire vernacular.

Ryan: His entire seventh season. [laughs]

David: That's great. I love it.

Ryan: There are no connectors. It's literally... [Ellen laughs]

Ryan: ...when dudes compliment other dudes, it's like: "David."

Ellen: Mm-hmm

Ryan: "Insane."

Ellen: Yeah. "Phenomenal" [David laughs]

Ryan: "The best." [Ellen and David laugh]

Ryan: And of course, Mo's like "Whoa!" Mo's like, really into it right now. Mo's havin' the time of his life. [taking another call] Good morning, Moreno Valley. It's KISS FM. Vanessa, you're on with David Cook.

Vanessa: Good morning David!

David: Good morning, Vanessa. How are you? You're excited. Wow.

Vanessa: I'm excited. Heck, yeah, I'm on the phone--

David: I'm still, I'm still wakin' up and you're just...you're all about it, I love it.

Vanessa: Oh, I love you.

David: Awww

Ryan: Hellooo?

David: Love you too, thank you.

Vanessa: I just wanna say that um, I'm such a big fan. So is my five-year-old son.

David: Ahh

Vanessa: He made me go buy him a guitar, cuz he said he wants to be like you.

David: Ah, that's great.

Ryan: That's cute.

David: But, uh, I'm tellin' ya' man, there's...that uh, that guitar stuff. It's for the birds. [Ryan laughs]

Vanessa: You must be lovin' this, though, come on.

David: Ah, no, this is amazing. And I get to talk to cool people like you all day. So there's no problem with it.

Ryan: Thanks for callin'. Let's jump on to Northridge. Go ahead. Marina, you're on with David Cook.

Marina: Oh, hello. I wanna say thank you to David, because it's really amazing to see somebody, when they truly believe what they're doing, they're really able to bring that light from inside. And even though David's dealt with a lot of critical comments, but every time he comes, he rocks there on the stage. And...

David: Uh-huh

Marina: Ya' know, to watch that, I think all of us feel that we are able to bring that light from the inside, and believe in what we do every day.

David: Wow. Thank you so much. That's awesome. [laughs]

Marina: Oh you're so, so welcome. I'm...the fan from the first day and...

David: Aw

Marina: Uh, I always believed that you are the one.

David: Thank you.

Ellen: Ohhh

David: I'm glad somebody did.

Ryan: She always knew it. She knew it from the first day.

David: Simon didn't. [Ellen laughs]

David: Marina needs to be a judge.

Ryan: Armchair quarterbacking

David: I love it.

Ryan: American Idols Live! Tour takin' the country by storm. Tickets on sale at TicketMaster. You can get 'em right now. And David Cook's album comin' out this fall. We'll have it for ya' here first on KISS.

[audio cuts off]

END OF INTERVIEW

2008-06-25 - 104.5 CHUM FM (Toronto, ON) – Interview (Transcript by Coolshades)

SOURCE: http://dclibrary-radio.4shared.com

DJ: Ritchie Favalaro

Ritchie: Today's best music, 104.5 CHUM FM. It is my pleasure to announce that joining us by telephone is Mr. American Idol, David Cook.

David: Ritchie, how are you?

Ritchie: I'm good! How are you doin'?

David: Ohhh ya' know, not too bad.

Ritchie: So you're comin' to Toronto this Saturday night?

David: Absolutely, man. I can't-- I cannot wait. Like, I've never been up to Canada before and, and uh...so to be able to come out...and uh, kinda get my first taste of uh, the Great North with, with obviously, I mean, such a huge production in tow, it should be, it should be a lot of fun.

Ritchie: You are gonna be amazed at how crazy your Canadian fans are.

David: Can't wait.

Ritchie: Yeah [David laughs]

Ritchie: So you've been runnin' around now and singin' with this same gang that you're with for awhile. Does it bring you guys even closer together? Or are there any relationships kinda gettin' stressed?

David: You know honestly, I mean we, we all kind of uh, really solidified firm relationships with each other when we were on the show. And, and uh, ya' know, that was amidst all the stress and chaos that is American Idol. So...uh, to, to be able to get out of uh, of, of that just high-strung environment and, and really just concentrate on being performers...I, I think it's really allowed the show to, to open up. It's allowed us to open up as performers, and...and uh, and I think as a result, with, with just a little bit less stress, I think we've all managed to kind of fall into pocket with each other. So, uh, the tour so far has been real...chill. I mean, we all seem to get along, and...everybody's real respectful of each other's boundaries. So...it's been good.

Ritchie: Well let's talk about the show for just a second.

David: OK

Ritchie: Uh, I wanted to tell you that my favorite performance the whole season of anybody was your original arrangement of Mariah Carey's "Always Be My Baby."

David: Oh, thank you.

Ritchie: I liked the song before, and then when you did it, I was just like, you brought so much personality to it and made it yours. It was incredible. So what I wanna know is...

David: Mm-hmm

Ritchie: Was there a tune during the whole show that was kinda your favorite to either arrange or perform or both?

David: Well favorite to perform is "Music of the Night." And I think just because, uh, I went into Andrew Lloyd Webber week kinda, kinda with this vibe that I don't think anybody really expected much of me. But it was somethin' I knew I could do. Somethin' I knew I could pull off. So...to be able to do that and turn people on their heads a little bit was fun for me. Uh...my favorite arrangement...was probably "The World I Know." I'd worked on that song all season. To, to kinda have that be...I, I guess my swan song as a contestant on the show was uh...it was pretty meaningful for me.

Ritchie: And "World We Know" by Collective Soul, one of your inspirations, right?

David: Absolutely

Ritchie: Along with our Canadian boys...

David: and

Ritchie: Our Lady Peace

David: Yeah. I actually, uh, was very lucky. But not long after the show ended, uh, I got, I got-- I immediately delved-in to the writing process for this record. And uh, I got a chance to write with Raine. Uh, we did uh...a few songs and...uh, they're great. I'm really happy with 'em.

Ritchie: On that note, with all the rumors that are swirlin' around right now with...this record, and who's gonna be writing with you on it, and what's gonna be on it...what can you tell us about it?

David: We just started trackin' the record uhhhh like a week and a half, two weeks ago. Uh, we've got Rob Cavallo...uh, producing. He did uh, Green Day's "," and uh, 's "Black Parade." So...I'm very excited about that. And then, you know, with, with the songwriting stuff, um, kinda run the gamut. I've done um, I wrote with John Field and Kara DioGuardi. Uh...I wrote with uh...uh, Raine. Uh, Ed Roland from Collective Soul. Uh, quite a few people that, that, you know, growin' up, I got into their music. So to be able to kinda write with these people and, and, build, uh, a little bit of a-- if nothin' else, a professional bond with these guys has been...uh, been an absolute-- it's been absolutely overwhelming for me.

Ritchie: It, it must be amazing to...you know, these guys were people that you looked at pictures of in liner notes...

David: Mm-hmm

Ritchie: ...and now they're sittin' across the table from you or right beside ya', and...

David: Absolutely

Ritchie: ...hammerin' out creations.

David: Oh, that-- and I'll tell ya' what, man. To, to be able to get back to writing, ya' know, original music and, and uh...and, and really getting, like, kinda like you said, delving into that creative process is uh, is paramount for me. It's, it's...it's what keeps me alive.

Ritchie: I don't doubt it. So the new CD comin' out this fall. November, I heard?

David: Yeah, we're lookin' at mid-November.

Ritchie: And then a tour in the new year?

David: Uh, that's the hope, yeah. We uh, we actually just booked uh...we booked my first show post-Idol January 27th in the Philippines.

Ritchie: It's gonna be a world tour?

David: You know, I don't know. I think uh, I think the Philippines show might be a one-off. And then uh...

Ritchie: Oh, OK

David: ...we'll start the tour in the States not long after. But...ya' know, hopefully the record does well and there's uh, a lot of demand to see my live. And I'll, I'll go wherever they want me to go.

Ritchie: Sweet. Well I tell ya', after playin' Toronto this weekend, you are gonna wanna come back.

David: Ahh, that's what I've heard.

Ritchie: David Cook, thanks for takin' the time out to talk to us today.

David: Ohhh my pleasure, man. Thanks for talkin' to me.

Ritchie: Catch him Saturday night, American Idols Live! at the ACC. It's "The Time of My Life" on CHUM FM.

END OF INTERVIEW

2008-06-28 - TULSA WORLD - American Made Source: http://www.davidcooknews.com/american-made/

To People, he’s just another hot bachelor. To us, he’s the man. The waiting line to interview ―American Idol‖ winner David Cook is now quite long, and a metro newspaper from his most recent place of residence doesn‘t rank near the top of the list these days. Ahead on the list are US Weekly, People magazine (which just named Cook to its list of ―hottest bachelors‖), Rolling Stone, Larry King, coast-to-coast radio stations, Jay Leno, Jimmy Kimmel, Regis & Kelly, the Today Show. It‘s been about a month since his slam-dunk, 12-million-vote victory on ―American Idol,‖ and Cook is still in high demand. ―I can maybe get you 10 or 15 minutes on the phone with him while he‘s in the car on his way somewhere,‖ a publicist says. He makes no promises, and wonders: ―Can you e-mail questions instead?‖ A few months back, Cook was just a Tulsa bartender-musician toying with the idea that ―American Idol‖ could be his ticket to the rock-star success he‘d always dreamed about. Some of his friends laughed when he told them he was going on the show. He didn‘t even plan on trying out at first, just tagged along to support his little brother. But Cook‘s rocker style, gravelly voice and switch-ups of classic songs struck a chord with fans during this season of ―Idol.‖ He morphed into a frontrunner and has been setting up shop on the Billboard charts ever since. Did anyone see that coming? Cook reportedly text-messaged one of his Tulsa friends back in February, because he was excited about his first Tulsa World interview as a solo artist. He was witty, polite and asked to pass along a ―hello‖ to a music writer and photographer he‘d met back when he was playing with the Midwest Kings. The publicist calls back, after canceling twice. ―We can get you sometime in July, maybe.‖ They grow up so fast. David Cook yawn At our pre-arranged phone interview time, the phone rings. Another publicist: ―We‘re running about 15 minutes behind.‖ Twenty minutes later: ―He has an appointment. Can we do it at 1 p.m.?‖ At 1 p.m. sharp, Cook is on the phone and laughing about how much has changed in the past few months. He‘s no longer a bartender trying to give away copies of his own album. He is headline news on gossip Web sites, snagging top spots on Billboard charts, peering at you from magazine covers at the checkout stand. Your ―American Idol.‖ Cook‘s average day now lasts from about 7 a.m. to 10 or 11 p.m. with a packed schedule of interviews, rehearsals, song writing and studio work, and performances. As he‘s describing this, he lets out a giant, audible yawn over the phone. He is beyond tired. ―I had to schedule that, so ‖ Cook jokes. ―I would almost be willing to pay an exorbitant amount of money for a nap.‖ The work, he sees as fun. The celebrity stuff is weirding him out a bit. ―It‘s weird, because it sounds so cliche, but it‘s really the truth — I got into music to play music, so the whole celebrity aspect of it — I can see the absurdity,‖ he says. ―If it‘s what I‘ve got to do to allow me to play music, then so be it.‖ Even if it means ending up on People magazine‘s list of this year‘s ―hottest‖ bachelors? ―How absurd is that, honestly?‖ he says. ―It‘s a bit unnerving. I mean, I‘m honored and very appreciative. But I think if you ask my friends to describe me I don‘t know — I‘m a goober, man. I‘m a ham.‖ Beyond the Gray Snail Even when Cook sneaked back to Tulsa a few weeks ago to hang out with some of his friends incognito, he learned life as a regular guy may be over, at least for now. ―We were eating dinner in the back room of the Celebrity Club (near 31st Street and Yale Avenue), because I wanted to take everybody out to dinner and say ‗Thank you,‘ ‖ he recalls. ―And the waiters had to keep coming in and out of the room, so I guess some people saw when they opened the door that we were there, so they sort of crouched by the door and waited, and sort of bombarded us. They were really nice, though. But they totally got caught sneaking.‖ He does miss being able to hang out with friends as much as he‘d like, driving around a town he knows and playing acoustic sets at the Gray Snail, he says. ―There‘s something very ethereal in that,‖ he says. ―There‘s something very romantic about the Midwest.‖ Not that he would trade any of his current success, considering he‘s recording a major- label album, getting the full Hollywood treatment and dating former Idol star Kimberly Caldwell (‖She‘s amazing,‖ he shares). And he got to give ―Little Miss Sunshine‖ an iPod. Cook and cutie pie, A-list actress Abigail Breslin — star of ―Little Miss Sunshine‖ — were booked on the same ―Tonight Show with Jay Leno‖ episode a few weeks ago. He heard during her interview that she lost her iPod in New York. So a couple days later, he gave her a new one, because she had told him she was a huge ―American Idol‖ fan, he says. She did not mention whether she rooted for him over runner-up David Archuleta, however. Source: Tulsaworld.com

2008-07-08 - SEATTLE TIMES - Idol moments with winner David Cook Source: http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/musicnightlife/2008038064_idol08.html The new American Idol, rock musician David Cook, talks about touring, favorite books, Seattle grunge rock, a Jimi Hendrix/Dylan tune he almost sang on TV, a country star he's listening to, acting in "Phantom of the Opera" and more in this revealing new interview.

By Misha Berson

Seattle Times arts critic

David Cook, third from left, and the rest of the gang on the American Idols Live Tour will be coming to the Tacoma Dome Saturday. COURTESY OF

Pop-music preview

American Idols Live Tour 2008

7 p.m. Saturday. Tacoma Dome, 2727 E. D St., Tacoma; $39.50-$68.50. www.ticketmaster.com; 253-627-TIXS, 206-628- 0888 or go to http://tour.americanidol.com/

Listen up

Hear David Cook at www.myspace.com/officialdavidcook First he handily beat out legions of other hopefuls for the "American Idol" crown. Now the champ of TV's top-rated sing-a-thon is on tour with the top 2008 "Idol" contenders, which began last Tuesday in Arizona, and comes to Tacoma on Saturday. The 25-year old Tulsa musician David Cook — he of the soaring voice, mercurial hair and indie attitude — might be the first rocker champ to please "Idol" fans and critics alike. By phone from a limo in L.A., a busy but open and amiable Cook seemed eager to talk about matters musical and creative, revealing passions for grunge rock, books by a hot Vancouver, Wash., novelist, and a Broadway role he's dying to play. Q: You'll be performing in our area for the first time, when the "Idols" tour hits Tacoma. Growing up near Kansas City in the '90s, did the Seattle rock scene ever excite you? A: I was kinda late on the curve with the Seattle sound. I had to backtrack to get into bands like , Mother Love Bone. But Pearl Jam's "Ten" was one of the first rock records I really embraced. I absolutely think the Seattle grunge sound was instrumental to my music education. Songs like Soundgarden's "Rusty Cage" ... You listen to the lyrics and think, where in the world did that come from? Q: Speaking of Seattle musicians, on "Idol" you sang Chris Cornell's version of "Billie Jean." And we hear you planned to do a Jimi Hendrix classic — 's "All Along the Watchtower"? A: Yeah ... but I never wanted to plateau, y'know? I didn't want to do two songs in a row with the same vibe. The week I sang the Who's "Baba O'Riley," and we slowed it down, I couldn't also do "Watchtower" the way I wanted — with a slow, acoustic, Dave Matthews vibe. I'll get to it down the road. Q: Vocal versatility helped you win "Idol." Did you always have such a big vocal range? A: I was a real midrange singer, out of fear or discomfort I wouldn't stray too far from that. It took me doing a solo record ("Analog Heart," released in 2006) and having to sing backup vocals to realize, hey! There are some high notes there I can actually hit. The hardest part for me is to find a new (vocal) trick and not beat it into the ground — which I'm very capable of doing. Q: You've had theater training, and your approach to songs on "Idol" seemed very theatrical. A Right. Some of the best rock shows I ever saw were those appealing to all your senses. There's definitely a visual aspect and an emotional aspect to a song. And that harks back, for me, to theater. I think every good song tells a story, as ambiguous and vague as it may be. And if you know what a song is talking about, it can only help your performance. Q: You had different looks, "costumes" for each number. A: I had to nudge the wardrobe people a little. They didn't want us to dress for the song, just wear street clothes. I said, why can't we do both? To me, there's a very abrupt disconnect if I go on stage in bicycle shorts and a tank top to sing "One" by U2. Q: Would you like to act, along with making music? A: To get back into theater would be a lot of fun. I got very excited when (rocker) Sebastian Bach took over the lead in "Phantom of the Opera." I find that role so intriguing and mysterious. When Andrew Lloyd Webber week came along on "Idol," I couldn't imagine myself singing anything but "Music of the Night." I'd love, love to play the phantom. Q: "Idol" turned you into an instant media celebrity. Was that weird or intrusive for you? A: It was like three years of PR wrapped into three months! It's nuts! To have people I've never met come up and congratulate me, say they feel they know me ... it's very powerful. Q: It probably helped that you looked so relaxed on camera. A: Well, things changed when I sang (Lionel Richie's) "Hello." I couldn't tell any other difference performance-wise from earlier weeks. I just began to engage the camera more. I learned a trick of not looking at the lens, but through it. There's an odd disconnect with TV sometimes, and if you can do anything to break down that fourth wall between you and the person 10,000 miles away, it can only help. Q: You're writing new songs for your album. What are they like? A: I want the album to be eclectic, but still rock. I've tried to incorporate fresh ideas, and actually I've tried not to listen to rock music while I'm doing this. Q: So what do you listen to? A: (Singer-songwriter) Imogen Heap. Some Keith Urban. Trying not to stray too far, but get a bit of a fresh perspective. I'd like this record to be palatable for sure, because I want to sustain a long career. But I don't feel I have to glue myself to the usual 1-4-5 (pop chord structure). I'm trying to write songs you may hear on the radio, but with interesting quirks that make them stand out. Q: Isn't it the post-album era, where the big thing is single tracks? A: Yeah, depressing, isn't it? I came from a time when records were records. I'll let the label worry about the singles, I'm into making a record. Q: What songs will you perform on tour? The same each time? A: We have a set list, but I want to make it a bit different every night, get as much audience interaction as possible, make it about us ... as opposed to me! I tried to put some duets in with others and I kept hearing, "David, your set's about you." But y'know, I'm over that. You can have my ego! I want people to walk away from the show feeling like they've seen something completely unique they won't get anywhere else. Q: Do you feel pressure to sing the big download hits from "Idol" — like "Billie Jean" and "Hello"? A: I'm feelin' like, whatever's going to make the audience happy. ... I put a lot of work into this, and I'm completely OK to take the credit that entails. But if a lot of people didn't invest themselves, and their phone bills, in what I was trying to do each week, I'd still be in Tulsa bartending. And telling my roommate I can't pay my again this month. Q: Will you play after-hours gigs at clubs during this tour? A: I've talked to old bandmates about throwing in an under-the-radar acoustic gig here and there. For me, at the end of the day, all the interviews and attention are nice. But I'd rather be playing music. Q: You're called "word nerd" because you like word puzzles. Do you read much? A: As much as I can. I read a lot of poetry. ("Fight Club" author) Chuck Palahniuk — I'm really into his work. Autobiographies. "The Road to ," about the JFK assassination, I'm thumbing through that. Q: Amazing you can read at all, given how much PR stuff you've doing. Weren't you on a talk show with Barack Obama? A: He was on "Jimmy Kimmel" with me, but by satellite feed so I didn't get to meet him. But hey, I was on a TV show with Barack Obama! At the end of the day, that's all I have to say.

2008-07-10 - LIVEDAILY - Interview w David Cook Source: http://www.livedaily.com/news/14525.html

Published July 10, 2008 12:07 PM By Christina Fuoco-Karasinski / LiveDaily Contributor The "American Idol" winner should be a champion for the people--and David Cook is exactly that. The afternoon before the tour's opening night in Glendale, AZ, Cook walked through the media area acknowledging each reporter. Later that evening, fans sitting side stage got a special treat when Cook stood in the wings watching fellow contestant Brooke White and encouraging ticket holders to cheer her on. "The goal is just to try to create some energy," said Cook, who tried out for the reality- television talent competition on a whim when he accompanied his brother Andrew to auditions. "I think, watching everybody else's set, I've definitely got my work cut out for me. Everybody's bringing it. It's cool. If I can keep up with everybody else, I'll be just fine." Cook, who began his five-song set with a rock cover of Lionel Richie's "Hello," spoke with LiveDaily about his forthcoming album, his love of Our Lady Peace and how it felt to win the competition. I understand you're working on a new album and you had the chance to work with Collective Soul's Ed Roland. How was it? Aww, man, I am a big fan. Obviously, I did "The World I Know" on the show. He always seems to write just really solid, hooky music. I got more nervous about meeting guys like him than I did anybody else through the show and stuff. The bands I get into, you always worry about, "Are they going to be nice?" Ed was so cool. We're talking about going golfing when we swing through Atlanta on the tour. He's a stand-up guy. I was really, really happy with the way everything turned out. Yeah, cool guy. Who else have you worked with on the album? I've written with a few people. I got a chance to write with Raine Maida [lead singer] of Our Lady Peace. That was just crazy. He was so nice. I got to write with Zac Maloy of The Nixons, which was cool. Let's see, who else? I got to write with Jason Wade of Lifehouse. I guess I‘m lucky. Everyone I've written with has been so nice and really cool. It's been very fruitful. I'm really excited about where the record's headed. You did Our Lady Peace's "Innocent" on the show. How did you discover the band? They're biggest in border towns and you're from Missouri. There was a dude that I went to high school with. He was a year or two older than me. At that point, I was really trying to get into some new music. He said, "Well here. Listen to this record." It was Our Lady Peace's "Clumsy." "You can borrow this, da da da." It took me six months to get it back to him. I just loved the record. Then, once college hit and "Gravity" came out, I re-immersed myself in it. I went back and started listening to "Spiritual Machines" and "Happiness ... is Not a Fish That You Can Catch." The ambient stuff on those records is so solid. You just get lost in it. You see the charitable stuff that Raine does and that solidified it for me. I remember watching very recently his video treatment for "Yellow Brick Road," that song he did on his solo record. It was amazing. He goes out and plays acoustic on the streets all day to try to raise $30,000 to build a school in Africa. It's easy for somebody of his stature to kind of rest on his laurels a little bit. The fact that he is so active--I respect him more than I could ever put into words. For the tour, are you able to choose which songs you sing? Yeah, yeah. Mainly I'm doing stuff from the show. I'm going to be doing the single, "Time of My Life." And then I have one song that I didn't do on the show, that I'm very, very excited about. It's high energy. I'm hoping to get the crowd into it a little bit and it means something to me. Do you think you had an advantage over past contestants because you were allowed to play instruments? I think it helped, yeah, for me personally. I knew going in I wasn't going to be the strongest singer this season. But I knew I could hold my own in my genre. But the instrumentation helped a lot I think. I don't want to say it was a golden goose for me or anything. At the end of the day, I think it was the perfect storm, just a lot of things falling into place for me. You looked so shocked when you won "American Idol." I am. I'm still shocked. It's like, "What?" The best way I can explain that moment was it was just an out-of-body experience. I felt like I was watching it. I try to think about it sometimes. I still haven't really processed it. It still seems so foreign to me. I don't feel like I changed. It's like when you have a birthday. Somebody says, "Do you feel older?" It's like, "No." I don't feel like anything's changed just yet. Wait until 20,000 people start screaming for you tonight. I thought that was really touching when you brought your brother on stage when you won. He's the reason I'm here. I feel like I'm here on his ticket. Any opportunity that I accrue to showcase the people who put me where I'm at, I'm all for it. So the fact that I was able to do that, that meant a lot to me. Did it mean a lot to him? I think so. When I made it through the first round, we were interviewed by a local news affiliate. They asked my brother how he was feeling. He said, "It's great. I don't have to do any of the work. I can just enjoy the fruits of his labor." I tried to help out where I could. I got the chance to have him come out for his 21st birthday, which was a few weeks ago. Spend a little money on him. Pamper him. It was nice to be able to say I'm in that position in my life where I can do something like that.

2008-07-22 - ESPN 1070 - The Fan Kravitz & Eddie -Indianapolis – Interview (Transcript by Annlah)

SOURCE: http://dclibrary-radio.4shared.com

Eddie: David Cook, American Idol champion. How are you brutha!

David: What's goin' on?

Eddie: What's up dog. Welcome to Indiana

David: Aw, thank you.

Eddie: Hey, you a Chief's fan

David: Am I a Chief's fan?

Eddie: Yeah

David: Oh, you bet I am

Eddie: I thought i saw that. I watch the show. I do my, you know, I, I, I'm a fan. i watch the show. We were pulling for you. I, but i saw you had the big thing at school and I figured growing up out there you got to be a Chief's fan. So let me ask you something. When you, when you, started on this American Idol dream, did you start way back when doing that stupid chant {mimics the chant}.

David: Easy, Eeeeasy

Eddie: Hey, we're still smarting. Remember you beat -wait, wait -we beat the Chiefs out there in the playoffs.

David: I was gonna say. You know what, I got a bone to pick with you guys.

Eddie: Go ahead. Shoot.

David: It was, let's see, Montana was playing for us and you guys -uh Lynn Elliot missed that field goal.

Eddie: He missed a bunch of 'em

David: Oh god, and you guys ended up beating us like 13 to 10 or something

Eddie: Yeah, that was like 1995

David: Yeah, i'm still smarting from that

Eddie: Do you know how cold it was that day? My rental car didn't start after the game in the parking lot at arrowhead. I went to Gates BBQ and hung out for four hours and ate barbecue

Kravitz: Lynn Elliot's car didn't start either

David: Aw, we can't talk about barbecue. I miss barbecue way too much right now.

Eddie: Yeah, tell me the truth. You're out in L.A. now, big timer, doing the show and stuff like that. Tell me the truth. In all of L.A., 8 gazillion frickin' people, you can't find good barbecue, can you?

David: You know what, I got to be honest with you. I have, I have scoured L.A. for barbecue that matches up to Kansas City and so far I haven't found any

Eddie: You can't. KC masterpiece. You got so many great barbecue options in Kansas City. I love Kansas City. You have one of the great Italian restaurants. What's the Italian restaurant, it used to be in an old Italian neighborhood now it's a Vietnamese neighborhood?

David: I'm just hoping you aren't going to say Olive Garden

Eddie: Aw, come on. You have great restaurants in Kansas City

David: Aw man I tell you what. I grew up in kansas city and, uh, like most kids you grow up in an area and then you can't wait until I get out and experience new things. And, uh, and as soon as I moved from Kansas City I realized all the stuff I was missing, so. The food. I mean, uh, really it's just everything. The people. It's just unreal.

Kravitz: When the hell did this become the food network?

Eddie: Oh shut up, Kravitz. Shut up Kravitz. Be quiet.

Kravitz: Where's that Batalli guy?

Eddie: Alright, we gotta. Alright, we'll ask the standard question that's been asked 8,000 frickin' times. How's your life changed?

David: Uh, well, I spend, I spend the majority of my time talking to people like you, which is a little bit different.

Eddie: Oh OK.

David: But other than that, I mean, I get to travel the country and play shows for thousands of people every night, which if you can believe it, before all this I wasn't doing.

Eddie: Well I mean your whole story was wonderful, with your brother and the family. Everybody had their pocket of fans obviously with all the votes coming in. But I think Middle America, from Kansas City, here in Indiana, and central Indiana, we were all pulling for you, man. You were real. What do you think of Indiana?

David: Aw man, you know I used to, I used to actually come out to Kokomo over the summer and, and uh, play baseball with my cousin and stuff, so I've been indoctrinated with Indiana for quite a while. I gotta tell this story. I actually met the Manning brothers for just a second at Idol Gives Back. And they are the most - like very nice guys, couldn't be any nicer. But just to look at them they're huuuuuge. They're massive guys. It was intimidating. I was like, 'man, that guy looks like a quarterback.'

Eddie: So tell me, you'd like to have one of those guys wearing your Chief's red and white?

David: You know, I wouldn't be upset.

Kravitz: Hey Dave, I hate to break this to you, but the Chiefs might be the worst team in football this year.

David: Oh no see, now, now wait a minute.

Kravitz: They had a great draft.

David: Yahoo's got them at number 22.

Kravitz: Who does?

David: Yahoo does.

Eddie: Alright, we're gonna get you a shirt that says 'we're 22, we're 22.'

David: I'll take it. I'll take it

Eddie: Oh my lord

Kravitz: Now I just want to make sure you're not, you're not hanging out with the bad crowd. No Lindsay Lohans. You know, you're not going down that road.

David: Well you know, I gotta break the bad news. Actually I am hanging out with a bad crowd. I spend every day on this tour with Michael Johns.

Eddie: Oh my

Kravitz: Hello

David: I know

Eddie or Kravitz: You're going straight.

Kravitz: And that Castro kid. He's nothing but trouble

Eddie: I'm starting to grow my hair like his

David: Yeah exactly. Just you know, just give it a while. It'll happen.

Eddie: Hey thanks so much for your time. Good luck. The show tonight, Indianapolis, over at Conseco. I tell ya, you're a great representative of the Midwest. And, uh, good luck to your Chiefs this year, cuz I think they're going to need it, dawg.

David: Thank you very much. And good luck to your Colts. I imagine they'll probably do pretty well.

Kravitz: You got it.

Eddie: David Cook, American Idol champion. Take care brother

David: Take care

Eddie: Alright, my man

END OF INTERVIEW

2008-07-23 - FREE POP PRESS - ‗Idol' David Cook talks cougars, crosswords as tour hits Detroit Source: http://www.newstin.com/tag/us/70187974

BY JULIE HINDS • FREE PRESS POP CULTURE WRITER • JULY 23, 2008 In the circle of life that is "American Idol," the show begins each year during the snows of winter. After the spring flowers bloom, a winner is chosen. Then, in blazing summer, the concert version travels across the country, making a regular stop in Detroit. Yes, the "American Idols Live!" 2008 tour arrives at Joe Louis Arena on Thursday. Expect to see screaming young girls, a Pop-Tarts mascot (the event's presenting sponsor), and all of your favorite Top 10 finalists, from the dude with the dreadlocks, Jason Castro, to the chick with the tattoo sleeve, Carly Smithson. This year, the hottest performer should be David Cook, the 25-year-old pop- rocker whose confident, creative vibe helped him defeat cutie-pie teen David Archuleta for top "Idol" honors. We caught up by phone recently with Cook, who's making his Motor City performing debut. He shared his idle thoughts on, among other things, cougars, Chikezie and crossword puzzles. QUESTION: Is there a way to understand your routine on the road? Is it crazy or is there a lot of downtime? ANSWER: It's a lot of hurry up and wait. But more than anything, now we get to concentrate on being performers as opposed to being contestants and I think that's kind of freed all of us a little bit. The stress level is a lot lower. The hours are a bit better. We get to do what we love without worrying about getting voted off. It's a win-win. Q: Are you trashing hotel rooms or not? Do you secretly want to? A: You know, if I were not worried that it would ruffle feathers, I might want to glue some furniture to the ceiling. But no, I'm a pretty docile guy. Q: Will this be your first time performing here? A: Yes it will. I've played in Hillsdale, but never in Detroit. Q: Did you play pre-"Idol" in Hillsdale with your band? A: Yes, MWK. We played at a school there. Hillsdale College maybe? Q: Are there any classic Motown songs you've performed onstage before? A: Well, when I was living in Tulsa, I played a couple of times an acoustic "Let's Get It On." ... It was pretty interesting, to say the least. There's a reason it only happened a couple of times (laughs). Q: Do you have time to work on your upcoming CD while you're on the road? A: Yeah, actually, I got into St. Louis late last night. I was in L.A. for a couple of days working on the record. What I like about it is, to me, it's not really carrying the vibe of a generic melodic rock record. I think there's some twists and turns on it. Lyrically, I feel like I've had something to say for a while. To be able to put pen to paper and actually get it out of my system is pretty therapeutic. Q: Does it have a title yet, to give us an idea of what to expect? A: Not yet. I definitely want there to be an attitude to it. ... I don't want to come out singing standards or anything. That's just not my vibe. Q: You seem like someone who wants his performances to be interesting and intimate. How does playing big arenas affect your style? A: That's been the big learning curve for me, to make it as intimate for the person in the nosebleed seats as it is for the person pressed up against the railing in the front row. There's a weird irony in that when you're on a stage that big, the best way to get across to an audience is to make yourself as vulnerable as possible, which is tough to do with that many sets of eyes on you. But so far, the crowds have been really responsive, so based on that, I'm at least in the ballpark. Q: What about cougars for Cook (your middle-aged female fans)? Has it been fun to be associated with that? A: It's actually been really funny for me. ... I've signed so many David Archuleta T-shirts on this tour, everybody's kind of moved past the battle lines being drawn. Everybody's been really complimentary and cool and to be able to really get back to that vibe -- so if I'm not another contestant, I'm not going to get something thrown at me -- is always a nice feeling. Q: So you're cool with having a wide age range of fans? A: Oh absolutely. The more people that want to get into what I'm doing, bring 'em on. We've got plenty of room on the bus. Q: Which of you among the Top 10 is the most geeked about the concerts? Who's the real live wire? A: Probably Chikezie. He comes out and opens the show. His energy level every night has been absurdly high, to the point where it's a challenge to try to keep up. But ... that's a tough call. I think we're all really excited and the tour's still really fresh. Q: Of the other nine finalists, who would you like to become for 24 hours? A: You know, oddly enough, I'm pretty content with being myself at the moment. Q: Is fame what you imagined it to be? A: It is so much more than I could ever have imagined. I never want to be that person that turns anybody away for showing interest in my career and myself. In that aspect, I'm making the time for everybody. As soon as I got off the bus here, I went and dropped my bags off and went outside and signed autographs for 30, 40 minutes. The people that come to these shows are the people who put me where I'm at, so it seems like the very least I can do. Q: What happens when the tour is over? A: We get into finishing the record the rest of September and maybe a little bit of October. Then a lot of press and promotion until Christmas. We're going to try to get the record out mid-November. Then we start doing shows in the new year. Q: You're a word guy. What are you reading now? A: I just finished a Chuck Palahniuk book called "Snuff." It's definitely an adult read, for sure, but it was interesting. I'm a big Palahniuk guy. Stephen Colbert's book "I Am America (And So Can You!)" I've been thumbing through that. Other than that, just a lot of crosswords and stuff. Q: You're a huge crossword puzzle fan. Has your name been in a crossword puzzle? A: I have not run across myself as an answer. That's going to be probably one of the weirdest moments of my life.

2008-07-25 - BILLBOARD - David Cook Promises Twists, Turns on Debut Album Source: http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/esearch/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=100383184 4

David Cook July 25, 2008 , 10:25 AM ET

Gary Graff, Detroit Even though he's busy on the road with the American Idols Live! tour, reigning champ David Cook says he's making good progress on his debut album. "I think we've for sure got seven songs we're tracking," Cook tells Billboard.com. "We're gonna try to get to around 20 I think, and work it out from there." Cook's album, which he hopes to release in November via 19 Recordings/Arista, is being helmed by Rob Cavallo in Los Angeles. Cook has been writing material for the set, and his collaborators so far include Collective Soul's Ed Roland, Our Lady Peace's Raine Maida, John Fields and Kara DioGuardi. "I really just try to get into these creative processes with some different minds and see what happens, and so far the results have been great," Cook says. "I don't really feel like I've had a fruitless writing session yet." He recently flew back to Los Angeles during a couple of off days from the Idols tour to do some recording and says what he heard is "definitely heading down the right path. I just want the record to be both eclectic and cohesive and have something to say. The music is rock and it's pretty undeniably me, which I'm pretty excited about." He adds that he also wants the album to have "room to meander" stylistically and promises that "there's gonna be some interesting twists and turns ... that will keep people interested." Cook certainly has reason to be optimistic. After his "American Idol" victory in May he placed a record 10 of his "Idol" performances plus his first single, "The Time of My Life," on the chart, with a total of 944,000 first-week downloads. That's given him a formidable repertoire for the Idols tour -- where he's sporting a rubber bracelet bearing the legend "David Is My Idol." "It's actually a David Archuleta wristband," Cook says with a laugh, explaining that it was given to him in by a fan of the teenage "Idol" runner-up. "I'm actually a pretty big Archuleta fan. I think he's a fantastic performer and, more importantly, a good human being. So it's just a little way to show some support."

2008-07-25 - CANADIAN PRESS - American Idol David Cook's idol? Canadian singer-songwriter Raine Maida Source: http://othernews.ca.myway.com/article//20080725/83688039.html 3 hours ago TORONTO — He barely registered on "American Idol" until he cut his hair and sang "Hello." From then on, David Cook was the unlikely dark horse who reinvented hits from the '80s and '90s to the delight of his female fans, in the end trouncing teenage phenom David Archuleta in a landslide upset. Cook and his fellow Top 10 competitors arrive in Toronto on Saturday, and it turns out that the emo-balladeer has a musical idol of his own - Canadian singer-songwriter Raine Maida. Cook says he's long been a fan of the Our Lady Peace singer and requested a meeting with Maida when it came time to hash out material for his "Idol"-funded solo release. "The songs that we wrote were, in my opinion, some of the strongest that we've done for this record," Cook says by phone from a recent tour stop in Detroit. "I'm very pleased with how it turned out and I'm actually hoping to get together with him again before the record gets released and try to write some more." Cook notes that Maida's edgy rock sound is very much in line with the type of material he hopes to put out himself. Other rockers he's written with include Ed Roland from Collective Soul and Zac Maloy from the Nixons. "I wanted to write with people that I admired and respected and people that I thought could tune into the kind of vibe that I wanted. Raine's definitely one of those people," he says of the L.A. writing session, in which he also met Maida's wife, songstress Chantal Kreviazuk, and their sons. "I put his name on a list, I turned that list in and next thing I know he was on the schedule. With it being my first session I remember being just really nervous because you always have that kind of anxiety, this person I look up to - 'Are they going to be nice?' ... And in the first 15 seconds he completely put me at ease. He's the most unassuming, down-to-earth person I think I've ever met." Cook, who chose the Our Lady Peace song "Innocent" for his Top 8 performance, says he hopes to release the disc in the fall, and follow it up with another tour. During the Idol competition, the 25-year-old singer distinguished himself from the pack with a harder rock sound and a breathy delivery that made his female fans swoon. Unconventional arrangements of '80s and '90s classics including Michael Jackson's "Billie Jean," Mariah Carey's "Always Be My Baby," and Lionel Richie's "Hello" earned him glowing reviews from judges Randy Jackson, Paula Abdul and Simon Cowell. Cook's alt-rock performance of "Billie Jean," was actually a Chris Cornell arrangement, but the Idol champ lays claim to unique interpretations of "Always Be My Baby" and "Hello," which came in at week 3 as he entered the Top 16. Cook says his guitar-driven emo version of "Hello" started out as an inside joke with his buddies back home in Tulsa, Okla. "We always joked around that that would be a great power ballad. And then I had the first two weeks where I kind of stumbled over myself a little bit, was just trying to find my footing and I really walked into that third week, and was just like...'I'm just going to have fun with this song - I'll do it.' " The judges loved his rendition, and in many ways, that off-beat approach set the tone for Cook's gradual climb to the top. Cook says he's going for similar musical surprises when he releases his solo album later this year. "It's a rock record but in my opinion it's not the standard 'one-four-five' pop chord progression rock," he insists, noting the lyrics deal with "themes of love and displacement, being unsure and all those kind of vibes." "I wanted there to be some room on this record to meander and do some interesting things that make a listener want to pay attention."

2008-08-04 - NEWSDAY - David Cook: We sing better on American Idols Live tour Source: http://www.courant.com/entertainment/am-idol0804,0,815156.story From Newsday BY DANIEL BUBBEO | [email protected] 10:21 AM EDT, August 4, 2008 David Cook had " American Idol" fans at "Hello." When the 25-year-old from Blue Springs, Mo., put a rock spin on the Lionel Richie ballad in the "Idol" semifinals, it was the start of a love affair that led to his victory on the show in May. Tonight and tomorrow, fans can say hello to Cook as he and the rest of the top 10 come to the Nassau Coliseum for the "American Idols Live" tour. Cook recently chatted by phone from Rochester, N.Y., about the tour, his album due in November and Simon Cowell. What's been the best part of being on the "Idols Live" tour? The cool thing is that we're all doing our own set, although I get two more songs than everyone else. So everybody's got their own vibe and they've got their own songs. And not worrying about being judged or voted on has really helped us all open up a lot. It's made us all stronger performers. How did being on "American Idol" help you to become a better performer? The one thing about doing "Idol" is that it showed me that it doesn't really matter what the size of the crowd is, you have to make it as intimate for the back of the room as well as for the front row. If you can get into that vibe, then you're giving everyone the same show. Have you started work yet on your album? It's been hard with the tour, but Rob Cavallo, who produced Green Day's "American Idiot," is producing, and we've been having a lot of correspondence. We've got about 20 songs that we're tracking. Will any of the songs from your previous CD make it onto this one? I've lucked out in that I have a breadth of material to work from. We're in the tracking process right now, and we're working with one that looks like it's going to fit. Do you feel that Simon was sometimes too harsh with his criticism? Simon says what he does, but he always means it to be constructive. Simon is just being Simon. He's honest. I stood up for my ideas whenever I felt like I needed to. The one thing I did take away from it is that I got a tougher skin. Part of Simon's job is to prepare us for the media saying some unflattering things about us. I'm confident with who I am and I know what I'm about.

2008-08-05 - KISS FM (Los Angeles, CA) – Interview (Transcript by Annlah)

SOURCE: http://dclibrary-radio.4shared.com

Ryan Seacrest: Coming up tonight, an hour of prime time television commercial free. A bunch of stars. It's live on just about every network. It is caled Stand Up To Cancer and so many of us affected by it if not directly then indirectly. It's just, honestly, it's just scary. I've lost family members to it. And so tonight people coming together to try and raise money. David Cook joins us. Your American Idol will be a part of that broadcast tonight. How are you man?

David Cook: I'm good. How are you? I feel like i was just there yesterday. [laughs]

Ryan: Well, I, you know it's funny because we're already auditioning for the new season of American Idol. We were saying the same thing when we got to day one of the auditions - it feels like we just crowned you the winner.

David: Wow, well there you go

Ryan: How've you been?

David: I've been good. The tour has been going well and, uh, I've had a chance to actually get out and do some things, uh, that are both fun and important. And, uh, this Stand Up To Cancer is another one of those things. I'm excited to be a part of it and I'm anxious to see it.

Ryan: Yeah. I mean, it's no secret that cancer affects all of us in some way, if not directly then indirectly with a family member or loved one. What will you be doing tonight, David, on the show?

David: Uh, just, uh, speaking for a minute and, and really just trying to, to really drive the point home that, really the same point that everybody else is. I mean every day cancer kills 1,500 people. There's a person every minute. The statistics are just unacceptable. We're, we're one of the leading countries in, in medical research and there's no reason why we shouldn't, we shouldn't be taking a much larger look at this disease.

Ryan: A lot of stars and that's broadcast all over the place tonight. You can't miss it. It is at 8:00 Eastern and Pacific on ABC, NBC, CBS, FOX and some others. David, your album is coming out soon. Finally I guess we could say. What can we expect from the full album buddy?

David: Um, well it'll be a rock record and and really what, what myself and everybody else associated with the record has tried to do is just make it interesting, um, try to, try to put out something that's going to be able to stand up long after I'm gone. That's really been the goal. And so far we're kind of heading in the right direction. We've got, uh, we've got Rob Cavallo producing. He did Green Day's American Idiot.

Ryan: Yeah

David: And, I'm just really excited. I feel like this music is some of the strongest stuff I've ever been part of it so i'm anxious to see kind of the, the end result. We're looking at Nov. 18 as the release

Ryan: There's the natural instinct is to do something that your fans obviously will love. At the same time you want to combine that with being slightly unpredictable, I would imagine

David: Right. Absolutely. And that's, uh, that's been the trick, to try to walk that fine line between art and commerce

Ryan: Yeah. [laughs] We do that on American Idol.

David: Right. Right.

Ryan: And you've also done, speaking of commerce, are you going to be in the Skechers campaign? Carrie did that once. You're going to do that too?

David: Yeah, uh, you know the people at Skechers reached out not long after the finale actually and expressed interest in having me get involved and, and it just, it made sense. It seemed like the natural thing to do and, uh, I certainly respect the brand and, uh, so I'm happy to do it. I think the ads were, we did the shoot maybe a month ago, uh, and it was fun and they made it easy and so I'm excited to kind of see it out in print and hopefully everywhere else.

Ryan: David Cook, you can see him tonight, the Stand Up To Cancer hour-long broadcast, commercial free on all the networks. I look forward to seeing you and hearing that album real soon. Take care, OK.

David: Will do. You too.

Ryan: See you David.

David: Bye, bye

2008-08-08 - BOSTON GLOBE - Cookin' along, fueled by Idol Source: http://www.boston.com/ae/music/articles/2008/08/08/cookin_along_fueled_by_idol/ Tour, debut album keep singer busy

By Sarah Rodman

Globe Staff / August 8, 2008 David Cook, victor of the seventh season of "American Idol," is in good spirits on the phone from the Albany, N.Y. tour stop of the "American Idols Live" tour. "The response has been great to everyone," says the 25-year-old from Blue Springs, Mo. Cook is currently whirling through the now-familiar frantic schedule of his predessors - playing a nationwide tour with his fellow finalists while jetting off to various studios between gigs to record his debut album with respected producer Rob Cavallo (Green Day, My Chemical Romance) for 19 Recordings/RCA. Cook says the album is slated for release mid-November. Aside from being sleep-deprived, he has no complaints about the opportunity to be a working musician. So far there's been little to complain about. On the Fox reality contest, Cook gathered fans from every demographic with quirky, alt-rock polishes of the various pop, country, and classic rock songs offered up by the show's various mentors and themes. Following his triumph on the show, he set a record for new entries on the Billboard Hot 100, when 11 of his "Idol"-related recordings entered the chart in one week including his finale single "The Time of My Life." Q: How psyched were you when you found out they were changing the "Idol" tour format to de-emphasize big group singing and dancing numbers? A: When I heard we only had two group numbers and not much choreography, just blocking, I about jumped through the roof. I don't think I was the only one. (Laughs) I think this season especially, everyone had a firm idea musically of who they were coming in and the tour reflects that. Q: As a big Green Day fan, what did you think when you heard Rob Cavallo was interested? A: Rob's top tier. He came to us, and I took that as a massive compliment. We talked about what we wanted to do, and everything just clicked. Q: What kind of a record are you hoping to make? A: I just told Rob that I want to put out a real record, I want it to be a rock record. I want there to be an interesting vibe to it, and the three artists that I talked about were Our Lady Peace, Big Wreck, and Muse. I don't want to completely start copying other records, but I want to have interesting textures and sounds. Q: How was it collaborating with Raine Maida of Our Lady Peace, who you covered on the show? A: Walking in I was crazy nervous. I always expected him to be a very closed-off, brooding individual, but he's the nicest, most unassuming guy I've ever met. Q: A lot of times people think angst-ridden songwriters will be tortured in real life, but often those people say they end up being pretty even-keeled because they're able to exorcise their demons on record.Continued... A: It really is therapeutic. That's what really got me into music in the first place, needing an outlet to express negative energy. I think that's what's allowed me to be a little bit of a steady person. Q: Did you write much while you were working on the show and will you be including any of your pre-"Idol" stuff on the record? A: I didn't have a whole lot of time to write on the show. The good news is when I got off the show I had five months worth of writing to get out. June was amazingly fruitful, I think in the first three weeks we wrote about 20 songs. And then with the material I had from before the show - because I had released one record and had another record finished - I think we're in the 50s. Q: Did you find yourself writing about your "Idol" experience or drawing from outside the bubble? A: I think more drawing from outside of the bubble. This is such an odd experience that only roughly 160 other people can really understand. I found myself writing about it but only in a vague context because I want people to be able to internalize these songs. Q: Have you encountered any "Cougars for Cook" on tour? A: I have encountered a few cougars, and they've been very sweet, very respectful, and I'm glad to have them in my family. From a generic guy standpoint it's always nice when a female gives you attention. It doesn't really matter who they are or where they're at in their life it's just cool. (Laughs). Q: You studied theater for part of your college career, do you have any designs on an acting career? A: Basically what I told 19 and RCA is that I just want to put myself out there, and if the right anything comes along I'm certainly open to giving it a look. I may have read a script here or there, but nothing's really come out of the woodwork yet. If some huge director came up to me and said I want you to star in my movie and that's it, then maybe I gotta do it. I'm certainly not opposed to being the comedic relief. Q: As the self-confessed "word nerd" have you managed to graduate to the Sunday Times crossword yet? A: I have not, I'm still on Wednesday. Q: Have you been a clue in any of the puzzles? A: I have not. My mom has told me she's [seen] it a couple of times. I think I might have to stop doing crosswords when that happens.

