David Cook Announces Spring Tour Dates

=[ No Texas dates yet………

Yay, I’m happy to see he was able to book so many dates! No CA stops :’( but next time hopefully.

:’(

nothing out west. not even Texas or CA!!! what is up with that?

why does everyone like the east coast. it’s cold and stupid. ok well not stupid. i’m sooooooooo sad.

i really hope he gets a good tour for the summer and comes out west!!!!

Ah, I find just the opposite, AZIdolfan. We NEVER get the “good idols” to tour around the east coast…So I’m super stoaked that he’s coming to CT and NH which are actually remotely close to Vermont :)

Does anyone have any idea as to how we get tickets for the concerts?

OMG! He is coming to Akron!!!!! Not my college, but close enough!

Does anyone have any idea as to how we get tickets for the concerts?

You’ll have to contact the college, probably.

I think it was pretty much booked according to which colleges hired him first. So it looks like the West Coast was too slow! lol.

No So-Calif tour dates? Humph

He lives in Los Angeles after all. I can’t understand why he wouldnà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t want to make a drive south to San Diego. We have Shamu, the Zoo and some really great beaches. Plus SDSU has some of the cutest women as seen on any campus (never mind it is my alma mater :dry_tb:)

Nice. 37 dates, very grassroots (with a few bigger events and venues sprinkled in). I wouldn’t worry too much about the lack of west-coast or Texas dates yet (and I’m a Texan myself). This is only the first leg of what will likely be at least 2 years of grinding it out on the road for Cook. I’m guessing there will be plenty of opportunities to see him live in 2009.

Ià ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢m guessing there will be plenty of opportunities to see him live in 2009.

Get as close to Corpus Christi as you can, David Cook.

Wow, grinding it out on the road is right. That’s a LOT of dates and not a lot of downtime. Oh well, I bet Cook is saying, “Oh this? That’s nothing. At least this time I’m not expected to write and record an album at the same time.”

rebekah141 Jan 23rd, 2009 at 12:24 pm

OMG! He is coming to Akron!!!!! Not my college, but close enough!

rebekah141, I noticed this was at a location in the historic district in Akron. Do you know anything about this place? Musica? This doesn’t look like a college venue.

listen — actually, it’s *ucsd* but since we are joined in the common cause of getting DC down to SD, it’s all good ;)

Heh, I suppose I will have to console myself with the 2 times I’ve seen him for free the past 3 months. ^_^ And hope for you-tubage!

eta

These type of shows are precisely how MWK/Axium/ David Cook circa Analog Heart would have wanted break on to the sceneà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬’ one campus at a time, building buzz and converting packed student union halls into new fans at every tour stop.

That’s a sweet thought. And reminds me of that quote from the Viper Room performance (right before SNL), something about him waiting a whole year to be able to do a small show like that again.

Everything about this intrigues me from a psychological vantage point– the college venues, the dirt cheap ticket and booking prices, even the regional nature of the tour. He seems to be setting out to try to reclaim some grass-roots authenticity after the circumstance of his launch as an artist which was by definition the very essence of being manufactured. These type of shows are precisely how MWK/Axium/ David Cook circa Analog Heart would have wanted break on to the scene– one campus at a time, building buzz and converting packed student union halls into new fans at every stop on the tour.

These type of shows are precisely how MWK/Axium/ David Cook circa Analog Heart would have wanted break on to the sceneà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬’ one campus at a time, building buzz and converting packed student union halls into new fans at every stop on the tour.

Awesome thought.

He’s probably more excited about this than anything…

Cookcricket- Yea it is not a college venue. It is a local live music venue here is Akron. They book lots of different acts. Here is their myspace.
http://www.myspace.com/akronmusica

I’m sure the Cook Camp have facts and figures on what areas of the country have bought his songs and album. Much better to start a tour in an area where people want to see you. Lots of time to get the rest of the country to take note.

one campus at a time, building buzz and converting packed student union halls into new fans at every stop on the tour.

Awesome thought indeed, and all signs point to this whole thing being DC’s brainchild. I hope it works, since college students (I was one not long too ago, and still have friends who are) have an incredible knack for loving an artist and still not paying for his/her music! But regardless, DC’ll have a blast doing what he loves– what did he say, that he didn’t get into this for money or for being a celebrity, but so that he can make a living doing what he loves. Besides, I have no doubt that he’ll rock so hard, he’ll gain enough fans that will pay for his music, or will for future albums, right?