2008-08-09 - ALWAYS ACOUSTIC - Interview with David Cook Source: http://www.alwaysacoustic.com/2008interviews/interviewdavidcook.html David Cook and I discussed via telephone American Idol, Axium, Analog Heart, freedom to be either a solo singer or in a band like Daughtry, his musical inspirations, playing acoustically and his Post-American Idol album. AARON KEKER: Hey everyone! This is Aaron Keker from Always Acoustic™ on the line with David Cook from American Idol. How you doing David? DAVID COOK: I’m good! How are you? AARON KEKER: I’m all right man! First, of all I would like to congratulate you on winning American Idol. DAVID COOK: Oh, thank you! AARON KEKER: So, when Ryan Seacrest announced David Cook as the winner on American Idol, what were you thinking at that time? DAVID COOK: You know I wish it would’ve been something really poignant. But I think more than anything, I just wasn’t thinking. It was kind of a weird out of body experience anyway. I felt like I was watching it. So, I don’t know. I guess my brain just kind of shut off. [laughs] AARON KEKER: [laughs] Right. In your wildest imagination, could you have ever dreamt this any better? DAVID COOK: No, not really. I mean you know the schedule has been nuts since the finale. It’s been with all these things that you know I’ve always wanted to do. You know to work on a major label record and to tour the country. But to be able to do them both at the same time, I mean it’s a lot… You know my worst day doing this still beats my best day of doing what I was doing before. AARON KEKER: Right. Did you enjoy the new format of American Idol, which allowed the contestants to play an instrument? DAVID COOK: I think it was integral to me in having any sort of success on the show to be honest with you. I think… to allow us the opportunity to showcase other sides of ourselves musically as opposed to just being, you know, singers. I definitely think it upped the ante on the show this season and you know it allowed us all to flourish a little bit more. So, I necessarily enjoyed it and I definitely see it as an integral part of what worked for me. AARON KEKER: Yeah, I know. I think actually a lot of people… enjoyed seeing instruments… being played you know with musicians this time around. DAVID COOK: Exactly. Yeah. AARON KEKER: How much rehearsal and non-rehearsal time did it take to prepare for each week on American Idol? DAVID COOK: Really it was constant. I think once we got to that Top 12, I don’t think I ever really got out and really did much… Everything kind of revolved around getting ready for the next week. You know the toughest part for me was… in order to do well on that show I feel like you got to do more than just go up and sing the song. You got to really kind of invest yourself in it and once you’re done singing it. The hard part for me was to immediately disconnect from that song and start looking forward to next week. So, it’s a constant thing especially on the show to just really concentrate on what you’re doing musically and up the ante every week. AARON KEKER: Right. Did you ever get nervous when you actually were on stage? DAVID COOK: Never got nervous. I always got anxious… I’m more comfortable I think performing than I am doing anything else. And so you know I get more nervous doing interviews to be honest with you. [laughs] AARON KEKER: [laughs] Oh, really? You’re not nervous about this one are you? DAVID COOK: Well you know. I am more nervous about this than about performing, I guess is a better way to put it –– AARON KEKER: Right. DAVID COOK: but I’m not necessarily nervous. AARON KEKER: Right. Before American Idol, you were the lead singer and guitarist in the band Axium from 1999 until 2006. DAVID COOK: Uh-hum. AARON KEKER: Why did Axium break up in 2006? DAVID COOK: You know it had just run its course. We’d gone through some lineup changes and had a less than amicable split from one of the founders. You know some opportunities come up for me to go down to Tulsa and join a band down there. For me the time had come to just go do something else. Axium was the only band that I’ve ever been in and I think in order to be a more well rounded musician I needed to have some different experiences… But I still talk to, you know, a couple of the guys from the band and still consider them good friends. They actually came out to check out one of the tour stops. So –– AARON KEKER: That’s cool. DAVID COOK: it’s definitely a cool part of my life but I just think like most things its just run its course and I needed to do something else. AARON KEKER: Right. Did Axium release any during that time? DAVID COOK: Yeah, actually we released a lot of records. I’m actually glad you bring that up. AARON KEKER: [laughs] DAVID COOK: … It’s been a real bittersweet for me because through the process of this show people have really started to grasp on to like the stuff that I was a part of before the show. Unfortunately, I’ve had an old band member really try to take advantage of that situation and has been selling Axium CD’s –– AARON KEKER: Oh, wow! DAVID COOK: for just awful amounts of money and really kind of gouging the people that have supported me through this process. So, let me use this platform to say I really hope that people stop giving him a reason to keep doing it. AARON KEKER: [laughs] Well Axium was very successful between having “Hold” played before previews on over 10,000 AMC screens nationwide. –– DAVID COOK: Uh-hum. AARON KEKER: Were voted as one of the top 15 bands in the “Got Milk” contest and was chosen as the best band in Kansas City in 2004. –– DAVID COOK: Uh-hum. AARON KEKER: Were you surprised by your earlier success as a musician? DAVID COOK: Yes and no. I mean… I don’t know if you can ever expect anybody to really gravitate towards what you're doing. But at the same time I mean we all put a lot of work into it you know. And so… the old adagium if you work hard enough good things will happen. I think was kind of how we operated and so when good things did happen, I mean it wasn’t surprising in the aspect like wow we really didn’t have to do anything. But it was surprising just in the fact that wow these people are taking notice of what we’re doing which is cool. The only success I think, you know, has to be attributed to the collective. I thought everybody really pulled their weight. AARON KEKER: Right. Well it’s good. Besides Axium, you released a solo independent album titled Analog Heart –– DAVID COOK: Uh-hum. AARON KEKER: in 2006. Is that album available online? DAVID COOK: I don’t believe that it is other than just through sharing it, which I think is great, you know. I’m really proud of that record. Obviously, you know it was my first foray in doing something by myself. I think it was a good kind of photograph of where I was at that point of my life and hopefully moving forward, I think the positive response that I’ve gotten from that record both previous to Idol and after it. You know I feel like if I can make a positive step forward from that record, hopefully the sky’s the limit with this new one. AARON KEKER: Right. Now are any of those songs going to be on this new album? I thought I read somewhere online about that. DAVID COOK: I’m sorry? AARON KEKER: I thought I read about some of those songs might actually make it on your debut album? DAVID COOK: They were submitted for the record but you know I just want this record to be a record. In that, I don’t want it to just be a collection of songs. I want there to be some cohesion. I want the record to flow. So, it’s just a matter of whatever songs fit. But I’ve been doing a ton of writing, since the show ended. I actually have another record done that I never released. So, I mean we have quite a lot of material to sift through - its just a matter, you know, letting the creative minds to the tops so to speak. AARON KEKER: Right. Well you have been singing since second grade and relocated to Tulsa, Oklahoma in 2006 to pursue a musical career, correct? DAVID COOK: Yep. Yeah. AARON KEKER: Well obviously, you possessed singing talent between growing up, Axium and your solo project, so why didn’t you want to originally audition with Andrew on American Idol? DAVID COOK: You know that it had nothing to do with the show really. I just have been working on a record and was really proud of where I was going. And I just kind of wanted to see it through on my own terms. And I think that was my mindset like going into Omaha. And then obviously other things intervened you know. It was never a lack of respect for the show. I mean, I think the common misconception of the show is people look at it like it’s just a pop machine and I don’t know that’s the case. Obviously, it’s an amazing platform but it is what you do after the show that really dictates your success. Which is why you’ve got some winners that maybe didn’t have the success that people expected them to. And you have had some people that didn’t win that went on to great things. So, you know it’s a work ethic more than anything. I think it’s just all what you’re willing to put into it after the fact. AARON KEKER: Right. Well at what point did you decide to audition? DAVID COOK: Standing in line –– AARON KEKER: [laughs] DAVID COOK: that Wednesday at registration. Yeah, I was just standing there with my brother and somebody came up with a camera and interviewed us. I was like “I’m not auditioning.” And they go “well you are now.” AARON KEKER: [laughs] DAVID COOK: And the rest as they say. AARON KEKER: Right. Well have you watched American Idol before then? DAVID COOK: I had a real base knowledge of it. I mean I knew obviously what the show was. And I could probably have named a handful of contestants. I wasn’t like a religious follower or anything. AARON KEKER: Right. Well you were praised on songs like “Billie Jean” and criticized on others like “Eleanor Rigby.” How did you deal with the negative criticism? DAVID COOK: I mean look this competition isn’t for the faint of heart. If you don’t have at least a base confidence in what you’re doing, you’re just going to get eaten alive. I mean you’re on a nationally televised show that is syndicated internationally and everybody has an opinion. But the end of the day for me was really just being confident in what I was able to do and what I wasn’t able to do. AARON KEKER: Right. DAVID COOK: So… The quote that I live by was “whether you're pleasing or pissing everybody off you’re doing something wrong.” AARON KEKER: [laughs] Right. Of all of the songs that you performed on American Idol, which song was your favorite? DAVID COOK: “Music of the Night.” I think to be able to kind of fall back on my theatre background a little bit when most people didn’t expect me to be able to do it. It was fun for me. I love kind of taking people’s expectations or assumptions and kind of flipping them around a little bit. AARON KEKER: Right. Which bands or musicians inspire David Cook? DAVID COOK: Our Lady Peace, Big Wreck, Muse. Bands like that. AARON KEKER: Do you like big bands like Guns N’ Roses and Bon Jovi? DAVID COOK: I mean I like Guns N’ Roses. I like Bon Jovi. I just think as far as you know base inspirations, I definitely have to lean more towards like those three. AARON KEKER: Right. One of my favorite songs by Our Lady Peace is “Somewhere Out There.” DAVID COOK: Yeah. AARON KEKER: What is your favorite song or songs by them? DAVID COOK: By Our Lady Peace, my two favorite songs by them are “4 am” and “Potato Girl.” AARON KEKER: [laughs] Aren’t you actually doing something with Our Lady Peace too? DAVID COOK: Yeah. Actually, I got a chance to sit down and do some co-writing right after the tour with Raine Maida their singer. Which was a huge thrill for me. I mean it couldn’t of made it any easier. Sort of a down-to-earth guy. AARON KEKER: Right. Well besides Our Lady Peace, what other bands or musicians would you enjoy touring with? DAVID COOK: Touring with… Let’s see, there’s a lot. I mean Jimmy Eat World, Our Lady Peace, Thornley, Big Wreck, Muse. And if Guns N’ Roses ever got back together I wouldn’t be too upset to do that. There’s a lot. I could go on for days with that one. AARON KEKER: [laughs] Yeah, I know. So, do you enjoy playing acoustically? DAVID COOK: Yeah. I think there is a time and place for acoustic performances. And I think when you can hit it right; it could be, you know, really intimate. But I remember playing acoustic gigs before the show and it was fun. They're just laid back and nobody’s really expecting you to do anything like too crazy. You just go out and play music and hopefully people enjoy it. I think there’s something very basic and ethereal about an acoustic guitar. AARON KEKER: Right. After the tour with American Idol concludes, will you be concentrating on releasing your album Post-American Idol? DAVID COOK: Yeah. Actually, I am in the middle of working on it right now along with the tour. The goal is to get it out as soon as possible. I think we’re shooting for like sometime in November. And then you know after that… I want this record to be successful so I am going to try and do as much as I can to make that happen. The goal is always to get to the next record. But I think right now, I am really just trying to focus in on putting out a solid record. AARON KEKER: Right. Well do you have any working album or song titles yet? DAVID COOK: No, not yet. It’s all really in the conception phase. I mean we're going through the recording process but a lot of these songs are untitled. I really just want… to be able to pick a name on the spot and have it just be, you know, kind of a gut instinct thing. And… I’m going to wait to name the record when we’ve got the songs more mapped out. I want a title that is going to be indicative of that kind of music on it. AARON KEKER: Right. Are you going to drop down any songs acoustically? DAVID COOK: I’m sorry? AARON KEKER: Are you going to drop any songs down acoustically? DAVID COOK: I don’t know. I wouldn’t mind it. Again it’s just kind of what fits the record. AARON KEKER: ... All right. Well final question. DAVID COOK: Okay. AARON KEKER: Now that you are the new American Idol, or should I say American Rock Idol –– DAVID COOK: Yeah. AARON KEKER: do you get the flexibility to at least choose between being a solo artist or the lead singer in your own band like Daughtry? DAVID COOK: Actually, they have given me more or less carte blanche, which is what I want to do. Which has been great. 19/RCA has been amazing in letting me do a record I want to do. So in that regard, I wouldn’t mind either way. Maybe we can do somewhere in between. Do like David Cook and the web members. But we will see. Time will tell. AARON KEKER: All right David. Well thanks a lot. I can’t wait to see you when you come and tour in Chicago on your new album. DAVID COOK: Great Aaron! Thank you very much man! AARON KEKER: Thanks man! All right! Bye! DAVID COOK: Bye! In conclusion, for those of you who are David Cook’s supporters, if you really want to support David Cook, make sure you purchase his Post-American Idol album sometime in November of this year. Afterwards, if the label makes available any Axium albums or David Cook’s Analog Heart, purchase those albums at that time. If you decide to purchase any Axium albums now, make sure you are receiving a fair market value and are not being price gouged.

2008-08-13 - DCO (Blogs) - Hey Guys...

Source

I wanted to drop a note and answer a few emails that I‘ve been getting! I can‘t thank you guys enough for all the sign-ups and emails pertaining to the website. And thanks to everyone who came out on the tour. As you know, the AI tour has ended and although it was sad to sing together for the last time in Tulsa, we had a blast all summer..... The new album is coming along great! I can say that, because I‘m in the studio typing this, as we speak. Well as I speak. You‘re reading. You guys are going to be the first to know the name of the first single AND what the album cover is going to look like. Make sure to sign up to get in on that if you‘re interested in being the first to know. I love the new site and hope you do too...it‘s just the beginning and we‘re still working out some kinks here and there. I know a few people had some password issues and that‘s all been fixed we think. The web nerds (get it?) helping me out apologize for the inconvenience. So much more coming for the site too....like a points system, listening parties, maybe even a few other secret things that I‘ll be able to talk about soon. I also wanted to grab a few emails and respond to them because I really appreciate you emailing me. I do read email, but obviously can‘t respond to all of them...so I‘ll pick out a few to blog about from time to time. Below are this week‘s picks! Again thanks guys!

~D

2008-08-20 - DCO (Blogs) – Promises, Schromises...

Source

AUGUST 20, 2008, 12:46 pm

So, I promised that I wouldn't really try to process all of this madness until I got an extended break, but something happened today that really made me reflect. Well, I may be getting too generic. A lot of small things have happened lately that correlated into some fresh perspective. Let me explain… We had a much-needed, much-deserved day off in Ft. Lauderdale, FL, today. I took it as an opportunity to rest myself not only physically, but mentally. The strain of trying to put everything I have into this tour, on top of the scheduling conflicts that inevitably arise from doing a record while on the road, and not to mention the crazy press commitments, have left me, and all the idols, with an almost humorous non-distinct stare as we enter the home stretch of this tour. So, today I did little but stay in bed and walk around. I went with MJ and Chik to go see "Tropic Thunder". I give it 4/5 stars. Tom Cruise was the only part I didn't like about it. Don't know why… After the movie, we went and grabbed dinner, and then split up upon returning to the hotel. I went out to the beach, and plopped down on a chair to watch the waves and the lightning in the distance. (Hurricane/Tropical Storm/Massive Nuisance Fay) All at once, it hit me full on what has happened to me this last year. I thought about Omaha, and my brother, Andrew, and the Green Mile, and the top 12 red carpet event, and the hotel, and the finale, and this tour. It really became apparent to me at that moment that the tour will be done in about a month, and we'll all, hopefully, go on to amazing careers and lives away from this "Idol Machine" and apart from one another. After a year with these guys, that thought looms ominous and scary. I bring all this up to make this point: There were times from the beginning of college to the time that I made the show where I truly was unsure of what I was supposed to be doing. I've been a professional musician of some degree since I was 15, but could I ever really "make it"? This last year has allotted me a new inner peace, and I'm more thankful for that than anything else. It's nice to have the title of American Idol, and the privilege of making a major-label record, but more than all of those things, I want to say thank you for the support you guys have shown, but more importantly the understanding you guys have shown to my limitations as I try to meander through this very new lifestyle of actually being acknowledged for doing something I love. I'm giving everything I can to make sure that you guys feel as appreciated as you've made me feel over the last year. Here's to many more. ~D

2008-08-21 - ROCK STAR STORIES - Interview w David Cook (Transcript)

Source: VIEW

DC: Hey guys. This is David Cook from American Idol and you‘re watching Rock Star Stories.

Interviewer: Hey everybody, what‘s goin on? We‘re here with David Cook, backstage at the BankAtlantic Center. How‘re ya doin?

DC: Good. How are you?

Interviewer: Yeah? Are you a little overwhelmed by this whole tour? All this craziness?

DC: Um, I was until yesterday. We actually had a day off yesterday in Ft. Lauderdale. So I got to [video problem] beach and unwind. So I‘m a little refreshed coming in to today.

Interviewer: Good. Good. What do you think about Florida? I mean, you guys came during Tropical Storm Fay…

DC: Yeah. Kinda nuts. No, we uh came in to just like a blistering rain and uh, once it let up. I mean, I‘ve been out before on family vacations and stuff and love it, so..

Interviewer: OK, great, great

DC: It‘s a very beautiful area of the country.

Interviewer: Great, great. Well, congratulations.

DC: Thank you very much.

Interviewer: How is everything been so far since we last saw you on TV as accepting your title as…

DC: Um, since the finale things have actually, oddly enough, been more hectic. Uh, with the tour and everything we‘ve been working really hard. We worked really hard the month of June to get ready for it and obviously traveling the country [video problem] done so…

Interviewer: So you‘re recording and you‘re on tour at the same time.

DC: Yeah

Interviewer: How‘s the album coming?

DC: The album‘s actually ahead of schedule, knock on wood.

Interviewer: Great.

DC: So, um…

Interviewer: And you‘re writing a lot, most of the songs?

DC: Yeah [video problem] much of the writing process as is feasible at this point.

Interviewer: Great, great. Can we get a little taste of how the album‘s going to sound? Is it going to be more towards the rock-y end, the pop-y end?

DC: I mean, it‘ll be a rock record. But, um, ya know, I want it to be interesting and I want it to have something to say and uh, and I feel like we‘re heading in that direction. And so I‘m excited. I think uh, you know, lyrically and musically I didn‘t write while I was on the show just for the sole fact that a) I didn‘t really have a whole lot of time and b) I really I, I was hoping to get to this end result to where I had this breadth of material and so [video problem] June sessions knocked out like 20 songs in 3 weeks. So it was uh, it was pretty amazing.

Interviewer: Great, great. And I remember watching one episode when you were talking about the band Our Lady Peace.

DC: Yeah.

Interviewer: How they contacted you and said ―thanks for performing our songs‖. Have you had any more celebrity run-ins like that?

DC: Um

Interviewer: That you can think of?

DC: Not really.

Interviewer: No?

DC: It‘s just the tour has just been so kind of prevalent in my life since the finale that uh, I really haven‘t had a whole lot of free time to really do anything. I went to the and met some people there and that was about it.

Interviewer: Oh, fun, fun. Very cool. Alright, well, thanks for your time David and good luck with everything.

DC: Thank you very much. Thank you.

2008-08-22 - OKLAHOMAN – BAM‘S BLOG David Cook clings to Tulsa memories http://blog.newsok.com/bamsblog/2008/08/22/david-cook-clings-to-tulsa-memories/ Posted by brandy on August 22, 2008 at 8:30 am

From Friday‘s Weekend Look section of The Oklahoman. To hear an audio clip, click here. Instant change of life David Cook, ―American Idols Live‖ to bring tour to Ford Center, Tulsa In the whirlwind of ―American Idol‖ fame and fortune, David Cook uses a Tulsa memory to stay grounded. Last Christmas, the singer/songwriter/guitarist had passed his now-famous unplanned first audition and advanced through the semifinal round. But just getting his ticket punched to Hollywood didn‘t bring him wealth and glory. ―I constantly kind of pull from the experience of where I was at like right before the show. … I think at that time I was in the top 50, but I wasn‘t really sure what was gonna happen and I couldn‘t really make any other steps in my life. Like I couldn‘t go get a full time job or something, and so I was playing acoustic gigs,‖ Cook said in a phone interview from a Philadelphia tour stop. ―I think the week I moved out to L.A. for the show, I had like 30 bucks to my name. So, that particular vibe is something I always try to keep hold of now that money has become less of an issue.‖ For Cook, whose legions of new fans can tell you turns 26 in December, winning the smash reality TV contest in May has fundamentally altered his life, turning swanky hotels into home and moving his performances into huge arenas. This summer, he and the other Season 7 top 10 contestants are traveling the country on the ―American Idols Live‖ tour. The tour stops at 7 p.m. Thursday a28 at Oklahoma City‘s Ford Center and makes its final stop Sept. 13 at Tulsa‘s new BOK Center. ―In the short time that I was in Tulsa, I feel Tulsa‘s just as much responsible for where I‘m at musically as Kansas City is. I mean, I found myself as a musician in Kansas City, and I found myself as a person really in Tulsa ‗cause that was my first foray into kind of being self-sufficient,‖ he said. Cook, who was raised in Blue Springs, Mo., moved to Tulsa about two years ago to play bar and club dates with the Midwest Kings and later as a solo artist. ―The crowds are a little bigger, and you … just have more resources available to you. But I don‘t know, part of me actually kind of misses playing the Gray Snail (Saloon in Tulsa) on a Wednesday night,‖ he said. After he was declared the new ―Idol‖ May 21, Cook‘s life instantly changed. By week‘s end, he had a record-setting 11 tracks on Billboard‘s Hot 100 chart, with his first single, ―The Time of My Life,‖ hitting No. 3. He has signed endorsement deals, performed before an NBA playoff game and started working with rock producer Rob Cavallo (Green Day). ―It hits in pockets. You know, you‘ll wake up in a hotel and realize, ‗OK, I couldn‘t have afforded this new hotel a year ago.‘ But I mean, it‘s small things, I think, that really kind of drive it home. I got my first bill the other day, and that was oh. That threw me out of fantasyland for a minute,‖ he said, adding that the bill was for ―just you know, life.‖ The hotels might as well be comfortable as they have essentially become Cook‘s new home. He hasn‘t fully broken ties with Tulsa, but he hasn‘t moved elsewhere. ―If anything I‘m homeless for the first time in my life, so I haven‘t really made any firm decisions on where I want to end up. I mean, I‘ve got family and friends in Kansas City; I‘ve got friends in Tulsa. You know, we‘ll cross that bridge when we get to it.‖ While on the road, he has been working on his debut album, due out in November. ―We‘re writing as we‘re recording, and I actually think we‘re like seven or eight songs into the tracking process. We‘re going to track out about 20 songs and narrow it down from there for the record. But yeah, we‘re actually ahead of schedule right now, knock on wood,‖ he said. Neither the album nor his band have been named, though Cook recently announced on his MySpace blog that Midwest Kings lead guitarist Neal ―Doctor‖ Tiemann has joined his band. ―I‘m writing wherever I‘m at, meeting with a lot of people for co-writes. … A lot of the tracking is being done in L.A. But vocals on the records, until I get off the road, are probably gonna be done wherever I‘m at,‖ Cook said. Cook, who has reportedly collaborated with Collective Soul‘s Ed Roland and Our Lady Peace‘s Raine Maida, promised a rock album with ―some twists and turns.‖ ―I want it to be interesting. I don‘t want a listener to feel they can just skip a song, so in that regard, I want to make a record record. I want this to be an album that has a flow to it and every song has a purpose whether it‘s a single or not.‖ He won‘t start performing his new material until after the ―American Idols Live‖ tour wraps, sticking with his most popular covers from the show and some personal favorites until then. The final ―Idol‖ tour date promises will be an exciting one, since it will be just the third show to come to the new BOK Center, which was just a construction site when he left Tulsa for Hollywood. ―I really hope that people come out to the show. And I hope that people really understand that I do have a very big place in my heart for Tulsa. I mean, it‘s probably one of the most integral aspects of who I am today, so you know, hopefully, it‘s the first of many shows to come,‖ Cook said. In concert What: ―American Idols Live‖ Tour 2008 featuring David Cook, Brooke White, Carly Smithson, Chikezie Eze, David Archuleta, Jason Castro, Kristy Lee Cook, Michael Johns, Ramiele Malubay and Syesha Mercado. Oklahoma City: Thursday at the Ford Center, 100 W Reno. For tickets and information, call 235-8288 or go to www.okfordcenter.com. Tulsa: Sept. 13 at BOK Center, 200 S Denver. For tickets and information, call (877) TULSA-CC or go to www.bokcenter.com. -BAM Related posts: 1. David Cook takes a victory lap, plans for the future 2. ―David Cook‖ set for Nov. 18 release 3. Q&A: David Cook 4. Added Eagles and Idols tickets on sale in Tulsa 5. More tickets released to sold-out David Cook Tulsa show

2008-08-25 - CNS EXCLUSIVE - David Cook Talks About Idol Tour, Skechers Endorsement And New Album Source: http://starsearchcasting.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=206269&mode=threaded August 25, 2008 4:07 p.m. EST Jennifer Tormo - Celebrity News Service Ft. Lauderdale, FL (CNS) - Which David - Archuleta or Cook? That was the critical question earlier this year on "American Idol." What most don't know is that David Cook actually has a David Archuleta wristband. "It was given to me in ," Cook tells the Celebrity News Service. "It says 'David is my idol.' He's a good kid." Cook, 25, won "American Idol" earlier this year, beating out the other David - 17-year-old Archuleta. Though Archuleta was incredibly talented and irresistibly adorable, Cook impressed "Idol" audiences with his unique, radio-ready arrangements of songs like Mariah Carey's "Always Be My Baby" and The Who's "Baba O'Riley." He also showed off his vocal talents in what was probably his most memorable performance, a cover of Chris Cornell's remake of "Billie Jean." Now Cook is living the dream - he's working on an album, touring the country with the rest of the top 10 "Idol" finalists on "American Idols LIVE! Tour 2008"and even endorsing Skechers. CNS spoke with Cook about all of this prior to the "Idols" Ft. Lauderdale show at the BankAtlantic Center on Wednesday. He was just as down-to-earth and eloquent in person as he is on TV. "The tour's been fun, but crazy," he tells CNS exclusively. "I mean, 53 dates in two and a half months is a pretty ominous task. But I think so far it's been great. I mean, you get to travel the country with nine amazing people and play music. It's not rocket science. It's cool." During some shows, Cook and fellow "Idol" star and pal Michael Johns have taken to performing funky dances like The Robot during the group performances. "I think it's more just out of necessity. I mean, we sang 's 'Please Don't Stop the Music' almost 40 times. Love Rihanna. Amazing song. I'm happy for her, but I think we're all tired of singing it, so Mike and I just kind of started doing it to have fun and be dorks. It's kind of taken on a life of its own," he says, laughing. He adds, "We were joking the other day, we should start making political stances with our dances and holding signs. But I think more than anything, it's just kind of to help us get through it. Our job is to be entertainers, and if people are entertained by it, then we'll probably do it." Cook also says that the tour has allowed the Idols to loosen up. "We were able to go through a really unique experience the last year, and I think that's a bond we'll take well past the end of this tour," he says. "I think there's a different relationship dichotomy now, without us being contestants, and now we're back to being performers. It's let everybody loosen up and now the relationships have definitely augmented themselves." Cook and the other Idols seemed to enjoy the Ft. Lauderdale stop. "We had a day off yesterday in Ft. Lauderdale and got to explore a little bit," he says. "I spent half the day just kind of crashing in the hotel, trying to rest up. Then Michael, Chikezie and I went and had dinner and saw 'Tropic Thunder.' Amazing movie. And then I went and hung out on the beach for awhile." Cook says that Tropical Storm Fay, which was in the area early in the week, did not really affect the group's travel plans. "The storm was actually off in the distance by time the sun went down, so I got to chill out on the beach and watch the lightning in the distance," he tells CNS. "It was like a velvet painting." Cook says his favorite stop on the tour so far, though, was Washington, D.C. "D.C. was probably the most fruitful stop on the tour for me, I think, in terms of what I walked away with," he says. "I'm kind of like my older brother; I kind of enjoy history, so just to see things was cool." "And then there were some other things that went on in D.C. that were really interesting for me. I got a chance to sit in on a cancer symposium and really kind of learn about some new things." Touring doesn't last much longer, though - the Idols finish up on Sept. 13. After that, fans can expect to hear from Cook again sometime in November, when he releases his new album. "It's coming along nicely - we're ahead of schedule right now," he says. "I probably shouldn't have said that - I probably just jinxed it," he laughs. "But it's moving along at a nice clip and I'm really happy with the way the songs are coming together." Cook says fans can expect music reminiscent of his "Idol" performances. "You know, one of the things that I had thrived on on the show was being able to catch people off guard a little bit, so the goal is to kind of keep that up with the record," he tells CNS. "I definitely want it to be palpable and something that is commercially successful, but I want it to be something that has some staying power. I want it to be an important record." Cook won't stray far from his rocker roots. "It's just gonna be a rock record, but I want it to be interesting and have something to say and make people's ears stand on end a little bit," he says. "I think the record's shaping up to be me, which is of utmost importance." Cook is less worried about fans' expectations than he is about his own. "I think the only expectations that I'm really worried about are my own, because the expectations that I have for this record are expectations that nobody else has probably met just yet," he says. "I'm pretty hard on myself. [I'm] definitely a perfectionist, probably to a fault." "I don't want to put out anything less than what I know I'm capable of doing. In that regard, this record needs to be the best record I've ever done, I think for myself," he tells CNS. "So that way if the record does poorly, I don't have any excuses. I can just be content and say, 'Listen, I did everything I could on this record.' And if it flops, then okay." Besides working on the album, Cook also recently signed on with SKECHERS USA, Inc. to promote their footwear in an ad campaign that will last through Dec. 2009. "That was a real organic partnership.... I just wanted whatever happened to be real," says Cook. "I didn't want to just go up there and smile and wave and throw Skechers at people. I wanted to do something like, this is who I am, this is what I'm about. They kind of grasped onto it." Cook plans on putting his personality into anything that he works on now. "I think that's the deal for me. I think whatever I decide to put my name on from here on out, I definitely just want it to be something that is a good thing and something I can believe in," he says. "I think that's the most important thing for me is, whatever I do has to be me. I'm lucky in that since I know who I am." In and out of music, Cook just wants to stay true to himself and be someone worthy of respect. "My aspirations are to just be somebody that people look to and respect and maybe not go nuts over," he says. "Somebody who really encapsulates a movement in music, I think, would be amazing." He adds that if he could collaborate with any musician, living or dead, it'd be Jeff Buckley. "I would have loved to sit down with Jeff Buckley and written, I think. One of my favorite songs of all time is 'Eternal Life.' To be able to, I guess, pick such a musical mind's brain, you know, would be amazingly educational." He says, "I think I would love to be somebody that ten years down the road, you ask somebody else that question and then they say me. I think that'd be a huge compliment." Ultimately, Cook sees himself making music a long time. "As long as they'll let me. I mean, I'll make music my entire life regardless," he says. "Whether or not I do it as a career is not really up to me. So I don't think music's a career choice for me - I think it's just kind of what I'm doing." 2008-03-09 - EXAMINER - A happy homecoming

HOMECOMING INTERVIEW David Cook By Hugh S. Welsh - [email protected] The Examiner Posted Sep 03, 2008 @ 10:43 AM Blue Springs, MO — In what ways has this trip to Kansas City been different than your May visit? I was amidst a competition and really, weird as it is to say this, the whole day was revolving around me being a competitor on the show. I think what‘s different about being here now is that it‘s about us, the 10 of us and really getting out and saying thank you. The fact that it‘s my hometown is extra. I‘m anxious not for everybody to see my set; I‘m anxious for everybody to see everyone else‘s set. What have been some highlights from your time in Kansas City this go-round? Well, let‘s see. We got into town about 6 this morning, and I woke up for my 9:30 a.m. call. So, it was a little rushed this morning, but I got a chance to go to the Ford plant and see my new car, which was nice. Then I went out to Blue Springs and saw the unveiling of the mural. And it was beautiful. I thought the students and the faculty and everyone involved with it did an amazing job. It was an extremely humbling experience to head home and have something of that magnitude. You know, there‘s a lot of hours put into that I‘m sure. To see that on the side of a building in your hometown was a pretty intense moment. I had to turn my back to the audience for a minute to keep from weeping. How will your new album, set for release in November, be different from anything you‘ve done before? June was crazy. We were doing a lot of tour rehearsals and on top of that I co-wrote like 20 songs in three weeks or something ridiculous. It‘s just a matter of utilizing time effectively. I‘ve had one day off the entire tour and that was just because it was an absolute necessity. I‘m a different person I think then when I did the Axium recordings. I think when you get older you get a different perspective; you‘ve obviously experienced more in your life, which you can tap into when it comes to writing. Nevermind the resources available – I‘ve got like a million dollar budget for this record as opposed to the Axium stuff when it was like, alright guys, we can all pool $200 together so we can have $800 to do a record. It‘s a different set of circumstances altogether. It‘ll be a rock album, but it‘ll have a little extra quirk to it. I want it to be interesting; I want it to be important.

2008-09-04 - SHREVEPORT TIMES - ‗American Idols‘ talks about shopping, shoes and a bad case of senioritis Source | Copy: DCN

(snip)

Season 7 winner Cook comes across as the big brother on tour. Maybe it‘s because he came out on top, or maybe it‘s just his nature, but Cook shows no signs of competition — not even the friendly kind.

―The pressure has always been on myself and the importance to withstand long after the tour is gone,‖ Cook said. ―David (Archuleta) and I aren’t the same artist. He’s more pop and R&B. Comparing us, for lack of a better term, is like comparing apples and oranges.―

During the transition from the show to the tour, the greatest difference for Cook has been taking time to write his own music.

―I didn’t write on the show because I had no time, but I really want to open up and be honest as a songwriter (…) The best analogy I have is to compare it to a game of poker. I have five cards, I’ve shown three, but I still have two left.―

2008-09-11 - KANSAN - Question & Answer with David Cook of American Idol Source

Nina Libby Thursday, September 11th, 2008 American Idol winner and Kansas City, Mo., native David Cook is performing around the country with the nine other finalists from the seventh season of the show for the American Idols Live Tour 2008. Cook released an independent album in 2006, but winning American Idol in May landed him a deal with RCA Records. Cook talked to Jayplay about the tour and the November 18 release of his new album. Q: How is the tour going so far? A: It‘s going really well. We‘re in Wilkes Barre, Penn., right now. I have already had three shows today and I have a fourth tonight, so we‘re really busy. Q: Do you get any down time? A: It‘s really hard to have down time when you are doing a tour like this. But I‘m with nine of my best friends doing what I love. The nine other finalists have provided so much support for me. Q: How do you keep your momentum going for the tour? A: It‘s a lot easier than I thought it would be to perform this often. When you get on stage in front of 10,000 people and they‘re all cheering for you, it‘s pretty motivating. If that doesn‘t get you going, I don‘t know what would. Q: What has been your favorite city on the tour? A: Going home to Kansas City was my favorite. We performed at the Sprint Center, which is a fun venue. Q: What is your most memorable comment from Simon Cowell? A: Probably when he apologized to me for criticizing my performance at the finale. I didn‘t expect an apology. It caught me off guard and I started to get emotional. Q: Any funny moments with fans? A: I have been hit with undergarments while on stage numerous times. It‘s really funny. Q: How does it feel to be a celebrity? A: It‘s a little weird that people recognize me all over the country. But I love what I do. Playing music professionally has always been my dream.

2008-09-18 - DCO (Blogs) – First new blog for new site!! Source

Hey Guys, I wanted to drop a note and answer a few emails that I‘ve been getting! I can‘t thank you guys enough for all the sign-ups and emails pertaining to the website. And thanks to everyone who came out on the tour. As you know, the AI tour has ended and although it was sad to sing together for the last time in Tulsa, we had a blast all summer….. The new album is coming along great! I can say that, because I‘m in the studio typing this, as we speak. Well as I speak. You‘re reading. You guys are going to be the first to know the name of the first single AND what the album cover is going to look like. Make sure to sign up to get in on that if you‘re interested in being the first to know. I love the new site and hope you do too…it‘s just the beginning and we‘re still working out some kinks here and there. I know a few people had some password issues and that‘s all been fixed we think. The web nerds (get it?) helping me out apologize for the inconvenience. So much more coming for the site too….like a points system, listening parties, maybe even a few other secret things that I‘ll be able to talk about soon. I also wanted to grab a few emails and respond to them because I really appreciate you emailing me. I do read email, but obviously can‘t respond to all of them…so I‘ll pick out a few to blog about from time to time. Below are this week‘s picks! Again thanks guys! ~D

FROM MY RECENT EMAILS SENT TO [email protected] ———————— From: Roberta Date: 01:09pm Sep 15, 2008 EST Subject: Message from a huge brazilian fan OMFG is this really David Cook? D: ummmmm… yes, it is. Thanks for stopping by. ———————— From: sandygirl67 Subject: Does this work? Helloooooooooooo! Just saw this email address listed as the way to contact David Cook so I wanted to try it and see if this is true, or is someone playing a cruel joke?? If this is DC. . .I registered at your new site and LOVE it! There are lots of suggestions being made, not sure if you have looked at all, but there are some very good ones you might consider. . .ohhhh especially the LIVE CHAT. . .: ) And well, if it‘s not DC. . .Hello anyway and nice joke! Ha! Sandy D: Hey Sandusky. Hope you dig the nickname. Live Chat is definitely something on the horizon. Those web nerds I referenced earlier are hard at work trying to make this site as fan friendly as possible. Tick tock, web nerds, tick tock… ————————— From: janprentice Hi David, Are you writing your own songs for the new album?? If so, I‘m sure it will be quite introspective… I can hardly wait to delve into that sweet heart and soul!! ps-I‘m not a stalker—I‘m a happily married mother of tweens. I‘m just as happy for your mom as I am for you. I know she is so proud of your success and your spirit. D: Dear Jan, Thanks for the sweet note. I‘m heavily involved in the writing of this record, so you can bet that there will be some heart and soul to in fact delve into. And I‘ll pass that on to my Mom. Sometimes I wonder if she‘s enjoying this ride a bit too much. (kidding. LOVE YOU MOM!!!) —————————– From: bonnie Subject: What is the best word in the English language? Greetings. As an high school English teacher, I work with words daily. I have a sheet of paper posted to the wall where I list the words of the week, with the heading ―Be A Word Nerd!‖ Each day I give the students a word to chew on, and I have wondered what word you think is the best in the English language. It is a challenge, because some minute words carry a lot of weight. We are tempted to choose larger words that somehow suggest our own intelligence, but I think you would take the time to really mull this over. Should you have the time, please reply. My students and I would appreciate it. Best of luck to you, your record and your family. May you find some solace in the days to come, prior to your album release. D: Hello, Miss Bonnie. Hmmmm…favorite word in the English language… that‘s tough… currently, I‘d say ―vacation‖. HA. Either that, or I‘d go with ―diligence‖. I need both as I navigate through this experience. Thank you for the well wishes, not only for me, but my family. Those wishes mean more than any gold record. ——————————— From: ghst501 Subject: A suggestion for the site, and a poem… Feedback for the site, and another poem for you. 1st, wow! Love the new site, it‘s awesome! So much to do, it‘s hard to take it all in! lol One suggestion I have is for the listing of members/fans. Most of us know each other, or have heard of each other through various sites. If there was a way to look through the names in alphabetical order that would be a huge help! I know there is a search bar, but some of the names are so similar, it‘s easy to confuse them with someone else. This way we could look at the profile quickly to determine if it‘s someone we know! =o) 2nd, I miss the tour being over because we got our ‗daily dose of David‘ and a side of Mavid! Now it‘s gone, and it‘s sad! I know great things are coming in the near future though, and I cling to that! Anyway, I wrote this with those very emotions in mind. The Summer of David (Serenity65 ~ Lisa H) It was the summer of David, friendships and fun Brought together in harmony and rhyme In moments of darkness, he brought us the light Leaving memories to keep for all time. Though the silence hangs thick when the stadium dims Where the crowd has since left it behind You still hear the music inside of your head Merely an echo left to remind. It‘s hard to leave and you don‘t want to go But there‘s nothing left for you here Moments it seems, where there once was a smile Is replaced by the path of a tear. Now we cling to each other, with a promise of hope The music once silent, will resound again Not an end to the memories, but a new page we‘ll turn We‘ll look back, and remember when… D: Hey Lisa, I love the poem. Very nice use of imagery. Makes me miss it myself. As far as the Search Bar goes, WEBNERDS! GET ON IT!!!! We‘ll see what we can do. ———————————- Well guys, that‘s all For today‘s post. Back to work in this here studio to keep recording and mixing. Only a few more weeks until November 18th!!! Keep coming back, fill up your pages, sign up your friends and let‘s build this site into something great we can all enjoy. Take care, ~D

ALBUM PROMO (Oct to Dec 2008)

2008-10-17 - EW COM - THE Q & A - David Cook: I just think this record is me Source: http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,20007164_20171835_20238699,00.html The ''American Idol'' season 7 winner talks about his upcoming self-titled debut album, comparisons to runner- up David Archuleta and fourth-place season 5 finalist Chris Daughtry, and handling post-''Idol'' fame More

DAVID COOK ''I still feel like that awkward musician; I think I always will. That's a huge component of me staying kind of humbled and grounded about the whole thing.'' By Chris Willman It's after midnight, but the shoot for David Cook 's first music video, ''Light On,'' is just beginning in the middle of a football field at Los Angeles' Valley College. Director Wayne Isham is bragging on Cook's personality to his cameraman and other assembled crew members. ''I loved meeting you yesterday,'' gushes Isham, who has worked with many of the biggest names in the business over the last 20 years, ''because you're the nicest guy.'' Cook demurs upon hearing that praise, telling everyone, ''Give me 15 minutes and I'm gonna be the biggest a--h--- you ever met.'' The man doth protest too much...and too politely, we might add. Over the course of a nearly seven-hour shoot, wearing a T-shirt in unexpectedly chilly weather, Cook proves unflappably affable, all promises of diva fits to the contrary. But do nice guys always finish first? They might on American Idol, as Cook did in winning this past season, but it remains to be seen how the singer will fare in the rock 'n' roll musical realm he's reentering with his first major-label album, the self-titled David Cook, which hits stores Nov. 18. A couple of weeks after the video shoot, we caught some chat time with Cook, and true to form, the singer is proving quite sanguine , as you'll see in the conversation that follows. ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY: Do you ever go online and sample the insane, intense fan scrutiny there? DAVID COOK: I've [looked at] it a couple of times. There's one video on YouTube, and it's these early-teen girls watching the finale, and they filmed themselves, and they're all Archuleta fans, which is fun. My name gets announced [as the winner], and the girls just lose it. It's painful to watch in that sense, because obviously I don't want to feel like I'm upsetting anybody. But these girls said something that's so funny, to me: ''How could they vote for that guy? He doesn't even shave!'' I love that. Because to me that encapsulated everything about people getting into the show. They embraced the littlest things about each person. I find that so interesting, from a sociological level. The things that some people gravitate toward me for are the things that other people just shun. You've got to take it with a grain of salt. But I love that everybody cares enough to have an opinion. Loved, hated, but never ignored, I guess is how I look at it. Sometimes you can read the partisan fan squabbles that are still happening online and wonder if 20 years from now people will still be battling out the Cook-versus-Archie dynamic. Hopefully, because that means Archie and I are hopefully still doing well! In a sense, it's fun that that whole rivalry thing got created. If you put me in the same sentence with David Archuleta, I'll be fine. NEXT PAGE: ''When Simon said that about Collective Soul, and said, 'You should have sung 'Billie Jean' again or something,' it was a rare moment where I felt justified to try to defend myself... ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY: On the show's next-to-last night, in that famous moment when Simon didn't like the Collective Soul song you chose, some people wondered, since you had been set up as a favorite, is Simon deliberately doing this to set up a backlash against himself, so it won't seem like such an easy win for you? On the other hand, sometimes a cigar is just a cigar, and it's possible that Simon Cowell really just doesn't like Collective Soul. DAVID COOK: When Simon said that about Collective Soul, and said, ''You should have sung 'Billie Jean' again or something,'' it was a rare moment where I felt justified to try to defend myself, just from the stance that I'd already done it, and I didn't want to do it again. I guess the way I looked at it was, I'd rather fall flat on my face on my own terms. The fact that people responded the way they did is amazing. The [winning by] 12 million votes thing still throws me. I even conceded defeat that night to Archie. I thought he'd done amazingly. I stood on the stage and watched all three of his songs and was in awe. For a kid his age to do what he's done, my hat's off to the kid. I was trying to analyze why even I got unexpectedly caught up in that moment. It was like, ''Yeah! Stick it to the man with your Collective Soul ballad!'' Then you step back and think, well, that's not the most rebellious thing, like doing a punk song or something. Right, exactly. But in the context of what was happening, it was a more subtle song than you might have picked, and that in itself could be considered a slightly rebellious act. That song to me probably has the biggest backstory of any song I did on the show. Because I had that song in my head early, and I kept working on it, and it never felt like it was ready, so I would go with other songs. We got to the finale and I had the option to do it, and I was like, ''Man, I've just gotta do it, because if I don't do it now, I'm gonna regret it the rest of my life.'' First off, I love Collective Soul, and I think it's a great song. It seemed like a fitting way to end my run as a competitor in that show. I knew if I could pull it off the way it was in my head, that win or lose, I was cool with that. And it came off really well. That's actually one of the two performances that I watched back after the finale. I watched that one and I watched my week 1 performance of ''Happy Together'' by the Turtles, just to see the absurd transition. It was night and day, man. I changed more during the four and a half months on that show than I changed the 25 years prior. Your very first album, which you recorded and released independently, sold a few hundred units online during Idol before it was pulled from distribution. And, of course, it's been pirated online. But the actual CD must be a real collectors' item. Yeah, it's crazy. My mom pointed it out to me. A copy of it sold for two grand on eBay. That's about a grand more than I paid to make it. And you were working on a second indie album when you went into Idol? What happened with that? I had completed a second one. Neal [Tiemann], my guitar player, produced it. That very first album was intended to be by the band I was in, and by a series of events, I just ended up putting that out solo. But I started working on the second one with more of a clear [solo] intention in mind. By the time I made it on the show, I had these 12 or 13 songs recorded that have never seen the light of day, other than in the live shows. Making your first major-label album must have seemed like the best and worst of worlds, in a way. As with every Idol winner's album, a great deal of it is being recorded while you're not there, because you have to be out on the road with the Idol tour. Did you resent having to go on tour, thinking, ''I should be writing and recording right now''? I only hated having to change mindsets. I enjoyed touring and I enjoyed recording, and I hated having to rewire my brain between the two. That was tough....But it helped that [producer] Rob Cavallo and I really hit it off. And I was able to bring my guitar player aboard early. Neal has an idea where my head is at musically, so it was nice to have somebody in the studio, when I wasn't there, who spoke for me and spoke accurately....I'm still kind of in awe of it. To do what we did in this amount of time is no small feat. We essentially put a year's worth of work into three months. NEXT PAGE: Cook talks about all those Daughtry comparisons ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY: Let's talk about a few of the new songs, starting with the single ''Light On,'' one of only two songs you didn't co-write. DAVID COOK: ''Light On'' is an interesting song. It encompasses almost all of my range. It's all over the place. That's Chris Cornell at his finest. It's got some Zeppelin influence in it; it's got some '80s hair-metal influence; it's got some grunge influence. To me it's like a rock history lesson put into about a four-minute lecture. It's fun to play, but it is definitely an intimidating song. The heaviest song on the album, by far, is ''Bar Ba Sol.'' It's got some almost some metal chords. I'm a big fan of this band Injected out of Atlanta. We called them up and said, can we have a run at this song and see what happens? What they sent us was a demo version, so we took the idea and ran with it. It's heavy, but still a strong melody. Was the title of ''Mr. Sensitive'' meant to be ironic in any way? The song was unintentionally ironic. I had the harmonic riff in my head for five months. In my lyric journal, I had ''Mr. Sincere'' written down, and sincere turned into sensitive. I wanted to write about something outside myself and get a little metaphorical. He lives in a village devoid of feeling. They get so afraid of this child who has feelings that they kill him. It kind of took on this Tim Burton-like, twisted vision of James and the Giant Peach for me. But I know people look at me as that sensitive guy. And ''A Daily AntheM'' has to do with your brother [Adam, who is fighting cancer], who people learned about from watching Idol, right? ''A Daily AntheM'' is three years old. I didn't originally write it with the intention of it being about Adam. I just wanted to write something that had a , ''War is Over'' quality. Then I was like, oh s---, if you capitalize that letter and that letter and that letter, you've capitalized my brother's name. You fit in with a style of rock singing that's popular right now. There's the singers from Hinder and Nickelback, guys who have a broad range, but not the real clean, Steve Perry-type of singing that was popular in the mainstream in the '80s. The guys who can sing but have more smoke or rasp in the voice seem to be favored now. Dumb luck, man. Singing in smoky clubs for 10 years will give you a little bit of a rasp, for sure. When I first started playing in bands, I played it safe and I stayed in my midrange and all that. As I got more into it, I realized I could do more things with my voice. That's the kind of thing that's fun for me. I love having the vocal capacities to do something like that, because I realize that it's a gift and not everybody has it. Everyone will be making the comparison you're sick of: Is he gonna have a Daughtry-like career? Opinions and perceptions, man — I didn't let it get to me on the show, and I see no reason to let it get to me afterward. I just think this record is me, and if people want to compare it to Daughtry, awesome. He's sold a ton of records. I just hope someday the coin will flip and somebody will compare somebody else to me. It must be hard to have perspective on what really happened with the show, even this far out from it now. It's strange. I don't feel inherently that there's a justification for it. I realize that a lot of people watch the show, and I get the idea of the celebrity aspect of it, I guess. But I still feel like that awkward musician; I think I always will. That's a huge component of me staying kind of humbled and grounded about the whole thing: I get the flimsiness of it. I get that it could all go away. I mean, fame is fleeting....But I'm at peace. I've got guys that I'm playing with that I , and I'm playing music that I think we all really get into, and as long as we've got that and a place to play, I'm good.

2008-10-17 - MTV - American Idol Champ David Cook s One Wish For Light On Video: 'I Hope I Don't Blow It' Source | Copy: DCN

'It's kind of out of this world,' singer says of his idol, Chris Cornell, co-writing the single.

By James Montgomery, with reporting by Matt Elias If David Cook has learned anything on his whirlwind trip from obscurity to "American Idol" celebrity, it's that, sometimes, it's best to just sit back and enjoy the ride. Which probably explains why — despite the fact that he's standing on a deserted football field on a rather frigid (well, at least for Los Angeles) Thursday night in October — he's still got a mile-wide grin on his face. He's here to shoot the video for "Light On," the first single from his self-titled album, which hits stores November 18. And though he realizes the video is a fairly big deal (it's directed by Wayne Isham, the guy behind Metallica's "Enter Sandman" and ' "Piece of Me"), Cook will freely admit that he's rather starstruck by the entire process. Which is odd, considering he's the star. "We did the first run-through, and I felt real timid because, obviously, I don't have any experience. It's not like I grew up shooting music videos," he laughed. "It's weird, man. Little things keep happening along the way that drive the point home that I'm doing something that's both insane and really fulfilling, and this is one of those things. To be able to shoot a music video is kind of rad — especially something on this scale. So, you know, I hope I don't blow it." We suspect he's just being modest, because when MTV News was on set — er, field — at L.A. Valley College last Thursday (October 16), Cook looked every bit the pro, rocking out on the 50- yard line and joking with Isham, all while giving off an approachable, decidedly everyman aura. But that's just the way he's wired. "I was pretty much an open book on ['Idol'], and that's how I am. For me, I take music really seriously — the stuff that I write definitely comes from a serious place — but I don't really take myself all that seriously," he said. "I mean, at the end of the day, I'm out on a football field at 1, 2 a.m. There's a very kind of absurd undertone to most of the things I do, and I'm usually the first to try and get somebody to laugh — but, yeah, I do take some things seriously." And that includes "Light On" — a song that was co-written by none other than Chris Cornell and one that has already attached itself to the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart. It's one of Cook's favorites on the album (along with tracks like the -laden ballad "Permanent," a "heavy riff- rocker" called "Bar-ba-sol" and "A Daily AntheM," a song he wrote about his brother, Adam, who is battling cancer), though he'd be lying if he said a lot of that didn't have to do with Cornell's involvement. "I did [a version of Cornell's cover of Michael Jackson's 'Billie Jean'] on the show, and Chris went into the media and said some really, really nice things," he explained. "And this song actually got pitched to us, which I take as another huge compliment, the fact that he saw something in me with a song of his ... just the fact that somebody of his caliber takes the time out of their day not just to mention my name, but to say something nice, it's kind of out of this world." The video for "Light On" is expected to premiere in early November, and until then, Cook will stay busy with a string of high-profile gigs — including a November 1 performance on "Saturday Night Live." And he's already accepting ideas for his next music video, like the one we proposed to him: Why not a cameo by Cook's former "Idol" competitor, David Archuleta? "Actually, that's not a bad idea, why didn't I think of that?" Cook laughed. "I'd make him the male lead. He'd have to win the girl, and he'd be horribly uncomfortable with that."

2008-10-23 - FOX4 KC - David Cook on Making Album: 'Like Taking Off Your Clothes in Church' Source: http://www.fox4kc.com/wdaf-davidcookonmakingalbuml- 7709296,0,3327428.story October 23, 2008

David Cook (From DavidCookWeb.com 'People Shoot') American Idol and Blue Springs native, David Cook, described producing his album as "it was like taking off your clothes in church," according to Rolling Stone.

David Cook photos and video

Cook told Rolling Stone he had to open himself up to Green Day producer Rob Cavallo very quickly. In the Rolling Stone interview, he said, "I was face to face with Rob maybe five times before I got off the tour, and I had to bare my soul to this guy. But you can't expect anybody else to invest themselves emotionally in a record if you can't do it yourself." Cook's self-titled album comes out November 18. You can preorder it now on iTunes and Amazon. His band's first live performance will be on November 1 on Saturday Night Live. Rolling Stone got a preview of eight songs on the album and describes some as "radio- ready," others as "aggro rockers," and others as showcasing Cook's "soaring voice." Cook told the magazine, "This is a brand-new game for me: I'm 25 years old, going on infancy."

2008-10-26 - USA TODAY - David Cook flicks Light On his new single Source: http://www.usatoday.com/life/music/news/2008-10-26-david-cook_N.htm

Updated 10/27/2008 10:37 PM | Comments 36 | Recommend 31 E-mail | Save | Print | Reprints & Permissions |

Turning a corner: Cook's new album is due Nov. 18

By Mike Snider, USA TODAY The first single from American Idol winner David Cook has been burning up the charts. Now, he has a new way to stoke its popularity: a lighter application for iPhones and iPod Touch devices.

Light On— which entered Nielsen SoundScan's digital songs chart at No. 8 two weeks ago — will be available for purchase from iTunes this week for $1.99 with a "lighter" application that illuminates the screen of an iPhone or iTouch MP3 player. When users open the app and spark up the lighter, the full song plays.

"There's a little semblance of rock mythos to it," Cook says. "You get a lighter during a rock ballad and nobody burns their thumbs."

Cook, 25, has had a heated schedule since taking the Idol title in May and signing with 19 Recordings/RCA. He quickly began working on a new album, a project he continued during the 2½-month Idols Live tour, which ended in mid-September. (He'll appear with his new band on Saturday Night Live Saturday.)

"I wanted to be involved (in writing songs), and I have been, on a very base level, from the outset," Cook says. "My name will be strewn all over this."

Light On, a power ballad co-written by former Soundgarden and Audioslave singer Chris Cornell and producer Brian Howes, doesn't necessarily reflect the entirety of Cook's 12- track self-titled album, out Nov. 18. Cook's voice on the song eerily channels that of Cornell, whose version of Billie Jean he performed during Idol.

"The single is a pretty good indicator of the median," Cook says. "There are definitely songs on this record that are heavier than Light On. There's heavy stuff and soft, intimate songs. But there are also songs that really incorporate the idea of 'Keep it simple, stupid' with some guitar, some piano and that's it."

Cook's coronation song, The Time of My Life, which remains No. 1 on USA TODAY's adult contemporary airplay charts, is included — but as a bonus track. "I really wanted to show what kind of artist I am going to be for the next five or 10 years," he says. "And I am not 100% sure that (Time) fits the record."

He says he's satisfied with the end result.

"We put together an amazing record in a very short amount of time," Cook says. "(It) attains all the goals that I have set for it. I want this record to be important. I want this record to outlast me, if at all possible."

2008-10-28 - RHAPSODY - David Cook‘s Favorite Songs Source

The American Idol winner and post-grunge rocker lists some of his favorite songs. Not surprisingly, Cook‘s biggest loves come stacked with robust riffs and lots of swagger.

01. Eternal Life - Jeff Buckley 02. Dizzy - Jimmy Eat World 03. Mars Hotel - The Mayfield Four 04. Yellow Brick Road - Raine Maida 05. Pretty Handsome Awkward - The Used 06. Movies - Alien Ant Farm 07. Southern Weather - The Almost 08. Ape Dos Mil - Glassjaw 09. Hell Bent - Kenna 10. Assassin - Muse 11. Latest Thing - The Nixons 12. Used Up - Injected

2008-10-30 - ROLLING STONE - David Cook Crafts Heaviest "American Idol" Album Yet Source: http://www.rollingstone.com/news/story/23612608/david_cook_crafts_he?