I’d love to catch this tour, but the lack of dates in a major city is making it a little tougher. I’m not used to roadtripping for a show when most artists come to my city, and I’m definitely not used to digging for ticket info when ticketmaster is so happy to charge me an arm and a leg in “convenience” fees and whatnot. Hmm…

Continuing my thoughts from above, it seems like this is a calculated effort to step backwards and give the appearance of that he hasn’t “made it” quite yet — an effort to deny his status. But, the guy has performed on just about every television show you can perform on and has an album that will soon go platinum. Would anybody blink if Nickelback announced that David Cook was opening for them on the North American leg of their 2009 tour?

But, the circumstances of this tour crack me up. Will the boys travel around in a deodorant-deficient, beat up white van? Will they sell copies of “David Cook” at tables in the lobby before and after the show? (And, if so, will Soundscan count them?)

Of course, the tour does have one major thing going for it of which the guys will no doubt take full advantage– college chicks! Kim, you never stood a chance….

No love for Cali!!! Dude…I’m bummed.

Yayyy!!! Tour dates, finally! I would love to go to tallahassee to see him but does anyone know anything about the February 12th appearance at the Disney AI experience opening? Is he still going to be there? Will he be performing or just there for the grand opening of the AI Exp?

an effort to deny his status

I dunno…plenty of the press releases I’ve seen in the past few days for individual tour stops have the AI title plastered all over it.

I think it’s more trying to go back and fill in a step that David may have felt was essential/important in his own view of his career, but which was skipped over because of Idol. (Besides the obvious outreach component)

Will they sell copies of à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“David Cookà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬  at tables in the lobby before and after the show?

You know, I’m pretty sure they will! LOL. Along with the shiny new ~merch~ we were promised.

But, the circumstances of this tour crack me up. Will the boys travel around in a deodorant-deficient, beat up white van?

Bwah! I’m thinking some bizarro version of the Mystery Machine. After all, one of the band members already has a Great Dane, so why not go all out with the Scooby Doo and Friends analogy. But the question is, who’s gonna be Shaggy (Dave)? Velma (Andy), Fred (Neal), Daphne (Joey)? Scrappy (Kyle)?

I dunnoà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ ¦plenty of the press releases Ià ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢ve seen in the past few days for individual tour stops have the AI title plastered all over it.

I didn’t mean his status as the American Idol. I meant his status as a fully-arrived, major label performer and, even moreso, a celebrity….

I think ità ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s more trying to go back and fill in a step that David may have felt was essential/important in his own view of his career, but which was skipped over because of Idol. (Besides the obvious outreach component).

This is what I was trying to say when I referred to authenticity. You summed it up far better than I did, though.

I don’t think it’s all that deep. They did this with Daughtry. I think its designed to let the band play together in smaller dates where they can gel before they hit bigger, more high stakes stages. It’s probably set in colleges because 1. Idol is low in that demo and 2. Dave has expressed an interest in reaching out to that group, since he’s just out of college himself. You know, get a little experience, build a little buzz, meet some hot college chicks. LOL. Not too complicated, from where I stand. Clearly its not for money.

Yeah, but where would we be if we didn’t get to overanalyze every single thing ;)

Clearly its not for money.

Heh, all the fun of a little band just trying to make it, none of the “ramen for the next 3 weeks” desperation.

I wish whoever put the list together would have put more research in it. I am having trouble trusting the info.

For example, Campbell University (no comma in the middle) is in Buies Creek, NC, not Blues Creek, NC and Wilmington University is in Delaware, not North Carolina. UNC-Wilmington is in NC and has an Azalea Fest.

Louisiana never gets any love either……But I’m okay with that….as long as one of these days Mr Cook comes close enough for me to attend at least one of his shows. Ah well, there’s always the Tube.
Noctem, I like your point of view.

For example, Campbell University (no comma in the middle) is in Buies Creek, NC, not Blues Creek, NC and Wilmington University is in Delaware, not North Carolina. UNC-Wilmington is in NC and has an Azalea Fest.