The reality-TV champ taps Green Day producer for disc of rock anthems

GAVIN EDWARDSPosted Oct 30, 2008 11:53 AM

"During the show, I enjoyed messing with people's expectations," says David Cook. "The show," of course, is American Idol; in May, Cook was the winner of its seventh season. "I'm not trying to surprise people now: I'm putting out a rock record. I just want the songs to kick you in the teeth or make you want to cry — or do something drastic, like jump off a building. I want somebody to be exhausted when they're done listening." Making an album like that is a tall order under any circumstances — but Cook also spent the summer on the grueling American Idol arena tour. With his record scheduled for release on November 18th, that gave him only one uninterrupted month in the studio. So while Green Day producer Rob Cavallo assembled tracks, Cook checked in from the road. "A lot of it was done via e-mail and telephone calls," says the genial Cook. "I was face to face with Rob maybe five times before I got off the tour, and I had to bare my soul to this guy. But you can't expect anybody else to invest themselves emotionally in a record if you can't do it yourself. It was really scary — the best analogy I can come up with is that it was like taking off your clothes in church." Cook is slumped on a couch in Cavallo's home studio in L.A.'s San Fernando Valley. There are at least seven Macintosh laptops in the room. On his computer, Cook is alternately playing Spore, looking up information on the Scottish band Mogwai and checking the Internet reaction to his single "Light On," which is already in the Top Five on the iTunes charts. (The power ballad was co-written by Chris Cornell and hard-rock hitmaker Brian Howes; Cook squeezes the tune for every possible ounce of drama.) But then it's time to listen to a mix of Cook's song "Breathe Right" — an epic guitar-driven rocker evocative of the Foo Fighters. Cook sits up straight, attentive to every detail. "Is there a keyboard playing the chords under the verse?" Cook asks. "Will it sound thin if we take it out?" "It'll sound thicker," Cavallo assures him. "We can make it dirty." "Rub some dirt on it, walk it off," Cook jokes. "Let's take it out. It's a riff rocker. Sold." Cook wrote or co-wrote most of the songs on the record, drawing on both recent collaborations with songwriting pros and tunes he wrote in his pre-Idol bartending days. (His old guitarist actually plays on the album.) A preview of eight tracks suggests that listeners can expect radio-ready anthems like the sweeping, U2-esque "Come Back to Me," some aggro rockers like "Bar Bi Sol" and plenty of the soaring voice that the AI judges loved. "There's a million different ways to write a song," says Cook. "This is a brand-new game for me: I'm 25 years old, going on infancy." [From Issue 1064 — October 30, 2008]

2008-10-31 - PEOPLE - David Cook on Life After American Idol Source

By Eunice Oh Originally posted Friday October 31, 2008 07:50 AM EDT

David Cook Photo by: Kathy Hutchins / Hutchins Photo

He has throngs of devoted fans and will soon be releasing an album, but David Cook says his life now isn't too different than it was before winning American Idol.

"I think in one sense everything's changed but in another sense nothing has," says the reigning Idol champ. "There's all these different things around me that I didn't have a year ago. I was able to furnish a home and get a nice car and be able to treat my family to some of the things that I otherwise wouldn't have been able to do."

But, says the singer, 25, "I'm still a goober from the Midwest. Now I've just got a few more resources. I don't feel like the show changed me at all."

Cook spoke with PEOPLE after recording a performance video with his band for Walmart's Soundcheck, which can be viewed online and in Walmart stores. (Watch a preview video below.)

The singer, who will release his self-titled debut album Nov. 18, describes his music as "eclectic rock" with some songs featuring lots of riffs and others that are "very piano driven and delicate."

"I got to show some different aspects of who I am as a person," he says about the upcoming album.

Cook's next gig: performing on this week's Saturday Night Live hosted by Ben Affleck. "I grew up watching it like everybody else so to be apart of it in any capacity is obviously a huge honor," he says, before adding that he's "really nervous."

"I'm going to make sure my shoelaces are tied so I don‘t trip and fall on the floor!"

RELATED ARTICLES: • See David's sexy and sensitive photo shoot! • David's Idol moment

2008-11-01 - Sirius Hit Bound -- Guest Host David Cook – (Transcript by Coolshades)

SOURCE: http://dclibrary-radio.4shared.com

[first part of audio omitted due to irrelevance]

DJ: David Cook, American Idol winner from last season. He's up next, and all weekend he's got Hit Bound. [song break]

David: That was The Veronicas, with "Untouched." Vote for it at sirius-dot-com, slash- hits-one. Hi, it's David Cook playin' all the music that's next, now, on Hit Bound. This next lady admits that if she wasn't a musician, she would have been a museum tour guide. Here's Gabriella Cilmi, with "Sweet On Me," on Sirius Hits One. [song break]

David: Hi, this is David Cook, and that was this moment's most what you wanted song, Saving Abel, with "Addicted." Varsity Fanclub's debut album drops on January 13th, and they had some big-time writers work on it, including Ryan Tedder from One Republic. Here's Varsity Fanclub, with "Future Love," on Hit Bound. [song break]

David: This is David Cook, and that was Jack's Mannequin, with "The Resolution." Vote for it at sirius-dot-com, slash-hits-one. Up next is a song that was featured on this past week's episode of "Gossip Girl." It's Robyn, with "Crash and Burn Girl," on Sirius Hits One. [song break]

David: Hey I'm David Cook. That was this moment's most what you wanted song, with "Hot and Cold." These guys will be hitting the road in two weeks for a fall tour of the US with State of Shock, Seether, and Papa Roach. Here's Staind, with "Believe," on Hit Bound. [song break]

David: This is David Cook, and that was Shontelle, with "T-Shirt." Vote for it at sirius- dot-com, slash-hits-one. The Plain White T's are giving fans a chance to perform with them on stage at an upcoming concert. Fans can submit a video of themselves singing this next song, and the best karaoke singer wins. Here's The Plain White T's, with "1, 2, 3, 4," on Sirius Hits One. [song break]

David: Hey this is David Cook. That was this moment's most what you wanted song, OAR with "Shattered (Turn the Car Around)." This next band was discovered by Fall Out Boy bassist and fellow Chicago native Pete Wentz in 2004. Here's The Academy Is..., with "About a Girl," on Hit Bound. [song break]

David: This is David Cook, and that was Josh Hoge, with "360." Vote for it at sirius-dot- com, slash-hits-one. These guys will be releasing their new album, "Day and Age," in a month. Here are The Killers, with "Human," on Sirius Hits One. [song break]

David: Hey I'm David Cook. Like what you heard? Vote for any of the songs on Hit Bound at sirius-dot-com, slash-hits-one. This would be the portion of the show where Sirius allows me to do a shameless promotional plug. I do have a new record. It'll be self-titled, comin' out November 18th. Um, very excited to get it out. It's uh, it's kind of an eclectic rock record. We've got a little bit of everything for everybody. So be sure to get to your uh, your nearest CD retailer and pick it up November 18th. I'll be back with more Hit Bound, but right now, here's Spider Harrison with the 45 biggest and most what you wanted songs in North America. The Sirius Hits One Weekend Countdown starts now.

END OF BROADCAST

2008-11-01 - Sirius Hit Bound -- The Morning Mash Up – Interview (Transcript by Coolshades)

SOURCE: http://dclibrary-radio.4shared.com

DJs: Rich Davis, Stanley T, Ryan Sampson, and Nicole Biggins

Part 1 Rich: Sirius Hits One, the Morning Mash Up. With American Idol winner, David Cook. My name's Rich.

Ryan: Hi, I'm Ryan Sampson.

Nicole: I'm Nicole. And we got Stanley T...

Stanley: This is Stan. And uh, hey, wha-- listen. How the hell do you put together this album? I mean, you just won American Idol months ago.

Nicole: Right

Stanley: And you're...already doin' this.

David: I, I feel like in one sense-- I mean, obviously it, it's always beneficial...to have more time. But uh, the, the great thing about this record is it-- it's very...there's an energy to it, I think, just from the stance that we only had a few months to put it together. So there was really no time to second-guess it. And you really just had to put everything you had into that song at that particular moment, cuz you didn't really have another shot to do it. Um...so I think uh, I think-- ya' know I, I don't think this record could have turned-out any better. I mean we had Rob Cavallo producing it, and obviously Rob's done amazing things in the past with Green Day and "American Idiot," and uh, My Chemical Romance and "," and...and so uh, what Rob was able to pull off with this-- and really everybody involved with the record-- it, it's uh, you know, nothing short of uh, of scaling a mountain, in my opinion. I mean, it's, it's amazing what people were able to accomplish in such a short amount of time. [song break]

Part 2 Rich: Sirius Hits One, the Morning Mash Up. Rich...

Stanley: Stanley T...

Ryan: Ryan Sampson

Rich: Yeah, we're hanging out with David Cook, the call.

Nicole: Alright. So...um, how is Kimberly Caldwell, your lady?

David: It's goin' great, man. I think, you know, with-- amidst all the chaos that is uh, you know, my life right now, she's a great anchor. And, and uh...assuming, assuming I don't do anything to screw it up, I imagine it'll probably stay that way for awhile. You know, we're both crazy busy with work and, and uh...but we've, we've kinda been spoiled the last couple months. Since I got off the tour, I've been in L.A. a lot workin' on the record. So we've had quite a bit of time to hang out and...so we do dinners and, and uh..I've actually, uh, I have to toot my own horn a little bit. I've gotten into baking a little bit. Made a few cakes, a few uh, you know...pretty, pretty bad-ass ham, if I do say so myself. [song break]

Part 3 Part 3 Rich: Sirius Hits One, the Morning Mash Up. I'm Rich Davis. Ryan...

Ryan: Yo

Rich: Stan, and Nicole

Nicole: Yo

Ryan: David Cook is here.

Nicole: And is he.

Ryan: And l-- let's talk about past American Idol winners. Do they even give you uh, some advice or anything?

David: You know, I got a chance uh, I got a chance to, to kinda cross paths with a couple of former Idols throughout the, the summer with the tour. Uh, namely uh, Carrie and Gina. And uh, I talked to both of them. And they were both...very helpful just, just as far as like, droppin' little nuggets of, of knowledge to try to navigate everything. Cuz obviously this is...the most chaotic scenario one can find themselves in, so. Um...but it was uh...it was fun. You know, everybody that I talked to was...they gave advice, but not in the sense like: You have to do this. It-- cuz I think everybody realizes that's gone through this that everybody's...path is a little different. And so I was kinda able to, to deviate from...uh, ya' know, everybody else's path, and kinda form my own. And, and I feel like the end result is uh...is great. I'm, I'm...I think this record is uh...far and away the best thing I've ever done musically. [song break]

Part 4 Rich: Sirius Hits One, the Morning Mash Up. My name is Rich Davis.

Nicole: I'm Nicole

Rich: Stanley T is here. And there's Ryan

Ryan: Yeah. Hey David Cook, give us your Thanksgiving tradition.

David: You know, for some reason I, I always, when I think of Christmas I always think of uh, of two things. One, when I was...when I was real little, like I'd say, like, six or seven. Um, you know, we used to always go up to Indiana for Christmas and visit extended family. And I remember one Christmas, uh, I got, like, two trash bags full of...just...everything that a kid could possibly want. And uh, I had my uncle who had dressed-up like Santa. Obviously I didn't know it at the time. But uh, I always look back on pictures of that, and that's kind of...the uh, the definition of Christmas for me, I guess, in a sense. And then the other one is the, the first time I saw my mom laying Christmas presents out in the middle of the night. [laughs] So... [song break]

END OF AUDIO

2008-11-01 - GUITARPLAYER.COM - American Idol Champ David Cook Talks Guitar Source: http://www.guitarplayer.com/article/american-idol-champ/nov-08/90869

To many, David Cook is “that pop guy who won American Idol.” To the kajillions of Idol fans who watched the show religiously in 2008, however, Cook is the rock guy.

PHOTO: RON CADIZ

He‘s the singer/guitarist who regularly stepped on the Idol stage with a Les Paul and a half-stack and blew mainstream music fans‘ minds with rock and roll re-imaginings of famous pop songs. His haunting, Chris Cornell-inspired version of ―Billie Jean‖ made him an early frontrunner. Since winning the show, Cook has seen 11 of his tunes hit the Billboard Hot 100 chart and has just completed his self-titled major label debut for 19/RCA.

One thing that set Cook apart from many of his Idol competitors was his inner poise—the near Zen- like calmness that gave him an air of bulletproof resolve. ―I‘m actually a mellow, introverted individual for the most part,‖ says Cook. ―But when you get on stage, there has to be something to draw people in. I wanted to come across as 12 feet tall. In order to do that, you really have to be 12 feet tall. You have to hit the stage with the mindset of, ‗I own this entire room and everybody in it,‘ and then try to shoot the moon.‖

When Cook started on the show, his guitar—an EMG-loaded lefty Les Paul Studio—was a crutch. ―It was a buffer that made the judges‘ criticism a little less harsh,‖ he says. ―But once I got in the mind frame of using the guitar to accentuate what I was trying to do with the song, everything started to take off for me. Anybody can shred if they practice at it, but even with guys like Vai, Satriani, and Yngwie, there‘s something extra in their music that transcends mere guitar playing. Being on Idol really taught me that sometimes the most powerful guitar is the one that is not played that much.‖ —Jude Gold

2008-11-01 - MEN‘S FITNESS - David Cook: The new American Idol is committed to staying trim. Source by Nate Millado ShareThis| Print Page | Email to Friend Former Missouri bartender David Cook rocked the world's most popular talent competition to become the new American Idol—by a margin of 12 million over heavy favorite David Archuleta, out of a whopping 97 million votes cast. MF recently chatted with Cook—arguably the fittest Idol yet—to learn more about his regimen, his diet, and his new rock record.

Some finalists, when they do the show, gain weight throughout the season. Perhaps it's the stress—or Simon's caustic critiques. But you actually got fitter as the show went on. I'm the American Idol. That's what I do. No, it was more out of necessity, just to keep up with everyone else. Vocally, Idol is about as grueling as it gets, because you're singing every single day. I was forced into taking care of myself, and now I'm glad I did. Even if I was voted out week one, the benefits I gained from working out are tenfold. I haven't felt this good in a long time. I lost between 10 and 15 throughout the course of the show, and I probably dropped another five since. What did you do to lose the weight? I would do 10 to 15 minutes of cardio work, mixed in with some light weight training. Now, It's a lot more cardio-intensive workouts, like boxing. My trainer takes me out a couple times a week and we run football routes for about an hour and a half. More than anything, it's watching what I eat. What's your diet like? I eat a lot of salad, grilled chicken, and fish. A typical meal for me is salmon and asparagus. If I'm on the go, I'd try to do a burger with no bun. I really just eliminate what carbs that I can and eat more lean protein and vegetables. It's all about substitutions, like changing white bread to whole-grain bread. You did a 53-date Idol tour this past summer. How did you stay fit on the road? Everybody would go in the order they were eliminated from the show, so it ended with Syesha, Archuleta, then myself. When Syesha's set started, I would do the Perfect Pushup and I would do five pushups for every song leading up to my set. That equals to about 35- 40 pushups a night. So being onstage is a workout in and of itself? You try to make it an emotional experience, not just for the people up front, but also for the people in the nosebleed seeds. You want everyone to walk out happy. When I would hit the stage, the way I put my set together, I wanted it to be high-energy so I'd always be running around the stage. At the end of the tour, my T-shirts fit better, which is nice (Laughs). Is there a song off your album that makes the perfect workout song? "Bar-ba-so." It's a real riff-heavy song, but with a groove and a swagger. What do you work out to? Oh, I put "Chariots of Fire" on. Tell us a little more about your self-titled debut, David Cook. It's a rock record, but rock is a very generic term to use. I really tried to stretch the boundaries and come up with a different sound and piece an album that way. The record's really taken on that kind of life. We've got some mid-tempo melodic rock songs, uptempo four-to-the-floor kind of songs, and piano-based intimate songs. To me, it runs the gamut. In my last year, I've definitely accrued some things to talk about, as well as the 24 years before that. I think this record would be a very accurate snapshot of who I am and what got me to this point. And you got to work with your own Idols, like Chris Cornell and Our Lady of Peace. What's made this experience as great as it's been is not only do I get to write with my musical heroes, but they're actually cool guys. It's almost validating for me . . . like, I'm not the worst judge of character. Your life's been such a whirlwind lately. When do you sleep? Usually on flights. If I whine enough for a day off, I get half a day — if I'm lucky. How come your album doesn't include any of the cool covers you did, like "Billie Jean" and "Always Be My Baby"? It's been discussed. For me, if I want to continue doing covers, it'll be in a live setting. I want this record to be about what kind of musician I am. I certainly don't want to bite the hand that feeds me. Idol's given me an amazing life in the last year. But I also want to be an artist right now. I don't want to sing other people's stuff. During the Idol Final 2 performance, we learned that David Archuleta weighed in at "100 pounds, soaking wet." You think you could bench press Little Archie? If you asked me that question a year ago I would say no . . . but I think now, maybe. It kind of depends. If we're maxing out, then maybe. If we're going for a set of 10? Maybe not. There's some pretty funny YouTube clips circulating of you and fellow finalist Michael Johns dancing onstage. What's that about? I think people started calling it The Mavid Dance. Hey, man, when you sing "Please Don't Stop the Music" as many times as we sang it last year, it gets a little repetitive. You do whatever you can to keep our sanity. David Cook's self-titled debut is out now.

2008-11-01 - OKLAHAMA MAGAZINE - David Cook - Looking for Life after Idol: The Time of His Life (Transcript) Article (PDF): The Time of His Life | Article (Flash): The Time of His Life

With a national tour behind him, and a debut album out this month, David Cook is just warming up.

Shortly after plunking down his bags in his new Tulsa home two years ago, David Cook recalls hearing a quote, which seems eerily prescient now.

―Luck is when preparedness meets opportunity‘ is a quote I was told when I first moved to Tulsa – it really was just that,‖ the 25-year old American Idol winner recalls of the famous phrase uttered by motivational speaker, Earl Nightingale.

―I‘ve worked at doing this since I was 15 years old, and everything else in my life at the time seemed pointless or mundane. It‘s funny to look back and see how the past interacts with what I am doing now – like the graphic design stuff. I spent a lot of time designing CD‘s, posters and ancillary material …. Just thinking, hey, it‘s fun. And that artistic ideal really parlays into what I‘m doing now. I believe in fate to a degree. I believe fate puts you in a position that allows you the opportunity to do what you want to do. I believe it‘s just a matter of whether or not you have the wherewithal to take hold of it, and go with it.

The role fate played in Cook‘s rise to fame is now the stuff of legend. He originally set out for the American Idol auditions in Omaha, Nev. in support of his younger brother Andrew. Although his original plan was to stay in the shadows, Andrew convinced him to audition too. So, Cook picked up a microphone and sang Bon Jovi‘s ―Livin‘ on a Prayer‖ for the show‘s judges, and the rest , as they say, is Idol history.

―It was a very out-of –body experience. I can‘t remember what it felt like to stand on that stage,‖ Cook says of the moment that catapulted him from a final contender to champ last May, just a few months after that fateful audition.

―I feel like I have a third-person view of it. It‘s like …. I can remember what it looked like. And I can remember reactions. But I can‘t remember how I felt. You know I look back on th reaction when they said my name, and I‘m like … I did that? It‘s one of those life-defining moments, I hope.‖

Cook‘s life in Tulsa, before Idol, had just been taking definition. Bartending stints kept him afloat while he cut his own CD, Analog Heart, and toured with the popular Tulsa- based band Midwest Kings playing guitar, bass and singing back-up vocals. It was an experience that would eventually serve as prep school for the American Idol Live summer tour, featuring the show‘s top 10 finalists in a whirlwind trip to 49 U.S. and Canadian cities in 75 days. During the tour, Cook divided his time between performing and working on his debut CD. And as the journey wound down, preparing to say goodbye to friends who have become like family.

Unpretentious, soft spoken and quick-witted, Cook‘s tone deepens in wistful sincerity when he speaks of his fellow Idol contestants.

―You know, it‘s really bittersweet – I‘ve built relationships with these guys over the last year, and from that standpoint, I‘ll be sad to see everyone go their own way.‖ he says of his fellow Idol mates, particularly Carly Smithson and Michael Johns, with whom he says he formed the tightest bonds. ―Hopefully we‘ll be able to reconvene as a group and catch up,‖ says Cook.

―By the same token, I‘m really excited because I grew up playing original music, and in the last year, I‘ve had to sing everyone else‘s songs. To get back into the original music realm where I can sing the songs that I created from scratch is something I am definitely looking forward to.

―I‘ve done a lot of co-writes for this record. I went into this process knowing what kind of music I wanted to make. I knew what kind of artist I was,‖ Cook continues. ―But I‘m also pretty ‗green‘ to the process. I went in without an ego and just said, hey … let‘s bring in people I can co-write with and really work on some different sounds. I know what kind of songs I can write, but I don‘t know what kind of songs everyone else can write. So its‘ been fun, it‘s been a great learning process and definitely the most fruitful period of my life musically.‖

Cook partnered on the album with several fellow Oklahomans, including former Midwest Kings bandmates Andy Skib and Neal Tiemann, as well as Zac Maloy of the Nixons. Produced by Rob Cavallo, the CD‘s early release single ―Light On‖ is creating a sensation that is becoming typical of all things Cook. While he‘s only been releasing music for a short time, Cook ‗s become accustomed to shattering record charts, including the unparalleled feat of having 11 songs entered at one time on the Billboard Hot 100. Cook‘s post-Idol release ‗Time of My Life‘ debuted at the No. 3 spot on the same chart, and was a No. 1 download on iTunes.

With so much early and unprecedented success fronting this release, Cook speaks with a remarkable level of maturity about what it‘s like coping with enormous expectations and stress.

―You know, it‘s interesting … all the pressure I feel is pressure that I put on myself,‖ he says. ―I want to put out a record that is important, and I want to put together a live show that‘s more than just … you know, you come and hear 12 songs, and that‘s it. I want it to be experienced on a lot of sensory levels. So, the pressure that‘s built up is all self- created.

―As far as de-stressing, I‘ve got a great circle of people around me. I have a great family, I have wonderful friends, and the fact that I‘ve been able to tour this summer with nine people going through the same experience – it‘s been a godsend.

―That‘s where it get‘s a little bittersweet … I don‘t know what I‘m going to do with myself after the other nine are off doing their own thing. I‘ll probably call them and be like, ‗Dude, I don‘t know how to handle this.‘ We definitely lean on each other quite a bit.‖ As the seventh American Idol winner, Cook says he s also able to draw emptional support and empathy from pervious winners and participants, including Checotah, Oklah native and Season Four American Idol winner Carrie Underwood.

―I talk to Carrie every now and again,‖ he says. ―Carrie‘s been awesome in that she‘s really been available to me for advice, just to try to navigate what is the absurd lifestule of being a winner of American Idol. Past that, you know, you can catch people at shows – Gina Clocksen (from American Idol Season Six) came to our show in Fort Wayne, Ind. It‘s always nice to just talk to people who have been through the experience and to try to pick their brain – it‘s definitely a fraternity of sorts.‖

That fraternity includes the show‘s judges – Paula Abdul, Randy Jackson and Simon Cowell – the central core of the extended American Idol family circle.

―I ran into Randy and Paula a couple of times this summer at events, but Simon‘s a little harder to track down,‖ Cook says. ―Although I imagine I‘ll see him this next season – I‘m sure I‘ll stop by and catch a show.‖

Maintaining a congenial relationship with the judges throughout the season – even with the feather-ruffling Cowell – may have been an accomplishment in itself for the affable Cook, who takes personal joy in shaking things up with audiences. In fact, when asked which song he performed during the season brought him the most satisfaction, the post- grunge/alternative rocker gives an unexpected response.

―Music of the Night,‖ he says of the Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber classic from Broadway‘s The Phantom of the Opera. ―In case it wasn‘t obvious on the show, I kind of enjoyed messing with people and turning their expectations on their ear a little bit. To know, going into that week, that I could pull it off – not necessarily that I would – but that I could, and then to have it go over as well as it did was exciting because I knew some people didn‘t think I could do it.‖

Another thing about Cook that may surprise his fans includes one of his dreams for the futire.

―There‘s something inherently real about the Midwest that I haven‘t experienced anywhere else in the country,‖ says the Houston native, who grew up in Blue Springs, Mo. ―Like Oklahoma and Kansas City – the places where I really grew up and lived – all have that in common. I think when all is said and done; I‘ll probably wind up in the Midwest somewhere. There‘s just a vibe there that you can‘t find anywhere else … it‘s just the right speed for me.‖

Cook says the draw to Tulsa is still a personally significant one, and that he finds himself missing – among other things – the action in the city‘s downtown district.

―I‘ve got a ton of friends there and I spent two years of my life – probably two of the most defining years of my life – in Tulsa, just finding out who I was as a human being and as an individual and a musician,‖ he says.

With the release of his new CD, which he plans to support with a tour early next year, Cook‘s life isn‘t slowing down. In fact it‘s just the opposite. With clamoring fans, an unrelenting schedule, and back-to-back talk show and media appearances, one wonders if being a rock star is every bit as cool as he‘d hoped.

―On paper, yes … it‘s a lot of work, though,‖ he says with a chuckle. ―But my worst day of doing this beats my best day of doing anything else. I‘ve been tired since March. I‘m trying to get to Christmas.‖

In spite of the exhaustion, the world‘s newest rock sensation looks beyond the immediate, and foresees a future that blends his enthusiasm and hope with a capacity for personal happiness and artistic expression.

―As long as I‘m happy doing what I‘m doing, I‘m okay,‖ Cook says. ―My goal on this record is to have it do well enough that I can make another record – and that will be the goal of every record. Obviously I have loftier ideals. I want this record to be important and stand up long after I‘m gone. But you know, the first goal is to make another record. I‘ll be a musician the rest of my life.‖

2008-11-01 - BLENDER - Bar Exam - American Idol's David Cook Gets His Fans Wasted (Scans) Scans: [ Cover ] [ Page 1 ] [ Page 2 ] [ Page 3 ] [ Page 4 ]

Sure, he won American Idol. But if this whole rock-star thing doesn’t work out, David Cook can always fall back on his former life as a bartender. Just remind him one more time – how do you make a Sex on the Beach?

By Josh Ells Photographs by Tyre Lillegraven

The newest American Idol has no clue how to make a cosmo. ―Let‘s see ... that‘s vodka, right?‖ asks David Cook, scanning the dozen or so liquor bottles arrayed in from of him. ―And grapefruit juice? Or is that a sea breexe? It‘s not cranberry ….‖ Stumped, he scratches his stubbled chin and looks up at the girl across the bar. ―Sorry, sweetheart. Can I get you a Bud Light instead?‖

Last May, the 26-year old Cook pulled off one of the biggest upsets in reality TV, outdueling cherub-cheeked David Archuleta to become American Idol‘s seventh champion.. Tonight. Though, he‘s going back to his roots. Before he scored the most votes in Idol history, Cook was a struggling musician who made ends meet bartending at a Tulsa, Oklahoma club called the Blank Slate. ―It was a really laid-back, beer-and- blasters kind of place,‖ he says. (A blaster is a Jager and Red Bull, for the uninitiated.)To relive those hungrier days (and earn a few bucks for charity in tips), he has hopped behind the bar, at Blender‘s request. After all, the track record for Idol alums is spotty at best, and if things don‘t work out, he might very well be making a living doing just what he is tonight – slinging drinks on the patio of L.A.‘s storied Rainbow Bar and Grill, a rock-centric hot spot in the heart of the , where Guns N‘ Roses shot the ‗‘ video, Mick Jagger and used to spend their Saturday nights, and John Lennon, , and Rod Stewart once formed a soccer team (the Rainbow Hollywood Vampires).

―This place has stories, man" says Scotty, a grizzled rock warrior slouched on a stool at the patio bar, downing Jack Daniels‘ like it‘s Vitamin Water. He‘s been coming to the Rainbow since the early ‗80‘s, when he was a roadie for Dio and . Later he went on tour as ‘s snake handler. (―The little fuckkers‘d get ya every now and then,‖ he shrugs. ―But nothing a shot of whiskey couldn‘t fix.‖) Scotty seems like the kind of old-school-purist who might sniff at Cook – call him a poseur, bemoan the triump of prefab pop artifice over authentic rock & roll. But the Idol juggernaut has even this aging ax-head. ―David Cook?‖ Scotty says. ―That dude rocks! I voted for him six times.‖ Cook arrives to pour a shot, and Scotty extends his hand. ―Dude, you are by far the coolest Idol yet.‖

Even in a field where consensus building is the stock-in-trade, Cook has surprisingly wide appeal. Tweens like his moussed locks and dangerous-sounding growl. Moms like his wholesome vibe and inspirational story line (close-knit family, brother battling cancer). Rock fans dig his revved-up arrangements and the fact that he plays guitar and writes his own songs. ―I‘ve never been one to put music in a box,‖ Cook Says. ―As a kid, I was into all kinds of stuff – Boyz II Men, Garth Brooks, White Zombie. Whatever I could find on the radio.‖

Cook grew up in Blue Springs, Missouri, a nondescript suburb a few miles outside Kansas Ciy. He idolized George Brett and the hometown Royals and dreamed of being a star pitcher, until he realized his 75 mph fastball wasn‘t exactly big-league material and switched to music. His freshman year at Central Missouri State, he formed a band called Axium, and when, after graduating with a degree in graphic design, he landed a gig playing rhythm guitar for a Tulsa band called the Midwest Kings, Cook moved to Oklahoma to do music full-time. ―He was always aspiring for bigger things,‖ says Neal Tiemann, Cook‘s then-bandmate and –roommate. ―Even when there were five people at a show, you could see in his eyes that he wanted to be a star.‖

Cook started his night at the Rainbow a little rusty, but after downing a Miller Lite and a couple of shots of Patron, he‘s beginning to warm up. He‘s even getting a little cocky, spinning his bottle opener like Tom Cruise in Cocktail. Thanks to the miracle of text messaging (OMG U‘LL NEVER GUESS WHO‘S AT THE RNBOW), the long-haired dudes in Metallica T-shirts have largely been supplanted by a swarm of girls, girls, girls. As it turns out, the same qualities that made Cook an Idol favorite also make him a pretty appealing bartender: self-effacing wit, aw-shucks charm and the kind of middle- American good looks that earned him the title ―Tulsa‘s Newest Heartthrob‖. He‘s flirtatious, sometimes even a little saucy. (Q: ―Can you make a martini?‖ A: ―A dirty martini …‖) A blonde in heels and a leather miniskirt asks for a hug, and he happily obliges. ―Omigod, thank you so much,‖ she bubbles. ―My mom is going to have a fit!‖

Cook‘s blossoming relationship with Idol alum Kimberley Caldwell – they met when she interviewed him for the TV Guide Network – seems to deter exactly no one. An hour in, he‘s getting his first marriage proposal. The would-be bride‘s name is Mardwa, and she‘s Sauid-American oil heiress. ―I bought a satellite in Saudi Arabia just to watch you sing live !‖ she gushes. ―I had a $600 cell-phone bill from voting so much. David, you made me cry!‖ But despite promises of 10 percent of her oil money and a dowry of ―at least 100 camels,‖ Cook doesn‘t bite.

A second propositions seems a little harder to turn down. On his way back from the bathroom, Cook gets buttonholed by a willowy brunette in a tight black halter top. She says her name is Meggan Malone, that she‘s 21 and that she moved from Houston about a year ago to pursue an acting career.

―What kind of acting do you do?‖ he asks.

―I work for Vivid,‖ she says – the adult-film empire. Cook looks stricken. Surely this is barred in his contract somewhere. Meggan squeezes his arm and pulls him close, whispering something about Jenna Jameson and a double date. ―That‘s very nice of you,‖ Cook says. ―But I think I have to pass.‖

―What about later?‖ she asks. ―What time are you done?‖

For the first time all night, Cook blushes: ―Sorry, I gotta go.‖

After another hour of purpose hooters and surfers on acid, Cook‘s shift is up. He takes a seat at table No.12, a wine-red leather booth where, legend has it, John Bonham once passed out into a bowl of soup and Robert Plant pleasured a groupie under the table. A parade of well-wishers take turns stopping by the table, and Cook is patient with all of them, signing autographs and posing gamely for camera-phone pics. ―The fans are my favorite part,‖ he says, and he seems genuinely happy to be approached.

For the moment, Cook exists in a weird rock-star limbo. On the one hand, he‘s a household name with 32 million fans who once landed 11 songs on the Billboard Hot 100 in a single week – more than anyone since the Beatles. On the other, he has yet to reliease an album, and his biggest post-Idols achievement so far has been writing his ex- roommate a check for the $1,200 he owed in back rent. (―I threw in a little extra, for interest,‖ Cook says). He claims the biggest celebrity he‘s met so far is ex-Buffalo Bills quarterback Jim Kelly and the most famous person he knows is still David Archuleta.

Cook‘s focus right now is his first record. Hard-rock vet Rob Cavallo (Green Day, My Chemical Romance) is on board to produce, and Cook has enlisted as cowriters several of the second-wave ‗90s grunge-rockers he grew up listening to: Our Lady Peace‘s Raine Maida, Collective Soul‘s Ed Roland, Better than Ezra‘s Kevin Griffin. ―I don‘t have any big illusions about success,‖ he says. ―My only goal is to do well enough to be able to make a second.‖ Although, he adds, ‗selling a million would be pretty nice.‖

Cook has to be up early for a flight to London, so it‘s time to say good night. As he makes a beeline for the door, shaking a few more hands on the way out, Meggan Malone glides back up to him, clutching his arm.

―David, can I ask you one more question?‖

Cook smiles. ―Of course.‖

―I just wanted to know – is it worth it?‖

―Is what worth it?‖

―Being famous. All the bullshit you had to go through. I was just wondering if it‘s worth it.‖

Cook is a little taken aback. For a moment it‘s not a pop star and a porn star standing there, but two wide-eyed hopefuls on the edges of fame. He thinks for a moment, and finally smiles. ―For the moment,‖ he nods, ―definitely.‖

2008-11-03 - OK MAGAZINE - David Cook: ‗I‘ve Won The Lottery of Life‘ Source

November 3rd, 2008 4:00 am

It‘s been quite a year for David Cook. As well as winning American Idol and recording an album, he‘s also found love with his fellow Idol alum Kimberly Caldwell, 26. The pair got together back in May, just before he beat David Archuleta for first place in the seventh season of the Fox show — and six months later they‘re still going strong. "It‘s going great," David, 25, tells OK!. "Next to all the craziness that‘s my life right now, she‘s been an absolute anchor. I keep saying that as long as I don‘t do anything to screw it up, we‘re going to be together for a bit." "I may have hit the lottery with life this past year," David says. Meanwhile, David‘s fulfilled another dream by performing on the Nov. 1 episode of SNL. "Having any connection to that show," David says, "you can‘t take that away from me, ever." His new album, Light On, is due for release on Nov. 18.

2008-11-03 - AMERICANIDOL COM - David Cook: Life After Idol | David Cook on His New CD (Transcript)

SOURCE: ARCHIVE (Scroll down for links)

TRANSCRIPT: David Cook Life After Idol

AI: How have you changed in the past year?

DC: Difference between David Cook now and Davd Cook a year ago is...shorter hair. I don‘t know. It‘s interesting. There‘s a lot of ancillary things like surrounding me that are extremely different, but my mom and my brother still make fun of me on a routine basis, so not much has changed.

AI: What is the most exciting thing that‘s happened to you since you won Idol?

DC: First off, finishing this first record has been huge. We basically fit about a year of work into about three months, and so the idea of being able to get it done and get it out, this is a big milestone for me to get this first major label record out. So I‘m pretty exited. Secondly, probably going home for the AI tour. We got a chance to do two nights in my hometown, and to see so many friends and family kinda staring you in the face while you‘re on this massive stage is pretty heavy.

AI: How often do you make it home? Did you make it to a Royals game this summer?

DC: I have made it home, I think like three times, maybe, since the finale, and I have not had the chance to see a Royals game. Big bum-out. But I did go to the Chiefs game which was a home opener against the Raiders, to sing the National Anthem with my little brother. And we lost that game. So I don‘t think they‘ll have us back. [laughs]

AI: How was singing at the Chiefs home opener?

DC: Just to be able to do the things in my hometown that I wanted to do growing up...you know American Idol has afforded me the opportunity to do a lot of really amazing things. But to be able to do it with my brother was what made it extra special. I know it was something that he wanted to do for a long time, so it was nice to be able to share the moment, share the spotlight with somebody else for a minute.

AI: What was it like singing for the Olympians on Oprah?

DC: That whole thing came together like two days before we went, and I show up, and it‘s crazy early in the morning. And we were on the tour so I had a gig the night before and I had a gig that night, and Chicago was like the go-between...I think it was Green Bay one night, and Michigan the next, so it was like a big go-between. And you know, while I‘m singing the song, the Olympians are coming up and posing with me, and I got to wear somebody‘s medal, and just, you know...theater of the absurd. To be able to have any sort of association with the Olympics is a huge honor, that‘s world culture.

AI: Who are you still in touch with from the show?

DC: Just went to Michael Johns‘ 30th birthday party...I mean, 21st birthday party, and ran into Brooke and Archie and Castro...and you know, I talk to mostly everybody kinda off and oh...oh, and ran into Chikezie too, sorry Chikezie. But we actually formed a really tight bond, I think, during the show and have managed to, for the most part, keep in pretty good touch.

David Cook on His New CD AI: You‘ve worked with some heavy hitters on your debut CD. Can you describe what that was like?

DC: To be able to work with like, people that you not only respect as artists, but also really admire and look up to...that was like a cornerstone of this whole concept for me. The fact that they all kind of took me in and treated me as a peer, as a fellow songwriter, was...it took me a while to get comfortable with that, I don‘t know if I‘m there just yet. I think being able to work with people that I admire is what really makes this record pop. You know, I feel like the songs that we have on it are not only great songs and that they‘re cohesive and that they make a great record, I thinnk the record is also undeniably me, and I feel like we‘re putting out the best product we possibly can.

AI: Tell us about your band.

DC: A couple of guys in my band, I had the pleasure of playing with off and on over the past six years. My lead guitar player Neal Tiemann and my rhythm guitar player and keyboardist Andy Skib, were in a band with me in Tulsa called MWK. And then, we went through the audition process and found an awesome rhythm section. We have this drummer, Kyle Peek, and then a bass player, Joey Clement. And they‘re all just...they‘re all good guys. I love...we‘ve had some band bonding trips. We went to Medieval Times and I bought a sword, for some weird reason.

AI: What are your tour plans?

DC: Ideally, what I would like to do with the tour, is kinda hit colleges, and make it just open to the public, real...etheral vibe, and really get back to playing shows at their root, you know. But by the same token,

2008-11-03 - REALITY TV - David Cook Says, ―Life Hasn‘t Changed‖ Source

November 3, 2008 03:00:52 by Paulene Hinds

American Idol winner David Cook will be releasing his first album this month and is playing his music to crowds of fans, but he says that his life isn‘t too different than it was before winning American Idol. ―I think in one sense everything‘s changed but in another sense nothing has,‖ he told PEOPLE. ―There‘s all these different things around me that I didn‘t have a year ago. I was able to furnish a home and get a nice car and be able to treat my family to some of the things that I otherwise wouldn‘t have been able to do.‖ Although he has more money than he did before winning the Idol crown, he commented, ―I‘m still a goober from the Midwest. Now I‘ve just got a few more resources. I don‘t feel like the show changed me at all.‖ Cook recently recorded a performance video with his band for Walmart‘s Soundcheck. It can be viewed online and in Walmart stores. His self-titled debut album will be released on Novemebr 18 and he says his music is, ―eclectic rock‖ with some songs featuring lots of riffs and others that are ―very piano driven and delicate.‖ Cook also said, ―I got to show some different aspects of who I am as a person.‖ Reality TV Magazine is your source for American Idol news and info! Visit our American Idol message boards and tell us what you think. For more on American Idol, check out SirLInksALot: American Idol. Photo Credit: Fox

2008-11-06 - 99.5 WZPL - Smiley in the Morning (Indianapolis, IN) – Interview (Transcript by Coolshades)

SOURCE: http://dclibrary-radio.4shared.com

DJ: Dave Smiley and KJ Note: The full audio of this interview in unavailable. However, a rehashed [and incomplete] version of the interview from July 2009 is available on the radio station's website. For this transcript, I have combined the available audio from the original November 2008 interview with the rehashed version from July 2009. Smiley: New self-- self-titled CD from David Cook's comin'up, ahh, on November 18th. It'll be out in stores or on iTunes or wherever you get your music now. Uhhh, the new single's called "Light On." [clip of "Light On"] Smiley: Now that...oooh I liked when it kicked-in. KJ: Yeah Smiley [fake-singing]: Try to leave a liiiiiight on [David laughs] Smiley: What's goin' on, David? David: How you doin', Dave? Smiley: Welcome to Indianapolis, Indiana. The h-- David: Aw man, it's good to be back. Smiley: The heart of America. This is one of theose states that was on the edge, ya' know, when uh, if you were watchin' the election stuff, ya' know? David: Oh yeah Smiley: Everybody was...m-- in fact, even-- David: I kept, I kept one eye on it, for sure. Smiley: Even got a call from Barack Obama out here in Indianapolis, to our show. KJ: Yes we did. Smiley: Yeah David: Hey, nice Smiley: Yeah, I've never interviewed a-- you know, we talk to a lot of stars on this radio show... KJ: Mm-hmm Smiley: ...but never a president. So...KJ and are very... David: Oh yeah Smiley: ...fortunate that we got to do that. How are ya', David? David: Man, I'm good. It's uh...you know, it's a bright, sunny 6 AM here on the West Coast. And uh... Smiley: Ahhh yes David: Ya' know, it's not too bad. Smiley: Well-- did I see you on Saturday Night Live over the weekend? David: Uh...y-- yeah, I kinda snuck in a little bit. Yeah, yeah Smiley: I think I saw you there. KJ: Yeah Smiley: That's what I thought. I thought I saw ya'. I kinda had it on in the background. But uh... David: Yeah Smiley: How-- well-- that was pretty cool. I didn't even know you were gonna be the special musical guest. David: Um..you know, it was, it was a trip. They, they kinda called us a few weeks before and, and, and had confirmed us for it. And...uh...so it was like our first, ya' know, uh, foray into the public eye. And...I, I...the dress rehearsal was nuts. I, I remember just being, like, really nauseous, and...dry-heaving, like... Smiley: Oh! David: I was so scared. [laughs] KJ: Awww David: And uh...ah yeah--it's, it's a different vibe than Idol, for sure. Smiley: Oh that's-- David: And then uh... Smiley: Yeah David: You know but, the, the, the band was great. I, I had a blast and the cast couldn't have been nicer, so...it was a win/win. Smiley: Did you go to the afterparty? David: I did go to the afterparty. Smiley: Nice. I got-- David: It was uh...it was very um...it was very afterparty-ish. Smiley: Where'd they do it? David: Uh, we went to a barbecue restaurant. How baller is that? Smiley: What's it called, do you remember? David: Uhhhhh I don't. Smiley: Did they have uh, did uh, did they have good food? Things like that too? David: They had great food. It was uh...I-- it, it was like...like gourmet barbecue kinda stuff. Smiley: Mm David: So they brought us, like, lamb chops out and stuff. KJ: Mmm David: And, and comin' from Kansas City, I'm a big advocate for barbecue. So... Smiley: Ohhh yes. David: It was uh, it wasn't bad at all. Smiley: Did any of the other stars come? David: Uh, yeah. Uh, Ben Affleck came out with uh, with actually his wife Jennifer. And then...Lorne was floatin' around. A lot of the cast members came out. So it was, uh... Smiley: Did they talk-- David: ...nice. And I kinda got to geek out a little bit in private. Smiley: No kidding. Did they-- KJ: Yeah, I bet. That's cool. Smiley: Did they t-- did Ben Affleck talk to you? Did ya', did ya' get to know him? David: Uh...y-- he, he spoke to me..uh...through an assistant. No, I'm kidding. [Smiley and KJ laugh] David: He actually was really cool. Smiley: Was he-- David: So... Smiley: Was he cool? He seems like he would be a cool guy. KJ: Yeah David: Yeah, yeah. Him and Jennifer both were, were really really cool and, and uh...and, and gracious. I mean, they talked to me, which...they certainly didn't have to do. I mean, who am I, honestly? Smiley: Hey... KJ: Hey! Smiley: You are a superstar, my friend. KJ: You're the American Idol! David: Aw, well... Smiley: American Idol, man. David: Thank you. I still feel like a goober from the Midwest, though. So... [KJ laughs] David: hey, you know, I, I'm still shocked that anybody talks to me. Smiley: Well you still-- you are a goober from the Midwest. David: Well [laughs] Smiley: Wh-- where-- uh what, I can't, I can't remember-- David: Thank you. Thank you for the confirmation. [KJ laughs] Smiley: Can't remember what uh, what city you from? David: Uh, I am from Kansas City. Smiley: That's right. David: Uh, I've lived in Tulsa for the last couple years. And then I got a ton of family actually, uh, around you guys. In like, Kokomo and Terre Haute and Indianapolis. And... Smiley: I love uh...yes, Kansas City. KJ, remember when we went to Kansas City? KJ: Yep Smiley: We flew out there to went-- went to... KJ: We went to Kona Grill. Smiley: Kona Grill, over there at the Plaza. David: Yeahhhh, nice call! Smiley: Kona Grill's good. Uh... KJ: Mm-hmm David: Oh yeah, it is. Smiley: We've got David Cook on the phone here. Of course, the big concert, very exciting. Uh... KJ: Yes, Sunday night. Smiley: Sunday night at the Murat Egyptian Room. 7:30. Tickets still available. Keep listening to win some. David: I'm stoked, man. This record's been...kinda 25 years in the making for me. So...I feel like, uh, we're, we're about ready to, to unleash havoc on everybody. So... KJ: Are you guys, uh, gonna perform on any more...shows? Do the circuit or anything? David: Uh, they kinda got us all over the place. I know next week, uh, we fly back and forth from L.A. to New York I think four times. KJ: Wow David: I'm logging those... KJ: Whooo David: ...frequent flyer miles for sure. KJ: Yeah Smiley: You gotta. David: Yeah Smiley: Hey David, thanks so much, man. It was really cool talkin' to ya'. And I, I, I watched the whole season, ya' know. I got...I got all...geeky on the American idol. I watched it. David: Oh, wonderful man. Well thank you guys so much for havin' me. I can't wait to uh, to hopefully come back and talk again soon. Smiley: See ya' later, David Cook. Buh-bye END OF INTERVIEW

2008-11-06 - 105.1 The Buzz -- Nelson and Terry (Portland, OR) – Interview (Transcript by Coolshades)

SOURCE: http://dclibrary-radio.4shared.com

DJs: Nelson, Terry, and Nicole Camarata [first part of interview unavailable]

David: ...to change me, so...

Nelson: Musically, though, now that you have this name recognition, do you get to hang out with some of the people that you idolized?

David: Oh yeah, which uh...uh this, this record was...uh, amazing. Just, just in the fact that I got to work with some of the coolest people I've ever met. And, and, and, and you know, some big hitters in the industry, which was a huge honor. You know I got to-- Rob Cavallo produced my record, which Rob, um...

Nelson: Who?

David: Green Day's "American Idiot," and uh...

Nelson: Wow

David: ...My Chemical Romance's, um, "Black Parade." And, and a bunch of stuff. And it just...so, so to have somebody of his caliber see something in me enough to wanna work on this record was huge. And then uh...

Nicole: David--

David: ...you know, I got to write with uh, Raine Maida from Our Lady Peace, and Johnny Rzeznik from the Goo Goo Dolls, and...um...ya' know, Kevin Griffin from Better Than Ezra. It was...it was just great. It was like, uh...like rock and roll flashcards every week.

Nicole: David Cook's album is self-titled. It comes out November 18th. We've all heard "Light On." There's other really great songs on there. I think since we've all seen you sing other people's songs on the Idol stage, we're really lookin' forward to the record. Did you get to be very hands-on? And does it, does it sound like what you hoped it would sound like?

David: Absolutely. I, I, I was really lucky in that I-- ya' know, by, by presenting...by being honest, and, and showing, you know, I guess the country who I was on the show, um...you know the label, uh, 19 and RCA both, really...um, felt comfortable kinda giving me the reins a little bit. So they allowed me to make the record that I want to make. And, and the end result, I mean, out of twelve songs on this record, I wrote or co-wrote ten. And...

Nicole: Wow

David: Uh, they even let me get involved in the art direction. So I was involved in all that, and...um, you know, I feel like this record absolutely one hundred percent uh...an accurate definition of who I am. You know, not just over the last year, but I think over the last twenty-five.

Nelson: David uh, uh, I know you get asked things like this from time to time. But I've never asked a more sincere thing from a guest who's been on with the four of us before.

David: Mm-hmm?

David: Is there any way I could get you to mail us a shirt for Nicole, that you may have worn? [Nicole laughs]

David: Uh...that I may have worn. Uh....you know what, I, I, that might actually be doable.

Nicole: I'm an extra small.

Nelson: I mean, this would be like a 16-year-old getting-- waking up and getting, uh, a brand new car on their birthday. Seriously...

Terry: What can--

Nelson: If there's any way...

Nicole: Embarrassing, too is--

David: Alright you know, I, I will, I will actually see what I've got. I'm, I'm doin' laundry today, as it were. So...

Terry: Don't! Don't! [Nelson laughs]

Nicole: Don't wash it!

David: I'll weed through it.

Nicole: That's crazy talk! Don't, don't-- just put it in a Ziploc bag, yeah, and send it o-- We get to meet a lot of famous, uh, people here and I do some TV, and the same thing. I don't know, there's somethin' about you that just talks to me. And I would think that that would really benefit you, uh, as an artist. But I gotta tell ya, I was so tired last Saturday, and I stayed up to watch one David Cook on SNL.

David: Mm-hmm

Nicole: Where's the eye contact I have grown to love from you? Did you not know which camera to look in?

David: Aw man, I didn't know which camera to look at and...and I was so nervous...on SNL.

Nicole: That's what I figured.

David: I can't tell you like, like, I'm talkin' like...like upset stomach, uh...and dry heave kinda nervous. I, I'm...

Nelson: Oh my.

David: I'm sure this is all really adding to the mystique of, of what you think of me. [laughs] But...

Nicole: No, you looked beautiful.

David: Uh...

Nicole: And I wondered if we were gonna get dirty jeans and white t-shirt David Cook. But we all got buttoned-up vest, hair slicked down, goin' to church picture day David Cook.

David: It was, it was SNL.

Nicole: But you looked nervous.

David: It was SNL. I had to, I had look nice. But yeah, I was really nervous. Uh hopefully, hopefully they'll bring me back on and I can, I can uh...I can give you all the eye contact you could handle.

Nelson: And David, if there's any way you prepare... [Terry and Nicole laugh]

Nelson: ...for the eye contact...that would be even better. [Terry laughs]

Nicole: Did uh, did they ask you to do any skits, perhaps? Not just be the musical performance?

David: Um...ya' know, there was, there was some, there was some kinda tentative talk about it early on in the process. But it ended up pannin' out, ya' know, obviously with uh, with Senator McCain on uh, i was uh, I was a little bit of an afterthought. Which was fine. And uh...ya' know, hopefully next time. Hopefully next time.

Nicole: I've been in the SNL, uh, studio. It's tiny. People don't realize that you are so close to the front row, you could practically touch 'em. I would think that would be hard for somebody who was paintin' apartments two years ago.

David: Uh, you know what? I actually prefer it. I think, you know, the bigger distance you get between an audience, the more of a disconnect you feel. And it's hard to kinda...I, I feed off the crowd when it comes to live shows anyways. So...

Nelson: You're a cannibal? [Nicole laughs]

David: ...it's hard to...it's hard to vibe with an audience when they're that far away.

Nelson: I bet you never get sick of hearing this. David Cook, American Idol. Which, you know, I mean, that's just such a charged--

David: Can you say--

Nelson: ...such a--

David: Can you say that one more time? [Nicole laughs]

Nelson: David Cook, American Idol. Um...who is it...

David: Thank you kindly.

Nelson: Who is it in your opinion...that America missed it? Like, we didn't get it. Like, someone who got voted-out early on. Not that-- dude, from the beginning, I mean, you absolutely had unbelievable stage presence and unbelievable musical talent. But there had to have been someone that you came to know as a musician at the Idols, like early on, when they started cutting people, that you went: Wow, I can't believe that person got cut.

David: Um...you know, I remember goin' through Hollywood week and being absolutely...r-- really intrigued by Josiah Leming. Um...I, I, I thought...I thought for sure he would make it. I thought he was a great story and, and, and more importantly, ya' know, a, a solid musician. He writes-- he writes great songs. And uh...I was, I was a little surprised by that. But um..I, I've actually talked to him fairly recently, and...I, I think he's gonna be just fine.

Nicole: I think enough time from the competition has passed that you-- I'm hoping you can be honest with us. Was there ever a time that you kinda hoped: I don't wanna win. I wanna be like the Chris Daughtry where...I do well, but then, I'm not necessarily, you know, so under contract.