Exactly. It’s UNCW not Wilmington University. I’ve lived here my entire life. I kind of got a good laugh at that. I think in the early days it was called Wilmington College. Well, as long as he gets to come here, they can call us whatever they want to. lol

I think this grassroots effort is a wise move to bring in new fans.

The smaller venues are extremely important. If he sells out a 1,000 seat venue he will be perceived as a success. If he only sells 1025 tickets to a 2,000 seat venue, he will be perceived as a failure.

The college part of the tour will introduce him to a desirable demographic. Colleges are also good for dates in the middle of the week as students are already at the location and do may not have interfering work obligations. Also, in some of the small towns, this may be the only entertainment around and the place to go.

Another Texan here. I’m not worried.

They’re just using the “Daughtry small venue model” with Cook on his first time out. Psychologically, they need to have a full house every night, and with this model, they will have it.

Actually, I snorted and laughed out loud when I saw Chris’ first tour routing. A few of those places were ridiculous, and not in a good way. The college tour for Cook is a really great idea, and I think it was planned by someone with a brain.

I’ll be seeing him in Houston in 2009 opening for a huge national act. ummm… I hope.

Well…two NC dates, but not in Charlotte. So I suppose I’ll be taking a slight car ride. But hey, what’s a three hour car ride if we get to see DC? :P

Clearly its not for money.

in the end, it’s all about MONEY!!!!

IMHO this primarily college tour strategy is a great one to build a strong foundation of fans outside of the AI TV audience by reaching out to college kids, coming to their own turf in a very affordable way. College students are an essential demographic for any serious rocker. This does fill in that step that AI leaps over. This is a very wise move when you’re thinking long-term success. It might even build some more rock cred to help break into rock radio play.

I’m sure hoping this is only the first leg of this tour as it completely omits the whole western part of the country.

I strongly believe that this college and small venue tour is just the beginning. I have no doubt that we’ll all have a chance to see David in a big summer/fall tour.

in the end, ità ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s all about MONEY!!!!

Well, I guess he’s got all he needs right now.

It’s not about how much $ he has or wants. It’s about how much he’ll make for 19R and 19M. That’s the BOTTOM LINE for all their artists.

He’s getting a similiar roll out to Daughtry and for probably the same reasons. Also obviously to expand his fan base to a different demographic.

Well, I guess heà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s got all he needs right now.

says who?

Clearly its not for money.

in the end, ità ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s all about MONEY!!!!

Well, I guess heà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s got all he needs right now.

Haha, yes, DC’s in it for the cash money. But seriously, it’s clearly a combo of both. He’s not in it for the money, and we can probably say that even 19 alphabet isn’t in it for the money for this tour, but they’re obviously considering it an investment on DC’s future returns.

Small gigs first (so they’ll sell out. Don’t want to see tons of empty seats), then larger gigs, casinos, fairs, then opening act for a bigger star.

That seems to be the roll out 19 follows. Smart because nothing would be worse than starting too big and performing to half empty arenas. If they think you’ re a flop, you don’t even get the small club tour. They just bail right away.
I guess they figure not enough return on the investment. Tours are expensive.

^^I’m thinking this is exactly right, jpfan, and it makes me happy. Daughtry played at our county fair in 2007, so if that’s the case, there might be the possibility we could get DC in our area too…

You know if you look at Carrie Underwoods schedule after her win even though she was getting hits, she was playing fairs like crazy. So maybe that is his plan as that is when they start, about after is college tour is over. And by then a new hit will probably be out, and I think the college tour will generate more album sales. I think he is playing this very smart and remember, his label is Carrie’s label. Look what they managed her too and David has the voice to do the same. As Simon would say…. just my opinion. lol. I am wondering what the Iraq will affect his sales???

But seriously, ità ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s clearly a combo of both. Heà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s not in it for the money, and we can probably say that even 19 alphabet isnà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t in it for the money for this tour, but theyà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢re obviously considering it an investment on DCà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s future returns.

I believe ya.

Got my tickets for the Niagara show!!

Finally finally FINALLY!!

I am stoked about the South Bend/Notre Dame show…finally a concert I want to go to that isn’t 2 hours away! I hope I will be able to go (that it isn’t only for ND students as I am not quite that age yet).

I’m going to try and go to Notre Dame too cakeandcookies. My dad is a professor there so i’m thinking I might have a good chance.