David: Um...no. Honestly, never. I, I, I um...when I, when I first auditioned, I, I-- you know, I kinda backed into it, and...uh, you know, my brother and I were in the same audition group. And he didn't make it, and I did. And it was kinda his deal to begin with, and so...um...yeah I talked to him when we were walkin' down to the arena, and I said: "You know, if you don't want me to do this, I won't do it." I mean, he looked at me, and he goes: "If you don't do this, with the intent on winning it," you know, "I'll, I'll kick your..." expletive. And...uh, you know, I believed him. [Nicole laughs]

David: So, uh, I really went into it from that point on, like...um...you know, hope for the best, expect the worst. I always, I always wanted to win. Uh, I didn't necessarily expect to. Uh..and then, eh...somebody else kinda saw it differently. So...

Nicole: You had to think at some point this is bigger than, than you. Since, you know, you were just there on a whim. Did you ever feel a little guilty that...your brother got caught, and....er, cut, and you didn't?

David: Um...yeah I did. Af-- you know, but uh...uh, hopefully now I'm in a position where...I can make sure that, that, that he kinda gets his shot. So uh...we'll, we'll see. He's, he's, he's got a lot of time ahead of him. He's twenty- one, and...um...you know as, as soon as, as soon as he's ready to go, I'm, I'm ready to help out.

Nelson: So David uh, you know your, your CD comes out next week.

David: Mm-hmm

Nelson: This is, this is gonna be--

David: Uh, whoa whoa whoa-- yeah, yeah.

Nelson: Yeah, yeah. It's, it's--

David: That's when it is. Next week.

Nelson: It's-- yeah, it's next week.

Nicole: That's right. Suck it, AC/DC!

Nelson: Yeah, well...

Nicole: Here comes David Cook!

Terry: Hey!

Nelson: That's, that's my question for you. [David laughs]

Nelson: Because I would think, uh, the rock background that you have, AC/DC has their first number one album in their entire career. Two weeks in a row.

David: It's amazing.

Nelson: Is that gonna be bittersweet for you if you knock them outta there?

David: Um...hey, all's fair in love and war, right? I--

Nicole: That's right. [David laughs]

David: No I, I mean, I'm, I'm, I'm absolutely stoked to see a rock record doin' that well, and...and uh, you know, especially from a band like AC/DC. They definitely deserve it. And then, uh, you know, this, this is a good month for rock. Hopefully, hopefully my record kinda adds to the landscape. But you have AC/DC, you have....uh, uh, G&R's comin' out on the 23rd. So...it's, it's a big month.

Nelson: Heyyy.

Terry: Fantastic!

Nelson: Free Dr. Pepper. [Nicole laughs]

David: Hey, I can't wait.

Nicole: Hey, so--

David: For everybody but Flash and Buckethead. I, I still...I'm a little bummed- out for them. So...

Nicole: Um, I think we all know here that uh, you and um, and took Kimberly Caldwell, who was, you know, one of our favorites way back when she was on one of those...first seasons. Are you shocked at the paparazzi? Does that still feel weird when they're following you around or-- there's all these pictures of you goin' down the escalator on, um, LAX. Is that just like: Are ya' kidding? I'm David Cook.

David: It's a li-- that's a little w-- yeah. I mean...uh, it's, it's strange. And I constantly have to...kinda be worried about appearance now, which is not really in keeping with my character. I'm, I, I don't necessarily come out lookin' like a slob. But...uh...it, it's, it's a little left of center for me. But I'm, I'm...hopefully gettin' a-- hopefully I, I have a right to get a little bit more used to it.

Nicole: Well we're gettin' to wrap up. I, um, I requested you as a friend on both of your MySpaces. So I hope that...

David: Oh yeah?

Nicole: ...you stay in touch. We, we adore you. And by we I mean me. David [laughing]: Well thank you very much.

Nelson: David uh, David Cook, American Idol. It has been an absolute pleasure havin' you on the show, man.

David: Oh thank you, man. We gotta, we gotta do it again soon.

Nelson: Alright, man. Thank you.

Terry: Good luck, David, with your CD.

David: Thank you guys. Take care.

Terry: See ya'

Nicole: Bye David!

Nelson: Goin' to do laundry. Um..

Terry: I got to say goodbye to him. [remainder of audio omitted]

END OF INTERVIEW

2008-11-06 - EW COM - THE Q & A David Cook: 'I Just Think This Record Is Me'

SOURCE: http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,20007164_20171835_20238699,00.html

The ''American Idol'' season 7 winner talks about his upcoming self-titled debut album, comparisons to runner-up David Archuleta and fourth-place season 5 finalist Chris Daughtry, and handling post-''Idol'' fame

DAVID COOK ''I still feel like that awkward musician; I think I always will. That's a huge component of me staying kind of humbled and grounded about the whole thing.''

By Chris Willman

Chris Willman

Chris Willman is a senior music writer for Entertainment Weekly

It's after midnight, but the shoot for David Cook's first music video, ''Light On,'' is just beginning in the middle of a football field at Los Angeles' Valley College. Director Wayne Isham is bragging on Cook's personality to his cameraman and other assembled crew members. ''I loved meeting you yesterday,'' gushes Isham, who has worked with many of the biggest names in the business over the last 20 years, ''because you're the nicest guy.'' Cook demurs upon hearing that praise, telling everyone, ''Give me 15 minutes and I'm gonna be the biggest a--hole you ever met.'' The man doth protest too much...and too politely, we might add. Over the course of a nearly seven-hour shoot, wearing a T-shirt in unexpectedly chilly weather, Cook proves unflappably affable, all promises of diva fits to the contrary. But do nice guys always finish first? They might on American Idol, as Cook did in winning this past season, but it remains to be seen how the singer will fare in the rock & roll musical realm he's reentering with his first major-label album, David Cook, which hits stores Nov. 18.

A couple of weeks after the video shoot, we caught some chat time with Cook, and true to form, the singer is proving quite sanguine under pressure, as you'll see in the conversation that follows.

ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY: Do you ever go online and sample the insane, intense fan scrutiny there? DAVID COOK: ''There is this one video on YouTube that I've gotten into a habit of...well, not a habit, but I've [watched] it a couple of times. It's these early-teen girls watching the finale, and they filmed themselves, and they're all Archuleta fans, which is fun. My name gets announced [as the winner], and the girls just lose it. It's painful to watch in that sense, because obviously I don't want to feel like I'm upsetting anybody. But these girls said something that's so funny, to me: ''How could they vote for that guy? He doesn't even shave!'' I love that. Because to me that encapsulated everything about people getting into the show. They embraced the littlest things about each person. I find that so interesting, from a sociological level. The things that some people gravitate toward me for are the things that other people just shun. You've got to take it with a grain of salt. But I love that everybody cares enough to have an opinion. Loved, hated, but never ignored, I guess is how I look at it.

Sometimes you can read the partisan fan squabbles that are still happening online and wonder if 20 years from now people will still be battling out the Cook-versus- Archie dynamic. Hopefully, because that means Archie and I are hopefully still doing well! In a sense, it's fun that that whole rivalry thing got created. If you put me in the same sentence with David Archuleta, I'll be fine.

NEXT PAGE: ''When Simon said that about Collective Soul, and said, ''You should have sung ''Billie Jean'' again or something,'' it was a rare moment where I felt justified to try to defend myself.''

ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY: On the show's next-to-last night, in that famous moment when Simon didn't like the Collective Soul song you chose, some people wondered, since you had been set up as a favorite, is Simon deliberately doing this to set up a backlash against himself, so it won't seem like such an easy win for you? On the other hand, sometimes a cigar is just a cigar, and it's possible that Simon Cowell really just doesn't like Collective Soul. DAVID COOK: When Simon said that about Collective Soul, and said, ''You should have sung 'Billie Jean' again or something,'' it was a rare moment where I felt justified to try to defend myself, just from the stance that I'd already done it, and I didn't want to do it again. I guess the way I looked at it was, I'd rather fall flat on my face on my own terms. The fact that people responded the way they did is amazing. The [winning by] 12 million votes thing still throws me. I even conceded defeat that night to Archie. I thought he'd done amazingly. I stood on the stage and watched all three of his songs and was in awe. For a kid his age to do what he's done, my hat's off to the kid.

I was trying to analyze why even I got unexpectedly caught up in that moment. It was like, ''Yeah! Stick it to the man with your Collective Soul ballad!'' Then you step back and think, well, that's not the most rebellious thing, like doing a punk song or something. Right, exactly.

But in the context of what was happening, it was a more subtle song than you might have picked, and that in itself could be considered a slightly rebellious act. That song to me probably has the biggest backstory of any song I did on the show. Because I had that song in my head early, and I kept working on it, and it never felt like it was ready, so I would go with other songs. We got to the finale and I had the option to do it, and I was like, ''Man, I've just gotta do it, because if I don't do it now, I'm gonna regret it the rest of my life.'' First off, I love Collective Soul, and I think it's a great song. It seemed like a fitting way to end my run as a competitor in that show. I knew if I could pull it off the way it was in my head, that win or lose, I was cool with that. And it came off really well. That's actually one of the two performances that I watched back after the finale. I watched that one and I watched my week 1 performance of ''Happy Together'' by the Turtles, just to see the absurd transition. It was night and day, man. I changed more during the four and a half months on that show than I changed the 25 years prior.

Your very first album, which you recorded and released independently, sold a few hundred units online during Idol before it was pulled from distribution. And, of course, it's been pirated online. But the actual CD must be a real collectors' item. Yeah, it's crazy. My mom pointed it out to me. A copy of it sold for two grand on eBay. That's about a grand more than I paid to make it.

And you were working on a second indie album when you went into Idol? What happened with that? I had completed a second one. Neal [Tiemann], my guitar player, produced it. That very first album was intended to be by the band I was in, and by a series of events, I just ended up putting that out solo. But I started working on the second one with more of a clear [solo] intention in mind. By the time I made it on the show, I had these 12 or 13 songs recorded that have never seen the light of day, other than in the live shows. Actually, one of them, ''A Daily AntheM,'' did [get re-recorded for] the new record. I'm sure one way or another eventually [the rest of] those songs will be heard.

Making your first major-label album must have seemed like the best and worst of worlds, in a way. As with every Idol winner's album, a great deal of it is being recorded while you're not there, because you have to be out on the road with the Idol tour. Did you resent having to go on tour, thinking, ''I should be writing and recording right now''? I only hated having to change mindsets. I enjoyed touring and I enjoyed recording, and I hated having to rewire my brain between the two. That was tough....But it helped that [producer] Rob Cavallo and I really hit it off. And I was able to bring my guitar player aboard early. Neal has an idea where my head is at musically, so it was nice to have somebody in the studio, when I wasn't there, who spoke for me and spoke accurately....I'm still kind of in awe of it. To do what we did in this amount of time is no small feat. We essentially put a year's worth of work into three months.

NEXT PAGE: Cook talks about all those Daughtry comparisons

ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY: Let's talk about a few of the new songs, starting with the single ''Light On,'' one of only two songs you didn't co-write. DAVID COOK: ''Light On'' is an interesting song. It encompasses almost all of my range. It's all over the place. That's Chris Cornell at his finest. It's got some Zeppelin influence in it; it's got some '80s hair-metal influence; it's got some grunge influence. To me it's like a rock history lesson put into about a four-minute lecture. It's fun to play, but it is definitely an intimidating song.

The heaviest song on the album, by far, is ''Bar Ba Sol.'' It's got some almost metal chords. I'm a big fan of this band Injected, out of Atlanta. We called them up and said, can we have a run at this song and see what happens? What they sent us was a demo version, so we took the idea and ran with it. It's heavy, but still a strong melody.

Was the title of ''Mr. Sensitive'' meant to be ironic in any way? The song was unintentionally ironic. I had the harmonic riff in my head for five months. In my lyric journal, I had ''Mr. Sincere'' written down, and sincere turned into sensitive. I wanted to write about something outside myself and get a little metaphorical. He lives in a village devoid of feeling. They get so afraid of this child who has feelings that they kill him. It kind of took on this Tim Burton-like, twisted vision of James and the Giant Peach for me. But I know people look at me as that sensitive guy.

And ''A Daily AntheM'' has to do with your brother [Adam, who is fighting cancer], who people learned about from watching Idol, right? ''A Daily AntheM'' is three years old. I didn't originally write it with the intention of it being about Adam. I just wanted to write something that had a John Lennon, ''War Is Over'' quality. Then I was like, oh s---, if you capitalize that letter and that letter and that letter, you've capitalized my brother's name.

You fit in with a style of rock singing that's popular right now. There's the singers from Hinder and Nickelback, guys who have a broad range, but not the real clean, Steve Perry-type of singing that was popular in the mainstream in the '80s. The guys who can sing but have more smoke or rasp in the voice seem to be favored now. Dumb luck, man. Singing in smoky clubs for 10 years will give you a little bit of a rasp, for sure. When I first started playing in bands, I played it safe and I stayed in my midrange and all that. As I got more into it, I realized I could do more things with my voice. That's the kind of thing that's fun for me. I love having the vocal capacities to do something like that, because I realize that it's a gift and not everybody has it.

Everyone will be making the comparison you're sick of: Is he gonna have a Daughtry-like career? Opinions and perceptions, man — I didn't let it get to me on the show, and I see no reason to let it get to me afterward. I just think this record is me, and if people want to compare it to Daughtry, awesome. He's sold a ton of records. I just hope someday the coin will flip and somebody will compare somebody else to me.

It must be hard to have perspective on what really happened with the show, even this far out from it now. It's strange. I don't feel inherently that there's a justification for it. I realize that a lot of people watch the show, and I get the idea of the celebrity aspect of it, I guess. But I still feel like that awkward musician; I think I always will. That's a huge component of me staying kind of humbled and grounded about the whole thing: I get the flimsiness of it. I get that it could all go away. I mean, fame is fleeting....But I'm at peace. I've got guys that I'm playing with that I love to death, and I'm playing music that I think we all really get into, and as long as we've got that and a place to play, I'm good.

2008-11-07 - Z 104 -- Connie and Fish (Madison, KY) – Interview – Audio only (Transcript by Coolshades)

Source: http://dclibrary-radio.4shared.com/

DJs: Connie and Fish

Connie: It's 9:24. Connie, Fish...and David Cook.

Fish: Hello, sir. How are ya'?

David: I'm good, how are you guys?

Connie: Good. Ya' know it's funny David Cook. David Cook, American Idol. Won last season.

Fish: Yeah

Connie: Here I am, reading your bio. And it says, uh, one week after you won American Idol...

David: Mm-hmm

Connie: You broke-- uh, you rewrote chart history when eleven of your songs debuted on Billboard's Hot 100 chart? I did not know that.

Fish: Yeah

David: It's crazy. I, I uh...I, I think the only person to do more is the Beatles, which...

Connie: 1964!

Fish: Yeah

David: To be in the same stratosphere that uh...is the weirdest thing ever. [laughs]

Connie: Unbelievable. Good for you!

Fish: Yeah. And dude--

David: Thank you very much.

Connie: Good for you.

Fish: Dude I, I al-- I was just talkin' to you off the air last season, uh...when I started watchin' American Idol. The first -- I'll be straight with you -- the first time I saw ya' on TV, once you guys were performing for the judges, you know what I mean?

David: Mm-hmm

Fish: Once you got through all the trials and all that crap.

David: Yeah, yeah, yeah

Fish: Uh, I saw ya' and I was like: OK, this guy seems kinda cocky. That was the first week, cuz you were...ya' know, and then the next week I saw ya' and was like: I really like this guy. And then--

Connie: Why'd you think he was cocky?

Fish: I, I just kinda...the way he reacted at first. Cuz you become hyperse-- he had said somethin' to Simon, but he was kinda jokin' around.

Connie: Ohhh I remember that!

David: Oh yeah

Fish: And then the next week, you took the criticism, you know you, you worked it perfectly. Then you start performing, and Lionel Ritchie, right during the middle of the season...

Connie: Oh man

Fish: ...says he wants to jump in studio with ya'.

David: That's pretty crazy. [laughs]

Fish: What did-- uh, what is going through your mind at that point?

Connie: Wait, his, his album-- his, his self-titled album, David Cook, is out, uh, November 18th. That's a week from this coming Tuesday.

Fish: Yes

David: Yeah, yeah. Um, no, the, the Lionel Ritchie thing was crazy, man. Just uh, I think uh...ya', ya' know, I come in on the show kinda under the radar. And then all of a sudden that happens, and it's like: Waaaait a minute. Somethin' doesn't add-up here.

Connie [singing]: Hellooooo

David: And uh...

Fish: Yep

David: Ya' know I, I, I, I...one of the, one of the many things that I've been, kinda blessed with the last year. It's ju-- it's just unreal.

Connie: Um...is that song on your new CD?

David: Uh..."Hello" did not make it. No, I, I, I--

Connie: Ohhhh, David!

Fish: We were hopin' for that. I actually was hopin' that he--

Connie: Ohhhhh

Fish: ...they were gonna rush you to the studio before you went on tour.

Connie: I like it better than the ori-- I'm probably so sick of the original, cuz I'm 40, so I grew up with the original.

Fish: Yeah

Connie: I like it better.

David: Well, ya' know, I, I-- we, we had discussed it. And, and I think, ya' know, I, I came from a background playin' original music, and then I took a year off from that to sing other people's songs on the show, and...

Connie: Yeah

David: And uh...I, I just, ya' know, I was itchin' to kinda get back in to the original music realm. But uh...ya' know, as far as live shows go, I'm sure we'll play it again. And, and uh...

Connie: Well it's one of those proving yourself things, isn't it? Right when you make it big, you kinda want everybody to know you for your own music.

Fish: Yeah

David: Yeah, yeah

Connie: Right?

David: Ya' know, as...

Connie: Yeah

David: As much as I love doin' those covers -- and I'm, I'm sure that eventually, ya' know, we'll get back into it at --

Connie: Please?

David: Uh...I think right now it--

Connie: Please?

David: [laughs] Yeah. Please.

Connie: Please?

Fish: Is that--

Connie: Put "Hello"...

Fish: Is that--

Connie: ...on your next CD please?

Fish: No, wait a minute, though. That, that, that...

Connie [singing softly]: Helloooo

Fish: "Time of My--" What's that song called? "Time of My Life"?

David: "Time of My Life," yeah.

Fish: Yeah. Is that really your music, though? Or is the other stuff your music?

David: Uh, ya' know, "Time of My Life" has been awesome. I mean, it's allowed me to do a lot of really cool things. I got to meet, you know, a bunch of the olympians were on Oprah, playin' that song. And...

Connie: Mm-hmm

David: And uh...ya' know, uh, again, able to do some really cool things. But uh...ya' know, it's, it's the coronation single. I did-- I didn't write it. And...didn't have too much of a hand in it. So...I, I'm uh, I'm excited to show people what, what I can do if, if, if uh, if allowed to write.

Connie: How was Saturday Night Live last weekend?

David: Uh...y-- the most nerve-wracking experience...

Connie: Yeah

David: ...that I've ever dealt with.

Fish: Why?

Connie: But you were like, the last person, you were like, the last artist on there for the last, biggest one of uh, for four years, probably.

Fish: Oh yeah

Connie: Or maybe ever.

David: I think they said it was the highest ratings...

Connie: Yeah

David: ...in eleven years or somethin'.

Connie: Yeah

David: It was just...uh...I, I was so honored to be a part of the show. And then to have it kinda hit then, ya' know, with the election...

Connie: Mm-hmm

David: ...on Tuesday, and McCain was on. And...it was just, uh, everything was just, just over the top. I, I felt, uh, I felt really honored to be there.

Fish: Now with uh, American Idol and everything, uh, for those of you that don't know, your story is actually really cool. Cuz you go to the American tryout-- uh, American Idol tryouts with uh, your brother. Now, what, what was exactly wrong with your brother? Or is wrong...

Connie: Brain cancer

David: Uh...[laughs] I was, I was--

Connie: He's got brain cancer, right?

David: There's, there's a lot-- oh, my, no, that's my older brother.

Fish: Your older brother has...

Connie: Oh, OK

David: My little brother--

Fish: Oh

David: My little brother, he's got a ton of stuff wrong with him... [Connie laughs]

David: But it's nothin' like...

Fish: Oh yeah, OK. But he wanted to try out for Idol. You didn't even want to try out, right?

David: Uh, well it's, I, it was just I-- I didn't-- I didn't plan on it. Um...I, I went as moral support and got talked into it. And...and ended up stealin' my brother's thunder, so, um...ya' know, I'm sure he's uh, somewhere plotting his revenge as we speak. [laughs]

Fish: Or--

Connie: By the way, we're on the phone with David Cook right now. He won American Idol this past season.

Fish: And there's an AC on your guitar. That for y-- that stands for your older brother, then?

David: That, that-- uh, yes. That uh, will technically it's for both my brothers. But uh, the, the premise of it started with my older brother. My older brother's been dealing with a brain tumor for a long time. And, and uh, you know, that's one of the cool things about, uh, ya' know, bein' where I'm at right now is uh, it gives me a little bit of a platform to, to, to help, and, and raise awareness and g-- and get people kinda rallying around this cause. I think cancer's...uh, obviously an awful disease, and...anything we can do to er-- eradicate it is uh, is somethin' I'm on board for.

Connie: How long has he had brain cancer?

David: Uh...he has been dealing with it for about a decade on and off now.

Connie: Wow. And how old is he?

David: Uh...he's 37.

Connie: Wow...

Fish: Ok now David...

Connie: God

Fish: ...you're 25, you've been doin' the uh, you've been playin' uh, you know, your music forever, so I'm sure you get hit on a lot. But now...you're on a whole different stratosphere right now.

Connie: Wait, are you single?

David [in response to Fish's statement]: Absolutely

Fish: Y--

David [in response to Connie's question]: Uh, I am not.

Fish: You were. In Idol you were.

David: I, I was during Idol, yes. But uh...

Connie: Alright, alright...

Fish: Oh man...

Connie: Who did you-- who'd you hook up with?

Fish: He's datin' some hot Hollywood chick, you know it. [Connie laughs]

David: Um...just, just some, just some fantastic young lady. I'll just leave it at that.

Fish: Fantastic young lady. Would we know who she was if you said her name? Just say that.

David: Potentially, yeah. [Connie gasps]

Connie: David!

Fish: You're, you're datin' that chick from Vegas, aren't ya'? What's her name? Oh God, I love her.

David: From Vegas?

Connie: Vanessa Marcil?

Fish: Yeah, Vanessa Marcil.

Connie: We have her on the show on Monday.

David: Nope, no. Way off base.

Fish: No, not her?

Connie: Hey, OK...

David: No

Connie: ...can you give us a hint?

David: Uh, I, I'll ju-- I'll just tell ya'. Her name's Kim.

Connie: Man...

Fish: Kim Cattrall, from "Sex and the City." [David and Connie laugh. Then Fish laughs]

David: Uh, I should probably give you a last name, then. Uh, Kim Caldwell.

Fish: Kim Caldwell

Connie: Kimberly Caldwell. Really?

David: Yeah

Connie: When did that happen?

Female voice on the phone: I gotta wrap it up.

David: Oh, we've been dating for about six months now. [Connie gives an exasperated sigh]

Fish: Have you? Ok, I know you're gonna have to go in a second. We got that, uh...uh...

Connie: I heard a voice in my head.

Fish: Yeah, and we appreciate ya' goin' long. Sorry about that. I hope we didn't get-- uh, mess up your whole schedule, here, but...

David: Oh no worries, no worries.

Fish: Uh, so you guys have been datin' for six months?

David: Yeah.

Connie: Woooow

Fish: Dude--

David: Since right after the finale.

Connie: You gotta sing together!

Fish: Oh there ya' go.

David: Ohhhh

Fish: That's cheesy.

David: I, I don't know about all that. But we--

Connie: Ok

Fish: He's not cheesy like that.

David: We, we keep work at work.

Connie: David Cook, November 18th. Self-titled debut album is in stores. Next album, what're you gonna put on?

David: Uh, well, it'll be all covers, absolutely. [Connie laughs]

Fish: Yeah, there you go!

Connie: Just one!

Fish: Hey Dave, before we let ya' go, Kim Caldwell: granny panties? No? [Connie laughs]

David: Ohhh, man. I'm not touchin' that one.

Connie: No

Fish: Alright...

Connie: No

Fish: Thank you, brother.

Connie: Thanks Dave!

Fish: Thanks, man.

David: Thank you guys. Take care.

Connie: Bye

END OF INTERVIEW

2008-11-07 - COLUMBIAN - Idol worship puzzles Cook

Source

Friday, July 11, 2008 By ALAN SCULLEY, for The Columbian When David Cook found out he had passed his initial audition for ―American Idol‖ and would advance to compete on the hit television series, he wasn‘t happy and full of anticipation. Cook felt uncomfortable. It was the same feeling that nearly kept him from auditioning in the first place. Cook came to the audition in Omaha, Neb., to provide moral support for his brother, Andrew, who was trying out for the show. Cook only auditioned after he was prodded into doing so by his brother and his mother, who was also there. ―We were in the same audition group in the first round, and I was the only one out of the group that made it,‖ Cook said in a recent phone interview. ―So yeah, it was a little awkward. I made it a point, as soon as I got out of the arena, I said to him if you don‘t want me to do this, I won‘t. And his response, this kind of speaks to his character, he said if you don‘t do it, I‘ll kick your (butt).‖ With an incentive like that, Cook, 25, had little choice but to stay in the running. And what a run it became, as he eventually made the show, which he won in May by beating out David Archuleta. The fact is, Cook said he never saw himself as ―Idol‖ material. He had recently moved from his long-time home base of Blue Springs, Mo., to Tulsa, Okla., to play guitar with the Midwest Kings, a band that had a regional touring base. He had already released a debut CD, ―Analog Heart,‖ and was working on his second album when he auditioned for ―American Idol.‖ Cook wasn‘t sold on the idea that his rock-pop sound would be a good fit for the show. ―I didn‘t really know I was what the show was looking for,‖ Cook said. ―I had watched in the past and never seen a rocker win the show. And to me, it was kind of like, if somebody like Bo (Bice) or somebody like Chris (Daughtry) can‘t come on here and win it, what shot do I have?‖ Quite a few people didn‘t think Cook would come out on top, either. He was initially seen as a dark horse in the field of 24. When the competition finally boiled down to Cook and 17-year-old Archuleta, he was still considered by many — including ―Idol‘s‖ famously outspoken judge, Simon Cowell — to be the underdog. Even Cook began to buy into that line of thinking. After arriving that morning to prepare for the finale, Cook was told the vote was 56 percent to 44 percent. He figured that meant only one thing.

―I was like OK, ‗Archie‘s got it,‘ ‖ Cook said. ―I didn‘t really think much about it the rest of the day. I kind of went through the motions of getting ready for Wednesday night‘s finale. I was just stoked to be playing with ZZ Top.‖ Since that May evening, Cook has been busy preparing for the next steps in the life of an ―Idol‖ champion. First up is this summer‘s American Idols Live tour, which features the top 10 finishers from this season‘s show. Cook will perform five songs, and is pleased with the material the performers and the organizers of the show selected. ―Everybody seems really happy with their set and we‘re all able to not only do songs from the show but also throw in some stuff that we weren‘t able to get on the show, but stuff that we enjoy performing,‖ Cook said. ―Like I‘m doing ‗My Hero‘ by the Foo Fighters, and that‘s one of my favorite songs, just high energy. So it‘s cool. I think we‘re all getting to show a little bit more of ourselves to everybody.‖ Cook also has his sights set on recording his first album under his new record contract with 19 Recordings/RCA, which is due in mid-November. ―I‘m a rock singer, so it will be a rock record,‖ Cook said. ―But the good thing about rock music is there are some subgenres there. So there‘s room to meander. My goal is to put out a record that‘s both eclectic and cohesive. If I can do that and find that balance, I think the sky‘s the limit.‖ Chances are, when Cook‘s debut album arrives, it will storm the Billboard magazine charts. He already smashed all previous records from the digital music age by landing 17 songs on various Billboard charts at the same time at the end of May. Even Cook seemed to have a hard time grasping his presence on the charts. ―I think every so often everything kind of lines up for you, and hopefully that‘s what‘s happening now,‖ he said. ―I‘ve said it a few times before, I think if this all ends tomorrow I‘ve already had a hell of a ride. I‘m content. And I think moving forward, the goal is to keep that vibe.‖

2008-11-09 - EW COM - Judgment Day - David Cook: Inside His New CD

Source: http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,20007164_20171835_20239373,00.html Scans: [ Page 1 ] [ Page 2 ] [ Page 3 ]

He rocked his way to the season 7 ''American Idol'' win. But with his new self-titled album, he's facing some much tougher judges: the CD-buying public

DAVID COOK ''I want to try to prove the 56 million people who voted for me right,'' says the season 7 American Idol champ PHOTOGRAPH BY CHRIS CRAYMER By Chris Willman Honoring a time-worn rock & roll tradition, David Cook is trying to coax his drummer out of a prone position. ''Hey, I didn't make you go out and drink last night!'' he ribs the reclining stickman. ''You're at work, bitch! Don't lie on the couch and look at me like I just killed your dog.'' Soon they are all back at it inside Hollywood's famed SIR rehearsal studios, where hard-rock bands have long given their chops a workout before hitting the road. This afternoon, the hardest and loudest sounds are coming out of Studio 6, where Cook & Co. are running through songs from the American Idol winner's forthcoming major-label debut. ''Bar Ba Sol,'' the heaviest song from the new album, builds from thick, bottom-end-rattling riffs to screaming solos, and Cook is letting loose the kind of grungy wailing that might make less gifted singers bust a corpuscle. The metalheads down the hall must surely be impressed.

The song ends, and the mood is broken as Stevie Salas, the musical director who helped Cook put this new band together, bursts through the studio door, phone to his ear. ''David, this is my ex-girlfriend,'' he announces, ''and she told me to give you a pinch on your cute little ass from one of your cougar fans.'' Cook winces. ''I am passing it on verbally without giving you the pinch,'' Salas reassures him.

And therein lies, if not a pinch, a rub. Idol hasn't churned out many rockers before Cook — certainly none who actually won the competition — and the singer is now facing a big challenge: How feasible is it to rock like a mofo while still wooing the mom-and-kiddie crowd that helped him win in the first place?

The self-titled David Cook (due in stores Nov. 18) aims to split that difference. It's a guitar record, full of gut- busting singing, but also mainstream, melodic, earnest, and anthemic almost to a fault — in other words, what you might have expected from a smolderingly affable Midwesterner who staked his entire Idol career on a Collective Soul cover. ''There was always a dialogue between the A&R guys and David and myself,'' says Rob Cavallo, the noted rock producer (Green Day's American Idiot, among others) who oversaw Cook's album. ''We were trying to strike the right balance between something 100 percent true to David as an artist, and at the same time satisfying all the supposed needs or desires of the cougar set, or whatever you want to call it. Or,'' he corrects himself, backing up over the C-word, ''I should just say his Idol audience — that's the best way to say it.''

NEXT PAGE: ''I'd like to see him on the rock charts. I don't know that it's gonna go there. I think it's gonna find its audience on the Hot AC and pop charts.'' Like all post-Idol debuts, David Cook was made preposterously quickly. Almost the entire 10-week recording process happened without Cook, who was still on the road with last summer's Idol package tour. Cavallo oversaw tracking back in L.A., and Cook would e-mail demos from his tour bus, songs concocted during frantic hotel-room writing sessions with guys from the Goo Goo Dolls and Our Lady Peace. It was an on-the- fly collaborative process he calls ''completely organic and at the same time completely absurd.''

Even so, Cook says he's thrilled with the result. ''I managed to convince enough people to give me a little bit of carte blanche,'' says the 25-year-old singer. ''I wanted to make a record that had some meat to it, where no song was disposable. I'd put this record up against any record out right now. That's not a cocky thing. To me, it's my kid. I want to try to prove the 56 million people who voted for me right.''

Whatever happens, Cook clearly won't have a career like either of the two previous Idol winners. The 2006 victor, Taylor Hicks, benefited from older-lady mania in his TV run before getting dropped after one fast- fizzling album, while 2007's Jordin Sparks went from being the show's least buzzed-about champ to scoring a surprising string of fizzy, teen-oriented pop hits with her debut disc. Cook's situation is more like that of Carrie Underwood, who similarly exited the show with a distinct musical identity. But while Underwood had country radio waiting with open arms, Cook's soul-searching lyrics, Idol roots, and dearth of tattoos may hurt his chances within his chosen genre. ''I'd like to see him on the rock charts,'' says Cavallo. ''I don't know that it's gonna go there. I think it's gonna find its audience on the Hot AC and pop charts.'' First single ''Light On'' is making solid headway at Hot AC, though the power ballad's rock edge is a tougher sell at rhythm-oriented Top 40. ''David Archuleta's song ['Crush'] is the more natural fit,'' says Sharon Dastur, program director at New York City's Z100, ''but I think Cook has a great shot at Top 40 as well.''

NEXT PAGE: ''I do take music seriously. But I don't take myself all that seriously. I'm kind of a goober from the Midwest who hit the lottery.'' His coronation anthem, ''The Time of My Life,'' sold almost a million downloads. He also set a Billboard record by having 11 of his Idol performances debut in the Hot 100 at once. The question is whether Cook can still find the same love now that he's getting out from under the covers. If there's a hopeful precedent to cite, it's Idol also-ran Chris Daughtry, who saw four of his similarly riff-heavy tunes crack the Hot 100's top 20. Still, Daughtry was able to buy himself a little distance from the Idol franchise in ways Cook can't, first by (a) not winning, then by (b) scowling a lot. Cook does affect a glowering look on his album cover, but as viewers know, a warm, easy smile comes more naturally. ''I do take music seriously,'' he says. ''I don't think you can do this and not. I don't think I'm gonna be putting out a Weird Al record anytime soon. But I don't take myself all that seriously. I'm kind of a goober from the Midwest who hit the lottery.''

The night after the band's final rehearsal, Cook is doing a friends-and-family-only gig at , working out any last kinks before his appearance on Saturday Night Live. Backstage, the singer is telling his bandmates he's battling an unexpected case of anxiety. Guitarist Neal Tiemann, a holdover from Cook's pre- Idol band, the Midwest Kings, is surprised. ''You've done more nervous-making things than this,'' he says. No kidding. ''Yeah, in a sense...,'' Cook replies, unable to explain why he's so intimidated by the hundred or so friendly waiting souls. ''I think we're finally a band,'' he says. ''It's something I've been looking forward to for about a year now, just to have a moment where it felt like...well, like it felt a year ago.'' In other words, back when he was still playing clubs — pre-Simon, pre-Archuleta, pre-makeover, pre-king of the world. There's a knock on the door, and Cook's girlfriend, season 2 Idol contestant Kimberly Caldwell, makes an entrance. ''I told you not to let her in!'' Cook barks, affecting a preshow boys-club paranoia. Break-a-leg smooches are exchanged before Caldwell exits with these parting words: ''Be wonderful! Be fabulous!'' Then, realizing her mistake, she corrects herself. ''I mean, be hardcore!''

Out on stage, Cook isn't long into the mini-set before he mentions that the last time he played the Viper Room, an A&R guy told him he needed to find another line of work. A middle finger of vindication follows, along with a nice vocal raspberry. As the set progresses, he seems proudest after the thundering ''Bar Ba Sol.'' ''And you guys thought you were at an American Idol concert!'' he crows at the song's conclusion. Then he looks around a little sheepishly, as if remembering what bad form it might be to bite the hand that brought him here. ''I had to say it once,'' Cook murmurs with a smile, before moving on to a power ballad.

Flashback! David Cook on EW's Idolatry: More David Cook and American Idol from EW: American Idol Central David Cook: The EW Review David Cook: Extended Q&A David Cook's Video Shoot: We Were There David Cook's ''Light On'': Weigh In! David Cook: Backstage After the American Idol finale Posted Nov 10, 2008 | Published in issue #1020 Nov 14, 2008 | Order Article Reprints

2008-11-10 - MIX 98.5 -- Lander in the Morning (Boston, MA) – Interview – Audio only (Transcript by Coolshades)

Source: http://dclibrary-radio.4shared.com/

DJs: John Lander and unknown female

Lander: Oh David?

David: Helloooo

Lander: David Cook! Oh it's early for ya', man.

Female: How's it goin'?

David: All part of the fun. It goes well, how are you?

Female: Good

Lander: Yeah. Are you uh, left or right coast? Where are you?

David: I am uh, I am on the West.

Female: Oh boy [laughs]

Lander: Ohhhh my God. Well they didn't tell me they were gonna wake you up and flo- -

David: Don't you feel bad now?

Lander: I ho--

Female: Yes!

Lander: I feel horrible! [David laughs]

Lander: And, and, and d-- you're gonna need a nap later.

David: Hey, ya' kn-- hey, I'm all for it.

Female: Welcome to our world. [DJs laugh]

David: Yeah, well hey, the, the idea of morning radio's always seemed very foreign to me. I'm a-- I was a bartender before this, so I got up at two in the afternoon before Idol. [laughs]

Lander: Yeah. That's right, that's right. And the album is coming out a week from Tuesday, right David?

David: Absolutely. November 18th.

Lander: Surprised, yeah, that they don't work you in to-- there's gonna be holiday specials now that we're a couple weeks away from Thanksgiving.

David: Uh-huh

Lander: So I'm sure you're gonna pop up in a few of these, right?

David: Uh yeah, I imagine, I imagine I'll sneak into frame on a couple TV shows.

Lander: Sure they want you in the tree lighting at Rockefeller Center, right?

David: Uh I-- actually, uh, I, I will be playing that. We're gonne do a couple of acoustic songs. So, uh...

Female: Oh fun!

David: Yeah. We've uh, we've been workin' up some, ya' know, some cool things.

Lander: Well, well, y-- there's a good thing. Because what is your favorite Christmas song? If you had to...

David: A song called uh, "War is Over." Or Chr-- "Happy Christmas, War is Over."

Lander: Yeah, yeah, yeah!

Female: Yeah!

Lander: Of course.

Female: Love that song.

David: Yeah.

Lander [singing]: So this is Christmas...

David: It's probably my favorite.

Lander: That one

David: Yeah. Mm-hmm.

Female: Mm-hmm

David: Very much so.

Lander: Yeah. Uh-- Oh! Tell me about-- did you go to ?

David: I did not make it to Madonna. I was, I was uh, I, I had heard about it, and was kinda bummed that I wasn't able to make it. But um, I-- from, from what I gathered, it was a great show.

Lander: Yeah. Carrie Underwood showed-up, and as promised, Britney Spears and Justin Timberlake took the stage out at uh, the uh, the L.A. show, Madonna. And...

David: Wow

Lander: Yeah. And I guess uh, Jessica Simpson was there...

David: I think I was the only person not there. [Female laughs]

Lander: Yeah. You know, don't you wonder...or is it all tabloid-driven? Do you think sparks, uh, were flyin' backstage with Carrie Underwood and Jessica Simpson?

David: I imagine they probably kept a safe distance, though. [Female laughs]

Lander: Or is this somethin' that they build-up in the tabs? You know what I mean?

David: I, you know, I-- it's hard, It's hard to say anymore. I think uh, I, I think this experience has, has allowed me to really take anything I read about...celebrities with a grain of salt. I think it's uh...

Lander: Yeah

David: Its uh, it's hard to tell anymore.

Lander: You're gonna be one of them too, ya' know. They're gonna write things that aren't true about you now.

David: Oh, wonderful. Can't wait. [DJs laugh]

Lander: Well you know, I would be careful, too. Carrie Underwood backstage with Jessica Simpson, and Carrie Underwood was seen with a bat.

Female: What?!

David: Oh!

Lander: Yeah. So I mean, that's not--

David: Maybe-- it, it had to have been a prop for the show. [Female laughs]

Lander: Yeahhhh, right?

Female: A Lousiville Slugger, I think.

David: Exactly.

Female: Ummmm

Lander: Either Madonna was gonna be swingin' it at somebody, ya' know, there's so much goin' on right now. It's crazy.

David: Yeah. Who knows.

Lander: That is great. And by the way, uh, we made a big pitch, because...Tuesday is Veteran's Day. And we're not forgettin' the troops over either...

David: Absolutely.

Lander: ...over either in Iraq or Afghanistan.

David: Mm-hmm

Lander: You know, our military uh, service. Soldiers and marines and all the navy and air force people, you know what I mean?

David: It, it's amazing what, what, what these, these uh, these men and women do to, to kind of protect the sanctity of our country. So I, I'm uh, I'm actually stoked. I, I think we're gonna head out to Iraq in January...

Female: Ohhhh!

David: ...and play for uh, and play for the troops. So...

Lander: That's what I wanted to hear. That is great.

Female: Oh, that's great!

David: Yeah. I, I think uh...you know, I've been put in this amazing position to, to be able to do some, some really cool things. And uh, anything that we can do to uh, to, to-- no pun intended with the Idol brand -- to give back. Uh...

Lander: Yeah

David: You know, we're, we're all on board for.

Lander: Boy they so desperately want to hear that connection between...

Female: Mm-hmm

Lander: You know, the people here in this country, and...

Female: Yeah

Lander: ...and that they're not forgotten over there.

David: Oh, for sure. I think uh, I...I think it's impossible to forget 'em, especially with everything goin' on right now. It's uh, they're definitely kinda, of, of a priority, ya' know, for me. So...

Lander: Oh that is great. We'll be followin' that, that visit to Iraq, uh...

David: Yeah

Lander: From David Cook, in oh-nine. In January. And uh...

David: Yep

Lander: Just for doin' that, too, we're gonna let you have your request. Uh, "Happy Christmas, The War is Over," right?

David: Yeahhh

Lander: Love that song

David: Absolutely

Lander: That's a great song.

Female: Yeah it is.

Lander: Hey thanks. Good luck with your CD, David. I hope you sell a lot.

David: Oh thank you. Me too. [laughs]

Lander: And, and have a great holiday season.

David: You guys, too. Take care.

Female: OK. Buh-bye

Lander: Buh-bye

END OF INTERVIEW

2008-11-10 - Bob and Tom (Various Markets) – Interview – Audio only (Transcript by Coolshades)

Source: http://dclibrary-radio.4shared.com/

DJs: Bob Kevoian, Tom Griswold, Michelle, Chick McGee, and Kristi Lee

Bob: Last week, we had a chance to talk to David Cook from American Idol, who's a great rock-n-roller. And uh...he uh, was the winner. And he's got a huge song out there now. The album's comin' out. We, we thought we would uh, feature this interview...

Tom: Alright

Bob: ...for ya' right now. [recorded interview begins]

Tom: David!

David: Hey, how are ya'?

Tom: Hi, good morning!

David: Good morning.

Bob: Hey David, I really enjoyed your work on American Idol. I thought you were one of the first guys that really transformed the songs you did.

David: Oh thank you very much. I was just tryin' to keep up with everybody else, ya' know? So...

Bob: Yeah. For those that uh, didn't see the show, you uh, did some amazing arrangements of well-known songs that you kind of rethought and rearranged, that I thought were just brilliant. Really cool stuff.

David: Oh thank you. I was, ya' know again, just uh...eh, I, I came into the show kind of a relative unknown. So I, I had to do something to...to stand out. And, and that just ended up bein' my, my spiel.

Bob: Do they--

Tom: I know that--

Bob: Do they give you a list of songs? Or are you-- can you pick whatever you want to sing?

David: Um, well-- they give us parameters every week. I mean, some-- like, every week was a theme. So, uh...so we had to operate within that theme. But uh...

Bob: I see.

David: They, they-- other than that, I mean, it was kinda wide open. I mean, we did uh-- one week we did the year of your birth. So I had any song from 1982. Um...

Tom: Uh-huh

Bob: Mm-hmm

David: Oh man... [Tom laughs]

David: ...I'm really datin' myself..

Bob: Do you remember that well?

Michelle: Yeah, the 80's

Bob: I'll tell ya what...

Tom: Oh boy, that's old!

Michelle: Yeah

Bob: If, if-- I wish I had been born maybe in '67 or '8, when the, like the greatest songs

Tom: There were some good songs.

Bob: ...ever written.

Tom: Yeah, I was born in a...

David: That's true.

Tom: ...really lousy year.

Bob: Yeah.

Chick: So...

Bob: But uh, uh, David I thought that uh, you did great. There were a couple of times I thought you were kind of snickering at the theme. You know what I mean?

David: Yeah, a little bit.

David: You were sorta going: Ok, look. I, I can pull something off.

Tom: I-- alright, I get it.

Bob: But really...seriously... [Michelle laughs]

Bob: ...should we be doing this? Let's talk about your new project. You win American Idol, which is really cool, but now you get to do your own music. How much uh, writing did you do for the new project?

David: Uh, a ton. I, I-- ya know I...we, I went straight into writing sessions after the finale. I think we knocked-out like, twenty songs in June. Uh...probably another ten or fifteen while we were on the road. And plus I had, I had I think like, thirty or forty songs from before Idol that I submitted. And so...um...we had nice-- we, we had a nice base of songs to pick from, and...and of the twelve that made The Record, I wr-- I wrote or co- wrote uh, ten. So...I was uh, I've, I've been heavily involved in this record, and...they even let me get involved in the art, art uh...direction, which was, ya' know...probably a, a mistake on their part. But we'll see.

Bob: David Cook is our guest. You might recognize his voice. [David laughs]

Bob: If you watched American Idol, he was on a lot.

Tom: Yeah

Bob: And uh, did a tremendous job. And, it, it's, it's...interesting to me that you are a real musician. And you, you get on this show, and the, the whole...aspect of the show, that it's this contest, sometimes...

David: Mm-hmm

Bob: ...takes away from the...

Tom: Did he get to play on the show?

Bob: Oh y--

Tom: Did you get to play your guitar?

David: Yeah yeah, absolutely.

Bob: Oh of course.

David: I got to play quite a bit on the show.

Tom: Ok, Ok. I didn't know if they do that.

Chick: Real musicians don't do Gloria Estefan covers. [everyone laughs]

Chick: You never win Idol doing a Gloria Estefan song.

David: Hey, never say never.

Tom: Uh-huh

Bob: Although I thi-- Well I'm, I'm try-- I'm goin' from memory, here. Was it the Billie Jean...

Chick: The Billie Jean, the...

Michelle: Billie Jean, yeah

Chick: Chris Cornell.

Bob: That was a great, brilliant version of that.

Tom: Mm-hmm. Wonderful.

David: Uh so-- yeah, yeah. I uh, I, I remember it was...it was my-- that was the week, uh, year of my birth. And um...I...was looking for, kinda ideas for the song. Cuz obviously, I don't think I could pull it off in the original format. And...and, um... [DJs laugh]

Tom: Yeah, probably not.

David: Yeah you know...I, I don't look good in, in sequined gloves, so..um... [DJs laugh]

Bob: Just one glove

David: And then I uh, I, I, I came across this YouTube video of Chris Cornell's version. And I was just like: That is...I have to do that. Ya' know? And uh...I kinda always operated on my gut on the show. Like, if a song grabbed me in the first thirty seconds, ya' know, I just kinda went for it. So...

Tom: Mm-hmm

Bob: David Cook's our guest. And uh, we're talkin' about his new project. I would like to go back in time even farther before American Idol.

David: OK

Bob: Obviously you're a guy who was in bands...

David: Uh-huh

Bob: What was the very first band that you had a real professional gig that you were ever in? What was it called?

David: Uh, the band was called Axium. We were from Kansas City. And uh, one of our first professional gigs was actually...uh, at-- well I mean, outside of Kansas City, I think one of our first traveled gigs was we went to...uh, Franklin, Indiana, right uh, right underneath Indianapolis.

Tom: Right

Bob: Wow

David: Our drummer had signed this contract that we didn't know about to play the gig, that said if we didn't bring in fifty people they weren't gonna pay us. [Michelle laughs]

David: So we drove the nine, ten hours in our, our smelly van and, and didn't get paid. So...

Bob: Wow

Tom: Oh you mean you couldn't bring in fifty people? [Bob laughs]

Tom: I would have been on the streets.

David: Yeah I know...

David: Ya' know, I told my dad...

Bob: Yeah

David: ...and everybody to try to invite some people out. And ya' know, the family didn't come up big on that one.

Tom: Wow

Bob: Now, now was it Axium--

David: They made up, they made up for it with, with the Idol thing, so it all worked out.

Michelle: Yeah

Bob: You'll be happy to know that bar's out of business now. [everybody laughs]

Michelle: Yeah.

Tom: Yeah.

Michelle: They want you back.

Bob: Now was it--

David: I know, right?

Bob: ...was it like, Axium, li-- was Axium like in AXE? Was it like a heavy metal feel?

David: Uh, no, it was actually uh...we w-- we were kinda just uh...kinda melodic. Uh...

Bob: Mm-hmm

David: ..modern rock. And...uh, it was a great learning experience. I think...ya' know, you, you get into it with these images of grandeur. Like: we're a great band. Everybody's gonna love us. And not everybody's gonna love ya'. [DJs laugh]

David: Uh....

Michelle: Yeah

David: You know it was, but it was a good lesson. I, I, I think...uh...the idea of whether you're pleasin' or, or upsetting everybody you're doin' something wrong was something that, that definitely carried over into Idol. And it allowed me...to not get so swept-up whenever a judge said somethin' negative.

Bob: Ok. Now, forgive me for asking this next question. I am far more interested in uh, your album and your work than the format of the show American Idol. But I would be remiss if I did not say: Are there any interesting stories about the judges? I know I ha-- I just feel like I have to ask you. [laughs]

David: Uh...any interesting stories about the judges. Uh, the only interesting story I have is uh...I've had a lot of people ask me if they're different off stage. And they're not.

Bob and Tom: Hm

David: Randy says "dawg" all the time.

Bob: Mm-hmm [Tom and Michelle laugh]

David: Uh...Paula's....Paula's uh, one of the nicest people I've ever met. And Simon is uh...is, is, is...

Bob: Is an ass bag. Yeah [Tom laughs]

David: ...is very honest with you at all times. So...

Bob: He's very-- did you say "very honest"?

David: Oh yeah, very honest.

Bob: Yeah I think I, I actually like his analysis. I think that uh, occa-- occasionally he may be wrong. But at least he...he doesn't let the crowd sway him.

David: Oh yeah, absolutely. And I, I remember uh...ya' know no, no disrespect to Randy or Paula, but uh, ya' know, I kinda went in every week with Simon as, as the gauge. Like, if Simon said something good, then I must have done something good.

Bob: Mm-hmm

Tom: Right

Bob: Now and, and this--

David: Ya' know, but it all panned out.

Bob: This again has nothin' to do with your new album, but I wanted to ask something about-- you're, when you're on TV that much, obviously there's a visual component there.

David: Right

Bob: Do--do they coach you on what to wear? Are they allowed to give you, uh, wardrobe suggestions? Or do you have to choose that yourself...

David: We--

Bob: ...since it's a contest?

David: We have, we have stylists that c-- that, that-- we had stylists that go-- that went shopping with us. And...and uh, we had budgets every week. But...they kinda, they kinda let us...steer the ship a little bit.

Bob: Mm-hmm

David: Um...you know but uh-- I mean, it, it's...it's a weird thing. I remember um...ya' know, we went out on the AI tour after...after the show was over. And...ya' know, I'm out on stage in front of fifteen thousand people. And it had become so ingrained in me that I was immediately looking...for the camera to look into [laughs]. And I realized: Ok, wait a minute. That's not how it works.

Bob: It's not there, yeah. [Tom and Michelle laugh]

Michelle: So wait...so David, you choose the leather pants?

David: Um...

Tom: Yes

David: I never wore leather pants. [DJs laugh]

Michelle: I was right.

Tom: Maybe Sarah Palin would be a stylist someday.

David: Oh I'll tell you what it was. It was uh...there was one week when Archie wore...these, kinda whack denim jeans, and they looked like leather. We kinda, we kinda elbowed him a little bit about it. [Michelle laughs]

Bob: I'll bet. Da-- David Cook is our guest. Da-- can you-- I know you've only got a little bit more time here. What's the uh, schedule? Album release, singles, and all that? Is...

David: Uh, well we got "Light On" out right now. And, and uh...you know, as, as, as far as people hearin' it, that' where you guys come in.

Bob: Mm-hmm

David: Uh...and then um...The Record comes out the 18th, and then it's just kinda go, go, go. I'm gonna take a couple weeks off in December, and...and uh, and spend some time with family. And then, from New Year's on, I think...hopefully uh, hopefully I'll be busy for the next few years.

Bob: Do you know what kind of TV Appearances are comin' up for ya'? Have the scheduled that for ya'?

David: Uh...we've got uh, I know we're doin' Leno at some point. We've got Good Morning America on the 17th. Uh...we have Regis...uh...kinda, just kinda all over the map.

Tom: Alright

Bob: Cool.

Tom: Are you gonna play guitar on stage?

David: Uh, absolutely.

Bob: Good, good. Well David Cook, it's been a great pleasure speakin' with you. I really enjoyed your work on the show. I thought you really, you know, you brought the, the real music back to it. A lot of, uh, attitude and classic rock stuff. A, a real appreciation for the, the music that came before you. I'm looking very much forward to hearing the songs that you've written. And uh..

David: Thank you.

Bob: And thanks so much for you time. And thanks for the great music.

Michelle: Thank you.

David: Aw, thank you.

Tom: Thank you.

David: And I have to say this really quick. Uh, I, I was, I was tellin' uh, one of your producers earlier that, as a kid I used to see the, the Bob and Tom banners. And uh, so it's definitely a huge honor to talk to you guys. [everyone awwws]

Bob: Oh that was very cool.

Tom: Really? Well I--

David: Yeah, yeah [DJs laugh]

Michelle: Hey show-- show...show business hasn't gotten...

Tom: You didn't really have a lot of dreams as a kid, did ya'?

Chick: The bathrooms aren't clean here.

Tom: So you mean David...I, I think that-- ju-- Michelle's gonna sh-- you mean show business hasn't ruined you?

Michelle: Yeah

Tom: You've got a soul and a personality still?

Michelle: I can't believe it!

Kristi: Sweet. That's so nice.

Bob: And David, I want-- I just wanna say in, in, in the, by way of background, I think there's a personal story that a lot of people know about you and your family. It was very touching. And I thought that that was never over done. And I thought you were an incredibly cool guy, the way you did it and handled it, so...

David: Thank you

Bob: Bravo to you. I'd love to meet you in person some time. And can't wait till you come to town. We'll come see the show.

David: Next time I'm in town, let's, let's make it happen.

Tom: Alright

Bob: Yes sir. Thank you.

Tom: Thanks David. Michelle: Bye

Bob: David Cook

David: Take care, guys.

Bob: David Cook from American Idol. What a nice guy.

Tom: Yeah, very nice.

END OF INTERVIEW

2008-11-10 - 106.1 KISS FM -- Jackie and Bender (Seattle, WA) – Interview – Audio only (Transcript by Coolshades)

Source: http://dclibrary-radio.4shared.com/

DJs: Jackie and Bender

Bender: Your reigning American Idol. His self-titled CD -- his debut -- drops a week from tomorrow. And he joined the program. David, how are ya'?

David: I'm good, how are you?

Bender: Welcome to the show.

David: Aw, thanks for havin' me.

Bender: We uh, it-- is this the first time we've had him on since he won? Or did--

Jackie: I think so.

Bender: Uh, so hey, congrats on the g-- on winning! [laughs]

David: Well thank you very much.

Bender: Sorry, we're trying to stay topical.

David: I understand, I understand.

Bender: The, the uh, so the brand new CD drops on the 18th, correct?

David: Yes. Uh, that's uh, that date cannot quick enough.

Bender: Uh, I will tell you, a couple weeks ago we had uh...David Archuleta here in studio. We brought up the fact...

David: Mm-hmm

Bender: ...that uh, obviously the success that both you guys are seeing. And...he brought up your CD.

David: Aw well...I'll, I'll have to cut him a check then, I'm sure. [laughs]

Jackie: Yeah, he's your biggest fan, which is very sweet.

David: Aw man, he's a good kid.

Jackie: Yeah, you have a lot of great people working for you, because how amazing were they...to plan your Saturday Night Live performance the night John McCain is on?

David: Uh, that was uh, that was amazing. I think uh, to be involved in SNL at all was always a huge honor, and then to come in on the heels of the election, and, and all this-- it was just-- ev-- everything about that show was so special, and...I-- I'm just glad I didn't, ya' know, get too nervous and pass out.

Jackie: Being on SNL would be like something that would be on a bucket list, it really would.

David: Yeah. Absolutely, absolutely.

Jackie: Yeah

David: That's, that's something that nobody can ever take away from me, which is...

Jackie: Oh my gosh

David: ...it's so cool, yeah.

Jackie: Even if the show's not funny some weeks, you still could say: I was on SNL once. [laughs] Because it's the best part.

David: Yeah, yeah. Ya' know hope-- hopefully it, it's not where our performance was the funniest thing about the episode. Ya' know.

Jackie: Well hey, let me ask you this—

Female voice [laughing]: That's happened, yeah. [David laughs]

Jackie: It seems like when someone wins American Idol, somehow, a, a, a debut CD for that artist is pumped out in, like, two freakin' months. It seems like yours has taken longer. Was that your doing? you wanted to make sure it was perfect? What was the-- uh-- what took so long for this CD?

David: Um, you know for, for me, I, I mea-- I just wanted to be involved with it. And...and uh...you know, I was lucky. 19 and RCA really allowed me...a little bit of carte blanche to...to, to make a record that was me. And, and in doing so, you know, I got-- was heavily involved with the writing. And...you know, they even let me get involved with the art direction of The Record. And...and uh...we just really, you know, as a collective, wanted to make sure that we took the time to do it right.

Bender: Your reigning American Idol champion. David Cook has joined the program. His brand new self-titled CD drops a week from tomorrow.

Jackie: Any duets with Kimberly Caldwell on there?

David [laughing]: Uh, no, no. We uh...

Jackie: No? Hmmm?

David: She, she's kinda busy doin' her own thing. So...

Jackie: Are you-- you guys still dating though? Cuz I think she's adorable.

David: Uh yeah, yeah. We are. And, and uh..you know, she's uh, she's one of my best supporters. So...

Jackie: Ah

Bender: Would the answer have been different [laughs] had you said--

Jackie: Well she's so cute.

Bender: "Hey are you still dating Kimberly? I think you can do better."

Jackie: Yeah, no. I think she's gorgeous.

David: Oh, well... [laughs]

Jackie: Yeah, no. Sh-- you got a good one. She's really hot. [Bender laughs]

David: Thank you. Yeah, she's cool.

Jackie: Do you get much time off right now? Or are you constantly touring? I, I never, kind of, can imagine what someone's...

David: Um...

Jackie: ...schedule's like.

David: You know right now, right now, we're just uh, we, we, we did SNL then headed back to L.A. And uh, we're gearin' up for, like, the next run of shows. I think we've got, we got a ton of press and promotion this month, and into December. And then...we'll start tourin' I think the beginning of '09.

Jackie: Very cool. What-- now, will you get Christmas time off with your family?

David: Uh, yeah, I, I actually, I did negotiate that. So I'm...

Jackie: Good for you.

David: ...I'm excited to uh...to uh, to take a minute, you know?

Bender: How does--

Jackie: Yeah, you kind of have to.

Bender: How does one in your position negotiate? Is it a "I would like this," and they did you a favor and gave it to you off? Or what you say goes?

David: Uh, it, it is, I, if, "if I can get this, I will do that." [laughs]

Female voice: Ohhh OK

Bender: Good. Alright.

Jackie: That's smart, though. You gotta have a little control. Cuz you know what, I mean, if you had no say-so over anything, and you, and missed Christmas with your family, and you didn't get to, ya' know, do any of these things that make life kinda pleasurable [laughs], you would...

David: Uh-huh

Jackie: ...just be miserable. You know? So, so you, you've gotta...

David: Oh yeah

Jackie: ...have some control. So I think that's very smart of you.

David: Yeah. Well thank you very much. I, I try to do smart things.

Bender: David Cook has rejoined the program. His brand new self-titled CD as your reigning American Idol champion drops a week from tomorrow.

Jackie: So what's your favorite song on this CD?

David: My, my favorite song on this record, uh...yeah, is actually a song called "Permanent." it was uh, one of the last songs we tracked for The Record. And...um...it was, it, we actually tracked it live in-studio, and...uh, it was just one of those really cool moments where a song that was in my head kinda came together exactly how I heard it, and...uh, it was kinda overwhelming. We had uh, I think our pro-- my producer cried, my NR guy cried, I cried. [pauses] Of course, I cry at everything. So... [DJs laugh]

David: ...bit annoying, more than anything.

Jackie: That must have been an awkward situation, you're all sitting around crying. [laughs]

David: Yeah, yeah. My, my guitar player was in the room, and he just sat there and he goes: "Man, this is a bum-out." [laughs]

Jackie: [laughing]: Yeah, why are we making ourselves so depressed? [laughs] This is...

David: Right

Jackie: ...supposed to be a happy moment. Well hey, we wish you well with the CD. I hope it's uh, everything you want it to be and, and hopefully we'll have you back on, OK?

David: Absolutely. Thank you guys so much.

Jackie: No problem. Good luck with everything.

David: Alright, take care.

Jackie: Buh-bye

END OF INTERVIEW

2008-11-10 - POPEATER - David Cook Dedicates Song to Brother Source

Music NewsDavid Cook isn't lacking for inspiration these days. But while his skyrocketing career is certainly fairy tale fodder, Cook needs to look no further than his own backyard. To that end, the 'American Idol' winner wrote a song called 'Permanent' -- the "poignantly personal" second-to-last track on Cook's forthcoming debut solo record -- for his brother, Adam, who is currently fighting cancer. I want this to be a piano lullaby to my older brother, who's been battling a brain tumor for a long time," Cook tells PopEater. "I knew that the record was lacking this kind of bare, honest, naked song. I didn't allow myself to be metaphorical or anything other than, 'This is the exact thought that I'm thinking, and I'm going to put it on paper and leave it alone.'" While recording the song, which features a 15-piece string orchestra, Cook found himself in emotional throes. "I was crying, of course, because I do that all the time," he laughs. As for his brother, Cook says he's doing well and it's fingers crossed for the future. "We've been very fortunate as a family to get quite a bit of good news pertaining to his illness while I was on tour," Cook says. "Hopefully it's all good news ahead."

2008-11-11 - MEN'S STYLE - 60 Seconds with David Cook and David Archuleta Source

Photograph by K Mazur/TCA 2008/WireImage.com Got a minute? Last season's American Idol winner David Cook and runner-up David Archuleta dish about their upcoming albums (out November 18 and today, respectively) and panty-throwing fans.

Q: You guys are putting out albums right after a huge election. Do you keep your political beliefs to yourselves? Cook: I think voting is a personal right and a privilege. For me it's less about alienating anybody and more about not trying to be a persuasion. People need to vote based on their own ideas. Archuleta: I try to stay away from taking sides in politics, sports—anything competitive, really, because fans get so into that. I don't want people to base their opinion of me on a small comment I make.

Q: So you'd rather have them judge you on your new albums. What can we expect? Archuleta: It's a pop album with a little R&B flavor. There's a nice variety, because I didn't want to pigeonhole myself. Being a teenager, I'm always changing my mind. Cook: Mine is very eclectic, although it's a rock record for sure. There are heavy, guitar- driven songs, very delicate piano songs, and everything in between. I had a chance to work with people I admire, like Raine Maida from Our Lady Peace, Kevin Griffin from Better Than Ezra, Johnny Rzeznik, Zac Maloy. It was great for them to treat me as a peer.

Q: What albums did you look to for inspiration? Cook: I tried to keep outside influence to a minimum. I found myself relying more on self-evaluation than anything. I wanted to be fresh and untainted. Archuleta: I listened to Jordin Sparks' first album, because she's another artist my age and she mixed it up, which allowed her to do more with her next album. The guy who wrote "My Hands" on my album actually wrote "" for Jordin.

Q: What's the craziest fan experience you guys have had? Archuleta: My fans don't do freaky things. They throw stuffed animals. One time, Cook got some underwear, and he threw them on me. I was like, "Oh, nasty!" I freaked out. Cook: For the record, yeah, I did. But they were thrown at me by a fan first. Katie Hintz

November 11, 2008 60 Seconds, Music, Q+A | Permalink | Comments (0) Email this post | Reddit It | Digg This | Add to del.icio.us | Share on Facebook

2008-11-12 – TRL - David Cook on Total Request Live – Interview (Transcript by Coolshades)

VJ: Lyndsey Rodrigues

[first part of interview cut off]

Lyndsey: ...knows Ryan Seacrest very, very well. He is back with the first music video off his debut album. Let's all give it up for David Cook.

[crowd stands and cheers as David comes out from backstage. He waves to the crowd and grabs the hands of a few fans nearby]

Lyndsey: Welcome

David: Hello

Lyndsey: How are you?

David: Wow

Lyndsey: So last weekend, you performed on Saturday Night Live.

David: Yeah. Um...

Lyndsey: How was that?

David: It was a trip. I think, with, with everything goin' on, we had uh, the election, and John McCain was there, and uh...I, I, I felt like almost an afterthought. But it was still, like, one of the most nerve-wracking experiences. I'm glad I got through it and didn't pass out on stage, so...

Lyndsey: Yeah

David: ...it was uh, it was all good.

Lyndsey: More or less nerve-wracking than Idol, would you say?

David: More, actually.

Lyndsey: Yeah?

David: I, I think uh...you know, just the wh-- historical context of a show like SNL. I mean, I grew up watchin' it like everybody else. So to be uh...to be involved in it in any capacity was uh...was, was huge.

Lyndsey: And now, you performed "Declaration" and "Light On" from uh, your album, which is dropping...

[crowd cheers. David laughs]

David: Thank you, guys. Thank you.

Lyndsey: Self-titled album, which is dropping on November the 18th...?

David: Yes

Lyndsey: Correct? So, um...I hear the recording got really emotional for you. So tell us a bit...

David: Yeah

Lyndsey: ...more about that.

David: We actually uh, I mean, never mind the fact that we, we put in about a year's worth of work in about two and a half months, with the tour and everything. Um...

Lyndsey: Dude is tired.

David: Yeah, yeah.

[Lyndsey laughs]

David: Um...no, but we had this one song in particular called "Permanent" we wrote, like, right towards the end of the process. Uh...I wrote it about my brother Adam. Very, uh, kind of emotionally heavy song, but, but, but instrumentally kind of naked. I mean, it's just uh, piano, strings, and vocal. And we tracked it live in L.A. and, um...we did it in like, two takes. And Rob Cavallo, the producer, cried. My A & R guy Ashley cried. And uh...and I cried.

[Lyndsey laughs]

David: So uh...

Lyndsey: Just a big old sob-fest, eh?

David: Yeah, it was uh...again, pretty heavy. But I, I think it's a nice cornerstone moment on The Record.

Lyndsey: Yeah, awesome. Now, uh, talking of records, your buddy David Archuleta is also...

David: Yeah

Lyndsey: ...releasing an album.

[crowd cheers. David applauds]

Lyndsey: Now they're being released within a week of each other.

David: Mm-hmm

Lyndsey: So I'm wondering: Have you guys made any friendly little bets about whose album will do better? Or...?

David: Well the last time we were here, we actually, I actually tried to make a bet with him. There were those two girls that were uh...battling it out for tickets or somethin', and uh...um...he wouldn't accept the challenge. So, I, I haven't been able to make a bet with him.

Lyndsey: Really?

David: I, I guess, I guess he's not into a wager.

Lyndsey: Well you told on him. You can just, like, twist his arm.

David: I tried, I tried.

Lyndsey: You could beat him up.

David: But I'm, you know...

Lyndsey: Beat him into submission.

David: I'm trying to be, I'm tryin' to be responsible...

Lyndsey: Right

David: ...and set a good example.

Lyndsey: Um, have you guys stayed in touch, though? Remained good friends since the show finished?

David: Absolutely. Um...I couldn't be happier for him. His record's great, and um...ya' know, hopefully I can keep up with him.

Lyndsey: Alrighty. Well uh, we're actually gonna check out the video for "Light On." And it's your first music video ever...

David: Yeah

Lyndsey: ...which is so exciting.

[crowd cheers]

Lyndsey: So I think it's only fitting that you actually introduce it. So...

David: OK

Lyndsey: ...why don't you go ahead?

David: Uh... [moves a bit to his left] I'll look in this one. Here it is. This is my video for "Light On." Enjoy.

[crowd cheers]

[clip of "Light On" music video]

Lyndsey: David Cook, "Light On." Look it up at trl..com if you wanna see that one again. David, thank you so much for stopping by.

David: Thank you.

Lyndsey: And uh, all the best for your album dropping next week, November 18th.

David: Thank you very much, yeah.

[crowd cheers]

David [addressing crowd]: Thank you guys.

Lyndsey: Alright, back to the fan moments. And for that, we're going to hand it over to Mr. Damien Fahey. Take it away.

END OF INTERVIEW

2008-11-12 - Dave and Jimmy (various markets) – Interview – Audio only (Transcript by Coolshades)

Source: http://dclibrary-radio.4shared.com/

DJs: Dave Kaelin, Jimmy Jam, and Kelsey Webb

Dave: Dave and Jimmy. His name is David Cook. You might have seen him on TV. Now he's got a furry beard, he's got a guitar, and his song sounds like Chris Cornell, though Chris Cornell co-wrote his song. But enough of "Light On." Let's talk to David. David Cook, are you there?

David: I am. How are ya'?

Dave: Good, I can hear ya'. Very, very nice. How are ya'?

David: I'm not bad, how are you?

Dave: You uh, now sing the number one song in our producer's head. Uh, he cannot get enough of "Light On."

David: That's what I like to hear. Thank you guys very much.

Dave: And--

Jimmy: However, he never buys music. He goes on Limewire and steals it...

Dave: Yeah.

Jimmy: ...just so you know. [Kelsey laughs]

Dave: Sorry. [David laughs]

Dave: He likes your music--

David: Well wait a minute...

Dave: He likes your music up to the point that he has to shell-out ninety-nine cents for it. [Jimmy and Kelsey laugh]

David: Yeah. I like it.

Dave: Uh, David, you know, people will see you on American Idol and think, uh, you can only rock so much. Because on that show, you can only rock so much. But if they were to see you live, will they be surprised at how much you can?

David: Uh...you know I'm, I, I, I, I think so. Um...I,I, ya'-- the, the, the fun thing about, about doin' the show is, is uh, is it's, it's kind of a, it's kind of a change of pace from what I was doin' before Idol. Ya' know, I got to uh...really think about how to move. And you had to play with cameras and all that stuff. But uh...I think anybody that went and saw the AI Tour saw, uh, that, that I like to move around quite a bit. So...I'm uh, I'm just excited to...to get out into a live atmosphere again, and...and uh, and, and show people that uh, I, I, I will climb on anything I have to climb on to get you to enjoy the show.

Dave: Yeah, where do you l-- where do you learn a good rock move? I mean, ya' know, there's classic ones. Jumpin' off a Marshall stack, or you know, doing a, a jump in the air. But uh, do you have your own? You wanna mix that creative up a little?

David: There are, there are instructional DVD's, uh... [Jimmy and Kelsey laugh]

David: ...that, that I get from guitar shops constantly. [Jimmy laughs]

David: Uh, ya' know, you learn uh, kick splits and uh, and handstands and...uh, it's, it's more of a tumbling class than anything.

Dave: Do you ever, do you ever play and you watch yourself, uh, you maybe a video tape playback, and you go: Man, I get so into it. I lose my mind. I make some very ugly faces.

David: Um...uh, I, ya' know, I've made some, I've made some faces. Uh...so... [Dave and Jimmy laugh]

Jimmy: You know....you know who jumps off speakers way more than I thought? I don't know about now, but when I saw him, this was years ago, and I was really surprised...

Dave: Who?

David: Mm-hmm

Jimmy: Uh, Gavin Rossdale from Bush.

David: Oh yeah, yeah

Jimmy: He was doin' crap in this concert I couldn't believe. He was crawlin' up on, like, fifteen-foot speakers and jumpin' off 'em. It was really cool.

David: Yeah I'm, I don't, I don't know if you'll see me doin' that just yet. I gotta...

Dave: Oh I understand.

David: I gotta build up an audience enough to trust 'em to catch me.

Jimmy: Uh, you gotta do it when you're young though, man, so you can recoup.

David: Ah well... [laughs] Well I'd rather, I'd rather not put myself in a position where I have to recoup just yet. [Jimmy and Kelsey laugh]

Dave: Uh, David Cook with us now. Did I, did I uh, see you on Saturday Night Live?

David: Uh yeah, I kinda-- they, I snuck in. It was awesome. [Dave laughs]

Jimmy: You were in the crowd.

David: Yeah I think uh, man it was, it was awesome. They, they, they contacted us, and, and uh, and, and gave us the go-ahead like, a few weeks prior, to, to, ya' know, be on the show. And...uh, immediately nerves set in. I think, with a show of that kind of historical context, to be involved with it in any capacity was really cool, and...especially with like, McCain, and the election, and Affleck, and...

Dave: Yeah--

David: ...it was just uh, it was a really amazing experience. And everybody there couldn't have been any sweeter.

Jimmy: Did you get to meet John McCain?

David: Uh, very briefly. I got to uh, I got to shake his hand during the end credits. That was about it.

Jimmy: Oh...

Dave: Oh OK.

Jimmy: Well that's cool. I always got, the--

David: He seemed, he seemed to have other things on his mind at the moment.

Dave: Yeah. I get the feeling that when you're at Saturday Night Live, there's just this big series of uh, party rooms in the back. And everybody just tools around and meets everyone. Is that true?

David: Uh, ya' know I-- it wasn't, it wasn't for me. They kinda kept me isolated. I think they took one look at my guitar player and, and decided that they knew to isolate us from the rest of the group. So... [Jimmy laughs]

Jimmy: Did you get to go to the afterparty?

David: Uh, we did go to the afterparty. It was, it was uh, it was actually really good. We went to this barbecue restaurant. And, and being from Kansas City, I, I have to say it was actually really good barbecue.

Jimmy: Are you still uh, datin' Kimberly Caldwell?

David: I am.

Jimmy: How's she doin'?

David: She's doin' well. We're uh, we're all kinda gearin' up for uh, ya' know, for Christmas. So I gotta, I gotta find the right gift.

Jimmy: What're you gonna get her, man?

David: Uh, I don't even know.

Dave: I know.

David: And if I did know, I'm not gonna announce it on the radio. That would just be--

Jimmy: Why not, man? We're your friends. [Kelsey laughs]

Dave: I'd get her, I'd get her new Skechers. I'd get her Skechers.

David: I'm gonna get her a pair of Skechers, and uh, ya' know, maybe an American Idol t-shirt. Who knows? [Kelsey laughs]

Dave: He has an endorsement deal with Skechers.

Jimmy: Oh, alright.

Dave: And I'm sure you can have your pick. [laughs]

Jimmy: How long have you guys dated, now? What's it gonna be? Like about...six months is it, this far?

David: Give or take, yeah, yeah. I, I should probably know that....date...

Jimmy: Ah, you don't--

David: ...but uh, I'll say give or take.

Jimmy: Need to go to Tiffany's. Get her somethin' nice. Somethin' in the...eh, well I don't know what kind of money you-- ballpark, you guys play in. But... [David laughs]

Jimmy: ...six months with a girl, it's time for somethin' for me -- cheap-- from Tiffany's.

David: Yeah, yeah. Maybe, you know, like a nice, uh...uh, business card from Tiffany's or somethin'.

[Kelsey laughs]

Dave: Yeah, that works. [laughs] Business card.

Kelsey: Card holder.

Jimmy: No, girls love anything. That little mesh ring which is real cheap, it's like, forty- five bucks or eighty bucks or somethin'. They'll think it's the greatest thing on earth, man. Go for it. [Kelsey laughs]

David: Hey it's a safety net, man. I appreciate it.

Jimmy: You're welcome. [Kelsey laughs]

Dave: Well David uh, our producer's giving us the wrap-up sign, only because he wants to get on the uh, microphone and sing "Light On" for the [raising voice] twentieth time today!

David: Absolutely

Dave: David, all the best. We'll see ya' soon.

David: Thank you guys. Take care.

Dave and Jimmy: Buh-bye

Dave: David Cook. A furry, talented guy. Probably going to rock you lately, real soon.

END OF INTERVIEW

2008-11-12 - REUTERS - Idol‖ David Cook says CD comes out ―guns blazing‖ Source

Wed Nov 12, 2008 6:33pm EST

By Jill Serjeant

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - A year ago David Cook was a struggling musician with just $30 in the bank, competing for a spot on top-rated television talent show "American Idol."

On November 18, "Idol" winner Cook debuts his self-titled album that he said was made by his own rules and "comes out of the gates with all guns blazing."

"The record is different from what people saw on 'American Idol.' I was able to make a rock record that to me is eclectic. But I don't think I have completely alienated the people who supported me," said Cook.

On the program, Cooked rocked audiences with alternative versions of other singers' hits, such as Michael Jackson's "Billie Jean" and Lionel Ritchie's "Hello."

"I wrote or co-wrote 10 of the 12 songs on the album. I was involved with everything -- the music, lyrics and I helped design the art on the CD. I wanted it to be a very accurate definition of who I am," the 25 year-old told Reuters.

Cook joins alumni from America's most watched television show - - "Idol" averaged nearly 30 million viewers weekly last season -- whose fortunes as stand-alone music stars have varied from stellar (Kelly Clarkson, Carrie Underwood, ) to sluggish (Taylor Hicks, Ruben Studdard).

"Light On," Cook's first single off his album, fell in the middle, debuting at No.17 on Billboard's Hot 100 chart in September but slipping to No. 80 four weeks later. But Cook, who formed his first band at age 15 and auditioned for "American Idol" on a whim, has a different way of measuring success than just selling records.

"I went into 'Idol' with no expectations. But the one thing I wanted to do was to accurately portray myself. So I will gauge my success on whether or not I can remain happy and still remain true to who I know that I am.

"Whether I sell one record or one billion records, I will be happy," he said. "I would rather sell one billion though."

One song, "Heroes," is an homage to Cook's family. Two are to his brother Adam who has brain cancer, and "Life on the Moon" is about the crazy journey from Missouri bartender and part-time musician to "American Idol" star.

The past few months have brought more money, but some sacrifices of privacy.

"As far as my personal life goes, the major difference is that I don't have one any more. I am a private person so having to navigate this celebrity thing is something I haven't got used to," he said.

Cook and his band will play for U.S. troops in Iraq in January, then head out on a U.S. tour and later overseas.

But as big a career as Cook may have, he wants to remain the same guy he was back in Missouri.

"I have awesome friends and family who will totally never let this whole rock star ego thing get to my head," he said.

(Edited by Bob Tourtellotte and Vicki Allen)

2008-11-13 - MIX 93.3 (Kansas City, MO) – Interview (Transcript by Coolshades) DJ: Jenny Matthews

Note: This is actually NOT an interview. David randomly called in to his hometown station on the day The Record was released.

David: Hello.

Jenny: Hi.

David: Hi, this is David Cook.

Jenny: It is not!

David: Yes it is. I'm actually in New York, and my mom texted me this morning and told me you guys were playin' songs off The Record. I just wanted to call and say "thank you."

Jenny: Aaaaaah!! Yes! Because we got a copy of your new CD. Of course, uh, the pres- - ya' know, before it even hit the stores, we get the copies here.

David: Right.

Jenny: So of course, we're all like, freaking out. And we all wanna hear it. And we're dying to hear all of your new songs. So, um, you know, our promotions director brought it in to the studio, and we did. We played a couple of, you know, little snippets. We didn't wanna put the whole song on or anything...

David: Awww

Jenny: ...but we put some...

David: Well thank you.

Jenny: ...some snippets of some of the songs. Oh my gosh, David. We're loving it.

David: Aw, that's awesome. Thank you guys so much for playin' it, man. That means...that means a lot. So I just-- I, I had to call and say thank you guys, and uh...I can't wait for it to come out on Tuesday. And then you guys can play whatever you want, ya' know?

Jenny: You....rock. And, and the fact that you thanked Mix 93.3 in your credits on the CD? Seriously, that means so much to us. Thank you.

David: It, it, it...it was out of my control. It had to be done, you know?

Jenny: Awww

David: You guys have been amazing to me. So...

Jenny: You...are the best. We love you. I can't even tell you. Do you know how many requests I get daily for "Light On"? It's insane.

[David laughs]

Jenny: Tons. I mean...

David: That's awesome.

Jenny: ...it's just crazy. But...yeah, so you're in New York. What are ya' doin'?

David: Uh...actually, we just uh...we did the David Wright, uh, Foundation benefit concert last night at the Hard Rock. And...and uh, actually heading to the airport right now to fly back to L.A. We have Leno tomorrow, and come back out to New York for uh...for the record release on Tuesday.

Jenny: Hey, we saw you on Saturday Night Live a couple of weeks ago. Amazing.

David: Oh yeah

Jenny: How fun was that?

David: Thank you very much. It was uh...

Jenny: DiJennya have a good time?

David: it was a trip. Uh, I, I, I don't really know what else to say about it. I had, I had a blast. The cast was great. And uh, uh...ya' know, Ben Affleck, and...and Senator McCain were both uh, actually really cool.

Jenny: Are you comin' back to Kansas City to flip on the Plaza lights?

David: I will be home to flip the uh...switch on the Plaza lights this year. I'm very excited to be home, and uh...and uh, I, I, I understand the brevity of what it means to, to flip the switch. So I'm very honored.

Jenny: So will, like, will you get to be home for the holidays, and really enjoy, ya' know, a little family time and all of that?

David: Uh...I, the, that's the, that's the plan right now. But uh...the best-laid plans. We'll see.

Jenny: Yeah. You'll try, right? [laughs]

David: Yeah, exactly.

Jenny: Uh David, I can't tell you what it means that you called to talk to us today. Really appreciate it.

David: Oh my pleasure. You guys have a-- I ju-- I just had to call and say "thank you."

Jenny: You're the best. You know it. We love you. Kansas City loves you so much. So thank you.

David: Ah, thank you. Thank you guys.

[audio c uts off]

END OF PHONE CALL

2008-11-14 - L.A. TIMES - "American Idol" David Cook: his new album, hair metal and the ladies Source: http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/music_blog/2008/11/when-david-cook.html

11:47 AM PT, Nov 14 2008

When David Cook sits down for an interview, he doesn't bring his iPhone. Despite being on a promotional mill that has one journalist handing him off to another, he works to engage with every one. Of course, since he's hitched his star to the machine, he's almost certainly been pushed into submission at media-trainng boot camp. But he's managed to maintain the I-didn't-mean-to-be-here naturalness that's made his rise on "American Idol" fun to watch. Cook spent an hour or so playing tracks from his upcoming solo album (streaming here on ClearChannel's I Heart Music site) and chatting about his hesher roots and pop star future. He laughed a lot. I thoroughly enjoyed him and quietly regretted making such a fuss about his "Idol" borrowings. A full profile of Cook will appear in next week's Calendar section, but get a taste of our chat after the jump. -- So you claim you are really a rocker. Convince me! My first rock concert was Mötley Crüe and Ted Nugent! I remember being so enthralled. Nugent came out and they were playing "Stranglehold," and he was wearing a loincloth; they had set this archery target up on one of the light fillers and he came out with a bow and arrow and just nailed it, and all this pyro took off. There's something fun in that '80s excess, rock mythos kind of thing. And that's really what I want to get back to. So the record sounds like hair metal? We've actually got some twists and turns on this record, some secrets along the way to spice it up. There is a song that does have a little bit of L.A. rock swagger to it. The whole songwriting process was about how this is going to parlay live. I wanted big, open songs; I wanted those U2 bridges that could go on for a day and a half and the crowd would just eat it up. And I feel like we pulled it off. A lot of these songs are just very, very big. I love it! You've enlisted a couple of your former bandmates from the Midwest Kings to tour with you. That seems like a wise move. I just really want this to work, and to get out on the road, it's tight quarters and you gotta go with guys you can deal with. I wanted to grab guys from home whenever I could. Neil [Tiemann, lead guitar] and Andy [Skib, rhythm guitar and keyboards] are great musicians, I respect them as musicians and on top of that I've been in bands with them so I know I can get along with them. Neil actually played on the record, which was huge. You're going to be playing in venues very different from the bars you played in with the Midwest Kings. How are you making the transition? Before anything else, you have to have the songs. I want songs that are versatile -- that could be huge arena songs, or that you could go into a bar and play for five people and get the vibe across. That's what's great about rock, versus any other genre. There's a scope to it that I haven't been able to find anywhere else. You can take it anywhere. The ladies love David Cook. Is that an issue for your credibility? [Slightly flustered, or at least pretending to be.] The way that I've always approached music is just to write it. If more women than men like my music, I suppose that makes for a prettier audience. But I want to write music that makes me feel something, and if I feel something, I will perform it better, and if I perform it better, hopefully it engages more people. I'm not looking at it as a gender issue. It's more about inclusion. Is there any part of you that misses the grassroots scene back in Oklahoma and Missouri? There are aspects I miss, for sure. I've made it known that I would love to do underground gigs. Pick another band name and just go. There's something inherently rock 'n' roll about a dingy club on a Wednesday night, when the only reason anybody shows up is for the drink special. But I'm in a very amazing position right now, and whatever I can do to make this record a success is what I'm going to do live. [Photo: Mark Mainz / AP Images for Fox]

2008-11-16 - SAN FRANCISCO CHRONICLE - Pop Quiz - David Cook Source: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi- bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/11/16/PK7B13UOQQ.DTL&feed=rss.entertainment

Aidin Vaziri

Sunday, November 16, 2008 Let's be honest. The latest season of "American Idol" didn't really get exciting until David Cook and his pointy hair shot ahead of the competition. The Oklahoma rocker, 26, handily defeated his warbling 17-year-old nemesis David Archuleta in the finals, marking a victory for stalwart grunge fans everywhere. Now the two get to face off again on the charts. Cook's first album, "David Cook," arrives Tuesday, a week after Archuleta's self-titled CD was released. Cook's record was produced by Rob Cavallo, who not only oversaw the past five Green Day discs but also 's "Rock N Roll Jesus" and My Chemical Romance's "Black Parade." This pretty much guarantees it will rock. Plus, Chris Cornell helped write the first single, "Light On." We spoke to Cook, who grew up in Blue Springs, Mo., near Kansas City, by phone from Los Angeles. Q: Do you think there's a "From David to David" movie in your future? A: I implore somebody to tell me where that plot goes. Q: I'm sure you've gotten plenty of worse offers. A: Well, yeah. You get this shot once, so I'll do anything and everything that I feel is going to be artistic and has some substance. So far my concentration has been on the record, so I've read scripts with the general idea that now is not the time for me to be going on location shooting a movie. I really want this record to do well, and I'm willing to do everything within my power to make sure that happens. Q: Do you ever wonder how some "American Idol" winners sell millions, like Kelly Clarkson, and others end up owing $200,000 in back taxes, like Ruben Studdard? A: Obviously, you pay attention to music, being a musician. You kind of see what people are doing well and what people aren't. But I haven't let myself get bogged down by thinking about everybody else. Each of the "Idol" contestants' experiences is unique, and each of their stories is unique. To that end, I can't really say there's a given formula. I'm just going to do what I do, and I'm going to be me. If not, it's been a hell of a ride. Q: Something like 97.5 million people voted on the last season of "Idol." Surely, some of them might buy your record. A: If I could get one of those silver discs for my wall, I'll be a happy panda, for sure. Q: What, are pandas your favorite animal now? A: You know, I just kind of picked up on that phrase. I don't even know what it means. Q: I think it means you need to stop hanging out with David Archuleta. A: I know, right? Q: Are you still getting a lot of death threats from his fans? A: No, his fans are really sweet for the most part. There are always going to be a few bad eggs. It's funny. The more I read about David, the more we're supposed to have this real heavy disdain for each other, and that really couldn't be further from the truth. I think he's an amazing person and obviously an immense talent. Q: What's the best thing about winning so far? A: Getting to go home and to play in front of a packed house was one of the coolest things so far. We had two nights in Kansas City and both nights were either sold out or within a thousand of being sold out. To walk on that stage and see people you grew up with and a few detractors who told you you were never going to make it - it's vindicating on a lot of levels.

2008-11-16 - BILLBOARD - Ready to Rock - Cook-ing With Gas Source November 16, 2008, 8:10 PM ET

In just a few short months, David Cook went from no-name aspiring singer/songwriter to household-name "American Idol" winner. He went from zero chart ink to having a whopping 11 songs on the Billboard Hot 100 at once, the highest since the Beatles charted 14 in 1964. It's an astonishing feat that still leaves the season seven champ at a loss for words.

Now Cook and the team at 19 Recordings/RCA are trying to keep the momentum going with the artist's self-titled debut, due this week. On "Idol," he received rave reviews and millions of votes for his hard rock makeovers of pop songs like Lionel Richie's "Hello" and Mariah Carey's "Always Be My Baby." Some controversy arose as to where the arrangements came from, particularly concerning his rendition of Michael Jackson's "Billie Jean," which was based on a version done by Chris Cornell, but it didn't deter fans from crowning him the winner.

With the covers game out of the way, Cook says he wants this new record to be a reintroduction of sorts to his fans. "I came from a background of playing original music," he says, "and I really wanted to get back to that."

Cook and producer Rob Cavallo (Green Day, Kid Rock) started recording in late June, with Cook frequently hitting the studio during downtime from the 53-date summer American Idols Live tour. A host of rock veterans lent a hand with the songwriting, including Goo Goo Dolls' Johnny Rzeznik, Cook's longtime idol Raine Maida of Our Lady Peace and, oddly enough, Cornell, who co-wrote first single "Light On" with Brian Howes.

"We were able to pull together what I think to be a very accurate representation of who I am musically within a three-month period, which is kind of hard to do," Cook says of the quick turnaround time. The sound he was going for was an "eclectic rock" record, with "rhythmic songs, heavier tracks and sparse instrumentation."

2008-11-17 - 106.7 Lite FM -- Karen and Christine (New York, NY) – Interview – Audio only (Transcript by Coolshades)

Source: http://dclibrary-radio.4shared.com/ DJs: Karen Carson and Christine Nagy

Karen: Hi David.

David: Hi, how are you?

Christine: Hey, how are you?

Karen: Great!

David: Oh, not too bad.

Christine: Well congratulations. Um, Karen and I were, were some of the people voting for you. And we just learned that when you were on American Idol, you had more votes than Barack Obama did for the presidency.

David: Yea-- see, that's misleading, though. And I gotta, I gotta say, just because everybody can vote as many times as they want for Idol. But you know what? I'm gonna take that badge. I'm gonna wear it. [Christine laughs]

David: And I'm really happy with it.

Christine: So you wouldn't want to be in the White House right now? You're happy where you are?

David: I'm absolutely happy where I'm at. I don't think you're gonna see me running for office anytime... [Christine laughs]

David: ...soon. Or ever. So...

Karen: But good to know you could, David... [Christine laughs]

Karen: ...if you had to.

David: Well I th-- I, I think after, uh, after going through the voting process once, I think I'm good for awhile.

Christine: Yeah. You're in to stay. Um...

David: Yeah

Karen: We're lookin' forward to your album. Um, it's sef-- self-titled, "David Cook."

David: Absolutely. Yeah.

Karen: And how much...

David: Uh...

Karen: ...writing did you do on this, David?

David: Uh, on, on, of twelve tracks on The Record, I c-- I wrote or co-wrote ten. So I was uh, it was a pretty busy summer, to say the least. They even let me get involved with the art direction of The Record. So I was, I was uh...I, I was, I was uh, involved to a fault, I'm sure.

Karen: That's--

Christine: No, that's pretty exciting.

David: Yeah

Christine: And your single, "Light On," we have uh, on our website right now, 1067litefm dot com. And uh, we're able to post how we feel about it. And...everyone is just crazy about the song. We're loving it.

David: Aw, thank you guys so much. I, I, I can't...thank everybody enough for, for gettin' behind the song. And, and, and hopefully that uh, that parlays into The Record. I, I'm very proud of this record. I think it's, you know, it's an absolutely accurate definition of me, and...and what I wanna do musically. And, and so uh, I think to that end, uh, I just, I can't wait for November 18th to get here. I'm just ready... [Christine laughs]

David: ...to get it out.

Karen: Well that's, that's one thing. We really miss-- we're gonna miss this upcoming season of American Idol-- seeing you. Because--

David: Aw

Karen: And I'm not just saying that, really. I don't-- I like American Idol...

David: Mm-hmm

Karen: ...but I'm telling you, Christine and I were so into your performances, and what you put into, uh, the songs that you did, and your own twists...

David: Mm-hmm

Karen: So, we are really excited about this album, and uh, as, as you must be as well. So...

David: Uh yeah, absolutely. Thank you guys very much for all the support. I think uh, you know it's funny, I actually had a, I had a-- well I'll call it a nightmare, actually. I had a, I had a, a nightmare where I [laughs] I tried out for the show again. [Karen laughs]

David: And uh, I, I, I, I gotta be honest, I don't, I don't think I want to be on the show again.

Karen: Uh-huh

David: I, I, I loved the experience, but I don't think I could handle the stress again.

Karen: Yeah

Christine: No, it's time for you to...

David: So...

Christine: ...take off on your own now. You've got...

David: Yeah

Christine: You've got...

Karen: ...stuff to do. Goin' on tour.

Christine: It must be like those...

David: Absolutely

Christine: ...those dreams that you have that-- where you're back in school and you can't pass the test.

Karen: Yeah

David: Yeah

Karen: I was thinkin' that.

David: Exactly, exactly.

Karen: The college dream

David: Exactly. It's uh, it's uh...uh, ya' know, it was one of the most gratifying experiences in my life on the backside, but I think, uh, I think being in the-- in that moment, it's uh, you know, you could definitely throw the weight of the world if you're not careful.

Karen: When you're on that show, do you get a lot of support behind the scenes from Paula and Simon and Randy? Or do they-- do you just not see them until the night of the voting, and things like that?

David: Um, I, I, I think, I think for the sake of objectivity, they keep a, a relatively safe distance. But...you know they're, they're supportive as much as they can be. And really, everybody on the show is, uh, uh, absolutely great about, about making sure, you know, you're in a position to be able to maintain your sanity, and, and, and, and really try to enjoy the experience. So...we, we had quite, we had quite a bit of help.

Christine: And, and when you said "maintain your sanity," has that been easy now that, you know, you're just...plopped into the limelight?

David: Yeah. I, I have uh, I have an amazing family that will never allow me to get a big head. [Karen and Christine laugh]

David: So...uh, it's uh, it's, it's fairly easy to, to maintain some perspective.

Christine: And um, I hope you don't mind if we ask how you're family's doing, because y-- we did become so involved in your story when you were on American Idol. How's your brother feeling?

David: Uh, thanks for asking. My brother's actually doing really well. And uh, you know, knock on wood, hopefully that continues. I, I think uh...you know, while I was on tour, uh, this summer, f-- with the other American Idols, it was uh...it wa-- it was nice to be able to get so-- some pieces of good news along the way. So we're all kinda cautiously optimistic that he's headin' in the right direction.

Karen: So what's your favorite part of, uh, of your album right now? Like, what was that like? The recording process? Are you...was that...

David: Um...

Karen: Go ahead.

David: My favorite part of The Record, uh, is probably this song we did called "Permanent." It was one of the last songs we tracked for The Record, and uh...it was, uh, we went into the studio and recorded it live. It's just uh-- the song is basically just piano. Uh, we did, uh, like a fifteen-piece string orchestra, and then vocal. And we did it all live, at the same time. And...we did two takes, and...everybody in the room was crying. It was just one of those...kinda cornerstone moments. I mean, I've been recording music for ten years, and I've never had a song...um...hit with...such...fall-- like, fullness. Like, as I had it in my head. I've never had a song hit like that. And uh...

Christine: I can't--

David: It was, it was pretty overwhelming.

Christine: Can't wait to hear it now, David. [laughs]

Karen: I know [laughs]

Christine: Send us an advance copy, please. [Karen and Christine laugh]

David: Oh sure, sure, sure.

Christine: Um, once again, David Cook's self-titled album, "David Cook," is in stores and available online on November 18th. And that day, you're gonna be at the Hard Rock Cafe as well, here in New York City.

David: Uh yeah, we're actually, we're doin', we're doin' an in-store at uh, at Virgin, uh, that morning. And uh, everybody that comes in and, and uh, and purchases a, a record will, will get a ticket to the show.

Christine: Nice

Karen: Amazing.

David: Yeah

Christine: So what's it like out on the street now, David? I'm sure you can't walk around...without being recognized.

David: Um, it's a little different, for sure. I, ya' know, the, the mun-- it's, I, I'm more amazed by the mundane, uh, kinda errands. Ya' know I'm, I'm out here in L.A. right now. And...um...ya' know, goin' to buy hand soap for the bathroom, you... [Christine laughs]

David: ...you end up gettin' recognized. It's a very odd...existence. It's overwhelming. [Karen and Christine laugh]

Christine: I just need my soap, man. [laughs]

David: Right, right.

Karen: Do you see yourself on TMZ that night or something?

David: Um...you know I've, I've, I've, I've managed to dodge TMZ for the most part. I'm, I'm sure that by announcing that, they're probably gonna come at me with a little bit more fervor. But... [Karen and Christine laughs]

David: Um...you know, so far I've, I've managed to kinda maintain a little bit of calmness before everything goes nuts.

Christine: Well I've-- are you...I-- open to talking about your personal life? Because now...now that it's out there, like, you know, there's been stories about...

David: Mm-hmm

Christine: ...your romantic life, and you're dating Kimberly Caldwell. Is that...

David: Mm-hmm

Christine: ...Ok with you? Or would you rather people back off from that?

David: Um...ya' kn--I, I think at the end of the day, I would always rather talk about, ya' know, music, and this record, and...touring, and, and, and, you know, the things that I got into Idol for. But, um...I--

Karen: You're so cute together, though. [Christine laughs]

David: Ah, well, you know. Thank you. [laughs]

Karen: And it was cute the way you asked her out, and, you know. So we feel part of that, too. But...

David: Yeah, yeah. I, I uh...yeah, we always joke about, uh...it, it was the coolest but worst thing I've-- I could have ever done, ya' know? But we're both kinda private people, and so...to be able to uh, to be able to do it was cool. But then the aftermath it was like: Oh wait a minute. Now everybody knows. [laughs] [Christine laughs]

Karen: That's alright. That's Ok.

Christine: I guess it comes with the uh, with the territory now, huh?

David: Exactly, exactly

Christine: So um, Karen and I are wondering about, you, you said it's the mundane things that change. But some, like, cool things must happen. Like, do you get the best seat in a restaurant now?

David: Well I got a, I got, I got a nice seat to-- I actually saw Carrie Underwood in concert a couple nights ago here in L.A. And so, I got a nice seat to that, which was cool.

Christine: OK

David: Uh...and then um...ya' know, other than that, I, I, I don't know. I-- it's...uh, I, I have a n-- I got a new car the other day. It was kinda nice.

Christine: Uh-huh

David: Um...I got a, I got a nice little life. So...um...

Christine: S--

David: Yeah it's, it's, there are, there are things about it that I certainly love, for sure.

Christine: But it sounds like you're really tied-up in your work. If you don't even, if you haven't even processed it yet, it's...y-- it sounds like you're just so busy working.

David: Oh yeah, well, I mean, the summer alone was uh, I-- uh, the idea of an off day was so foreign. I think, you know, if we weren't playing a show that day -- even if we were playing a show that day -- I p-- usually had writing sessions, you know, for the Record. And then...on an off day I'd be recording. So...

Karen: Who's in your band now? Do you have, um, some guys from before American Idol? Some of your friends?

David: I do. I actually uh...I have um...uh, two guys from, from back in Tulsa, the band I was in, called MWK. I have uh, Neal and Andy. Neal's my lead guitar player, and Andy's my rhythm guitar player. Uh...ya' know they-- I was able, I was lucky enough to, to have them agree to kinda come on board and, and go along for the ride.

Karen: Are you doing a tour?

David: Uh, we're gonna do some uh, we're gonna do some shows, uh, in, in December. Uh, to-- some radio shows, to try to promote The Record. And then we'll start a full-on tour in January or February.

Karen: Ooooh. Good.

Christine: Oh good. I hope you'll, you'll stop by LITE FM, too.

Karen: Yes

David: Uh, I act--

Christine: Find some time in there.

David: I would love to.

Christine: That would be...

David: I would love to.

Christine: That would be so great. Um...

David: Yeah

Christine: Ok, I have to ask you one really corny question.

David: Lay it on me.

Christine [laughs]: Ok. When you sang "Hello" during American Idol, Karen, did I not melt? Like, I came in here like--

Karen: That was--

Christine: That--

Karen: That was the turning point.

Christine: Ohh

Karen: I, I mean, that's when we went: Oh my goodness. He is going to be huge. I, I--

David: Oh, thank you guys.

Karen: I'm s-- it was just, it's still, to this day, [laughs] you know...

Christine: I, just lo-- I had to download it the next day. Just...

Karen: She was a mess.

Christine: Yeah. I really was. So yeah. So the corniness is out there. So...

David: Well it's the power of Lionel Ritchie, you know?

Christine: Yeah, has-- have you spoken with Lionel Ritchie? Does he want you to cover it?

David: Uh, i, I haven't had a chance to talk to him yet. Um, I, I think uh, you know, with every...thing else going on, it's, it's been kinda nuts, probably to, to track anybody down. But uh...I, I would love to pick his brain and, and uh, I'm sure that somewhere down the line we will play "Hello" again.

Karen: Who are you checking out nowadays in the music scene, David?

David: Um...I, I, ya' know, I'm actually, I'm, I'm lookin' forward to hearin' Archie's record. I, I've, I've heard uh, good things about it. So, I'm just kinda, I've got an ear to the ground waitin' for it.

Christine: Are you guys good friends now?

David: Yeah. Actually I, I talked to him yesterday, as a matter of fact. Uh...ya' know, we're gonna try to uh, to hopefully meat up rea-- uh, in, in New York, next week. Uh, I'm there, I'm there gettin' ready to-- for The Record to release, and then uh, his record actually comes out on Tuesday. So...yeah.

Christine: That's great, David. Like we said, we cannot wait to hear the album. [laughs]

David: Well thank you.

Karen: We support you here, just so kn--

David: I can't--

Karen: ...just so you know that.

David: I can't wait for you to hear The Record, believe me.

Karen: Yeah

Christine: I'm sure we're gonna go nuts all over again. [laughs] [David laughs]

Christine: So uh, definitely when you're, when you're in New York, please stop by and see us.

David: I would love to.

Karen: Ok. "David Cook," the CD, in stores Tuesday, November 18th. And we look forward to it. David, thanks for callin' in.

David: Thank you guys. You guys have a good day.

Karen: Ok, you too.

Christine: You too, thanks.

Karen: Bye

David: Ok. Bye.

END OF INTERVIEW

2008-11-17 - LA TIMES - 'American Idol's' David Cook gets some help for new album Source

He collaborates with some music vets on his major-label debut.