Got some info for ya’ll on these dates.

According to this, the Marist College show is for students only.

According to Musica’s MySpace, the David Cook date in Akron that was announced has unfortunately been cancelled.

Also per a DCO poster:

I have some info the the Western Illinios Univ concert if anyone is interested. The tickets are going on sell in 2 weeks. They will sell only 500 ,per Davids request. The first 400 will be for students the first four days of the ticket sell, then will be open to the public, for more info you can call 309-298-1414 and ask for Diane Cumbie running this event or you can go to wiu.edu. hope this helps someone. I didnt ask about the price but all the concerts seem to be very reasonable.

More info if I get any. Very bummed about the lack of Texas dates too.

According to Musicaà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s MySpace, the David Cook date in Akron that was announced has unfortunately been cancelled.

Saw that. Way too bad, its so close to me! Oh well. Maybe I can check out the other Ohio date. Too bad my college didn’t get a visit!

More info per a poster on the WNH that emailed someone in charge at Bloomsburg about the March 16 show:

I was forwarded your inquiry about David Cook. Yes, he will be at Bloomsburg University on March 16. But the buzz is that it will sell out to students before it goes on sale to the public. We only sell to students the first week of sales and its a small venue. Details will be posted on the Bloomsburg University website at a later time.

This looks like a pattern to me…

So, bax. Coming to Florida? You KNOW you want to!!! ;)

New date in place of the cancelled Akron show:

Monday, March 23rd à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬’ Selinsgrove, PA – Susquehanna University

It’s been added to the PopEater list.

That was fast. They must have a waiting list?

Damn, I never thought I’d long to live in south-central PA again. York and Carlisle? What?

Looks like no live Cook for me this time around. I’ll survive. As long as David doesn’t spend his summer playing 30-40 minute sets opening for some band I hate, haha.

Exactly. Ità ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s UNCW not Wilmington University. Ià ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢ve lived here my entire life. I kind of got a good laugh at that. I think in the early days it was called Wilmington College. Well, as long as he gets to come here, they can call us whatever they want to. lol

Lived here my entire life too. And I agree, call us whatever you want, just send Cook our way!

I think he is playing this very smart and remember, his label is Carrieà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s label.

His label is RCA and she is with Arista, I thought. But agree that he/19 are playing this very smart by starting with a small tour that will likely sell out (well in advance) to a demographic that he/AI is low on, as compared to other rock acts.

I live in Iowa and I read in the paper where he was coming to a private college about 15 miles from where I live and now I see on this list that he is coming to the University of Northern Iowa which is in the town I live in. My daughter-in-law works at the University and for the facility he’ll perform in so I’m sure I could get a ticket. The biggest problem is I am plenty old enought to be his and the students grandmother. I’m a Cook fan but attending a college Rock Concert might be a little strange. I wish some of you could change places with me as I’m sure it’ll be a blast. I have gone to a Taylor Hicks concert so maybe I can handle this too. My motto: You have to grow old you just don’t have to grow up.

FSU?! WTH, man?! >:-

jojosie, go for it! I bet you will have a blast!

I’m hoping that the FSU show isn’t for students only because I could definitely handle the drive up there from Orlando. It’s only a few hours away. AND since it’s the first stop, you KNOW you’ll have a reporter on the scene, mj. ;)

Man. That’s gonna be a busy week for me!

Sarah I really want to go to the FSU show as well. But I heard that they will only sell the tickets on campus on the day of the show to the public. And I get out of work at 5 and I think it’s a 4 hour drive to FSU from Orlando. So I am sure the show will start and the tickets will be sold out if I even try to make it. Grrrr. What is wrong with CFU huh. We helped him sell out the HOB he could of come here.

Not coming to Colorado AGAIN? The Idol tour missed us, too. In fact, he’s basically avoiding the entire Western U.S. Whaaa! There are actual colleges here, also actual fans. I am so very annoyed.

Hmm garnetstar…

Well, I have a couple of friends who live in Tallahassee (and I think one even actually works at the school), so I might be able to have someone pick some tix up sometime during the day.

I’ll get MJ to send me your email address, if that’s okay with you. I have a couple of ideas.

Hi Sarah,

That is fine with me you can have my email address, but I just got more information by searching the forums on the interweb. It is a small venue that only seats 350 people. There are no tickets at all. The venue opens at 8:30pm. So you basically need to be in line and enter the club at 8:30 that night. Which might not be bad but how big will the line be? That is what is up in the air.

This looks like a pattern to meà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ ¦

The New Hampshire concert is a couple of hours away from me, but it’s at a small Liberal Arts College.

I think I’ll leave this leg of the tour to the kids.

His label is RCA and she is with Arista, I thought. But agree that he/19 are playing this very smart by starting with a small tour that will likely sell out (well in advance) to a demographic that he/AI is low on, as compared to other rock acts.

Yep, I agree. I think it’ll help him reach out to a demographic that (maybe) has never heard him sing before. LOL.

I didn’t know Carrie played fairs after AI, I think this is David’s version of small gigs – same goes to Daughtry’s. I’m not surprised he doesn’t have any stops in the West Coast (I was hoping he would have one or two in LA cos I’m going there in 3 months), but this is only a college tour – not yet a full-fledged tour so I’m not worried that I will NEVER see him haha.

David is with RCA, Carrie is with Arista but they’re both with 19 Recordings as well. Hehe.

And RCA and Arista are both under RMG – don’t know if that affects anything, but yeah..:D

I didn’t know Carrie played fairs after AI, I think this is David’s version of small gigs

Carrie still plays fairs, which aren’t necessarily small gigs. The big fairs are huge, and pay good money to get the best acts.

^Thanks for the correction, mj! I forgot about the big fairs!

I don’t know if anyone has noticed, but PopEater has taken the April 20 show at Notre Dame (South Bend, IN) off the tour list.

The New Hampshire concert is a couple of hours away from me, but ità ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s at a small Liberal Arts College.

Very small liberal arts college… I went there, great school, but wicked small.

…but tour date at my alma mater? That’s just way too awesome for words. I need to try and get up there for that.

Awwwwwwwwwww Dave! No TEXAS dates? OK then, I’ll have to DRIVE, like I did to see you on the frigging American Idol tour. Sheesh. And I would’ve driven to Tulsa BEFORE Idol if you had bothered to call and let me know you were SINGIN’ up there. OK, I could make KC MO, Tulsa, and probably Searcy AR. lalaLAAAAAAAAAA! Yep, gonna start planning my vacation time. I really can’t think of anything else I’d rather do with my limited time off and funds than see these guys LIVE!

I have no ideas about the what where why of this type tour. I kinda hoped they would try to book places like the Nokia here, around 6,000-7,000 seats. But I guess that’s kinda big for a “brand new” or newly nationally known anyway artist. After all, the last show I saw there was Keith Urban on the Be Here tour. And may I say, what a GREAT venue. Oh and Keith ROCKED the entire place!

Back to my current bf…my gut reaction is that this is a great idea to get the college demographic on the Cook Bandwagon. And he isn’t that long out of college himself, true. Oh and I must admit, college…CHICKS, man. Sigh. Ah well, a woman can dream! BWHAHAHAHHAHAHHA!

If any of you guys are wondering if it would be worth a drive or an overnight trip even, DO IT! GO to the show! It will be fun. You’ll love it. I’m willing to travel from TX to Tulsa, Arkansas, and/or Missouri. OK…well…maybe I’m a complete raving fanatic…hee. But I guarantee there are fans out there WAY crazier than me! Thanks for these dates and info, mj, so so much.

edit: this information was posted already in several other places.

Uhh. Where the crap is the western part of the country!? Dangit!

I find it hilarious that he’ll be at my mom’s alma mater (Shawnee State) in the town I was born in (Portsmouth, OH), but he won’t be coming to the college I go to (UNLV) in the city I was raised in (Las Vegas, NV). Bummer.

LOL westsiders, I wouldn’t stress. Like others have said there’ll be more tour, he’ll work his way here eventually.

Lucky easterners: sell out those venues so there’ll be more tour!!! ;)

Hoppy, I’m in Vegas too, and when I’d heard he would be playing in casinos I hoped he would hit one or two of the smaller ones out here, too. But knowing my luck, I probably wouldn’t have been able to get tickets before they sold out, so I will be patient and wait for him to hit up Vegas with a bigger gig. I wish everyone else luck getting tickets! :)

I’m not American and the only schools that I have heard of prior to this list are Ole Miss and Harding (and I only know about the latter because of another reason). I guess this is David trying to re-capture his “DIY” days of being a musician. It’s a grassroots campaign which works to his advantage because every now and again, he’s going to get the major rockstar pimpage anyways.