By Ann Powers POP MUSIC CRITIC > > >

November 18, 2008 At one point on the road he's still on, leading from "American Idol" to the iPod promotions and summer shed tours of actual rock stardom, David Cook recently stopped for a bite to eat. In the car with him was Raine Maida, the Canadian singer and songwriter who fronts Our Lady Peace, a band Cook famously loves. ¶ The 25-year-old newbie had seen the 38-year-old veteran perform numerous times back when Our Lady Peace was on the rise and Cook was still just a Midwestern kid making demos on the weekends. Now here they were, driving around on a break from writing songs for Cook's major-label debut. ¶ "I had one moment with Raine when I asked him about the first time I saw him live," said Cook during an interview in the West Hollywood offices of the "Idol"-driven management company 19 Entertainment. "It was at this music festival in Kansas City called Rockfest. I was really engrossed in his performance -- he didn't look at the audience the whole time he was performing. Watching him that day, I would have been so apprehensive about meeting him." Cook smiled his famous room-warming smile. "Raine goes, 'Oh, yeah . . . I had a 104-degree temperature. I was so dizzy, I couldn't look up,' " he recalled. And so the eyes of the most charmingly ambitious Idol since Kelly Clarkson were opened just a little bit wider. For Cook, whose eponymous album will be released today on RCA Records, the biggest prize so far has been the friendships he's forged with mentors like Maida, artists whose influence shaped his own warm, inspirational sound. "Had I not been able to write with people whom I not only respected but admired and looked up to, it would have been a much harder process," said Cook. "To be able to walk into a room and know that I was going to probably love any idea these people came up with made it so much easier. And it certainly helped that the people I admired the most seemed to be the nicest people and treated me completely as an equal and allowed me a little bit of confidence in a very unconfident situation." Much has been made of Cook's status as the "heaviest" rocker "American Idol" has produced. His album's first single, "Light On," was co-written by Seattle rock titan Chris Cornell and flyover rock mastermind Brian Howes. He's already nabbed the authenticating spot of musical guest on ―Saturday Night Live,‖ becoming the first Idol to do so before his first album was released. And an iPhone application has been issued that allows fans to play "Light On" and trigger a simulation of that ultimate rock concert semaphore, the upheld lighter. Loyal, independent Yet Cook's specific loyalties within rock's vast landscape might be what's most interesting about him. Making his dream album, he's also refocusing attention on a little-considered corner of the genre: the literate but accessible strain that arose after the explosion of the mid-1990s, fitting midway between the underground and the mainstream. Chris Daughtry, Cook's predecessor in establishing rock as a viable "Idol" category, made a similar move when he gave props to his favorite band, Live, on the program. Cook has taken it further, not only competing on "Idol" with songs by Our Lady Peace and Collective Soul but also enlisting a focused list of co-writers for his album, including Maida and his wife, Chantal Kreviazuk; Johnny Rzeznik of the Goo Goo Dolls; Better Than Ezra's Kevin Griffin; Nixons founder Zac Maloy and Atlanta hard rockers Injected. "I think the collaborations I've been able to do just made this record," said Cook. "I just tried really hard to hold my own and not come across as some kid awe-struck with fear." Cook's writing partners hardly represent the height of rock fashion; like the young singer-songwriter himself, they are a steady lot, making music that engenders loyalty from a core fan base instead of media buzz. To call them "post-grunge" reduces the regional breadth and continued appeal of these artists, who hail from nearly every point on the North American map and have made their bread and butter releasing steady-selling albums and playing summer rock festivals for more than a decade. "His favorite bands are not necessarily mainstream artists that sell millions and millions," said Rob Cavallo, who produced Cook's debut. "But that's actually characteristic of a lot of artists that I've worked with and talked to. He seems to be a part of that scene." Maida, who continues to make music with Our Lady Peace as well as co-writing hits with Kreviazuk for the likes of Avril Lavigne and Clarkson, sees his career and Cook's in a cyclical light. Our Lady Peace has sold millions of albums and remains a top Canadian live draw, but lately Maida has returned to the independent status Cook is just now escaping. "I love the whole journey of it," said Maida by phone from his home in Toronto. "I wouldn't have been able to get here without being there first -- without selling a bunch of records and being able to play a lot of big places. My solo record came from having a studio record in my house, and I released it independently. Owning the masters is a big deal for me. "David is coming through it from the other end. He made five or six records on his own. Now he's on a major label. And me, I don't have someone paying for my projects, and I love it. Life is like that." Ode to brother Maida's four co-writes with Cook are standouts on an album that's consistently well-crafted and thoughtful, despite having been made under sketchy circumstances while the singer was still on the annual "American Idol" tour. One track both writers and producer Cavallo single out is "Permanent," a ballad penned for Cook's brother Adam, whose continuing struggle with cancer has become a key element of his brother's public story. "I purposely tried to be a storyteller on this particular song," said Cook of "Permanent," which features a spare production highlighted by piano and strings. "I made it known what I was talking about. But it's still written in a way that people can take what they want out of it." That ambition to write songs with broad enough shoulders to support many interpretations is key to Cook's approach. Inspired to explore music by artists such as Maida, who themselves took up the lead of Pearl Jam and U2 in aiming for intelligence and depth within a mainstream sound, Cook is determined to make music that's both serious and fun. "For me it's a writing style," he said. "I like to write more grandiose and metaphorical, and that doesn't really lend itself to 'Girls, Girls, Girls.' " He chuckled. "Great song, though. I love Mötley Crüe!" Big plans Cook's ultimate goal, when he feels up to looking that far into the future, is to become a career artist who can tour on his own terms and write for himself and others. Not unlike Maida. As for the Canadian rocker, he's just happy to have made Cook's acquaintance. "On a personal level, I have a new friend," he said. "I admire what he's been able to do. In terms of Our Lady Peace and my own music -- the co-writing that I do helps me see different sides of the pop spectrum. . . . Every time I get to co-write with someone I learn from them." Cook would certainly agree. But what's funny about his debut is that its best song might be the one he wrote entirely on his own: "A Daily Anthem," an energizing ode to the magic of -- what else -- a great power ballad. This song, which Cook wrote before he was famous, describes and establishes the bar he sets for himself. "My goals have always been based on the premise hope for the best, expect the worst," he said. "I expect this record to be a solid record. I hope it's an important record. That's kind of how I operate." [email protected]

2008-11-18 - ABC News Radio –Interview - Audio only (Transcript by Coolshades)

Source: http://dclibrary-radio.4shared.com/

Interviewer: Andrea Dresdale

Andrea: This is Andrea Dresdale with ABC News Radio, speaking with singer/songwriter/artist David Cook, releasing his debut album. David, it struck me when I was listening to this debut album, that if anybody wanted to know what you were going through in the last year and a half, it's all right there. Was that your intention?

David: Uh, my intention was really to, to kinda draw on not only the last year and a half, but really the last twenty-five. And, and uh...you know it's funny, like, I, I went from like, this total obscurity, to the whole Idol machine in a-- uh, in the last year and a half. And so, I feel like uh, I feel like I had to...tell more of the story for everybody. And so wh-- what's fun about this record for me is, is I got to kinda...uh, it was like an onion peel. I got to take off some layers of myself and put it into this record. And, and uh...and, and really give people, I think, more of a full sense of who I am and what I'm about.

Andrea: Most artists, given the choice, would not want to make an album under the time constraints that you did. But, was there a silver lining? Did it, did it um, lead to, like, maybe a more visceral or immediate experience? You didn't have time to second-guess yourself?

David: Right. I was actually just gonna say that. I-- one of the best things about it was that, uh, kinda like on the show, you-- there really wasn't a whole lotta time to figure out whether or not it was the right decision before you make it. So...um...we just kinda went into the studio, and...followed our gut. You know, Rob was great about uh, keeping the ship on the right path. But for the most part, um...we just kinda ran around and, and did what we thought would be cool or fun. And...and uh, the end result is this record. I, I, I couldn't be happier with the way it turned out. I think...every song is a stand-alone song. And I think every song has its own identity. But I also feel like as a record, it flows. Which..you know, uh, the fact that we pulled that off in two and a half months I'm, I'm very proud of.

Andrea: Well I mean, it's interesting, because the songs sort of...run the gamut. I mean, you know, "Come Back to Me" very different from "Bar-ba-sol," ve--

David: Right, right, right.

Andrea: ...very different from "Permanent." Um...did you want to make an eclectic album to show your range? Or sort of to give...everybody...something?

David: Um...there was a bit of defiance in it. I think uh...I, I-- especially coming from Idol, it just seems like everybody wants to pigeonhole. And uh...ya' know for me, I just wanted to show that...uh, ya' know, that I can do different things. And uh, and, and musically, it's all stuff that I get behind. It's all stuff that I love to do. I love...uh...I love that there's so much, like, meandering on The Record, and there's so many different...vibes on The Record. And, and, ya' know, hopefully that means that there's somethin' for everybody. Um...but if not, I can guarantee you, at least we'll have a, we'll have a very uh...um, kinda roller coaster ride live show.

Andrea: Well the songs seem like they were almost designed to be played live. Uh, I mean, they-- there's a lot of dynamics, and there's a lot of places to open things up. I mean, is-- was that something that you had in mind as well?

David: Absolutely. I-- you know, that was uh-- that was my big thing in the studio, was...was uh, ya' know, can we pull these songs off live? And um...ya' know, cuz I want uh...I, I, I think...I think uh, I think anymore, you know, the, the, the, the w-- the way to sell a record and the way to...to get yourself out there is to go out with just this bombastic live show. And, and that's what I want. I want people to...come to a show and feel like not only did they hear music, but they saw a show. Ya' know, there's a visual aspect to it that I think some bands get lost in the muddle of. And so...um...yeah, I think movin' forward, I just, I, I wanna do everything that I can to uh, to kinda push this record up. And, and uh, and hopefully...bring it out of the muddle that is uh, ya' know, every other record out right now.

Andrea: You had, I think, what must have amounted to a master class in songwriting on this album. Cuz you had so many different people, so many, really, top-notch songwriters. And...there's not one way to write a song, but...

David: Absolutely

Andrea: ...is there one particular lesson that you think you took away from, from all of that activity?

David: Uhhhh yeah, that I am almost twenty-six years old, and I know absolutely nothing about music. I think uh...you know, it was, it was...it was like goin' to school every day. You walk into these rooms with...relative strangers. Ya' know, guys that you know but you've never met. And you essentially have to...bare your soul to this person. And you almost feel bad cuz you're, like, [laughs] dumpin' all your problems on these people, ya' know? They've got their own. And...and um...but I, I, I just, I, I think more than anything, I've honestly, well, I've honestly learned just to be honest. Ya' know, I, I think uh...um...nothin', nothin' beats experience when it comes to songwriting. So...write what you know.

Andrea: Was there a moment when you were writing where, um, somebody would suggest something, and you'd be like, you know: "Wow. You know, I never actually thought of doing it that way."?

David: Absolutely. I-- you know, I think uh, before Idol, I was very much, uh, I was very much a writer who liked to write ambiguously. I liked to write songs that meant somethin' to me, but were written in a a way that anybody could take whatever they wanted out of 'em. And uh...ya' know, the, the, the downside to that sometimes is that the message gets lost. And so, I, I was a lot more direct on this record than I've ever been. Uh, especially on a song like "Permanent," where uh...I, I don't think-- an-- anybody that knows my story at all is gonna have a problem deciphering what that song's about. That song's the cornerstone of The Record for me, cuz it, it uh...it, it represents exactly what I wanted to do with The Record, which was, uh, ya' know, again, be lyrically...uh, open...and, and musically not, not afraid to uh, to do somethin' that people weren't expecting. And I don't think people were expecting a piano/strings ballad. So...I'm uh, I- - to me, that's uh, I'm, I'm probably-- I'm proud of all the songs. But uh, I have a very special place in my heart for "Permanent."

Andrea: It sometimes seems like your brother is one of your muses...

David: Yeah

Andrea: ...if not your muse. And, uh, what does he think of the songs that you write that were inspired by him?

David: Um...well it's funny. I, I actually-- I don't talk to him about it too much. It's kinda one of those unspoken things between us. And, and uh...cuz I'm, I'm sure there's, like, some unconscious fear that he's not gonna like it on my part. And, and uh...um...but I know, I, I do know he's proud o-- of, of kinda what I've accomplished. And...and uh...you know, more importantly, I-- I'm just kinda lookin' in-- I'm, I'm, I'm not only lookin' at this as a career, but hopefully, you know, a continued platform to uh...to, to get out in the public sector and continue to promote uh, you know, advocacy. And...and uh...you know, more involvement in cancer research and funding. I just think uh...it, it's somethin' that, I, I think even if, if my brother weren't sick, it's somethin' that's extremely important to me. And...ya' know, everybody knows somebody. So...

Andrea: Well your fans have been so great at raising money in your name.

David: Yes they have.

Andrea: Do you want to establish, like, a more formal, you know, David Cook charity foundation?

David: Uh, we've talked about it down the road. Uh, you know, right now I'm, I'm trying to uh...to get this tour in the Spring off the ground. And, and really uh, try to cross- promote it to, to raise awareness and funding. And, and uh...so we're in the midst of doin' all that. But I, I would like to at some point...uh, ya' know, hopefully sooner rather than later, really uh, really set up somethin' formal and, and uh...cuz ya' know-- I mean...ya' know, fame is fleeting. And...uh...I, I, I don't, I don't expect to be a, a Rolling Stones or an Aerosmith and be in the game for...however many years, ya' know? So...I just wanna, ya' know, strike while the iron's hot. And, and uh, and if I can put somethin' good together out of it, then great.

Andrea: Getting back to the songs on the album, you know, as a, as a writer, if you're gonna record a song that you didn't write, I would assume you're gonna have to have a, an immediate connection to it. You're gonna wanna really feel that song. So...how did that play out with "Light On"?

David: Uh..."Light On" was easy. Uh...I remember listenin' to the song for the first time...like, maybe two weeks after the finale. And it just immediately grabbed me. I think lyrically it, it talks about somethin' everybody can relate to. You know, the whole love amidst distance thing. And, and uh...but musically it was, it-- was what really grabbed me. I think um...it's got, it's got so many different aspects of rock music for me. I can hear, uh, G & R in it. I can hear...Zeppelin in it. I can hear Stone Temple Pilots in it., ya' know. Um...there's just uh...very rarely do you come across a quote-unquote ballad that has some swagger to it. And that definitely has that. So...um...it's, it's a fun song for me to play, cuz...and especially sing, cuz it's such a challenging song, that, I, I, I, ya' know, we've sang it now I don't know how many times, and I still haven't gotten bored with it. So that's probably a good sign. We did um...Leno the other night. And...um...ya' know, I was singin' it, and I was kinda, I was kinda nervous. I mean, it's Leno. And...and then...so uh, we get out of the bridge, and I ran out of breath. And so, like, [laughing] I kind like, look up and smile, just to kinda buy some time. And everybody's...ya' know, I'd-- I've heard, like, a million different...explanations for why I did it. And literally, it was just, I ran out of breath [laughing] and I needed a second. So...there's the big expose.

Andrea: Well, um, tell me about the band. You've got Neal and Andy, from your previous band.

David: Yeah

Andrea: You've got a couple guys you didn't play with before. So, are you all gelling? Do you have that band mentality, that gang mentality? You ready to go out and hit the road?

David: We uh...I, I, I made it a real big point to uh, to not necessarily go...with whoever was the most technically sound musically. I-- and ya' know, I lucked-out that the guys that we have are technically sound. But uh...um...ya' know, I wanted guys that I could hang with. And I wanted guys that I could go on the road with and not want to wring their neck a week in. And, and uh...we, we found that. Ya' know, Neal and Andy I've obviously known for years, and, and know that I can go on the road and get along with them. And, and uh...and Kyle and Joey, um...have worked really hard to, to get themselves into the fold real quick. And they've done a great job, and they've done their work. And uh...ya' know, when, when it's time to have fun, we probably have more fun that we should. But uh...we are, we are definitely a band. And, and...I cannot wait to uh...travel the world with these guys.

Andrea: Can you talk about your relationship with your fans? Because...um...they're quite vocal.

David: Mm-hmm

Andrea: And...they're quite loyal. What kind of feedback have you gotten? And...you know, are you continually surprised by their reaction to you?

David: Um...well based off the reviews, I'm a solid two and a half stars, which is uh...I, I told my manager I wanna name the next record "It's Another Idol Record. Two and a Half Stars," cuz it seems like...you could put out a White Album, and nobody-- nobody that reviews it's gonna like it. So, I'm not worried about it. Um...but my fans have been amazing. And...um...I'm continuously amazed. Ya' know, we just did the David Wright, uh, benefit, at um...at the Hard Rock last week. And a bunch of fans came out...packed out the Hard Rock. And they bid on so much stuff. And...it was just, it was amazing. Like...uh...I talked to David Wright the other day, and he was tellin' me that they exceeded...ya' know, their goal by like, a real comfortable margin. Raised over, like, two hundred grand. So...um...the stuff like that that makes me really proud, um, to be kind of associated with these people. And...um...and, ya' know hopefully, hopefully we, we, we build more of a base, and, and more people do that, and, and um...ya' know, we keep movin' forward. But so far I've been continuously amazed at the support, uh, that the fans have. Not only for me, but the things that are important to me.

Andrea: Are you gonna get a break at all? I mean, are you gonna be able to go home for Christmas and have any down time?

David: I remem-- uh, about midway through the tour, I uh, I called 19 and I said "Ok, I know that we have a ton of work to do between now and the end of the year. Give me the last two weeks of December to just decompress." Cuz I, I th-- I think we counted-out, I've had two weeks total...since January 1st off. And uh...so I'm gonna, I'm gonna snag two weeks in December and...get off the grid. And uh...but until then, it's, it's kinda go, go, go. And then we'll start back up uh...early January with tour rehearsals, and then Iraq. And...um...and then the tour. And I think uh, I think we're also opening the uh, the Disney American Idol ride.

Andrea: Well best of luck with the album, David. Thanks very much.

David: Thank you.

Andrea: And for ABC News Radio, I'm Andrea Dresdale.

END OF INTERVIEW

2008-11-18 - Fresh 102.7 (New York, NY) – Interview (Transcript by Coolshades)

DJ: Heather Walters

Heather: Hey it's Heather with New York's Fresh 102.7, and we're so happy to welcome a special guest to the studio: American Idol champion, and also our new Fresh Friend...

David: Yeah

Heather: ...David Cook.

David: Hi, how are you?

Heather: Doing well, thank you. Congratulations on the new album.

David: Thank you. It's uh...it's the culmination of, of uh...a good decade of work. So I'm, I'm excited to have it out and see what people think.

Heather: Sweet satisfaction

David: Yeah, exactly. [laughs]

Heather: Is it, is it everything you dreamed it would be?

David: Uh, and then some. Man, the, the least year especially, with uh, with Idol and everything, has been...uh, crazy quick. I still remember vividly standing in line to audition, so...um...I'm just takin' it as it comes and, and waitin' for that uh, that time off where I can kinda decompress and, and...take everything in, really.

Heather: Is that time coming up? I mean, you seem to be goin'...

David: Uh...I actually I've, I have blocked-out a couple of weeks in uh, December to um...uh, try to be normal. Get off the grid.

Heather: Well I find this very interesting. I love that you had given yourself sort of a deadline.

David: Mm-hmm

Heather: You said that when you were twenty-six, you were either gonna make it, or you were just gonna quit.

David: Yep

Heather: And here it is. December 20th, you turn twenty-six. So...

David: Mm-hmm

Heather: You're on the cusp of your birthday...

David: Yeah

Heather: And ya' did it, buddy.

David [as if he's breathing a sigh of relief]: Ohhh

Heather: You won a big show....

David: Right [laughs]

Heather: ...you have a new album out.... [laughs]

David: I, I certainly didn't leave myself a whole lot of wiggle room, but uh...

[Heather laughs]

David: I'm uh, I'm very blessed. The last year's been...amazing, as far as just uh...bein' able to do things that, that I've always hoped I'd get to do, but never really expected to do. And...uh, this record, uh...another, another one of those things. I think, um...when I first picked-up a guitar, I had dreams of being right where I'm at right now. And so I'm uh, I'm very happy, and...and uh, ya' know, win lose or draw, this is uh, this is the best record I've ever done. So I'm very excited to have it out.

Heather: Oh good. Well let's talk about that record...

David: Ok

Heather: ...because I heard it, it's fantastic.

David: Aw, thank you.

Heather: And there are so many songs on there that were really good. Ya' know, you have "Come Back to Me, and "Bar-ba-sol," and "Lies." And even the first single off of it, "Light On"...

David: Yeah, yeah, yeah

Heather: ...all fantastic.

David: Thank you.

Heather: How do you pick which one you're gonna debut with?

[David laughs]

David: Um..."Light On" was a g-- was an easy choice, actually. And, and I say it from this standpoint: I think uh, lyrically, it, it's universal. It talks about this love amidst distance, and, and uh, ya' know, the hopeful side of that. And I think that's somethin' everybody can relate to in some aspect. And then musically...um, there's a lot of influences on that song. Ya' know there's...I can hear Zeppelin, I can hear Stone Temple Pilots, I can hear...um...ya' know, Bon Jovi, and Guns N Roses, and all these...all these bands that kinda-- it's kind of a nice little rock history lesson within a four-minute song. So, um...I'm um...I'm, I'm pleased with, with the way the song's been received, just from the standpoint of I feel like it's a, it's a nice median value for The Record. And if people can get into that, I feel like they can get into a lot on this record.

Heather: Mm-hmm. And I notice the whole record, you have a-- it's very rich in power ballads...

David: Mm-hmm

Heather: ...and also, um, just straight-up rock songs.

David: Mm-hmm

Heather: Yet it's not overly produced either, which was nice.

David: Yeah

Heather: Now is that what you set out to do? Or did you wanna hear a few more bells and whistles?

David: Um...ya' know, it really was more out of, just necessity. We had two and a half months to fit about a year's worth of work in to. And, and so um...ya' know I thi-- but I think that's what gives The, The Record some character. Ya' know there's-- these songs are...they're, they're mature, I, I'd say lyrically and musically. But...there's a youthful energy, I think, that kinda sets an undertone for the entire record. Just based off the fact that we didn't have time to second-guess anything. And so every song was just kinda cut on the fly. And, and if it worked, it worked. And if it didn't, it didn't.

Heather: Mm-hmm

David: And uh...and these twelve songs are...are the ones that worked.

Heather: Yeah, they did. And very nicely together.

David: Thank you

Heather: Now let's talk about opportunities, because...winning American Idol...has just opened so many doors for you. I mean, you've performed on Saturday Night Live.

David: Yeah

Heather: And you even got a chance-- and I bring this up because we here in New York loooove Senator Hillary Clinton...

David: Absolutely

Heather: You were able to do a surprise performance for her. How was that?

David: Uh...it was...nuts. I remember bein' asked, and just like...took me a second, like: what? Ya' know? And, and uh, to hear the backstory, I guess...while she was campaigning, uh, she was calling her friends and having her friends call in and vote for me, because she couldn't do it, apparently. And so...

Heather: Awww

David: Uh...

Heather: What an honor, by a lady...

David: Absolutely, absolutely. I, I think uh...uh, somebody of her, her, of her stature and of her caliber, to, to even...have my name...in her orbit, is uh...

[Heather laughs]

David: Is, is one of the....biggest compliments I've ever...I think I've ever received.

Heather: That's great. And...

David: Yeah

Heather: ...I, I don't know. The actual performance, though...I would find that myself to be rather intimidating. How was that?

David: Uhhh it was. I was more nervous singing Roberta Flack for her than I ever was for Simon, so... [laughs]

[Heather laughs]

Heather: Was she at least a little nicer of a judge? Did she...

David: Absolutely

Heather: ...get a Hillary hug out of it?

David: I, I got a, I got a nice Hillary hug, and uh...um...which is more than I could ever say for Simon.

[Heather laughs]

David: I didn't even get a Simon hug, let alone a Hillary hug. So...

Heather: Well now with your big success, I mean, hopefully he'd come...

David: Yeah...

Heather: ...knockin' on your door at some point.

David: I haven't-- I actually, you know what, I haven't heard from him since the finale. I'm sure he's uh, he's busy gettin' ready for the new season. So...

Heather: Well you're busy as well. I know...

David: Absolutely

Heather: ...comin' up, December 3rd, you're gonna help us light our tree at Rockefeller Center.

David: Yeah, I'm very excited. We uh, we've been workin' out some uh, some nice Christmas tunes. So...yeah, yeah

Heather: Oh really? Like what?

David: Uh....you know, we've got a couple tricks up our sleeves. Maybe...

Heather: Oh, Ok

David: People will just have to tune in or show up, I guess.

[Heather laughs]

Heather: And we really hope you do. And also, November 23rd, you're gonna be at the preshow telecast for the AMAs.

David: Yeah. Uh, we've been uh...really blessed to..they, they asked us to come play the preshow. And so...we're gonna play a couple songs off The Record, and, and um...and then just kinda sit back and enjoy it. I think it'll be a fun night, and, and hopefully it'll be a, a bit of a precursor to uh, things to come.

Heather: Well hope-- ya' know, I just, I think it's so amazing that you're invited now to...all these fantastic events. I mean I-- do you look at your life over the past year and just go: "wow"?

[David laughs]

David: I uh...I take it all kind of in pockets. I remember um...it took me, it took me about two weeks after the finale to really step back and I'm like: Whoa, ok, that happened. And then uh, the tour started and everything was kind of a whirlwind for awhile. And then I went home and did two shows in K.C. And we sold out both nights. And...

Heather: Mm

David: ...to walk out in front of eighteen thousand people two nights in a row, and be able to point people out that told you you weren't gonna make it...ya' know? It's a...

Heather: Ha ha!

David: It's a little vindicating, yeah.

Heather: Yeah. And to think it all started with a little push from your brother.

David: I know, man. He's uh, he's, he's back at college right now plotting his revenge, so...

[Heather laughs]

Heather: Have you thought of a way to thank him?

David: Uh...I, I, I...will forever try to thank him properly. I, I uh, I actually flew him out to L.A. for his twenty-first, and...

Heather: Mm-hmm

David: ...gave him all the bells and whistles, and...uh...he's actually gonna come...uh, we're doin'...uh, some shows in December, to help uh, promote The Record, and the single, and everything. And uh, he's gonna fly out after school's out and...and come hang out for about a week.

Heather: Hey, that's great.

David: Yeah

Heather: Well we wish you all the best.

David: Thank you.

Heather: And of course, the album's great. We want all of our listeners to go out and buy it.

David: Yeah!

Heather: Yay, it's out!

David: Go, ya' know, it's a great stocking stuffer. We actually, we did some special packaging. It actually uh, we made it fit ergonomically into a stocking. So...give it a shot.

Heather: Wow, I feel like I'm on the Home Shopping Network now. [laughs]

David: I know, right?

Heather: Well thank you David Cook for stopping by.

David: Thank you very much.

END OF INTERVIEW

2008-11-18 - KISS 98.5 -- Janet and Nick (Buffalo, NY) – Interview (Transcript by Coolshades)

DJs: Janet Snyder and Nicholas Picholas

Janet: His album drops today, and we are on the phone with David Cook.

David: How are you?

Janet: Good! How-- hey, first and foremost, congratulations. Winning American Idol with a hundred million votes. That was crazy. We all voted for you.

David: Oh, well thank you very much. I needed all the help I could get, so...

Nick: And congratulations on your album out today. Self-titled. Tell us all about it, David.

David: Um...uh, I mean, obviously I'm excited. It's, it's kinda the culmination of uh...well I mean I made-- I've been in bands since I was fifteen. So to be able to finally put out a major label record is...is pretty heavy. Uh...ya' know, the record itself is, it's, it's an eclectic rock record. I feel like uh...ya' know, 19 and RCA really gave me a little bit of carte blanche to, to, to stretch the boundaries a little bit. And, and in doing so, I feel like we came up with this record that's uh...ya' know, both all over the place and, and still very cohesive as an album. So I'm uh, I'm stoked to have people... [laughs] tear it apart.

[Janet and Nick laugh]

Janet: But you worked with a lot of great people on this album. One of them being somebody who's from Buffalo, Johnny Rzeznik from The Goo Goo Dolls.

David: Absolutely. Played uh-- actually the song that I wrote with uh, with him and a gentleman named , I actually, was uh, was the other song that we played on SNL.

Janet: Let's talk about SNL. We had a report that you were dry heaving before the performance?

David: A little bit, yeah. I uh...

[Janet laughs]

David: I, I...I, I don't know what happened. But I just got, like, the worst case of nerves. It was uh...I, I think just the show...with such a historical context, and, ya' know, the election and...Senator McCain and...our first performance as a band. It was all these things kinda conspiring against me...keepin' my cool. So...um...yeah, but we managed to pull it out, I guess.

Janet: David Cook on KISS 98.5. Can you tell me about the song "Leave a Light On"? What is the meaning behind that?

David: Um...well I, I, I think...ya' know, for me the song kinda represents this, this universal theme of, of love amidst distance. Like, ya' know, everybody's been through something and, on some level where...you, you've kinda longed for something. And, and uh...I, I feel like the song kinda speaks to, to that kinda vibe, ya' know? You...

Janet: Mm-hmm

David: ...love somebody that you can't be next to. And, and uh...an-- the, the hopefulness as the end result, I think uh...always kinda wins-out.

Nick: Well let's have a listen to "Light On." It's David Cook, on KISS 98.5.

[song break]

Janet: KISS 98.5. It's Janet Snyder and Nicholas Picholas. And we are joined by David Cook. It's so much fun being able to spend a little bit of time with you. So tell me what a normal day for you is like right now, with the album coming out, and all of the promotion. What do you do each day?

David: Um...well I usually get up about 5:30 in the morning.

Janet: Mm-hmm

David: And uh, try to, try to...wake up my voice enough to, to do uh, interviews like this, cuz I'm actually on the west coast right now.

Janet: Gotcha

David: And then uh...ya' know, it's just go go go...the rest of the day. I, I, I think after this uh, I've, I've got a ton of prep, and band rehearsal, and all that good stuff.

Janet: Mm-hmm

David: So...

Janet: Now everyone seems to be doing collaborations with T.I. Are we gonna hear a David Cook/T.I. collaboration any time soon?

[David laughs]

David: Uh...you know what, it, I, not yet. His, his, his people have not contacted my people.

Janet: How about a tour, David? We'd love to see ya' in Buffalo.

David: Uh, ya' know, I'm, I'm absolutely down. I think uh...I, I think we're gonna, we're gonna do press and promo through the end of the year. And then I'm gonna take a couple weeks off, uh, around Christmas, and spend some time with family, and catch up, and...and then uh, we'll start hittin' it hard uh, beginning of '09.

Nick: David, you said that the label gave you a lot of freedom on this album. Tell me about some of the, the liberties that you take with that freedom. Like, how far did you wanna go?

David: Um...ya' know I, I kinda wanted to go...as, as far as uh, as it would allow, ya' know, given that I'm tryin' to tow that line between art and commerce.

Nick: Mm-hmm

David: Um...ya' know so we, we, we managed to, to get quite, quite a bit of sway on this record. Ya' know, we have songs like, uh, we have this song called "Bar-Ba-Sol," that's very heavy, riff rock. Still melodic, but definitely will kick ya' in the teeth. And then, and on the flip we have a song like "Permanent," that's, that's very uh, ya' know, piano- driven and delicate, and, and uh...it...ya' know we, we had a little bit of room to play with, which was nice. And so it allowed this record to have a lot different dynamic.

Janet: The song "Permanent" is for your brother Adam?

David: Absolutely.

Janet: How's he doin'?

David: Uh, he's good. Thanks for askin'. He um...ya' know, we're all kind of uh, cautiously optimistic. He, he's uh...ya' know, pluggin' right along.

Nick: On American Idol...he was there. He came...

David: Mm-hmm

Nick: ...to visit. But they didn't make much mention of it. If you didn't know who he was in the crowd, they weren't saying anything. Why was that?

David: Um...ya' know, it was-- that, that was more out of respect to, to not only me, but to my family. Um...ya' know, before I, before I started on the show, I talked to my family, and we kind of just agreed that...that if I was gonna succeed or fail, I needed to do it on my own merit. And, and we didn't want, uh...ya' know we, we didn't want to (A) pervert, you know, my brother's illness, and (B) we didn't want to...pervert why I, why I was on the show, which was, ya' know, to sing songs. And...and uh...and so that's kinda how we operated. And the show was actually really good about tryin' to respect that.

Nick: Well we, we all saw the AC/DC and, and it meant a lot...

Janet: Yeah

Nick: ...to watch the show, and to know that, that bond with your brother.

David: Yeah, absolu-- I, ya' know, my uh...both my brothers, Adam and Andrew, are, are uh...ya' know, they're my backbone. So...

Janet: Yeah

David: I, I...I was happy to kinda...give 'em a little shout-out every week.

Janet: Is Andrew in your band?

David: Andrew is not in my band. Andrew's actually uh, ya' know, finishin' up school back in uh, in Warrensburg, Missouri. And then...

Janet: Uh-huh

David: ...um...ya' know, just kinda...plotting his revenge, I guess. [laughs]

[Nick laughs]

Janet: Awesome. And [laughs] yeah right, cuz you went to the au-- the story goes that you went to the audition for him, to support him. And then you ended up auditioning, right?

David: Yeah, man. And, and uh...

Janet: Amazing

David: Ya' know, a lesser man would, would have done everything he could to sabotage. But Andrew's been uh...Andrew's been awesome. I, I think one of my, my most staunch supporters. So...

Janet: I have to ask you, you wear really cool cowboy boots. What's the brand?

David [laughing]: Uh...I, I get 'em from this place called "Boot Star," uh, out here in L.A. And I, I, I'm probably gonna butcher it. It's uh...Lu...Lu, Lukeezie? Lukayzie?

Nick: Lucchese

Janet: Lucchese?

David: Yeah

Janet: Is that what you're--Oh my God, they're so cool. You're such a rock star.

Nick: Yeah

Janet: It's amazing.

David: Aw, well thanks.

Nick: It's fun to talk to you. Congratulations on your album. Comes out today. A week after David Archuleta's. So there's your little Idol brother, there.

[Janet laughs]

David: Absolutely. I, I actually, I talked to him last night. And uh...we talked about, ya' know, maybe, if he has the time, tryin' to get together for lunch or somethin'. So...

Janet: He's playing our KISSmas Bash December 9th in Buffalo. So that's gonna be a lot of fun.

David: Oh absolutely. You gotta, you gotta tell him that uh, that Cookie said "hello."

[Nick laughs]

Janet: I sure will. And, and in terms of keeping in touch with other Idol finalists, who do you keep in touch with?

David: I keep in touch with almost everybody from this season. Uh...ya' know it's uh, we had a really fun time as a group, and...uh...ya' know, it was cool, cuz everybody came in with a really firm sense of self, and a firm identity, and...and it allowed uh...it allowed for a clean fight, I think, all the way through, ya' know, the show. Nobody really...tried to undermine anybody, and we all just kinda came out with whatever we had.

Janet: It's David Cook on KISS 98.5. Thanks David.

David: Thank you guys. Take care.

END OF INTERVIEW

2008-11-18 - USA TODAY - Introducing ‗David Cook‘, first album from the Idol winner Source: http://www.usatoday.com/life/music/news/2008-11-17-david-cook-main_N.htm

Updated 11/18/2008 10:21 PM | Comments 25 | Recommend 42 E-mail | Save | Print | Reprints & Permissions |

By Dan MacMedan, USA TODAY

In position for success: Reigning American Idol winner David Cook has waited a long time for today, when his self-titled album is released.

By Edna Gundersen, USA TODAY LOS ANGELES — Since David Cook won the title in May, his fans have been hungrily anticipating the arrival of the American Idol's self-titled album, out today. Cook can empathize. "I feel like I've been waiting for Nov. 18 for 25 years," he says. The seventh-season champ describes David Cook as the reintroduction of David Cook, not the Idol grunt at boot camp but the liberated rocker at ground zero. REVIEW: Cook's debut isn't quite cooking MORE: What's he listening to on his iPod? "I wanted this record to be a definition of me as a person," says Cook, parked in 19 Entertainment's conference room overlooking the Sunset Strip. "The goal was to make an eclectic rock record. Bar-Ba-Sol is guitar-driven and heavy but still melodic. On the flip side is Permanent, with a string section and piano. The power behind that song is the angst and the vocal. I love both songs for the aspects in my character that they define. It sounds egotistical, but I see myself as a complex person." FIND MORE STORIES IN: Seattle | John McCain | American Idol | iPod | Night Live | Beatles | Billboard | Disneyland | Entertainment | Sunset Strip | David Cook | Season | Chris Daughtry | El Paso Corp. | Goo Goo Dolls | Zoolander | Don Waller | Declaration | Permanent | Johnny Rzeznik | Analog Heart | Axium | Rob Cavallo Cook, 25, does embody contradictions. He is by turns reserved and goofy, articulate and tongue-tied, humble and ambitious. He talks about ducking attention and fostering harmony among Idol finalists but also confesses: "I've had a competitive spirit all my life. Love me or hate me, just don't ignore me." Comfortable in front of reporters and cameras, he strikes Zoolander poses to amuse onlookers during a photo shoot. Newfound fame "is the most awkward thing," he says. "When people look at me as a rock star, it seems humorous to me. I look at myself as a goober." In the next breath, when envisioning his ideal future, he says emphatically: "I just want to be an important artist. I don't want to be a flash in the pan. I don't want to be a one-hit wonder. When people talk about this period in music, I want my name to be brought up." This album's pivotal role in that goal may explain his anxiety before a Nov. 1 appearance on Saturday Night Live, also spotlighting John McCain. The show drew 12 million viewers, a fraction of the 31.7 million who tuned in for the May 21 Idol finale, yet Cook says the SNL gig was a bigger freak-out. "Dress rehearsal was full of nausea and dry heaves," he says. "It was so nerve-racking because it was our big unveiling as a band. I listened to the performances (of Light On and Declaration) the day after, and you can hear some timidness in my voice." Despite being swept instantly into the industry's major league, Cook was not timid when it came to making his album. For starters, he was no neophyte. He had released 2006 solo debut Analog Heart after four albums with former band Axium, plus an EP with the Midwest Kings. He also embarked on his post-Idol career with enviable chart credentials posted the week after the finale, when he landed 11 songs on Billboard's Hot 100 chart, the most since The Beatles nailed 14 in 1964. Though determined to dictate the shape of his album, Cook also found himself starstruck by collaborators. "I was kind of dumbfounded to work with my musical heroes," says Cook, who had e-mailed a wish list to his manager the day after the finale and wound up co-writing tunes with such faves as Johnny Rzeznik of the Goo Goo Dolls and Raine Maida of Our Lady Peace. "It was like going to Disneyland every day." Cook says he never let the star power of heavyweight co-workers or the clout of producer Rob Cavallo deter him from following his impulses. "I'm comfortable with who I am as a musician and artist," he says. "As humbling as it is to work with these people, I understand it's work. If I'm going to sing these songs for the next 15, 20 years, I need to love them. "I've got to stand up for myself because I don't know if anyone's going to stand up for me. I was lucky Rob tuned in early to what kind of record I wanted to make. He brought something out of me that I couldn't have done on my own." The songs, many of them completed while Cook was on tour, reveal his love for early '90s alt-rock. He's especially fond of the push-pull dynamics in Seattle grunge because "every song punched you in the face but cradled you before you hit the ground. It was heavy and delicate at the same time." The first full-tilt rocker to capture Idol's crown isn't worried about the franchise's pop bent. As he confronts rock's rebel-craving ranks, he shrugs off fears of a stigma from the show's assembly-line process, citing Chris Daughtry, the 2006 finalist who rocked the chart with a multiplatinum debut. "If I'd done this in Season 1, it might be different," Cook says. "I think Chris and Bo (Bice, 2005 runner-up) laid the pavement for someone like me to win. Anyway, whether I do rock or jazz or pop or country, there will always be people shining a negative light on it." True, early reviews are mixed, and few expect a commercial blockbuster. With music sales in steady decline, "it would be almost impossible for Cook to top Daughtry's sales figures," says music writer Don Waller, one of USA TODAY's American Idol coaches. On record, Cook's vocals "sound good, strong and totally professional, with the distinctive character and sandpapery timbre that are instantly familiar to those who watched the show," he says. First single Light On, however, "is by-the-numbers generic power balladry, a song that could be anybody from Green Day to My Chemical Romance," both also produced by Cavallo. If RCA pumps money into promoting Cook and releases a second single by Christmas, the disc might sell 500,000, Waller speculates. "I doubt that would turn a profit for the label, though," Waller adds, suggesting it will take a million-seller to establish Cook as a commercial entity. Music consultant Tom Vickers predicts a brighter future. "There hasn't been a mainstream pop/rock-leaning hitmaker since Bryan Adams, and I see Cook in that zone," he says. "He's not as hard-edged as Daughtry; he's genuinely likable, the right amalgam of rock star and regular guy." Cook hopes to validate the Idol decision, particularly since handicappers predicted a landslide for David Archuleta. Cook got 56% of the votes, 12 million more than the favorite. "I guess I have a chip on my shoulder, because I hate that some people call it an upset," he says, then allows, "I stood on the side of the stage that last Tuesday and thought Archie owned it. Give the kid credit: 17 years old, and he came in as a front-runner and held it for 14 weeks. I came in under the radar and had time to get my feet under me." And that big brother/little brother narrative? Media hokum. "To look at him as someone who needs protecting demeans him a little," he says. "I was seriously trying to keep my own boat afloat. What made the season fun is there wasn't a lot of behind-the-scenes drama. We ran a clean race." Contest stresses faded on the road. "I know I ended up winning the prize everyone was shooting for," Cook says. "I was worried about a backlash, but nobody made me feel unwanted. I never felt any malice or jealousy." Likewise regarding younger brother Andrew, rejected in Idol auditions only to see Cook head to Hollywood. "I think he had to distance himself for a while to make peace and come to grips with it, but then he became one of my biggest supporters," Cook says. As career pressures mount, Cook increasingly leans on his family, torn this year between celebrating his success and rallying around older brother Adam, who is battling brain cancer. "There were uncertainties going into the summer, but we got good news while I was on the road," he says. "He's continuing treatment, and we're all cautiously optimistic. My brothers are my backbone, my parents are my oxygen. I can't operate without them." The sleep-deprived former bartender sighs and admits he is homesick for Blue Springs, Mo. He craves time off to spend with girlfriend (and ex-Idol finalist) Kimberly Caldwell or to catch up on sports, Family Guy and It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia. Cook stops to remind himself why he tolerates the pandemonium: "I would rather do this than toil in obscurity."

2008-11-19 - ASSOCIATED PRESS - Idol champ David Cook keeps rocking on new album Source

BC-Music-David Cook,0996 `Idol' champ David Cook keeps rocking on new album AP Photo NYET585, NYET586, NYET587 By ERIN CARLSON Associated Press Writer NEW YORK (AP) -- When he was on "American Idol," David Cook -- as cool as a cucumber for much of last season -- fought back tears after performing for a studio audience that included his brother Adam, who's fighting brain cancer. It was a moment of raw emotion, winning Cook the sympathy of viewers who've also been touched by tragedy. Cook's tears have flowed more freely in private. The 25-year-old rocker, who won the Fox competition in May, fueled his anguish over Adam's illness into the gut-wrenching ballad "Permanent," one of 13 songs on his namesake debut album. After recording the track in two takes, "I actually called my dad and wept openly for about 10 minutes," he says. "Anytime you can create something where what's in your head actually comes out the way you originally heard it, it can be pretty overwhelming and pretty heavy," he adds. "I just remember being completely knocked on my (butt) by this song." Cook is hoping listeners have a similar experience when they listen to the rest of "David Cook," which comes six months after he snagged the "Idol" crown. Recorded in a span of 10 weeks, it's packed with power ballads that accentuate his anthemic voice. "I wanted to come out with a record that was both heavy and delicate and had some eclectic-ness to it," he says during a break in rehearsals before a recent appearance on "Saturday Night Live." "So I feel like we've got this record that meanders and takes people on a journey a little bit." Cook's path to stardom took the fast-track after he auditioned for "Idol." A working musician/bartender based in Tulsa, Okla., he auditioned for the talent competition on a lark: He joined younger brother Andrew on line for moral support, and was persuaded to try out, eventually facing Simon Cowell in the judges' chambers. Cook made it to Hollywood; Andrew didn't. Once "Idol" started, Cowell was one of Cook's biggest critics, condemning him for lacking personality. But the boyishly handsome singer clung on each week, gaining momentum after a midseason makeover that included manly facial scruff and a much-needed haircut. He ultimately won over Cowell with rock-infused covers of pop songs (like Mariah Carey's "Always Be My Baby") that were downloaded by thousands of fans. If only he could remember his big moment. "I actually watched it back and was like, 'I don't remember doing any of that,"' Cook muses about the finale. "I can't tell you what it was like to stand up there and hug Archie (runner-up David Archuleta) after the fact." While 17-year-old Archuleta controlled the tween voting bloc, Cook held sway over smitten fans -- many of them women of a certain age -- who delivered at the polls (the phones), propelling him to his title. Cook laughs off all that "cougar" love, claiming a lack of heartthrob appeal. "I've never ever looked at myself or thought of myself as that," says the singer, whose bright hazel eyes, bee-stung lips and mussed hair add a sexy mystique to his nice-guy demeanor. "I'm just this goober who likes crosswords and plays music. And that's really what I am. The whole rock-star mythos thing, man, does not apply to me in the least." If he had to chalk his success up to something, though, he'd say his emotional honesty made the ladies swoon. "I didn't put up a front," says Cook, who dates former "Idol" contestant Kimberly Caldwell. "I wasn't trying to be anything else. I wasn't trying to cater to any particular person. I just was on the show, you know? And so, when I cried, it was real. When I laughed, it was real. And, I don't know. Maybe that hit a nerve with some people." Following the "Idol" finale, Cook jumped immediately into writing sessions for his album. He recruited Grammy-winning producer Rob Cavallo and a team of songwriters including Chris Cornell, Brian Howes and Johnny Rzeznik of the Goo Goo Dolls. Cavallo compares Cook to big-voiced former Journey frontman Steve Perry, who dropped by the studio while Cook was recording. "He really is an unbelievably gifted singer," Cavallo says of Cook. "There's no song on the record that he didn't sing in two or three takes. ... He can sing harmony to any of his songs automatically without even thinking about it." Ironically, Archuleta is beating Cook on Billboard's Hot 100 singles chart. The pop singer's "Crush" sits at No. 22, while Cook's first single "Light On" has dropped to 89th place after debuting at No. 17 last month. It ranks at No. 18 on Billboard's Hot Adult Top 40. Cook marvels at his own journey from nobody to reality TV star. But he understands that the transition to rock star will be a harder one to pull off. "I mean, look, there's way better musicians out there than me, there's way better singers out there than me," says Cook. "The problem is they never get the opportunity to do this. And I think that's what `Idol' represents. It's an opportunity. It's not a golden ticket. It's not a free pass." -

2008-11-19 - CNN - Idol champ eyes long-term success Source

By Shanon Cook CNN

NEW YORK (CNN) -- Barely six months after being crowned the winner of "American Idol," David Cook has released his self-titled debut album.

David Cook recently released his debut album, which includes songs about his family.

The Missouri native (no relation to the author of this article) described the recording process as "squeezing a year's worth of work on a record into 2½ months." But he's very happy with the result.

"It's a very accurate definition of where I'm at, where I was and where I want to be," he said.

Cook sticks to his rock roots on the release, eliciting help from ex-Soundgarden member Chris Cornell to write the lead single, "Light On."

He also keeps loved ones close: The track "Heroes" is a tribute to his family. "Permanent" (which Cook describes as having a "delicate and lullaby feel") and "A Daily AntheM" ("sing-alongy and grandiose") acknowledge his older brother, who is battling brain cancer. The latter song was written three years before Cook's "Idol" run, when he was cutting his teeth as a grass-roots rocker. Watch David Cook show his chops » Cook, 25, dropped by CNN's New York offices (with his mother, Beth Foraker, in tow) to talk about keeping creative control, losing his privacy and his responsibility as Idol No. 7. The following is an edited version of that interview.

CNN: You were very involved in the making of your debut album, weren't you?

David Cook: Yeah. Out of 12 songs on the record, I wrote or co-wrote 10, and the label was even kind enough to let me get involved with the art direction on the record. So it was a busy summer.

CNN: You actually have a degree in graphic design, don't you?

Cook: I spent five long years at the University of Central Missouri. It should've been four, but I enjoyed college a little bit more than I should have.

CNN: There's skepticism that American Idols have very little control over the music they ultimately make. That wasn't the case for you?

Cook: Well, I can't speak for anybody else except myself, and I guess in that sense, I lucked out. I mean, 19 [Entertainment] and RCA really [gave] me a little bit of carte blanche to allow me to make a record that is me. And to that end, I think we managed to pull something really cool off.

CNN: What was your approach with the music? Don't Miss 'Idol' sensation, 17, still adjusting to limelight Cook: I tried to put music down on this record that [translated] live. I want these songs to make people feel things and invoke certain responses in an audience. And so it's a lot of very epic choruses and open bridges and stuff like that. Something that will give a show some room to meander and feel like a unique experience for everybody. CNN: [Lead single "Light On"] debuted on the Billboard charts at No. 17, and then several weeks later -- about four -- it dropped to No. 80. Was that discouraging? Cook: No, not really. I think, for us, it's all about the long-term results. And I feel like the song seems to be getting speed now, especially with the record coming out. It just feels like everything's headed in the right direction, so I'm definitely not one to hang my head on immediate results. I'd rather the song hit No. 1 four months from now if it's gonna do it. I'm just excited to get this record out. I'm excited to have people hear it. CNN: When you were catapulted to fame, did you ever experience any self-doubt or feelings of insecurity? Cook: I'll be the first to admit there are [musicians] out there who are way better than me. I feel almost a responsibility to do everything that I can with this on their behalf as well as my own. But I've always been a confident person. I feel like I know why I'm here, I know what put me here. It's just a matter of trusting it and going with it. CNN: All this talk about you and ["American Idol" runner-up] David Archuleta being mortal enemies is absolute garbage, isn't it? Cook: It is. David is one of the most unassuming, down-to-earth people I think I've ever met. It seems like he has no idea he was even on the show, let alone did well. And I find that really endearing. He'll be the first to congratulate you. He seems to just appreciate every moment CNN: You seem to be a very private person. Has all this attention been a little intrusive? Cook: In a sense, yeah. It's a little strange to go from toiling in obscurity to having to worry about walking out of a restaurant and [seeing] who's going to shove a camera in your face and all that. But it comes with the territory, and if dealing with that on occasion allows me to make music that I want to make ... then, I'll take it.

2008-11-19 - WJZ Baltimore -- Coffee with David Cook – Interview (Transcript by Coolshades)

News Anchors: Don and Marty

Marty: David Cook joins us right now.

["Light On" plays]

Marty: Ladies and Gentlemen, let's welcome David Cook to the Eyewitness News Morning Edition. Unb--you-- I'm gonna tell you somethin', David...

[Don laughs]

Don: Nice to see you, first of all.

[David laughs]

Marty: And take this as a compliment. This is a line I heard a long time ago. But it really, honestly, uh, pertains to you.

David: OK

Marty: You're the luckiest man since Ringo Starr.

David: Wow. I'll take that, man. That's, that's uh, that's pretty lucky. [laughs]

Marty: I mean look, you're stay-- you're standing in line with your brother who's tryin' out for American Idol. He gets the heave-ho...

David: I don't--

Marty: "Dave, why don't you try out?" You win the thing.

David: Uh...I'm sure he's back home plotting his revenge as we speak.

[Don laughs]

Don: I figured he was...

Marty: Well what--

Don: ...managing your career.

Marty: Hey, yeah, question.

[David laughs]

Marty: What does he say, what's he say to you about that?

David: Um...I, I'll tell you what, I, I, I think uh...for, for a guy who's twenty-one years old he's...mature beyond his years. I thin-- he coulda taken it to the whole jaded side of things. And...and he really uh, he, he really has been one of my biggest supporters. So, um...I probably should hire him to do something.

[Don laughs]

Marty: Give him--

David: We'll see.

Marty: Make it easy.

Don: That's a hint, yeah.

Marty: Give him the t-shirt concession.

David [laughing]: Exactly. I need somebody to uh, pack my bags.

Marty: Well do--

Don: Noooo. I wouldn't go there. [laughs]

Marty [laughing]: No, no. No, no, no. We made him a corporate executive. You made him--

David: Right, right.

Marty: Well so, so we're sittin' here with your new disc...and our producer, uh, Lisa Cochran, who's in the control room, even as we speak, uh, on oxygen right now cuz we're talking to you.

[David laughs]

Marty: Say "hi Lis--" Do me a favor, say "hi Lisa."

David: Hi, how are you?

[everyone pauses]

Marty: I just heard a shriek in my ear.

Don: And then a thump afterwards. [laughs]

Marty [laughing]: And then a big thump.

Don: She hit the floor.

David: Uh-oh

Marty: She's, she says this uh, that this dis--

David: Well I gotta be honest, I did, I did say it a little lower than I normally would. I was, I was, ya' know...I sold it a little.

[Don and Marty laugh]

Marty: Yeah, you did, man. Um...this is a-- she says uh, you know, this is a breakout album not unlike uh...um...[pauses] well she said name--

Don: Ringo Starr [laughs]

Marty: She said name any good rocker going today. Well done, pal.

David: Thank you. Thank you very much. I, I uh...I put a lot of work into it this summer. I think with the tour and everything, uh, the schedule is really crazy. But...uh, ya' know, I feel like the proof's in the pudding. I feel like we put together a record that uh...that, that hopefully will do exactly what I wanted it to do, which is last long after I'm gone.

Don: Wow. OK.

Marty: But you know, the interesting thing is, there--the-- I don't want to say there's a curse of American Idol. But there certainly is an enormous amount of pressure that little under half of the winners have, have ever been able to rise above. If you think about it, did you...

David: I think...

Marty: ...do you feel that pressure?

David: Um...I probably should, but I don't. I think uh...I, I'm, I'm kind of at calm with the idea of just bein' who I am. And, and if it works out, great. And if it doesn't, then uh...I'm still in a much better place than I was before. Ya' know, I walked in, I walked in to uh...the first week of Idol with thirty bucks in my pocket. And so...

Marty: Wow

David: ...uh, to be where I'm at right now, I've been extremely blessed in the last year and a half and...uh, ya' know, I said it right after the finale. If it all falls apart tomorrow, it's been an amazing ride, and, and I have nothin' to hang my head about.

Marty: Look, I just punched-up your website. Hey, what kinda hits are you gettin'...

David: Mm-hmm

Marty: ...on your website? W-- wha-- d-- do you get number calculations?

David: Uh, I don't get number calculations. I know that uh, I, I've, I've dumped a lot of work in BMG's lap. Uh, I think, I think my fans have managed to crash the server now three times, maybe four.

Don: Awesome

David: And uh...

Marty: Good for you, yeah.

David: Yeah. I-- well hey, good for, good for my fans. And I, I really, I...I'm really appreciative of the fact that they show so much support, uh, ya' know, even to the point of logging in to a website.

Don: That's uh...

Marty: Your fans just stepped right up to the plate, coast to coast.

David: Yeah. And uh...ya' know I, I, I'm continuously amazed by what, uh, what my fans have done, ya' know? They uh-- not only for me, but for the causes that I really believe in. I think my fans have donated thirty to forty grand to cancer research, uh, since the finale, which is...unreal. And so uh...that to me is probably the thing I'm most proud of, is that, um...I've been some small proponent for, for change in, in advocacy and funding, and, and uh...ya' know, hopefully we can continue that. I, I think uh, I, I definitely want this record to do well. Um, but I, I think the uh, the attention to the, to the cure for cancer is just as important to me.

Marty: Well I'll tell ya' what, it's gonna be fun watching your career. I, I really...I mean that sincerely. It's gonna be great.

David: Thank you.

Marty: And after, you know, you've got a pocket full of Grammies, you're gonna have to come back on the show. You can't blow us off.

David: Uh, absolutely not. I'll get a, I'll get a utility built and I'll hang 'em all on there. It'll, it'll be a really nice lookin' thing.

[Don laughs]

Marty: Man, we, we can only hope. David, you're a class guy. Safe travels, brother.

David: Thank you very much, gentlemen. Thank you.

Marty: We'll see ya' later. Here it is, "David Cook." Available...any fine record store. I'm sure you can go online.

Don: It's in the Idol...yeah.

Marty: iTunes, whatnot. And enjoy a, enjoy a, a good amount of time with a real talented guy. Uh, Sharon's got WJZ TV traffic control check with -- and he's left-handed. I'm partial to left-handers.

Don: A-ha

Marty: Sharon's got WJZ TV traffic control. We got first warning weather and more. Stay with us.

END OF INTERVIEW

2008-11-19 - WPLJ (New York, NY) – Interview (Transcript by Coolshades) DJ: Race Taylor

Note: This Q & A session took place after an acoustic performance of "Light On."

[first part of audio unavailable]

David: Uh...so that'll start, uh, sometime in the Spring. I think also sometime in the Spring we're gonna, we're gonna try to get overseas to play for the troops.

Female: I heard that. Excellent.

[crowd reacts positively]

David: And uh...as far as To Have Heroes opening...uh...

[A few people laugh]

Female: They're good.

[a few people laugh]

David: Uh they-- they are very good. I, I don't uh...I, I don't know exactly. I know uh...Andy has uh, been kind enough to, to join the band and play, so...

Female: Absolutely. And Neal, here.

David: Uh...I, I, I've learned in this industry very quickly to never say never. But as of right now, there are no plans for that.

Female: Ok. Thank you.

Race: And what if uh, what if someone else were to snatch you up and say: You know, you did your headlining thing. Maybe, how 'bout you go on the road with us for the summer?

David: Uh...depends on who. Who do you have in mind?

[crowd laughs]

Race: Well I've got a name or two of a bunch of people that you've worked with in the past several months. So uh, I don't know. Let's throw down Johnny Rzeznik and The Goo Goo Dolls.

David: Uh, I would uh...I would love to.

Race: And what was it like to work with John on the first track of this CD?

David: John is uh...obviously an immense talent. I mean, anything the guy touches seems to, to go Platinum. And so...

Race: It works.

David: Yeah. Uh, so it was-- I mean it was crazy workin' with him. I, I actually for something better, we went to his home town of Buffalo.

Race: Mm-hmm

David: And so that was a little unnerving. But uh...uh, all in all just a down to earth guy and... and we really, we really worked that song as hard as we could. I mean, it took uh...that song took on a lot of incarnations, so uh...obviously happiest with the, the latest one.

Race: Yeah. When we talk about a song choices, not just for uh, the album, which you probably had to go through a lengthy lick, but for the show as well. Uh, Is there something that you really wanted to sing uh, back when you were on the show that you never got a chance, because you just didn't feel like it was the right thing?

David: Um...I really trusted my gut as far as what was the right thing. I would have loved to have uh -- excuse me -- uh, I would have loved to have had the opportunity to do uh, "Live and Let Die." And so...

Race: Nice!

[crowd reacts positively]

David: Uh but...uh...clearance issues.

[crowd laughs]

Race: Totally understood. And you did stand your ground on the very, very last night, because someone wanted you to go back and do a little "Billie Jean," and you did a Collective Soul song.

David: Who was that someone.....?

[crowd laughs]

Race: When you're set to put this album out before it gets to artwork and mastering and everything like that...do you have to run it by anyone named Nigel or Simon or Clive....

[crowd laughs]

Race: ...or anything like that? Or...

David: Um...

Race: ...do you have free reign?

David: I, I, I was really lucky. Uh...you know the, the powers that be, uh, really gave me uh, gave me a lot of, a lot of their trust. And allowed me to make a record that was me. And uh, and ya' know, the end result is this record. Uh...twelve tracks on The Record, and I wrote or co-wrote ten. Um...so it was a busy summer. They even let me get involved with the art design and concept, which was...

Race: Nice

David: ...uh...I think it look alright. So...

[crowd laughs]

Race: So...in the sum-- in the summer time, when you were also on the road with the Idols tour, do you travel with a disc? Do you have a whole giant computer with pro tools on it? Because every room, every studio is different.

David: Yes

Race: How can that possibly go down?

David: Um, uh [laughs] it's amazing to me what, what can be accomplished with technology today. But, I mean, we were all over the place. The idea of a day off was, uh, not an option. I think, I think the entire tour I had two days kind of off. And, I went golfing in Portland one day...

Race: Nice

David: ...and I went and saw a movie and got lost on the beach...

[a few people laugh]

David: ...in Ft. Lauderdale. So...

Race: What'd you shoot in Portland, by the way? I saw you.

David: Uh, that, sir, is none of your business.

[crowd laughs]

Race: That's a quick...

David: Ok sure

Race: ...67 down on the par four...

David: We'll say 67 with a fifty or sixty handicap.

[crowd laughs]

Race: David Cook is our guest. We have some questions about the holidays, and a recycled interview still to come. This is ninety-five-five, PLJ.

[crowd cheers]

[short break]

Race: David Cook is here. This is ninety-five-five PLJ.

[crowd cheers]

Race: His debut, "David Cook," is in stores right now. We had the chance to uh, meet a friend of yours a few days ago. And we asked this friend what question would they have for David Cook. And here is what they said.

Recording of David Archuleta: Hey David. This is...David. And...

[David laughs]

Recording of David Archuleta: What was the hardest song for you to record in the studio on your album?

Race: David Archuleta was here.

David: Uh, the hardest song for m to track was uh...I actually tried to do a rock version of "Crush."

[crowd laughs]

David: I was gonna sing it, but I decided not to. No I think uh...the hardest part for me was probably "Permanent." I think just because of the uh...is uh, there's an emotional context behind it that, for those of you who don't, uh, haven't followed me, or follow Idol, I guess, at this point, uh, I have an older brother who's been sick with a brain tumor for a long time. And so...that song was written very uh, very directly about him. I made it a point to be very uh, honest lyrically. So...um...that song was probably the toughest to pull off. I think just because...it was towards the end of The Record cycle, I was uh... a little burnout. Um...but also really wanted to put everything I had into it, so...

David: Also, uh, emotionally, you're probably doing this on the road and being completely drained. You're showing everybody some stuff that maybe you had not let out to them at that stage.

David: Absolutely, absolutely. I think uh...ya' know, it's interesting, going through the Idol...uh...setup, I wanted to, uh, to, to succeed or fail on my own merit. I didn't want anything, uh, [snippet of audio cut due to videographer taking photograph] do with me going on stage and singing to affect the outcome in any way. So...I, I, ya' know, me and my family were ver-- we [snippet of audio cut due to videographer taking photograph] conscious effort to, to uh...to keep my brother's, uh, illness out of it. And we uh...and uh...so that was uh, that was...it was weird. It was like four and a half months of...of uh, ya' know, not talkin' about the elephant in the room...

Race: Right

David: ...so to speak. So I, I'm glad to kinda be out in the public, now. And uh...I can talk about it and hopefully, uh, be a vehicle for change.

Race: Without getting uh, too personal, how is everything now?

David: Everything is uh...uh, we are cautiously optimistic. I think uh... the treatment's been really taking, and uh...we're just goin' a day at a time.

Race: Good. As a card-carrying member and the treasurer of the Cougars For Cook, the next question is: How's your love life?

[David makes a non-verbal action, and the crowd laughs]

Race: I saved ya'. I took that vote for ya' right there.

David: Uh...that's my response. [laughs]

Race: Actually, let's go to uh...Jeannette, from Garden City.

Jeannette: Right here. Hi.

Race: Hi. Step on up to the microphone...

Jeannette: OK

Race: ...don't be afraid.

Jeannette: Hello. My question is, um, I absolutely love "Analog Heart"...

[crowd reacts positively]

Jeannette: ...and what is the likelihood of it possibly being rereleased and produced again?

David: I have been asked that a few times. And uh, first off, I can't say thank you enough that everybody kinda backtracked and really got in to the stuff I did before Idol. Uh...I really wish you guys would've been around before Idol. [laughs]

[crowd laughs]

David: Uh, it's funny, man. No, but um...we, we have uh...kinda...juggled around the idea of maybe throwin' in some stuff on, on the tour this Spring.

[crowd reacts positively]

David: Uh, I've...I've, I would love to get-- I would love to get back to, to uh, do some things that I was doin' before Idol. But as of now there, there are no plans to uh, to rerelease. I think uh, it's a nice snapshot of where I was at. But uh, I'm all about lookin' forward.

Race: Good question Jeannette.

Jeannette: Thank you.

David: Very good question.

Race: Where is Cindy? Cindy Aboud from Avenel, ? Step on over, Cindy.

Cindy: Hi David, nice to meet you.

David: Pleasure to meet you.

Cindy: Uh, being a cook myself, I read that you enjoy cooking.

David: Uh...I do. I don't know that I'm good at it.

[crowd laughs]

Cindy: That's a valid point. Now, do you cook for your dates?

David: Uh...I do. I have uh, I have uh, two, maybe three go-tos. Uh, one is spaghetti. Uh, with uh, I call it garlic toast.

Race: Nice

David: You make toast with the bread, sprinkle some garlic salt on it, and it's good to go.

[crowd laughs. Someone asks David when he learned to make it]

David: Uh...in college.

[crowd laughs]

David: Uh...secondly, I, I do uh...I do on occasion make a uh...this is so lame. I do make a ham sandwich.

[crowd laughs]

David: Uh...it, I, I [laughs] I have never quote-unquote closed the deal with a ham sandwich.

[crowd laughs]

David: Uh, and lastly, uh, if, if the milk hasn't gone bad, usually cereal's a good standby.

[crowd laughs]

Race: Well done. Spoken like a true bachelor.

David: I know, right?

Race: Here comes the lightning round of questions. We have a couple of questions. We have a couple about the song, and then we can see the horizon. Uh, number one: Uh, where's the football field in the video? Is it someplace significant?

David: Uh, it's at a community college in Los Angeles. Uh, it's not significant, uh, other than the fact that we shot it there. And it was 40 degrees when we shot it, so...

Race: Wow. They're like: You can see your breath when you're singing.

[crowd laughs]

David: I could. That's not--

[sound cut off momentarily due to videographer taking a photograph]

Race: Listen, he is tall, he is handsome. We understand he is also very muscular and a generous lover. Let's talk about Chris Cornell for a second.

[everyone laughs]

Race: Do you think...

David: Here I thought you were talkin' about my guitar player Neal the whole time.

[Everyone awwwws]

Race: Not to, not to put any undue pressure on, but...

Davd: Short of marriage.

[crowd laughs]

Race: do you think if he were not...if he were not to offer up the "Light On" song, do you think he would have successful-- as successful of a run with it as you have had?

David: Uh...I have the utmost respect for Christ Cornell, so I have to say yes, I think he would have...

Race: Mm-hmm

David: ...had as much success. I think it's a great song. I think the, the message behind it is universal, the whole love amidst distance thing. I think it's somethin' that everybody can relate to. And musically, uh...uh, I pull a lot of influence out of it. To me, it's like a rock history lesson in about three minutes, so...

Race: That's great. That is great. Well done. And the guitar lesson online was very cool.

[Audience reacts with "yeah," "that was great," etc.]

David: Can we, can I-- I, I've seen a lot of-- everybody's submissions have been really cool, and have been really, um...kind of interesting to see how everybody takes their own spin on it. Uh, I, but I have, I have to, I have to confess something. Um, I didn't actually know all the chords.

[crowd laughs]

David: So, Neal was actually off camera, like, feeding me chords.

[crowd laughs]

David: So the uh, the A, A f-- what is it?

[various people answer]

David: Yeah the uh, the A sus 7.

Neal: A sus 4

David: A-- sus 4? Are you kidding me?

[crowd laughs]

Race: That's pretty impressive.

David: It's all Tiemann.

[audio cuts off]

END OF INTERVIEW

2008-11-19 WPLJ -- Recycled Interview (New York, NY) – Interview (Transcript by Coolshades) DJ: Race Taylor

Note: This took place at the same time as the other Q & A session after David's acoustic performance at WPLJ. But because the audio files are separate, I created a separate transcript for this portion of the session.

Race: We recycle on our program. Uh...

David: Ok. [laughs]

Race: Unfortunately, what we recycle is interview questions.

David: Right

Race: Some call it blatant plagiarism, we think it's genius. We would like your assistance in the greening of the earth.

David: Ok

Race: Your interview comes from a Bruce Willis 1992...

[crowd starts laughing]

Race: ...Hudson Hawk Rolling Stone interview.

David: I love it.

Race: We chose this interview because you, before fame, like Bruce Willis, were also a bartender.

David: Oh wow, I didn't know that.

Race: So we're going to ask you the same--

David: We should be friends.

Race: You should. The same questions Bruce was asked. And we are interested in your answers. Question number one--

David: He could introduce me to Petra Nemcova . Anyway...

Race: Ooooh. Maybe next. Uh, number one: Do you still think Cybill Shepherd is hot?

[crowd laughs]

David: I'd say that's obvious. Of course I do.

Race: Ok, fantastic. Can you really play the harmonica?

[David laughs, causing the crowd to laugh]

David: Is that really the juiciest question of the day?

Race: They're in there, so far.

David: Uh, I can uh...I, I can work my way around a harmonica.

Race: Alright, excellent. Well done. Would you like to have children with Demi Moore?

[crowd laughs and ooooohs. Race laughs]

David: I was gonna say...am I being punk'd?

[crowd laughs]

Race: No, not at all. Alright, we can let that one slide.

[David laughs]

Race: Uh...what are the proper bartender ingredients for a rusty nail?

David: Uh...a rusty nail and an open wound.

[Race and crowd laugh]

Race: Good. Or we would have accepted drambuie and uh, I prefer Jameson...

David: Ok

Race: ...myself. Uh...

David: Sounds disgusting.

[crowd laughs]

Race: Have you ever been given a phone number on a napkin...with a lipstick mark.

[David laughs]

David: Uh...I've been given a napkin with a lipstick mark, and I've been given a napkin with a phone number. I've never been given one in concert.

Race: Would you like one now?

[everyone laughs]

David: Uh...

Race: That is it, right there.

David: Yippie-Kay-Yay!

[everyone laughs and claps]

Race: Perfect! Our recycled interview, well-handled by David Cook on ninety-five-five PLJ.

END OF INTERVIEW

2008-11-19 - Z100 -- Elvis Duran Morning Show (New York, NY) – Interview (Transcript by Coolshades) DJ: Garrett

Garrett: Alright, hangin' out backstage. Elvisduran.com with the man of the hour today, David Cook. I have your prize possession in my hand. Got it at Target, $9.99.

David: Very nice.

Garrett: I got the second one there. I don't-- I wasn't gonna be like: I got two...today.

[David laughs]

Garrett: But uh, congratulations, first off. This is your baby. You were just saying you're so excited about it. Uh....I'll be, I'll be a superfan right now. "Declaration"?

David: OK

Garrett: Personal favorite. Personal--

David: That's what I like to hear, yeah.

Garrett: Personal favorite of yours off this album right now?

David: Uh...I like, I like all of 'em. But if I had to pick one favorite, um, "Permanent." I think, just for the backstory. It was one of those real poignant moments on The Record, so...

Garrett: So, first, like, major album comin' out. Ha-- have you started any traditions today? Like, I gotta do this every time I have an album comin' out now?

David: Um...I think uh, I, I think any time we do any sorta line at a store. I, I bought donuts for everybody that stood in line at, at Virgin this morning. So...uh, if The Record does well, I might have to do that every time.

Garrett: So it's gonna be Donuts, Donuts From David.

David: Absolutely.

Garrett: Alright. So uh, I have you for a few minutes. Uh, really quick, uh, I wanna get a guitar lesson from ya'.

David: OK

Garrett: Alright, so...it's, it's not totally in tune...

David: OK

Garrett: But uh, here take the mic, dude, so I can take my place.

David: Alright, I'll take-- I'll take the mic. OK.

Garrett: Alright, so what do I gotta do? This is honestly first time I'm pickin' up a guitar. So...

David: OK. Uh, I'm gonna show you, uh...I'm gonna show you an A chord.

Garrett: OK

David: One of the easiest. Alright, take your index finger and bar it across these four strings.

Garrett: Right here?

David: Not, not, like, just from this string down.

Garrett: Alright.

David: So one down. One more down. Cool. And then you're gonna strum. Hold your finger down-- that finger down, and go [David demonstrate s strumming motion]

[Garrett makes an attempt]

Garrett: Am I pullin' it too tight?

David: Nope. Push all the way down.

Garrett: Alright.

David: And then...

[Garrett makes another attempt]

Garrett: Like I said, not in tune totally.

David: You're closer than I was after my first guitar lesson, so...so that's an A chord. Practice it. Learn it. Embrace it. And uh...

Garrett: And then you can smash it.

David: And if you can learn two more chords after that, then you can play-- you could write songs.

Garrett: Alright, so...the A chor-- the A chord.

David: The A chord.

Garrett: You said learn it. Now, there's one more thing too. I was at a show of yours last week...

David: OK

Garrett: ...where you said that there was one thing to become a rock star-- well, many things to become a rock star.

David: Mm-hmm

Garrett: One of them, of course, was guyliner.

David: Of course.

Garrett: So uh...if, if you don't mind, correctly show...

[David laughs]

Garrett: ...on, on, on me...

David: OK

Garrett: ...what I gotta do that I can rock out and go on the streets...

David: Alright. Do you trust me?

Garrett: Yeah, I trust you.

David: Alright, alright.

Garrett: I tru-- don't-- just don't poke my eyes out.

[David puts guyliner on Garrett]

Garrett: Now this makes...this gets the chicks.

David: This is uh, this is how you, you slay the ladies, my friend.

Garrett: Alright. Slay the ladies. Where's the album? David Cook. Go pick it up. Get the whole thing. I got two. You should get three. David, thank you so much.

David: Thank you and good luck.

Garrett: Congratulations.

[David laughs]

Garrett: I gotta go wash my face now.

[David laughs louder]

END OF INTERVIEW

2008-11-20 - FOX KC - David Cook: ‗The Whole Album Felt Rushed‘ Source

The last few months have been a whirlwind for hometown singer David Cook. And, Tuesday, November 18 is the tornado. David Cook sat in a studio in New York doing interview after interview with television stations around the country to promote his new self-titled album. By the time he got to FOX 4 in Kansas City, he only had nine more left. We asked him if the album felt rushed. Cook said “the whole album felt rushed, but I don’t think it suffered.” He said by not trying to make it ―right,‖ it left the songs with a youthful energy. He said the record is rough around the edges which he appreciates. Despite Saturday Night Live, Leno and Good Morning America appearances, Cook said he knows who he is. He said his family and friends keep him in check and don‘t let his head get too big. He said he appreciates all 100,000 friends he has on Myspace. And, he hopes to add even more to that list. Next on Cook‘s agenda, he‘ll head to Iraq to play for the troops and he‘s planning an early 2009 tour. Before hitting the road for his new album, Cook will return to Kansas City to light up the Plaza. “It’s a huge honor to even be asked. I think it’s going to be a lot of fun,” Cook said. Watch the interview video here.

2008-11-20 - REUTERS - Just a Minute With: "American Idol" David Cook Source: http://www.reuters.com/article/lifestyleMolt/idUSTRE4AJ3DF20081120 Thu Nov 20, 2008 6:08am EST By Jill Serjeant LOS ANGELES (Reuters Life!) - It's been six months since David Cook was crowned the latest "American Idol" but after a summer "Idols" group national tour, he had only six weeks to put together his debut album. Cook, 25, who was working as a bartender while trying to break into the music business, talked to Reuters about his self-titled album, which was released this week, and his hopes for the future. Q: How different is this first album from the David Cook we saw on "American Idol". A: "In the show, we had a different set of boundaries -- Mariah Carey songs one week, songs from your birth year another. With this record I was able to make my own rules ... Lyrically the songs have a mature angle but there is a youthful energy to the record because we had to do everything quickly. I think the time worked out in our favor. We wanted the record to come out of the gates with all guns blazing, and it does." Q: You wrote or co-wrote 10 of the 12 songs on the album and some of them are very personal. A: "Family is very important to me and 'Heroes' is a pretty accurate vibe to that. 'A Daily AntheM' ... all fell into place very organically and I finished the song before I realized it was about my brother Adam. 'Permanent' (also about Adam) is bare bones, piano, strings and vocal. I figured out through the process of making this record that sometimes the most powerful songs don't have all the bells and whistles on them." Q: "American Idol" viewers heard about Adam's battle with brain cancer on the show. How is he doing? A: "Adam's good. He is plugging along. We remain cautiously optimistic." Q: Was the summer "Idols" tour in those huge stadiums good preparation for life as a solo artist, or are you more of a smaller, club venue performer? A: "I hope I get to do that a million times over! I feel I have an aptitude for both (venues) and I think this record can play to both. Hopefully in the next year I will be playing as many venues as will have me." Q: Does the perceived rivalry with David Archuleta grate on you? A: "It does a little and I am sure Archie would share my opinion. We both recognize we are completely different artists and so it is comparing apples and oranges. Even in the 'Idol' finals, we didn't feel like we were competing against each other. Archie is a good person. I consider him a really good friend and wish him all the success he deserves." Q: How did you feel about your "American Idol" make-over, and is it true you are dating former "Idol" contestant Kimberly Caldwell? A: "Yes. She has been a steady, well-needed break. She is great. Very supportive. The make-over didn't hurt! It was weird the way it panned out. I had been talking for some time about chopping off my hair and one week we decided to do it and that same week I literally lost my razor and so I just didn't shave. I remember the reaction (from fans) after that performance. It was just dumb luck." Q: What's next for you? Are there any plans to tour internationally? A: "In early January we are going to Iraq to play for the troops. I am very excited about it. It is a huge honor even to be asked. Then hopefully we'll start the U.S. tour in early February and keep going until the wheels fall off. I realize that this whole thing is a kind of a one shot. So if someone wants to hear me play in the farthest reaches of this planet, I will do it."

2008-11-22 - Radio Disney -- Ernie D (various markets) – Interview (Transcript by Coolshades) DJ: Ernie D

Ernie: Radio Disney. Wassup? It's me, Ernie D. David Cook gettin' ready to call in any time now. Any time!

[phone rings]

Ernie: Like...I guess now. I guess now. Hello? Is this David?

David: Hey Ernie. How are you, man?

Ernie: Dude, I am doin' so good right now. I gotta congratulate you, man. You gotta new album out.

David: Yeah, it's been a big, uh, it's been a pretty big week. [laughs]

Ernie: Yeah man, like, no joke. I mean, this has to be something that you've always been looking forward to. You know, every since you started singing and performing and stuff, right?

David: Uh, this has just been another one of those moments in the last year that uh, ya' know, I dreamed about ever since I picked up a guitar, ya' know? To be able to put out a record, you know, like this, at this time, uh...uh, I couldn't ask for a better scenario. And I can't wait to get out and play this record for people.

Ernie: Oh, so you're goin' on tour too, huh?

David: Yeah, we're gonna, we're gonna start a tour uh...um, in, in 2009 and, and hit college tours and, and, and really kinda grassroots it and get back to, ya' know, bein' a band and meetin' people and, and uh...and all that good stuff.

Ernie: Nice! So this is David Cook on Radio Disney. Self-titled album? "David Cook" too?

David: Oh yeah, I wanted this record to be uh, kinda, kind of a definition of, of who I am, ya' know? I felt like uh...I felt like on American Idol, if I, if -- well to use an analogy, I had a five-card hand on American Idol, and I showed America three of those cards, and...and so I had two left to use for this record. And that's what I wanted to do, is I wanted to...show people some more layers of who I am. And uh...I feel like this record does that.

Ernie: Yeah. So, I mean, you say that, but, you know, at American Idol, I mean, that competition goes on for like, months it seems like. Ya' know, so...

David: Absolutely

Ernie: So what you're saying is that we didn't see everything David Cook has to offer on TV?

David: Yeah I, I don't think so. I don't. I, I think uh...ya' know, to be able to...to uh, to get through Idol, and then now put out this record, ya' know, this record was fun, because I didn't have...as many parameters as you have on the show to...ya' know, every week is a theme.

Ernie: Mm-hmm

David: So you have to operate within that theme, and...with this record there was no theme. So it was just uh...ya' know, make a good record...

Ernie: Yeah

David: ...and uh, and so the end result is uh, ya' know, we have a little somethin' for everybody.

Ernie: Awesome. Well this is David Cook on Radio Disney now. If you wanna talk to him, bring it. 1-888-327-7018. From his debut album, this is his new song. It's called "Light On." It's on Radio Disney now.

[song break]

Ernie: Radio Disney. Ernie D. chillin' with my man, David Cook. So dude, I mean...obviously this is something that you've always wanted to do, but how long does it take? Cuz it kinda varies for everybody, for you to make an album. How long did it take you?

David: Um, we started in the studio on July 1st, and went until the end of September. Um, while I was on the tour.

[Ernie laughs]

David: So, uh, it was kind of intermittent work schedule. We'd work for a couple of days...

Ernie: Yeah

David: ...then I got to go back out and, and go play shows, so...uh, we probably put in, I'd say a solid, probably total six weeks, uh, from start to finish on this record. So, we uh...we definitely went full bore.

Ernie: Now, I know the song that we just got done playing, "Light On," that was written by somebody that you really really look up to and admire, right?

David: Uh yeah, absolutely. Uh, ya' know, to be able to...uh, have any sort of association with Chris Cornell is uh-- who I'm a huge fan of-- um, uh, I'll absolutely jump at the chance. And, and uh, this was one of the first songs I listened to for The Record. And it just immediately grabbed me. I think it's uh...it's a great rock song. And um...ya' know, lyrically, I think it's...somethin' everybody can relate to, ya' know? And you...when somebody loves something that they can't quite get to at that moment...

Ernie: Mm-hmm

David: ...um, I think everybody can relate. So it's uh, it's a fun song to play. And uh, an easy song to kind of internalize.

Ernie: So what, what do you, like, when, when you, when you sing this song, cuz obviously when you listen to it you can hear, like, the emotion and the, and, and all that stuff come through in your voice.

David: Uh-huh

Ernie: Do you picture something in your mind, or, or how does that work...

David: Uh...

Ernie: ...in, in your mind? Do you just visualize something, or...?

David: Well for me, like the-- I honestly, I think about, I think about, um...ya' know, the troops a lot when I'm singin' that song. This, ya' know the idea of, of somebody havin' to go off to war in...

Ernie: Right

David: ...in another country and, and have to leave their family behind. So that's, that's usually what I'm thinkin' about when I'm singin' that song.

Ernie: Yeaaaaah, I can see that, I can see that. Alright, this is David Cook, calling Radio Disney now. You got a question for him, call.

[song break]

Ernie: Radio Disney. Ernie D. with David Cook on the radio now. He's callin' in to say what's up. Answer your questions, too. So if you have one, just call. 1-888-327-7018. [answering call] What's...your name?

Caller: Samantha

Ernie: Alright Samantha, go. Question for David, what is it?

Samantha: Hi. Uh, what was it like, um, up on the stage on American Idol when they announced you as the winner?

David: Uh, I mean, it felt great. Obviously I, I uh...it, it-- I don't know. It, it, it was uh, it was, it was uh w-- kinda bittersweet I think, in a sense. Ya' know, there's-- it was...awesome, because ya' know, I'd worked, I, I'd worked for almost uh...eight, nine months from first audition to then, to get to that point. And so to, to kinda...get there...

Ernie: Mm-hmm

David: Um...was pretty g-- amazing. And then uh, but it was, it was a little bittersweet, I think, just from the stance that I wasn't a competitor anymore on Idol anymore and...and uh, ya' know, it changes the whole dynamic of the relationship between, between all of us. Uh, the, the tour was uh, the tour was fun, cuz we got to kinda live it out, kinda have that last hurrah as a group.

Ernie: Alright David. And uh, Nico is on the phone right now. He's got a question for you.

Nico: Is there anything else you're really good at besides playing the guitar and singing?

David: Uh, besides singing, um...

Ernie: Like, anything kinda crazy? Like Rubik's Cube, or somethin' like that?

David: I've actually, I, I, I've gotta say, I've gotten into baking a little bit. So...

[Ernie laughs]

David: ...I make a mean cupcake. I will say that.

Ernie: Really?

David: Yeah

Ernie: When did you start this?

David: Uh, very recently, actually.

[Ernie laughs]

David: Um, I, I'm, I'm really good at makin' the box, the box...

Ernie: Nice!

David: ...mix cupcakes.

Ernie: Nice, dude.

David: Yeah

Ernie: That's awesome. So do you like, get the egg and the vegetable oil and just...all that together?

David: I get all of it, yeah. I, I get in there.

Ernie: Now do--what-- is it like, therapeutic for you? Or what, what do you-- did you eat 'em afterwards? Or do you give 'em away? Or what?

David: That's, that's where it gets therapeutic, is I get to eat 'em afterwards. Um...

[Ernie laughs]

David: Not really, I just...I don't know. I, I'm, I'm-- I think I, I made 'em for a friend one day who was havin' a birthday. And...I had more fun than I thought I would doin' it.

[Ernie laughs]

David: So I just, I just do it.

Ernie: Awesome. Will this is David Cook on Radio Disney now, who likes to bake. If you want to talk to him, 1-888-327-7018. And more with David next on Radio Disney.

[song break]

Ernie: Radio Disney is the station. It's me, Ernie, chillin' with David Cook. So dude, you got an album comin' out, just came out on Tuesday. Is it important to you, like, what your friends and your family think of your album?

David: Uh...yeah-- yeah, I think in a sense. I mean, there, there are definitely people in, in my life whose opinions matter. Ya' know? And...I mean, that goes...not only to my family and my friends, but my fans. You know I, I care a great deal what, what my fans think of the work that I put out. And uh...and, and so...if I can please all of them, then uh...then I'm happy, ya' know?

Ernie: Totally, man. So, so what kinda things do you wanna do coming up? I mean, I know you mentioned the tour earlier.

David: Um...ya' know, I don't know. I, I, I'm...I mean, hopefully...hopefully we're playin' this record for the next couple of years. Um...I, I just, I, I wanna...I, I wanted to put out a record that was important. I wanted to put out a record that, that outlasts me. And uh...ya' know hopefully, it doesn't, it-- hopefully that means it's gonna last a long time. [laughs]

Ernie: For real, dude. But no pressure, right? Right?

David: Uh...no, not really. I think um...uh, ya' know, I have my lofty goals, but I definitely have the, the, the goals to kinda get there.

Ernie: Mm-hmm

David: I have stepping stones, and...and so right now the goal...the goal was to put a record out. Well I've done that.

Ernie: Mm-hmm

David: And now it's uh...my goal to...to, to have The Record go Gold. And once it...hopefully does that, then it's gonna be to go Platinum. And then after that, we'll see. Um...but uh...ya' know I'm, I'm definitely a proponent of setting small, attainable goals that all kind of have a, a big goal as a result.

Ernie: A bigger goal than mine, yeah. Totally. Alright, David Cook calling Radio Disney now. You can call him, too. Just call Radio Disney. Come on!

[song break]

Ernie: Radio Disney. It's Ernie D., chillin' with David Cook. Actually just kinda starting to talk about how to start a band. And you were tellin' me about setting goals for yourself. How do you do this again?

David: I, I think anybody wantin' to get into it, uh, I mean, you definitely have to-- I remember when I first started, ya' know, our goal was to play a show. And then we played a show, ya' know, at our high school. And then it was like, we wanna play a show...in the city. Ya' know, in Kansas City. And...and then we finally did that. And then it was, ya' know, we wanna...travel. We wanna play a show outside of Missouri. And...ya' know, you meet these small goes along the way and, and uh, and before you know it, ya' know, hopefully you're here, and...you wonder how in the world did this happen? [laughs]

[Ernie laughs]

Ernie: And that's probably what you're wondering right now, huh?

David: Exactly, exactly.

Ernie: Dude, how in the world did this happen? Alright, well this is David Cook. David, thank you so much for taking the time, bro. It was awesome talking to you, man.

David: Aw thank you, man. Thanks for havin' me.

Ernie: Thank you David so much for the time, man.

David: Alright. Take care.

Ernie: I appreciate it.

David: Later

END OF INTERVIEW

2008-11-22 - Entertainment Tonight -- David Cook one-on-one with Kevin Frazier – Interview (Transcript by Coolshades)

Reporter: Kevin Frazier

Kevin: I'm here one-on-one with the reigning American Idol champ. David, are you ready to do your thing?

David: Let's do this.

Kevin: Alright, here we go.

[footage of David and Neal performing "Light On" acoustic]

Kevin: Hey your single is about to eclipse Clay Aiken...

[David laughs]

Kevin: ...as the all-time leader in sales...

David: Yeah

Kevin: ...for an American Idol song. How does that feel? To be the man-- you're sittin' on the mountaintop. How does that feel?

David: Yeah, it's uh...that's a huge honor. I, I think uh...ya' know, first and foremost, I think all kudos to Regie Hamm, the gentleman who wrote it. It's an amazing song and, and uh...to be able to be a part of it, ya' know, especially when the Olympics picked it up, and...

Kevin: Sure

David: I got to go on Oprah. I mean it's, it's uh...I, I'm constantly amazed at how well that song's been embraced. And so uh...I, I can't wait to hang that uh, that platinum record on the wall. Ya' know?

[Kevin laughs]

Kevin: Yeah, where're you gonna put it?

David: Um...right now it's gonna go right, right uh, right when you walk into the house front door. It's the first thing you're gonna see. But...

[Kevin laughs]

David: Well see where it ends up. Hopefully I got a few of 'em.

[more footage of David and Neal performing "Light On" acoustic]

Kevin: Will you call Clay...?

[David laughs]

Kevin: And just kinda mess with him? I mean, you know, it might be fun. I would have to just call him and say: Clay. You're number two now. Just wanted to holler at you, and let you know.

David: I might, I might, I might send him a, a, a, a condolences email. But uh... [laughs] I, I don't, I don't think I'll be callin' him.

Kevin: Do you keep in touch with everybody from your...group?

David: Yeah, I keep in touch with a lot of guys. Uh, I, I talked to, to Luke Menard the other day. And...and uh...I talk to Michael Johns...uh...probably more than, than I should. But I talk to Mike Johns. And uh...Archie. I talk to him a couple times a week. Uh...Carly, Brooke, Kristy Lee, the list goes on. I mean, I talk to mostly everybody.

Kevin: Yeah, and David's doin' well.

David: David's doin' great, man. His record's uh....uh, doin' well, and he seems to, to be in good spirits, and...has a good head on his shoulders, anyways. So he'll be fine.

Kevin: Any competition between you guys, amongst the Idol group? To say "hey...did you see my..."

[David laughs]

Kevin: "Did you see I made a little move this week?"

David: Nah, no. I think um...it's funny. Archie and I never really kinda...embraced the whole...competition thing. And so...uh, any time we talk, we just kinda laugh with each other about, just...kinda how it's been built up to this huge thing. Um...ya' know I, I wish him all the best. I hope he sells a million records. I hope I see a million and one. So...

[Kevin laughs]

[more footage of David and Neal playing "Light On" acoustic]

Kevin: Well, you said somethin' pretty funny about this couch.

David: Yeah

Kevin: What'd it remind you of?

David: Uh, it reminds me of the elimination couch on Idol. It's uh...equally...as uncomfortable.

Kevin [moving around on the couch]: It's tough...

[David laughs]

Kevin: ...to get like, comfortable. Ain't it?

David: I know, it really is.

Kevin: You're like: Ohhhh

David: This is not good for my lumbar at all, man. [laughs]

Kevin: No, no. It's kinda weird. Now that you're famous, though, you can get any couch you want.

David: Ah, ya know...

Kevin: How is the difference in your life, though? Really, I mean, just...you can't walk down the street anymore. Is it weird when you go home now?

David: Um...ya' know, I'm...I'm kinda lucky, I guess, in the sense that when I go home, like, everybody's really complimentary, but also very respectful.

Kevin: Mm-hmm

David: And uh...my family's completely not affected by it. They don't care. I mean, they're happy for me, but at the same time, they'll be the first to call me on it if I get outta line and...get a big head. So...um...

Kevin: Have they-- has, has there ever been that moment where somebody's like: Hey. Ya' know...

[David laughs]

Kevin: Take out the garbage, man.

David: Well I remember, I remember uh...my, my little brother, um...he-- we were playing Madden. I went home, and we played Madden. And he beat me, like, terribly. 55 to 10 or somethin'. And...and uh, ya' know, he was gloatin'. I was like: Nah, it's cool, man. It's cool. You can have Madden, I'll take American Idol. It's not a big deal.

[Kevin laughs]

David: And uh...I, I got, I got the look from mom. I got one of those like [gets "Come on, really?" look on his face] Come onnnn. So...

Kevin: Come on, American Idol.

David: I tried it. I tried it. I stretched the boundary, and I got caught. So... [shrugs] it happens.

Kevin: Love that.

[more footage of David and Neal performing "Light On" acoustic]

Kevin: You were talking about, you know, not long ago, you were a bartender.

David: Yeah

Kevin: I mean...

[David laughs]

Kevin: What's the difference? Between...

David: Uh...

Kevin: ...being the American Idol, and a bartender?

David: The pay is better, uh, first off. But um...nah I, I, I actually really loved, I loved bartendin', at the time. I mean, it was, it was a great way to...be social and talk to people. And, and uh...I feel like there were aspects of that job that really prepared me for this. You know, bein' able to kinda think on my feet. Somebody ordered a drink that I didn't know, I would usually just make it up. Uh...so... [puts hands up] sorry...

Kevin: Wait, wait a minute.

David: ...everybody. [laughs]

Kevin: So you served some people back in the day...

David: Yeah

Kevin: ...just mad concoctions.

David: Yeah

Kevin: Just gave 'em away.

David: Well ya' know, they'd, they'd ask for a drink, I'd be like: What color is that? And they'd say: blue. So I'd make somethin' blue, and...

[Kevin laughs]

David: ...nine times out of ten I never got caught. So...

Kevin: Wow.

David: Yeah

Kevin: Thank goodness you can sing.

[David laughs]

Kevin: Thank goodness.

David: That's what I'm sayin'!

Kevin: There's somebody in Kansas City mad at you right now.

[more footage of David and Neal performing "Light On" acoustic]

END OF INTERVIEW

2008-11-23 - CINCINNATI COM - A lot's riding on Cook's album

Source: http://news.cincinnati.com/article/20081123/ENT03/811230318/1025/rss05 http://news.cincinnati.com/article/20081123/ENT03/811230318/1028/ENTd 'I don't want to be a one-hit wonder,' 'Idol' winner say Since David Cook won the title in May, his fans hungrily anticipated the arrival of the American dIdol's self-titled album, which finally was released Tuesday. Cook can empathize. "I feel like I've been waiting ... for 25 years," he says. The seventh-season champ describes "David Cook" as the reintroduction of David Cook, not the "Idol" grunt at boot camp, but the liberated rocker at ground zero. "I wanted this record to be a definition of me as a person," says Cook. "The goal was to make an eclectic rock record. 'Bar-Ba-Sol' is guitar-driven and heavy but still melodic. On the flip side is 'Permanent,' with a string section and piano. ... I love both songs for the aspects in my character that they define. It sounds egotistical, but I see myself as a complex person." Cook, 25, does embody contradictions. He is by turns reserved and goofy, articulate and tongue- tied, humble and ambitious. He talks about ducking attention and fostering harmony among "Idol" finalists but also confesses: "I've had a competitive spirit all my life. Love me or hate me, just don't ignore me." Newfound fame "is the most awkward thing," he says. "When people look at me as a rock star, it seems humorous to me. I look at myself as a goober." In the next breath, when envisioning his ideal future, he says emphatically: "I just want to be an important artist. I don't want to be a flash in the pan. I don't want to be a one-hit wonder. When people talk about this period in music, I want my name to be brought up." This album's pivotal role in that goal may explain his anxiety before a Nov. 1. appearance on "Saturday Night Live." The show drew 12 million viewers, a fraction of the 31.7 million who tuned in for the May 21 "Idol" finale, yet Cook says the "SNL" gig was a bigger freak-out. "Dress rehearsal was full of nausea and dry heaves," he says. "It was so nerve-wracking because it was our big unveiling as a band. I listened to the performances (of 'Light On' and 'Declaration') the day after, and you can hear some timidness in my voice." Despite being swept instantly into the industry's major league, Cook was not timid when it came to making his album. For starters, he was no neophyte. He had released the 2006 solo debut "Analog Heart" after four albums with former band Axium, plus an EP with the Midwest Kings. He also embarked on his post-"Idol" career with enviable chart credentials posted the week after the finale, when he landed 11 songs on Billboard's Hot 100 chart, the most since The Beatles nailed 14 in 1964. Cook also found himself starstruck by collaborators. "I was kind of dumbfounded to work with my musical heroes," says Cook, who had e-mailed a wish list to his manager the day after the finale and wound up co-writing tunes with such faves as Johnny Rzeznik of the Goo Goo Dolls and Raine Maida of Our Lady Peace. "It was like going to Disneyland every day." Cook says he never let the star power of heavyweight co-workers or the clout of producer Rob Cavallo deter him from following his impulses. "I'm comfortable with who I am as a musician and artist," he says. The songs, many of them completed while Cook was on tour, reveal his love for early '90s alt- rock. He's especially fond of the push-pull dynamics in Seattle grunge because "every song punched you in the face but cradled you before you hit the ground. It was heavy and delicate at the same time." The first full-tilt rocker to capture the "Idol" crown isn't worried about the franchise's pop bent. As he confronts rock's rebel-craving ranks, he shrugs off fears of a stigma from the show's assembly-line process, citing Chris Daughtry, the 2006 finalist who rocked the chart with a multi- platinum debut. Cook hopes to validate the "Idol" decision, particularly since handicappers predicted a landslide for David Archuleta. Cook got 56 percent of the votes, 12 million more than the favorite.

2008-11-29 - AQUARIAN - David Cook: Raising the Roof Source: http://www.theaquarian.com/artistfeatures.php?aid=605 It‘s a warm afternoon in late July, almost one month into the American Idols Live! Tour 2008, and David Cook is seated diagonally across from me at a rectangular folding table in the backstage area of Newark, New Jersey‘s newly built Prudential Center, just hours before show time. Next to him is the fellow Idol contestant with the poetic Australian accent, Michael Johns. ―What is… What is…?‖ Cook asks me in a curious tone following his introduction, a finger pointed at the tattoo on my inner right forearm (my own remix of The Beatles‘ Revolver album cover). ―The Beatles,‖ I say, holding up my arm. ―Revolver.‖ Both Cook and Johns respond nearly in unison. ―Wow!‖ Johns exclaims as Cook lets out a ―That is cool!‖ ―That is the first tattoo I‘ve actually liked,‖ Johns continues while receiving mocking glares from Cook, who has a couple tattoos himself, although they seem to remain hidden. Cook‘s tattoos may not be prominent, but the fact that he‘s one of the most talented up-and-coming musicians we‘ve had in decades, absolutely is. It may take some people time to realize it, having the Idol label following him everywhere he goes, but bear in mind that by the week following his win, Cook had 11 songs residing in Billboard’s Hot 100—a feat no artist had accomplished since the Beatles in 1964. It‘s not just his handsome exterior or throaty, versatile and powerful Paul Rogers- like voice that makes him remarkable and drew Idolviewers in, but the fact that there are layers of unadulterated emotion and fearlessness behind it. Every facet of him is genuine. Throughout the competition Cook never failed to do anything on his own terms—including winning. ―I started this season, much to Simon‘s chagrin, as ‗the wordener,‘‖ Cook said during the show‘s finale as he pulled himself together, still with tears in his eyes. ―And I am absolutely at a loss for words right now. Thank you. You guys, this is; this is amazing, thank you.‖ On May 21, 2008, America decided, just as I had, that the 26-year-old Texas native with the confounding roar was the frontrunner of Idol’s seventh run, beating the adorable 17-year-old David ―Archie‖ Archuleta by a staggering 12 million votes. It was a landslide, just like this year‘s presidential election, and perhaps just as good for the shape of contemporary music as Barack Obama is for the shape of the country. After announcing Cook‘s victory, host Ryan Seacrest let everyone know that Cook was ―brought to us, by his brother,‖ Andrew Cook. Turning to see his mother, Beth Foraker, and Andrew standing beside him onstage, Cook hugged Foraker, and then his younger brother, rubbing his head as he looked him in the eye and lifted the microphone to his mouth once again with a grin. ―This is all your fault!‖ ―David is my best friend and to see him win American Idol, I could not have been prouder,‖ Andrew, who seems to share his brother‘s authentic and candid nature, humbly tells me months later via email. Though currently studying Elementary Education at the University of Central Missouri, he is also a singer, and elaborates for me on how he accidentally became responsible for America‘s newest Idol. ―I saw my path as being just a regular college student, getting a degree and working a regular nine-to-five, but when I decided to try out for Idol, I was telling myself that something big is going to happen in my life.‖ Although he claims not to have the same dedication to music as his older brother, he tried out for Idol in Omaha, Nebraska, where he was joined by Cook and Foraker. That‘s when Cook was thrown into the reality show‘s whirlwind purely on a whim, after never seeing Idol as his path. ―I convinced David into trying out with me, and since then, we have never looked back,‖ Andrew explains. ―I was so confident in David and I going to the next round [of auditions], but only one Cook made it through, and looking back I am glad it was David instead of me.‖ ―David came up to me one on one after the cattle call auditions and asked me, ‗Do you want me to continue farther into this competition or do you want me to stop here?‘ I quickly told him, ‗David if you do quit right now, I am going to kick your (bad word that shouldn‘t be printed).‘‖ As Cook and Johns sit before me, they seem to enjoy taking shots at each other with private jokes. Suddenly, the spitfire turns in my direction, and Cook‘s dry wit rears its head as he begins to look at me both skeptically and quizzically. ―I‘m just lookin‘ at her face,‖ he says to Johns as I cut in to argue my point, but Cook continues his thought. ―Like it‘s a real ominous question!‖ After I am able to complete my inquiry, he tells me his current musical inspirations are a ―Muse, meets U2, meets Our Lady Peace kinda vibe.‖ He continues: ―I mean, Muse‘s live shows; that‘s the kind of stuff that inspires me. Just to think that there‘s a chance that I could get to this point where I could put a show together like that. I think about, after all, how it was for me standing in an audience and seeing stuff like that. To be on the other side of that, I think, would be the coolest feeling in the world; just to have that entire audience in the palm of your hand. ―The first show I ever did for a large crowd was, for like, a thousand people at my college; we opened for Smash Mouth,‖ Cook recalls. ―When I walked out onstage, I got a look up at how tall the ceiling was, and that was the barometer for me; the taller the ceiling, the bigger I‘ve got.‖ He couldn‘t hide his awe and emotion later that night during his set on this large arena‘s stage, staring up at one of the largest ceilings he‘s ever played beneath. He asked that the house lights be turned up so that he could see his audience in its entirety and film them on his personal digital video camera. You could easily see the tears building up and the indisputable appreciation for where he was at that very moment. All of his hard work and passion had paid off, and whether he realized it or not, by the looks on their faces, he had that audience in the palm of his hand. Since winning, the pace has picked up for Cook, and even while on tour, he has been recording his debut album—being produced by Rob Cavallo—due out Nov. 18. ―After the finale, I came out here to New York, and I had three meetings with three different labels. The first one was RCA, and I walked in, sat down with Barry Weiss, and he said, ‗Before we get into it, the first thing I want to tell you is we want you to make the record that you want to make,‘‖ says Cook. ―So I cancelled my other two meetings.‖ Although recording the album, plus touring and doing promotion, is unquestionably exhausting, he is enjoying every minute of it. ―I get to travel the country playing music. Nothin‘ wrong with that!‖ he states emphatically. In addition to the large amounts of work involved, there have been some moments that certainly keep things humorous. ―We switched bus drivers like a week and a half in [to the tour],‖ Cook describes as he begins to laugh. ―The first five feet that our new bus driver was driving, he hit a van; like, a parked van, literally going like two miles an hour.‖ Then there was Archuleta‘s Nutter Butter incident. After announcing in an interview that they were his favorite snack, crates of the cookie began showing up at tour stops. ―I always need socks and underwear. Medium boxer briefs, socks size 10-13!‖ Cook hints. ―Look who we got our Hanes on now!‖ Johns says in a sing-song voice. ―Goin‘ for the necessities.‖ One of the most important aspects of Cook‘s life remains his nothing-but- supportive family. His older brother Adam, who is a big inspiradtion for his album, is currently battling cancer. Even so, taking all the necessary measures and precautions, he made it to Los Angeles at least once to watch Cook compete, the night he sang Mariah Carey‘s ―Always Be My Baby‖ and received some of his highest praise from Simon, Paula, and Randy. ―He‘s dealing with something that allows me to put all of this in perspective. I‘m able to go out every night and just enjoy this for what it is, and not get stressed out about all the mundane details.‖ ―He‘s happy for you. That‘s the coolest thing,‖ Johns adds. While Cook continues on his surprise conduit, Andrew continues to find himself as an artist, and aspires to one day produce songs that he is 100 percent confident in. ―With David being the older one, I grew up wanting to do exactly what he did. And even today I still want to; I just want to take a different path.‖ It seems as though the paths both Andrew and Cook set for themselves, were really meant for each other. ―Hopefully one day you can be looking through the CDs at the store and see Andrew Cook right next to David Cook. That would be a dream come true.‖

2008-11-28 - KCTV 5 -- Plaza Lighting Ceremony (Kansas City, MO) – Interview (Transcript by Coolshades)

Reporter: I happen to have a very popular person with me right now. Kansas City, your very own David Cook.

[David mouths "hello" to the camera]

Reporter: Good to be have-- have you back here.

David: Yeah, it's good to be home for a minute. It's uh, it's been kind of a hectic year. But uh, I have a lot to be thankful for.

Reporter: What are you thankful for today?

David: Uh...well, really, uh, ya' know, the Idol thing was alright. And then um...ya' know really, just uh...it's amazing to, to be involved with somethin' like this. I think to come home, and uh...to, to be involved in-- something with such historical context, is a huge honor.

Reporter: You know, we know that you grew up here in Blue Springs. Do you have memories of coming down to the Country Club Plaza?

David: Uh, we used to sneak down here a couple times. And uh, I, I always remember it just bein'-- it's a festive...you know, it's a festive moment. It's definitely somethin' that's uh...uh...only indigenous to Kansas City. I've, I've been hard-pressed to find this anywhere else. So uh...ya' know again, just to be involved is uh, is pretty crazy.

Reporter: You follow some pretty big footsteps on, on switching that light. Have you been practicing?

David: Uh, practicing flippin' switches? Yeah. I, I started work back in July. And uh...

Reporter: Good, good. It's important...

David: Absolutely

Reporter: ...to be ready for that.

David: Absolutely.

Reporter: You know, you've got a whole crowd here. And as I've been walkin' through the crowd, waiting for your arrival, asking them: If you could talk to David Cook, what would you ask them? And believe it or not, number one question is: How is your family?

David: Uh, my family's great. Uh...ya' know, we, we've, uh...not only have I been blessed the last year, I think the whole family has. Ya' know, we've uh, been able to do some really amazing things, and uh, ya' know, hopefully '09 uh, continues that trend.

Reporter: Great. Well it's so good to have you back. And the crowd's looking forward to seeing you on stage in about an hour.

David: I'm...lookin' forward to bein' there.

Reporter: Alright. Welcome home, David Cook.

END OF INTERVIEW

2008-11-29 - Sophie 103.7 -- Jennifer White (San Diego, CA) – Interview (Transcript by Coolshades) DJ: Jennifer White

Jennifer: Oh my God. It's my American Idol, David Cook.

David [laughing]: How are ya', Jennifer?

Jennifer: Good David, how are you doing?

David: I'm wonderful.

Jennifer: Ok, are you super crazy excited about Sunday?

David: Uh...more than I should be, yeah.

Jennifer: OK. So you are performing at the American Music Awards red carpet live event. What is that, exactly?

David: Um, well it's the preshow for the AMAs. And uh, it's uh, from what I understand, it's new this year. I don't think they've done it before. Um, they've asked us to come and, and play a song or two, and...uh...I, I, ya' know, I, I, I think it's a huge compliment to even be asked, let alone the fact that...ya' know, we get to play uh, not only for an audience, but also for, ya' know, our peers. And so...um...I think it'll be a lot of fun. I can't wait.

Jennifer: Yeah, how weird is this? All of a sudden you have peers that are going to be...

David: I know, right?

Jennifer: ...nominated and performing at the AMAs. I-- who are you, like, super-excited to see?

David: Uh, anybody and everybody. I , I think this is uh...this'll be my first kind of awards show experience. So I'm uh...I'm just stoked to kinda...get in and get my uh...get my hands dirty.

Jennifer: OK, well how have you gotten ready for it? Do you have somebody take you shopping and pick out an outfit, or....? How does this work?

David: Um, I've, I've uh, I've, I've snagged a couple outfits, ya' know. Somethin', somethin' nice to perform in. And then uh...uh, ya' know, if, if by chance they throw me on camera during the ceremony, maybe...maybe I'll look nice there, too.

Jennifer: Ahhhhh

David: But uh, I, I'm, I, I, I think uh...ya' know, I'm, I'm not gonna, I'm not gonna reinvent the wheel or anything. I'm just gonna come out, and try to look nice, and try to act like I belong.

Jennifer: OK, no fashion risks from Mr. Cook.

David: No...

Jennifer: I appreciate that.