Sarah I was thinking of driving up too, and could probably sell the trip to the sig O as a V-Day present. But if we get there and can’t get in, he’s gonna be hellapissed, and I could definitely wait until the next leg of the tour. If you get any more info about that venue and the chances of non students getting in to the club, please post it. Otherwise I might start bugging the Disney peeps for info about this rumored Cook performance to open their AI attraction.

My .02 as to why he’s doing the college tour, I’m sure it’s some combo of starting small and working up, expanding the fanbase, building buzz, getting in touch with his indie roots, playing in an atmosphere where he doesn’t have to worry about censoring himself, and the chicks, man.

I did a search on “David Cook” at University of Tulsa, and lo and behold, there is a professor there by that name. A little bit older than our DC.

http://www.cas.utulsa.edu/theatre/faculty_cook.html

^^ LOL! Dr. David Cook..

WHAT ABOUT US OUT WEST????????????????????????????????????

I’m a tad too old for the college tour so I am sticking this one out. I will say Tulsa loves them some Cook so I bet that show is sold out quickly. Darn same town & I can’t go. Hope we get vids.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Sony_BMG_labels
How this works is Sony BMG is the corporation, they have a slew of labels which beneath them are even more. Look at the above link and it bogels the mind. Any way RCA is the Parent label of Davids label and Arista. With David are Kelly Clarkson, Daughtry, Aqulara etc. All very confusing but SonyBmg is the big wig!
I stand corrected and you can find Carries list of tours on her site which did not have a lot of fairs but my goodness she was busy. Jesus Take the Wheel was actually her third released single which I didn’t know. Inside Your Heaven then Don’t Forget To Remember Me. Her first album was with Arista USA and her second with 19 Recordings/Arista Nashville, 2 years apart. She is due to release again this year. So David is pretty much right on track with her. And as HDD said in their interview, he has the potential to be bigger then her. WOW! Anyway that’s my trivia for today and DC is back to rest before Feb 13th and Wahhhhhhhhhh NO WESTCOAST!

At David’s official site they’ve added 3 dates…

04/13/09
Joliet, IL
N/A

04/17/09
Maryville, MO
N/A

04/20/09
Tyler, TX

Btw, I hope he makes any of these shows acoustic.

Here is the official announcement from The Star News about the concert for the Azalea Festival.

‘American Idol’ David Cook to play Azalea Festival

Organizers announced Friday that the singer David Cook, who won the seventh season of hit TV show “American Idol” in 2008, would be one of two concert headliners for the 62nd annual Azalea Festival, set to be held April 1-5.

Cook will perform April 2 in Trask Coliseum. Carrie Underwood, also an “Idol” winner, performed at the Azalea Festival in 2006.

à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“We were getting calls (from the public) weeks and months in advance wanting us to get David Cook,à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬  said Sherman Criner, president of the 2009 festival.

The announcement of the Azalea Festival’s other headliner is expected in the coming days.

à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“One thing weà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢ve run against this year is the (Academy of Country Music) awards are, I think, the same week as the festival,à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬  Criner said, hinting that a country singer might fill out the festival bill.

Cook is a rocker who wowed “Idol” judges (and audiences) with hard-edged interpretations of such songs as Lionel Richie’s “Hello.” In a pairing dubbed “The Battle of the Davids,” Cook defeated the favored David Archuleta on “Idol” in May. Just two weeks later, Cook had 11 songs from his independent album “Analog Heart” in the Billboard Hot 100, a record.

His self-titled major label debut for RCA, released late last year, peaked at No. 3. The album features collaborations with the likes of Chris Cornell, formerly of the band Soundgarden.

When: 8 p.m. April 2
Where: Trask Coliseum on the campus of UNCW
Tickets: $45
Details: 794-4650. Tickets can be purchased from the Azalea Festival offices at 5725 Oleander Drive, unit B7, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday-Friday. For information on how to pay for tickets via fax or mail, go to http://www.ncAzaleaFestival.org.