David: ...you will not see me in a, in a swan dress or uh, any J-Lo material, so...

Jennifer: Although that would be spectacular, and I would pay money to see that.

[David laughs]

Jennifer: But...

David: It, it'd be spectacular for all the wrong reasons, I think.

Jennifer: Yeah. I understand your hesitance.

[David laughs]

Jennifer: I w--

David: Exactly

Jennifer: I know this is just such a huge, crazy week for you. Congratulations on the release of "David Cook," the first album from David Cook. I--

David: Thank you very much, uh...

Jennifer: Are--

David: It's crazy.

Jennifer: Are you just-- are you wigging out? I mean, this happened on Tuesday. Are you, like, checking sales numbers every five minutes, or, ya' know, how, how do you feel?

David: Um...I feel good. I think uh, The Record seems to be pretty well-received, and...um...ya' know, early indications is that we're, we're, we're hopefully keepin' up with, like, Nickelback and Beyonce and, and all the other, ya' know, big releases this week. So...um...uh, ya' know, I'm, I'm constantly floored at just the fact that I, I think we're at number two on iTunes right now, which is absurd to me. So...

Jennifer: Yeah. And you're all over VH1. And I see your video all over the place. Which by the way...is spectacular. And...I--

David: Thank you.

Jennifer: ...doing your first video, I, I imagine that had to have been...uh, challenging for you. Because when doing a video, you gotta bring some acting into the picture, right?

David: Yeah. It, I, I was uh...I walked in completely green to it. And uh, I was lucky, ya' know. We had Wayne Isham directing, and...and Wayne was uh...was great about bein' able to pull these things outta me that I didn't even know I had. So...um...he really, he really made me step it up, which was uh...ya' know I, I think the proof's in the pudding. So...

Jennifer: Yeah, absolutely. I mean, you did a spectacular job. I-- just, it was...

David: Thank you.

Jennifer: ...I think it was the Top 20 Countdown on VH1. And I see a couple of the other videos, and some of the artists maybe looked a little stiff or cheesy. And then, POW! There's David Cook, just killin' it. So congratulations.

David: Thank you very much.

Jennifer: And this album, I understand you had a really short period of time to put it together. Like, six weeks...

David: Mm-hmm

Jennifer: ...or something?

David: We had uh, well we started writing, uh, right after the finale. And we didn't get into the studio 'til the beginning of July. So we had...uh, I think we, we stopped recording end of September. So we had, kind of, an interrupted three months.

Jennifer: OK. And you had some pretty high-profile people working with you. Uh, including a guy that, ya' know, many of our listeners in, including myself have admired for years: Chris Cornell. You must have fallen over when you found out you get to work with that guy.

David: Um, you know, it was, it was amazing. I, I remember really early in the process, I went in for a meeting, and uh...they played me this song. Uh...and uh...within the first thirty, forty-five seconds, just, it completely grabbed me. Ya' know, just the concept of like, of, of the song, Light On. Just, it talks about this love amidst distance, and...and I think that's somethin' everybody can relate to. And so, it, it was easily...internalized, ya' know, lyrically. Then musically, it's...it's kinda this rock history lesson. You can hear some Guns N Roses in it. You can hear some Zeppelin. You can hear some uh...some Stone Temple Pilots. And even some Soundgarden, and...um...

Jennifer: Yeah

David: To me it's just, it's, it's, it's such a challenge to play that, that it, it, it keeps it fresh, keeps it-- makes it a lot of fun.

Jennifer: And, you also got to work with Johnny Rzeznik of the Goo Goo Dolls. Which...

David: Yeah

Jennifer: I mean, you probably...

David: Uh...

Jennifer: ...grew up listening to him, too.

David: Y-- yeah. To walk into a room, uh, with a guy who's got that many hits is uh...it can be pretty intimidating. But Johnny was great. He really, uh...treated me like an equal, and, and, and kept the forum open for ideas from anybody, and...um...I, I had a blast workin' with him. I'd love to do it again.

Jennifer: Well talk to me about touring. Any plans on coming anywhere near us in San Diego?

David: Uh...I would love to come to San Die--ya' know, I remember when we went to on the AI Tour, I gotta chance to kinda...get out of the hotel and walk around for about an hour, and...uh, it's a beautiful city. Um...so for me, it's just uh, it's not really a matter of if, but when. I know we're gonna, we're gonna head a college tour in the spring, and...um...I'm, I'm pretty sure there's a college in San Diego. So...

Jennifer: Yeah, we have a couple. [laughs]

David: Yeah, so I imagine we'll, we'll be out your way.

Jennifer: But before that, at the beginning of the year, you are going on a huge, huge, huge trip. Tell me about, uh, going to Iraq.

David: Yeah, uh...at some point, uh...ya' know, uh, in early '09, uh, we're gonna head out, uh, to play for the troops. And uh...I'm, I'm extremely excited about it. I think uh, ya' know, not only me, but I think everybody in the band. Uh...to be able to...(A) get a stamp on the passport, is, is really cool. And, and (B), to, to be able to do somethin', um...uh...wi-- with, with this much, kinda context, I, I think uh...to, to be able to play for the troops in any, in, in any place in the world is uh...a huge honor.

Jennifer: Well, it's just non-stop for you. I mean, you released the album, now, ya' know, perform at the American Music Awards, and...ya' know, then you have the holidays to get through. And then you're going to Iraq. And then you're going on a tour. Is there gonna be any time for you to chill out at all, Mr. David Cook?

David: Uh...we have some time scheduled in early 2010.

Jennifer: OK [laughs]

[David laughs]

Jennifer: I would say "you poor thing," but I mean you, you're, you're being...

David: Oh no, I love it.

Jennifer: ...worked to death, but I'm sure you're loving every second of it.

David: Absolutely

Jennifer: Yeah. Well congratulations. I, I know that you'll get through all these next several months of amazingness, for lack of a better, better word...

David: Aw...

Jennifer: ...just, with flying colors, and...

David: Well thank you. Thank you very much.

Jennifer: Yeah, and travel safe to Iraq. I think it's uh, it's pretty great that you're doing that. And uh...

David: Oh, thank you.

Jennifer: ...the troops are gonna go nuts.

David: I can't wait.

Jennifer: Yeah. Hey, were they watching American Idol over there? Do you know?

David: Uh...I imagine we'll find out. [laughs] I don't know.

END OF INTERVIEW

2008-11-29 - RADIO - David Cook with Murphy in the Morning on WKZL 107.5 (Winston-Salem) (Transcript) Listen: ARCHIVE (Scroll down for link)

M=Male DJ (Murphy)

K=Female DJ (Katie)

M: Okay, David‘s on the line with us, American idol David Cook, welcome to the Murphy in the Morning Show.

DC: Thank you for having me.

M: We just did ―make it or break it‖ on Light On, and it‘s a definite ―make it.‖

DC: That‘s what I like to hear...thank you very much everybody.

M: Yeah, they really liked it. I was reading some information that the record company says about your making this record and you had a real group of superstars together to help you.

DC: Oh man, it was...I still don‘t know how we got all these people involved, but it was great man. To wal into a songwriting session with these people that I admire, you know, people like Raine Maida and Zac Maloy and Johnny Rzeznick and to have them treat me as a peer was one of the coolest experiences I think I‘ve had in a long time. And then to work with somebody like Rob Cavallo who produced the record, he‘s done like Green Day, American Idiot, and My Chemical Romance, Welcome to the Black Parade, a bunch of Goo Goo Dolls stuff...it was a trip, for sure.

M: Who was the one you were most starstruck by?

DC: Probably Raine Maida. I‘m a huge Our Lady Peace fan, and he was actually my first cowrite session after the finale, so it was like three days after...I had to walk into this room and act like I knew what I was doing and I had no clue...so he was great, and I actually kinda consider him a friend now, which is even more unnerving to me, really...I just...I can‘t wait for people to hear, you know, what I did with these people. I think this record is a very good definition of not only who I‘ve been over the last year, but really who I‘ve been for the last 25.

M: Who are some of your idols? DC: Some of my idols...well, you know, Raine‘s getting plugged all over this interview. Raine Maida for sure, from Big Wreck, I love Collective Soul, Injected...I get into...it seems like I get into a lot of bands either from Canada or Atlanta.

M: Canada or Atlanta...

K: There‘s a range.

DC: Yeah. I know, right?

M: I read here there‘s a song on there called Permanent that you recorded and apparently everybody was crying. I don‘t like to be in a room full of guys crying, but what‘s that all about?

DC: It was kind of the cornerstone moment on this record for me. We had two weeks left of tracking, and the record was kind of missing...I wanted there to be like kind of this lullaby piano ballad kind of song. So I sat down with Raine and his wife Chantal, you know, we knocked out this really beautiful piano melody, and then I wrote...I think I wrote the lyrics to it in about fifteen minutes, and then we went into Conway Studios, we had a fifteen-piece string orchestra headed by David Campbell, and then a piano and a vocal and we cut it live in two takes. And you know, the...the emotional aspect of the song just kinda struck a chord with everybody in the room and I actually had to leave the room and call my dad and...

M: Wow...

DC: You know, unwind for a minute. It was...I‘ve been writing music now for ten years, that‘s the first time that‘s ever happened to me...and if I could...if I can get that every time from now on, then I‘m pretty well set.

M: So are you still hooked up with Ms. Caldwell?

DC: I am.

M: Katie wanted to know.

K: I did, I‘m sorry...I didn‘t have the nerve to ask myself.

DC: [laughs] That‘s okay.

K: [laughs]

M: Why not?

K: I know! I just...

M: It‘s not a big secret.

K: Well for a while it was, wasn‘t it? DC: Umm...

M: Is she jealous that she...

DC: No, not really, I mean I asked her out on TV, so [???] but it was.

M: Does she have any jealousy issues, that she was on the show and didn‘t win and you did?

DC: If she does she‘s awesome at hiding it.

M: [laughs]

M: Well the song is, like I said, our listeners love it, it‘s a great-sounding song, Light On, when is the CD come out?

DC: The CD comes out November 18th, so here coming up real quick, like less than two weeks.

K: Yeah.

M: Just in time for the Christmas shopping holiday.

DC: That‘s right. You know, I‘d be remiss if I didn‘t say it fits perfectly in a stocking, and it looks nice wrapped under the tree as well.

M: Are you...are we gonna see you doing any appearances on the next season of American Idol?

DC: You know, I‘d love to if they‘ll have me. It‘s kinda up to them.

M: I‘m sure they‘ll ask. David, thank you for spending a little time with us today.

DC: Thank you, you guys have a good day.

2008-11-30 - RADIO MYX (Philippines) – Interview (Transcript by Coolshades)

Note: There was no DJ for this interview. All questions were off-camera. Thus, all that is contained in this transcript are David's answers. I have added my best guess of the subject of the question in italics prior to each answer.

[Question regarding his Idol audition]

David: I had gone as moral support. I had no intention of auditioning, and...um...through some really weird random turn of events, I ended up s-- I ended up pickin' my song, like, three minutes before I signed-up. And uh...um...kinda stole my brother's thunder. So...I uh...I'm, I'm sure he's back in KC extremely happy for me, but also plotting his revenge. And uh...[laughing] we'll see how things turn out. But uh...yeah, it was uh...it was a bit of a bittersweet day for both, uh, me and my mom.

[Question about what it was like going on the Idol tour]

David: Well the term "day off" was, was pretty sparse, but um...uh, it was actually, it w-- it was exhausting, but a lot of fun. Uh, I think what was exhausting about it was just having to switch into a different gear mentally. To go from being a live performer...and then havin' to shut that off and go over here and be a recording artist, and then come back and do this again. It was just uh...there was a lot of go-between and a lot of traveling.

[Question about having Rob Cavallo produce The Record]

David: Havin' Rob on board was, was huge. I think uh, to have somebody of his caliber...um...interested, ya' know, in bein' involved on this record was a, it was a huge compliment. Uh...ya' know, Rob kinda came into the process-- I remember the first time we met was at uh, it was at a hotel. Like, we had breakfast, and...and he just came in kinda all guns blazin'. Had this really youthful energy about him, uh, but still seemed really focused, and, and talkin' about The Record, I felt like the vibe...really close to what I wanted to do on The Record.

[Question about the vibe on The Record]

David: I think the overall vibe on this record is uh... [pauses] the idea of, like, love amidst distance, ya' know? And uh... [pauses] but I, I think as the, the album progresses, there tends-- there, there, there's almost an arc. Like, The Record starts off hopeful, and then gets a little dissident, and then comes back to this idea of, ya' know, hopefulness. And...I, I think uh...the, the best quote to come up with to kinda s-- like, as far as a synopsis of The Record is uh...um...If you love something, set it free. And hopefully it comes back. I think that's, that's kinda the uh...the angle that The Record ended-up takin'. It was very organic feeling, and it just made me feel good. So...

[Question about "Light On"]

David: "Light On" to me, just represented uh... [pauses] a lot of aspects of this record. Ya' know, again, I think "Light On" talks about the love amidst distance and...and uh, and so from that standpoint, it definitely uh...uh...serves as a great definition for the rest of The Record. Uh, and, and then, what I love about it is it's got some rock swagger to it. Ya' know, I, I hear a lot of G n R in it. I hear a lot of Stone Temple Pilots in it. Seems to have...uh, ya' know, a little meat on the bone. And uh...it-- to me, it represented a nice median value for The Record musically. I mean, we've got...uh, ya' know, songs like "Permanent" that are very piano and strings driven, and then we have songs like "Bar-Ba- Sol," that are...ya', ya' know...uh...that'll, it'll kick ya' in the gut, if ya' let it. And so uh...uh, "Light On" just kinda represented, I think um...kinda the best of both worlds.

2008-12-01 - DCO (Blogs) - Happy (Belated) Thanksgiving! Source DECEMBER 1, 2008, 12:08 am I ran out of space in my horn of plenty…. I am writing this blog from about 35000 feet in the air as I travel back to LA, concluding my trip to Kansas City for Thanksgiving. Just to help paint a picture for you…. First off, let me give everyone a sorely belated Happy Thanksgiving. I spent my break with family and a chest cold, and before you give me the, “awwww, that’s terrible….” (This phrase should be in reference to the chest cold, not my family), it was a blessing in disguise, as it kept me home, resting, as opposed to going out with friends every night to try to catch up, which would’ve been the exact opposite of resting. I truly enjoyed my holiday, and suffice to say, I have MORE than enough to be thankful for this year, every single one of you included. Thank you for going on this journey with me. Thank you for the bloated phone bills, and the tired morning-afters because you stayed up all night contributing to said bloated phone bill. Thank you for braving the elements and each other (ha) all summer trying to show your appreciation to all of us this summer on the tour. We noticed. Thank you for supporting all of us after the tour, by going out and buying, requesting, and promoting our various projects and endeavors, no matter how big or small they may be. Thank you for donating your time and resources to causes we all believe in. Thank you for standing in lines just for the chance to say hello and offer a compliment. Thank you for enjoying the donuts. Thank you for the letters. The pictures. The flowers. The books. The crossword puzzles. The Oar. The Stuffed Animals. The… ahem… anchored undergarments. The signs. The cheers. The jeers. The adamant defenses and the reasons for them. The karaokes that made the internet rounds (best pantomime drummer EVER), The crowds, the lights, the sounds, the vibes, the memories. And last but not least, the Beginning and THE END. Love all you guys. See you soon. ~D

2008-12-01 - KC MAGAZINE 100+10 - Really Cooking (Scans) Scans Source | Copy

“Mama, I’m coming home,” David Cook says he was singing these lyrics as the ―American Idols Live!‖ tour bus pulled into Kansas City this past August. The Idols‘ two nights as the Sprint Center gave Cook just 48 hours to prove what he‘d been preaching since he joined the tour in the spring: that KC barbecue–and the city at large– tocks almost as hard as Cook himself. It has been a whirlwind year for the Blue Springs native, who emerged victorious from the seventh season of ―American Idol‖ in May, and–despise the wishes he reveals below–it looks like things aren‘t seetling down any time soon. Cook served as ―Saturday Night Live‖ musical guest on November 1, and his debut album hit stores on Novembert 18. We‘re just gla he worked us in. What word do you love the sound of? Currently? VACATION. What CD or book are you currently enjoying? [I'm listening to] Muse‘s Absolution and thumbing through some Palahniwk. Fill the blank: ―There ought to be a law against ______.‖ Not buying my record? Kidding, I‘ll say, ―being a Raiders fan from Kansas City.‖ Who should play you in a movie about your life? I think that Jay Baruchel (‖Tropic Thunder,‖ ―Knocked Up‖) would be great if it‘s a comedy, but if it‘s a hard-hitting drama, I‘d go with… Screw it, let‘s keep Jay in there. What is your guilty pleasure? QikTrip Taquitos–chicken and cheese. If you had to leave Kansas City forever, where and what would your last meal be? [Summit] Hickory Pit BBQ‘s Sausage Platter. If all your loved ones were safe, what would you save from your burning house? My key to the city of Blue Springs. Growing up there, I take a huge amount of pride in receiving that award. Do you have a motto? ―Pain don‘t hurt‖–from Road House–or, ―It‘s better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to open your mouth and remove all doubt‖–unkown, at least by me. What advice would you give to someone who wnats to follow in your footsteps? Make sure you have a passion and an aptitude for music and performing, and also be aware that sleep is a foreign word. What is your dream vacation? Anywhere with some beach and a golf course. I‘ve got to get my drive straightened out somehow.

2008-12-03 – Z100 - Interview – David Cook (Transcript by Seriously)

SOURCE: http://dclibrary-radio.4shared.com

Male Interviewer: Z100, Dane Cook is here.

Female Interviewer: He‘s a funny guy. He‘s hilarious.

MI: Come on, you‘re gonna ruin the whole interview.

FI: I hope he‘s very funny while he‘s here.

MI: David, how are you?

David: I‘m good how are you?

FI: Hey!

David: I hope I‘m very funny too.

MI: It‘s not Dane Cook it‘s David Cook.

FI: Ohh!

MI: Of course it is!

David: Hello.

MI: David, don‘t let them pick on you like that.

[everybody laughs]

MI: It is true yesterday I was talking about and tomorrow uh I said David Cook will be here, and this lady called up. She said I just want to tell you I‘m the biggest fan of Dane Cook.

[everybody laughs]

MI: And you know what we didn‘t-

David: Me too.

MI: …we didn‘t want to tell her cause we were afraid she wouldn‘t listen.

David: Well you know. Alright then I‘ll, I‘ll steal some of his jokes.

MI: That‘s okay. That means you‘ve stole them twice cause I think he‘s been rumored to steal his jokes as well.

David: Ohhhh.

MI: You‘ve heard that right?

FI: Yeah.

David: I hadn‘t heard that.

MI: A lot of comedians get mad at him.

MI: They all do, they all steal.

MI: We all steal, I mean it‘s—the thing is you‘ve done covers of songs.

David: Yeah, exactly. I wouldn‘t call that stealing, I call it covering.

[everybody laughs]

MI: Now I know what he‘s doing with those jokes, he‘s covering them. In our business we call it sharing.

David: Exactly.

MI: Well listen David congratulations first and foremost.

David: Thank you very much.

MI: You had a great uh, a great run ever since uh, American Idol.

David: Yeah.

MI: I mean uh, is it true that I read that you had the highest debuting release of a, any, any person to win American Idol?

David: Uh, I don‘t know if it was any person that won American Idol—

MI: Just say yes.

David: Uh, yes. Sure.

[everybody laughs]

David: Sorry to everybody else that actually sold higher than me, but yes.

FI: Just go with it.

MI: No but here‘s what I read, what did I read…

FI: It‘s since 2006.

MI: Okay I‘ll read that, whatever. Well but anyway, life is good.

David: Yeah, life is uh, is fantastic. Man I get to travel the country, and play music and talk to you guys. So.

FI: Have you stopped using the spray on tan? Cause I remember you saying something about when you were on Idol they made you use the spray on tan.

David: Uh, I have, I am really embracing this whole Irish thing so I‘m, I‘m doing well.

MI: Yeah me too. Are you like me where you‘re like red or white?

David: Yeah, yeah you don‘t—I don‘t, I don‘t turn that, that bronze color it‘s always just straight like, like plum kinda colored red.

[everybody laughs]

MI: Okay. So what has happened so far that was the best thing that‘s happened since American and what‘s the worst thing that‘s happened since American Idol.

David: Uh, okay, best thing, I‘ve got to go home for a couple days uh for the Idol tour, and uh, and play to like this hometown crowd, and walking out on stage in front of like 18,000 people and seeing all these people along the way that told you that you wouldn‘t make it.

MI: You wouldn‘t make it?

David: Yeah, uh very vindicating. Uh, worst moment, uh—

MI: Other than this one right now.

David: Uh, I mean having to spend an entire summer on a bus with uh, with Michael Johns is….terrible.

[everybody laughs]

FI: Oh, he‘s hot.

David: No, no, no.

FI: Yeah, he‘s a cutie.

David: Nah, he‘s a good guy.

MI: See, see that‘s the thing. You think a guy is hot until you travel with him.

FI: That‘s right.

MI: Then you find out that guy, he farts.

David: Ahh.

MI: Non-stop.

FI: Yeah, he has Cheetos under his nails all the time.

MI: Non-stop.

David: That‘s very specific, Cheeto‘s under the nails.

FI: Cause guys do that.

David: Oh.

FI: They won‘t ever wash.

David: Oh, well.

MI: You know what they say, you should never watch porn and eat Cheetos.

David: [laughs]

FI: Oh my gosh.

MI: Let‘s move on.

FI: And I don‘t want to know how you know that.

David: I read that, I read that somewhere.

MI: You can‘t get that yellow out.

David: [laughs]

MI: No you‘re in of course in New York, uh you‘re lighting, you‘re part of the lighting of the Christmas tree in Rockefeller Center.

David: Yeah.

MI: Have you ever been to the lighting of the Christmas tree at Rockefeller Center?

David: I have not so I‘m completely green to this whole thing.

MI: Well I, let me warn you—

David: Okay.

MI: Actually you‘re going the right way because uh, you‘ll have people around you to make sure you‘re at the right place at the right time, and you‘ll have room to move. It is the most crowded, uncomfortable thing ever.

David: Oh no.

FI: It‘s almost like New Years.

MI: As a matter of fact a good friend of ours—

David: Ahh yeah.

MI: A good friend of ours was pushed up against one of the windows of the restaurants and he was crying and someone let him into the restaurant cause they felt sorry for him. Cause there were so many people pushing.

David: Oh Lord.

FI: Crazy.

MI: They all want to be part of the fun—

David: Right, right.

MI: …but to be, to be uh invited to perform, that‘s, that‘s gotta be quite an honor.

David: Yeah I think uh, I mean, you know, chock it up to another in a long line of like really huge things for me this year. I think uh, being on Idol has allowed me to do some of the most absurd things ever. Like I got to play Carnegie Hall in front of Hillary Clinton, I get to play the Rockefeller Christmas tree lighting. Uh it‘s, it‘s nuts.

[two interviewers talk at the same time]

FI: I‘m sorry. Go ahead.

MI: You both read.

FI: Yeah. I was reading in People magazine that you had said you‘re just this goof that got lucky and—

David: Yeah.

FI: Do you really feel that way?

David: Absolutely. I mean I, I know I‘m friends with musicians who are waaay better than I am, that just don‘t get the shot to do something like this so. Uh, man I‘m, I‘m extremely lucky. I mean I, I work hard at it, and I feel like I deserve it, but I mean still luck has to play some role in it. I‘m sure.

FI: I feel like every artist is a fan even when they do become an artist. So who have you met and who have you hung out with that you were like ‗Oh my God, I can‘t believe I‘m hanging out with so and so!‘.

David: I actually uh, I, I‘ve—one of the, one of the greatest things for me, and I think on a personal level was I‘ve, I‘ve managed to uh, to become friends with Raine Maida from Our Lady Peace. Like they‘re my favorite band—

MI: Who‘s that?

David: [laughs]

MI: No really I have no idea who that is.

David: The band Our Lady Peace?

MI: Oh, Our Lady Peace! You said it so fast—

David: Oh sorry.

FI: I go to the church Our Lady Queen of Peace.

David: Ah, see there ya go! Um—

MI: I, I need you to talk slowly, I‘m really retarded.

David: [laughs]

MI: But it was—you‘re hanging out with people, that you‘re actually collaborating with people that you‘re—It‘s just…

David: I mean I got to go golfing with Raine and, and the rest of the guys in the band like two weeks ago, and they‘re all great golfers and I‘m terrible. But uh just to be able to say that I did that, that‘s a huge feather in my cap.

MI: Golfing.

David: Ah you know.

MI: Hey!

MI: That‘s right, Froggy‘s a golfer.

David: That‘s right Froggy.

MI: I, I got calls coming in here, let me get Patricia on here. Hello Patricia! Say Hi to David Cook.

Patricia: Hi David!

David: Hi Patricia, how are you?

Patricia: I‘m so fine—

David: Wonderful!

Patricia: I‘m nervous, I can‘t believe I‘m talking to you!

David: Ah well, I, I guess believe it. I don‘t know.

[everybody laughs]

Patricia: Can you, can you, can you say my name?

David: Patricia?

Patricia: Yes!

[everybody laughs]

MI: Alright thank

FI: Oh my God! Go to school, go to school, catch the class.

MI: Go to school.

David: [laughs]

MI: Alright, that‘s kinda weird David. This is the strange thing about fame, and being talented, of course that‘s a part of your allure.

David: Oh.

MI: I had a text message a few moments ago ‗I‘m a huge David Cook fan, I have dreams about him constantly, last night he said my name in a dream. Can you please have him say Susan?‘.

David: Susan.

[everybody laughs]

David: This is the easiest interview ever. Say these names.

[everybody laughs]

FI: Turn on your fans, but that‘s the big range . We had this chick that‘s eating Skittles and is ready to go to middle school right now.

David: [laughs]

FI: But then I went and saw you, we actually did an event together.

David: Yeah, yeah, yeah.

FI: And there are a ton of older women that love you.

MI: Love you. The cougars.

David: Life is tough man, I‘m telling you.

MI: No really, I mean uh, before…before you hit it um, did you ever hit it? With uh—I mean…

[everybody laughs]

MI: I mean have older women ever been your thing.

David: Uhhhhhh. No comment.

MI: Wow.

FI: Ohhhhh, give it up.

MI: That‘s a yes. That‘s a yes.

MI: Now the reason I bring this up is you know, there‘s some guys that just have this, this magnetism that older women are just flocking to.

David: I don‘t know.

MI: Now they want you.

David: I guess I‘ve always just operated on the context of age is a number. I don‘t know.

MI: Right.

FI: But to know you can hit it with the young ones and the old ones, you must feel like so special.

David: I‘m not so much worried about hitting it with them, I guess I‘m more worried about them buying the record, but…

[everybody laughs]

MI: Yeah, fine. Then they would buy your record. Fine, we‘ll talk about the music.

David: Okaaay. [laughs]

MI: Uh, you‘re doing really well right now. The album debuting at number 3…

David: Mm hmm.

MI: In a world where the record business just isn‘t what it was ten years ago —do you feel a little cheated by the way? I ask this to all artists—

David: Yeah.

MI: Because ten years ago, five, eight, ten years ago rather, the record business was a whole different business.

David: Absolutely.

MI: We didn‘t have people ripping you off online, this and that. Now it‘s, its changes, economically and the business, everything has changed.

David: I, I think uh, I, I‘m hard-pressed to say who to point the finger at, but I, I definitely, I mean—you see a trend where music has become a little bit more of a disposable media. Um, and you know, when, when you‘re, when you‘re DIY-ing it, and, and you know playing songs out of the back of a van. I mean it‘s one thing to have somebody steal your music cause then it‘s somebody else hearing your music so it‘s hard for me, it‘s hard for me to be upset about it necessarily. I wish people would buy the music as opposed to just steal it. But, uh, if it gets people listening to music, then hopefully they come out to the show, and then the end result—

MI: Well okay.

FI: Oh my God! The labels are dying right now!

David: I know right?

FI: Tell them to buy it, tell them to buy!

MI: Well then you know, if that‘s the case then—how much cash do you have on you? I want you to take it out of your pocket. And I want you to just give it to us. Cause that‘s, that‘s what people are doing. They‘re taking money out of your pocket. How much money does he have? Carolina put your hands in his pants.

FI: Oh no you—I don‘t wanna, I don‘t wanna hurt myself.

FI: Is that chapstick?

FI: Oh, this is the best Burt‘s Bees! Is this one with color?

David: Uhh, yeah.

MI: Don‘t put them on your lips! Herpes, herpes, herpes!

David: [laughs]

FI: I‘m not using it! But I use this actual—

MI: You almost used David Cook‘s chap stick.

FI: Oh yeah.

David: Good stuff.

MI: It is but don‘t share chap stick with Carolina.

[everybody laughs]

David: Ouch.

FI: How much money do you have?

David: I actually I don‘t have any cash.

FI: No cash?

MI: You, you don‘t have any money?

David: I don‘t have any money. I don‘t have any—I just have like plastic.

MI: He has, he has people.

MI: Then give us your credit cards.

[everybody laughs]

MI: No really you don‘t? You should have cash on you at all times. It‘s very important.

David: That‘s what they tell me I hear. But I‘m, I‘m a newbie man.

MI: Alright.

FI: You know what Simon said—Simon never says anything nice about anybody from idol—but he said you were one of the nicest contestants, and such a nice boy. And they asked your mom how you know, ‗how did you keep him that way?‘ and she said she didn‘t let you get away with anything growing up.

David: She really didn‘t. Ah man. I was, I was talking to her—I went home for Thanksgiving break, and was talking to her about that cause my little brother gets away with everything.

FI: Yeah.

David: It‘s ridiculous. Like I, I‘m constantly just amazed at like he‘ll get in trouble and my mom will apologize. Whereas like I‘ll do something less—I‘ll do a lesser offense like three years prior, and then just get slam basted for it.

MI: Moms, moms know which ones they have to crack down on.

David: Yeah. She knew, she knew something.

FI: You spoke a lot about your brother on the show, how‘s he doing now?

David: Uh, he‘s, he‘s doing well. Uh Andrew is finishing up school and uh enjoying all the fruits of my labor so.

FI: There ya go! It‘s nice to have a famous older brother.

David: Yeah, I‘m sure, yeah.

MI: Yeah, my younger brother says the same thing.

[everybody laughs]

MI: Look, I wanna play Light On.

David: Okay.

MI: We‘re gonna get that on uh—Oh wait I‘ve found someone who‘s uh—hold on. I found a cougar for you. [to woman] Hello Valerie.

Valerie: Hi.

MI: Valerie are you offended that we uh call you a cougar? I mean you‘re a forty-six year old woman, and you love David Cook.

Valerie: No I‘m not offended at all!

David: [laughs]

MI: Alright so you‘re proud to be a cougar! Go ahead and say hi to David.

Valerie: Hi David!

David: Hi Valerie. How are you?

Valerie: I‘m great, I just have to say that you are the first American Idol that I wanted to win! I was jumping up and down screaming.

David: Oh thank you.

Valerie: I was so excited that you won. I wanted you to win from day one and I‘m so happy for you.

David: Well I‘m excited that I won too. Thank you very much.

Valerie: I—I can‘t honestly say I‘m—I‘m a cougar, but I‘m definitely a fan, and um I already have your—your…can I dare say your songs downloaded.

David: Heh, that works out just fine.

MI: Did you pay for them?

FI: Yah, did you buy them on iTunes? Tell us now.

Valerie: Ummm…

David: [snickers]

Valerie: I plead the fifth.

[mix of “ohh”, “wow”, and “uh-oh”]

David: Ohhhhhhhhh.

FI: At least lie about it!

[everybody laughs]

MI: There‘s something sexy about uh—

David: Now she has to come to the show.

MI: There‘s something sexy about a thieving cougar. Hey Valerie thank you for listening. Yah, go see him any chance you get. [to David] So touring? I mean uh—

David: Uh yeah we‘re gonna, we‘re gonna hit it up like I think early ‘09 and hit colleges around the country. And, and really kinda grass roots it, I wanna get out and meet people again, so.

MI: You know what I noticed—seeing you perform is when you sing a song and you‘re done, the audience applauds. You seem to really appreciate it.

David: Yeah.

MI: I mean it‘s almost like you‘re on the beach soaking in the sun a little bit. Like there‘s this warmth that comes from the audience for you.

David: I—I, I don‘t know. I‘ve done the exact opposite where you‘ve played uh, a empty room, so. Uh, I‘ll—I‘ll take the uh, I‘ll take the 10,000 over 0 any day of the week.

MI: Alright perfect. Let‘s get into—I‘m sorry go ahead, Bill.

Bill: I wanna know if you‘re still in shock about this whole thing.

David: Uhhh, yeah. I think um, I‘m consistently amazed when somebody stops me in the street, and says something to me. Like anything nice, and…

[everybody laughs]

David: We we‘re soundchecking last night for the Rockefeller thing and—and uh, and somebody yelled David Archuleta‘s name. You know, and I was just like—

MI: Aww.

David: No and—and I—I just—

MI: It was David Archuleta.

David: Probably. I—I smiled, I mean cause I‘m—I‘m still part of this really cool thing, and whether or not people like me, or like Archuleta, and hopefully they like both, uhh I was part of something really cool. So I‘ll take that, I‘ll take that to the grave man, that‘s cool.

MI: But now you‘re moving on to something else that kinda cool.

David: Yeah.

MI: It‘s—it‘s a different chapter.

David: Absolutely, absolutely.

MI: This is David Cook. This is Light On. [music plays]

2008-12-05 – XL 106.7 – Orlando, Florida - David Cook Interview (Transcript by Seriously)

SOURCE: http://dclibrary-radio.4shared.com

Male Interviewer: Good morning David Cook how are you? And it‘s a pleasure to talk to you this morning. How‘s it going man?

David: It goes well. I‘m actually uh, I‘m at an airport. The story of my life anymore, it seems like.

FI: Yeah, right …

David: But uh … I‘m lovin‘ it man.

MI: I mean, you‘re living the dream man! I mean a couple—I mean months ago, you know. I think you were a bartender, thinking about your dream, and now you‘re at an airport living your dream. [Everybody laughs]

David: Absolutely, absolutely. I—I didn‘t—my dream has basically taken me uh about an hour from where I would‘ve normally been, which is probably in debt.

Female Interviewer: It was pretty cool, we got a chance to talk to you before your album was released and now that it‘s out how you feeling?

David: Man I feel great. It seems like the response is been uh—knock on wood—pretty good so far, and uh, hopefully moving forward we can get the record into more people‘s hands and really uh—really grassroots this thing to something huge. It would be really nice.

MI: Do you think that you appreciate is more because you know uh, you‘ve—like you‘ve said—been in a band, and you know how hard it is to succeed, and now that you have it, you‘re more humbled by it. Where a lot of artists—with the type of celebrity that you have and type of fame now—it could possibly go to their heads.

David: It‘s definitely helpful that—you know—I spent basically the last ten, eleven years of my life trying to get people to—to care, and uh that‘s one of the more difficult things to do. So to be here now, I mean, I‘m definitely not taking it for granted.

MI: You know, I think we should go ahead and uh, and do this now. I mean we appreciate you and everything that you‘re doing and we have a little program here called ―Our Baby DJ Program‖, and what that is, what we do is, we collect toys here for kids in central Florida who uh, wouldn‘t normally have a Christmas. And we just had some horrible news yesterday where uh Flyleaf won‘t be able to go to the show, and we‘ve been announcing that there is a very special guest that will be performing that night, and I‘d like to be the first and be honored to say that that special guest, who‘s performing at the Excellent Acoustic Christmas at the House of Blues on Sunday, December 14th, the special guest is you, David Cook.

David: Yeah, yeah. That‘s a quite an announcement, heh heh heh. [Everybody laughs]

FI: Now are you excited to come to central Florida and perform for us? ‗Cause we‘re excited to have you.

David: Absolutely. I‘m ah, I‘m very excited to share on the stage with Gavin Degraw and Colby Caillat, and uh, you know. It‘s nuts. It‘s just another in a long line of really cool things I‘m getting to do this year and uh… I can‘t wait to get up there, man. I need some warm beach, beach-like area weather.

FI: Right.

MI: I hope you bring it with you bro, because it‘s kind of cold right now.

David: Aw no, no! Wait, what is cold though, really? [Laughs]

MI: Well, cold to us is 50, what is it …

FI: 55

MI: 55. We got leather jackets on, bro.

David: Okay, I‘ll be bringing my shorts.

FI: Now when you get here and you get onstage, I‘m really excited to know if you‘re going to be uh, doing any of the renditions you did on Idols?

David: Um… You know what, we‘ve actually talked about it and you never know. We might, we might throw in a few surprises along the way.

FI: Ooh, exciting!

MI: You know it‘s, it‘s crazy that … I mean, the fanbase that you have, and I‘m glad again that you‘re gonna be able to come, because the proportion of those ticket sales will help us buy toys for kids …

David: Yeah

MI: But I think it‘s just amazing … the fact that you‘re coming to town, and now that people are really excited about everybody that‘s coming in, and things come together. Unfortunately something happened with Flyleaf and they can‘t make it. But we‘re able to announce this morning that you‘re the special guest, so it‘s like, it all kinda comes together.

FI: Yeah, it does.

David: Absolutely. And you know… I‘m absolutely stoked for my performance here, I can‘t wait.

MI: Have you ever done central Florida before?

David: Uh, uh, I mean other than the Idol Tour? Probably not.

Unknown person: I was told no, I was told this would be the first time he‘s coming to this area, yeah.

FI: Very cool.

MI: Are you travelling for performances so much, that you really don‘t know [MI laughs]

David: Man, they just … they just say ‗Go that way‘. They point me in the direction I walked in and something seems to happen. So …. [MI laughs again]

FI: Have you done the … have you done the mistake yet where you go onstage and say ‗Thank you Orlando!‘ and it‘s Chicago or something?

David: No, not yet. I‘ve been very good about writing it on my hand and being discreet in looking at it. [Everybody laughs]

MI: You know David … a person who never had the opportunity to actually stand on a stage where a band is performing – they put all those notes on the floor. [Laughs]

David: Yeah. Oh yeah, absolutely. Absolutely. We‘ve got … things to say on the floor, we‘ve got the setlist on the floor … [MI laughs] I got the names of the other band members on the floor, that‘s how clueless I am. [Everybody laughs]

FI: So if we see you looking down deep in thought, you‘re actually reading the stage.

David: Exactly, exactly.

MI: Once again, man – the special guest that we‘ve been talking about at the Excellent Acoustic Christmas is David Cook. And David, I want you to introduce your latest single – they‘ll play it on the air for you now.

David: Aw, thank you guys very, very much. Okay well, ladies and gentlemen, hope you enjoy it, here‘s my brand-new single, this is Light On.

MI: David Cook, thank you so much …

FI: Thank you so much!

MI: And have a safe flight, man

David: Ah, thank you guys. Take care!

2008-12-08 - PEOPLE MAGAZINE - David Cook answers YOUR questions Source By Monica Rizzo

We learned there was a lot to love about American Idol's season 7 champ during his run of smoldering takes on Lionel Richie and Michael Jackson. Now, thanks to your unabated curiosity, we found out more winning details: Cook, 25, drives a Lexus hybrid SUV, does a celebrity impression (Kermit the Frog!) and is still dating former Idol finalist Kimberly Caldwell ("Things are good"). With a new self-titled solo album out, the Blue Springs, Mo., rocker talked to PEOPLE's Monica Rizzo about dieting, dressing down and nesting in L.A.

What was your craziest fan encounter while on the Idol tour this summer? SHAWNA WEISER, Des Moines

Somebody threw a female undergarment onstage. I caught them and thought it would be a bright idea to toss them at Archie [Idol runner-up David Archuleta], which freaked him out!

Would you rather eat hamburgers and live to be 50 or eat salad and live to be 100? HEATHER BERGERON, Keene, N.H.

Probably eat hamburgers and die at 50. I'd rather live fast and die young than eat salads every day.

You wear a lot of interesting T-shirts. Which is your favorite and why? LAURA MOUNT, Greensboro, N.C.

I have one says "Geeks for Peace" that's probably my favorite because I think I'm a geek.

How is your brother Adam doing? [Cook's older sibling has been battling brain cancer since 1998.] PATRICIA McGRADY, Boonsboro, Md.

Adam is doing very well. Thank you for asking. He is continuing treatment, and we are all cautiously optimistic.

Did you ever get things stuck in your nose as a kid? GWEN D., Corpus Christi, Texas

No. So far in 25 years, I've managed to not get anything stuck up my nose. But a kid that I went to elementary school with got a pencil stuck in his nose. I remember he came back to class with gauze stuck up his nose and no pencil.

Could you describe your dream house? NICOLE, Mansfield, Ohio

I like a clean look. I don't like a whole lot of clutter, despite the fact that I'm a pack rat. I get into art deco furniture and monochromatic stuff, so a lot of whites and blacks. But nothing too big—I don't want to feel like I live in a museum.

What is the first thing you do on your day off? JOVELYN, San Pedro, Calif.

I don't know what a day off is! But the first thing is sleep in as long as I possibly can. The problem is I've gotten so used to getting up early that sleeping in is like 9 a.m. I'm into being domestic, so I enjoy going to Bed, Bath and Beyond, Best Buy and Target for my house in L.A.

What's the most romantic thing you've done for a woman? KAREN CHAUDHRY, Jacksonville, Fla.

You'd have to ask the girls I've done romantic things for. But I know the most unromantic thing I've ever done: In high school, I thought it was a good idea to buy this girl I was dating this large candle with three wicks for Christmas. There was no motive behind it. But she got me a back scratcher, so I think we're even.

You have very nice, clear, porcelain skin. What do you do to keep your skin looking so good? LORIE COOK, Yulee, Fla.

[Laughs] Wow. That is making me blush. I don't do anything. Not even soap and water. Now watch, because she asked that question, I'll wake up tomorrow and my whole face will be broken out. We'll have to cancel all the press and promos!

See the American Idol answer more of your questions at people.com/cookvideo

2008-12-16 - ATLANTA JOURNAL-CONSTITUTION - Interview and video performance at the Q100 Christmas concert Source

By Rodney Ho | Tuesday, December 16, 2008, 12:58 AM The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

I spoke briefly with David Cook before the Q100 ―Miracle on West Peachtree Street‖ Christmas concert Monday night. He was not wearing any makeup and had no bags under his eyes despite the whirlwind of the past few months. He actually looked relaxed and happy. But first, here‘s a video I took of Cook from the concert where his brother Andrew dressed up as Santa and presented him with a birthday cake before he performed ―Bar- Ba-Sol.‖ Cook turns 26 on Dec. 20. My camera took a few seconds to focus.

I asked him about how he felt his single and album were doing. ―Knock on wood, so far, so good,‖ he said. Both are ―still making forward progress. If everything holds up, we can hit gold [500,000 albums sold] this week.‖ ―Do you think ‗Light On‘ can beat Archuleta‘s ‗Crush‘?‖ I asked. ―I don‘t know! That song is a juggernaut. If I can get even close, I‘ll be happy.‖ [―Crush‖ peaked at about 15 on the radio pop chart. Not quite a juggernaut but a solid opener for the Arch.] I asked what he was up to next week. ‗I‘m going to be off the grid for two weeks until New Year‘s. This is my last gig until the Mirage [in Vegas.] This will give me a chance to reflect on the last year, try to feel normal.‖

―How come you don‘t look tired at all?‖ I asked. ―You have no bags under your eyes!‖ ―I have a band full of friends and a bunch of amazing people that make this a whole lot easier,‖ he said. ―How did you manage to get two weeks off? Wouldn‘t the label want you to work nonstop, even through Christmas?‖ ―Back in June, I fought, I begged and pleaded and screamed. It worked!‖ ―You‘re battling David Archuleta on the VH1 video countdown. I saw he was No. 1 last week and you were No. 2.‖ ―We‘ve been going back and forth. I think it‘s just a testament to our fan bases. My video debuted at No. 1, went back, then 1, now 2.‖ And he noted that he‘s grateful. ―Second place is a lot higher than I was charting before ‗Idol‘!‖

―So are you at all tired of talking about ‗Idol‘?‖ ―In all honesty, ‗Idol‘ is my meal ticket. I busted my chops for 10 years. ‗Idol‘ gave me the platform to make people listen. I owe ‗Idol‘ quite a bit.‖ ―What are you going to do in the new year?‖ ―We‘re going to hit the road. It‘s going to be an all-college tour in the spring. I remember I have an older brother‘s Indiana State college yearbook, Larry Bird‘s senior year. It had all these pages of concerts like Elvis Costello. You look at the current landscape of acts. Not a lot do college campuses. I want to bring it to the people who don‘t get a lot of entertainment amid all the textbooks and make it fun.‖ Summer, he noted, is still wide open. ―If anybody is interested, call me!‖ He‘s still not sure of a second single. ―We still want to give ‗Light On‘ room to breath,‖ he said. ―A friend of mine wanted to know about the eyeliner. Why so much?‖ ―The eyeliner is more out of necessity. I‘m a pale man of Irish, English and German descent. Anything to make the eyes pop amid stage lights! It stands ot reason. I just don‘t want to go nuts. I went nuts on tour a little bit. I‘ll scale back.‖ ―You missed your friend Michael Johns by a couple of days. Do you miss the ‗Mavid‘ dancing?‖ ―I will tell you. We never did any serious dancing on the tour. Mike and I had fun with the ‗Mavid‘ thing. But the show was basically stage blocking. We should never consider that dancing.‖ ―No dancing tonight, right?‖ ―A little rock star preening and holding on to the mike stand for dear life!‖ [Would you consider what he‘s doing below preening? :) )

-

2008-12-27 - DCO (Blogs) - My XMAS BLOG Source OK, as I write this, I am putting the finishing touches on gift wrapping for the first time in literally 3 years. It‘s been amazing just to be able to buy gifts this year, as opposed to convincing my brother to throw my name on things, and I‘ll pay him back. (Which I never could…). By the way, I‘m still holding out hope that he forgot about my little IOU, so keep it to yourself… I certainly hope that each of you have an incredibly happy holiday season. Eat good food, get some cool stuff, GIVE some cool stuff, but most importantly, enjoy the time with the ones you care about. The one‘s who let you show up to Christmas without presents and still love you all the same. It makes it all the sweeter when you finally get to pay them back for their patience. ☺ See you guys in ‘09. ~D P.S. – If you‘re looking for something to fill that last little space at the rim of the stocking…. There‘s a certain album by a certain person that may fit perfectly. (DISCLAIMER: FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO DO NOT UNDERSTAND THE HINT… THE SELF-TITLED ALBUM FROM DAVID COOK IS ON SALE NOW!!!!) Sorry… had to be done. Happy Holidays, guys.

2008-12-31 - BUSINESS MIRROR - Taking a Big Step Source: http://businessmirror.com.ph/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=3993:tak ing-a-big-step&catid=32:life&Itemid=68 Written by Ann Powers / Wednesday, 31 December 2008 17:59

„LIGHT ON‟ Looking hot on his self-titled album which carries the carrier single “Light On.” According to All Music senior editor Stephen Thomas Erlewine, “[His enthusiasm] makes David Cook a likable record: he‟s so happy to be here it‟s hard not to warm to him at least a little bit. After all, it‟s hard to be mad at somebody who wants nothing more than to make an album that could be played comfortably between the Toadies and Third Eye Blind.” LOS ANGELES—At one point on the road he‘s still on, leading from American Idol to the iPod promotions and summer shed tours of actual rock stardom, David Cook recently stopped for a bite to eat. In the car with him was Raine Maida, the Canadian singer and songwriter who fronts Our Lady Peace, a band Cook famously loves. v The 25-year-old newbie had seen the 38-year-old veteran perform numerous times back when Our Lady Peace was on the rise and Cook was still just a Midwestern kid making demos on the weekends. Now here they were, driving around on a break from writing songs for Cook‘s major-label debut. ―I had one moment with Raine when I asked him about the first time I saw him live,‖ said Cook during an interview in the West Hollywood offices of the Idol-driven management company 19 Entertainment. ―It was at this music festival in Kansas City called Rockfest. I was really engrossed in his performance—he didn‘t look at the audience the whole time he was performing. Watching him that day, I would have been so apprehensive about meeting him.‖ Cook smiled his famous room-warming smile. ―Raine goes, ‗Oh, yeah...I had a 104- degree temperature. I was so dizzy, I couldn‘t look up,‘‖ he recalled. And so the eyes of the most charmingly ambitious Idol since Kelly Clarkson were opened just a little bit wider. For Cook, whose eponymous album was released recently on RCA Records, the biggest prize so far has been the friendships he‘s forged with mentors such as Maida, artists whose influence shaped his own warm, inspirational sound. ―Had I not been able to write with people whom I not only respected but admired and looked up to, it would have been a much harder process,‖ said Cook. ―To be able to walk into a room and know that I was going to probably love any idea these people came up with made it so much easier. And it certainly helped that the people I admired the most seemed to be the nicest people and treated me completely as an equal and allowed me a little bit of confidence in a very unconfident situation.‖ Much has been made of Cook‘s status as the ―heaviest‖ rocker American Idol has produced. His album‘s first single, ―Light On,‖ was cowritten by Seattle rock titan Chris Cornell and flyover rock mastermind Brian Howes. He‘s already nabbed the authenticating spot of musical guest on Saturday Night Live, becoming the first Idol to do so before his first album was released. And an iPhone application has been issued that allows fans to play ―Light On‖ and trigger a simulation of that ultimate rock- concert semaphore, the upheld lighter. Yet, Cook‘s specific loyalties within rock‘s vast landscape might be what‘s most interesting about him. Making his dream album, he‘s also refocusing attention on a little- considered corner of the genre: the literate but accessible strain that arose after the alternative- rock explosion of the mid-1990s, fitting midway between the underground and the mainstream. Chris Daughtry, Cook‘s predecessor in establishing rock as a viable Idol category, made a similar move when he gave props to his favorite band, Live, on the program. Cook has taken it further, not only competing on Idol with songs by Our Lady Peace and Collective Soul, but also enlisting a focused list of cowriters for his album, including Maida and his wife, Chantal Kreviazuk; Johnny Rzeznik of the Goo Goo Dolls; Better Than Ezra‘s Kevin Griffin; Nixons founder Zac Maloy and Atlanta hard rockers Injected. ―I think the collaborations I‘ve been able to do just made this record,‖ said Cook. ―I just tried really hard to hold my own and not come across as some kid awestruck with fear.‖ Cook‘s writing partners hardly represent the height of rock fashion; like the young singer-songwriter himself, they are a steady lot, making music that engenders loyalty from a core fan base instead of media buzz. To call them ―postgrunge‖ reduces the regional breadth and continued appeal of these artists, who hail from nearly every point on the North American map and have made their bread and butter releasing steady-selling albums and playing summer rock festivals for more than a decade. ―His favorite bands are not necessarily mainstream artists that sell millions and millions,‖ said Rob Cavallo, who produced Cook‘s debut. ―But that‘s actually characteristic of a lot of artists that I‘ve worked with and talked to. He seems to be a part of that scene.‖ Maida, who continues to make music with Our Lady Peace, as well as cowrites hits with Kreviazuk for the likes of Avril Lavigne and Clarkson, sees his career and Cook‘s in a cyclical light. Our Lady Peace has sold millions of albums and remains a top Canadian live draw, but lately Maida has returned to the independent status Cook is just now escaping. ―I love the whole journey of it,‖ said Maida by phone from his home in Toronto. ―I wouldn‘t have been able to get here without being there first—without selling a bunch of records and being able to play a lot of big places. My solo record came from having a studio record in my house, and I released it independently. Owning the masters is a big deal for me. ―David is coming through it from the other end. He made five or six records on his own. Now he‘s on a major label. And me, I don‘t have someone paying for my projects, and I love it. Life is like that.‖ Maida‘s four cowrites with Cook are standouts on an album that‘s consistently well- crafted and thoughtful, despite having been made while the singer was still on the annual American Idol tour. One track both writers and producer Cavallo single out is ―Permanent,‖ a ballad penned for Cook‘s brother Adam, whose continuing struggle with cancer has become a key element of his brother‘s public story. ―I purposely tried to be a storyteller on this particular song,‖ said Cook of ―Permanent,‖ which features a spare production highlighted by piano and strings. ―I made it known what I was talking about. But it‘s still written in a way that people can take what they want out of it.‖ Cook‘s ultimate goal, when he feels up to looking that far into the future, is to become a career artist who can tour on his own terms and write for himself and others. Not unlike Maida. As for the Canadian rocker, he‘s just happy to have made Cook‘s acquaintance. ―On a personal level, I have a new friend,‖ he said. ―I admire what he‘s been able to do. In terms of Our Lady Peace and my own music—the cowriting that I do helps me see different sides of the pop spectrum....Every time I get to cowrite with someone I learn from them.‖ Cook would certainly agree. But what‘s funny about his debut is that its best song might be the one he wrote entirely on his own: ―A Daily Anthem,‖ an energizing ode to the magic of—what else—a great power ballad. This song, which Cook wrote before he was famous, describes and establishes the bar he sets for himself. ―My goals have always been based on the premise hope for the best, expect the worst,‖ he said. ―I expect this record to be a solid record. I hope it‘s an important record. That‘s kind of how I operate.‖