Chris Cornell Pens New Single for American Idol Winner David Cook, Entitled ‘Light On’
SANTA MONICA, Calif., Oct 03, 2008 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ — Chris Cornell, best known as the acclaimed lead singer and songwriter for Soundgarden and Audioslave, has co-written the new single from American Idol winner David Cook, entitled “Light On.” The track, which is being released to radio this week, is the lead-off single from Cook’s upcoming solo debut. Cook scored big on American Idol the week he performed Cornell’s bluesy reinvention of Michael Jackson’s “Billie Jean, ” which appears on Cornell’s 2007 solo album Carry On.
‘So You Think You Can Dance’ tour: No judges allowed
The top 11 contestants from Season 4 of “So You Think You Can Dance” began their nationwide tour less than two weeks ago, but they have already samba-ed, waltzed, and tangoed their way through eight cities. On Wednesday night, the 11 chosen ones returned to their old stomping grounds -‘ Los Angeles -‘ for a show at the Nokia Theatre.
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Whatever He Likes: T.I. Holds Chart Penthouse, Takes Reservation for Next Week
David Cook, …Light On: Message to David Archuleta: it on! The leadoff single to the 2008 American Idol winner debut album comes freighted with oddly fey cover art and huge expectations. One month after the runner-up moved 166, 000 downloads in a week and crashed onto the chart at No. 2, Cook grunge-schlock single is looking like a somewhat milder performer; iTunes currently has it ranked fourth. The interesting thing to watch next week wont necessarily be the debut of …Light On on the Hot 100′ itll be whether the song, cowritten by Soundgarden Chris Cornell, musters enough cred to make an appearance on any of the rock charts. As Idol first …rock winner, Cook and his handlers clearly see the young-white-male formats as keys to his success when his album drops in November’ reportedly the same week Nickelback album debuts.
(For the record, both Davids have outperformed expectations at radio this year. Cook single from the Idol finale, …The Time of My Life, held on long after its explosive chart debut in May. It ended up riding the Top 40 all summer long, eventually also topping the Adult Contemporary chart’ the slow-as-molasses, dull-as-dirt format that nonetheless represents thousands of radio stations and millions of listeners. And Archuleta hit, after its big August debut, has emerged as a solid radio hit, now among the 50 most-played songs nationwide and hanging onto the Hot 100 Top 20.)
Chart Beat
‘SPOTLIGHT’ SHINES: Speaking of “American Idol” finalists, Jennifer Hudson gives the franchise its 203rd No. 1, counting all national, domestic charts compiled by Billboard. Hudson’s “Spotlight” (Arista) captures first place on the Adult R&B survey.
From the time the popular TV series had its first Billboard No. 1 (Kelly Clarkson’s “A Moment Like This” topped the Hot 100 the week of Oct. 5, 2002), it took almost four years to amass 100 No. 1s. The 100th “Idol” No. 1 also belonged to Clarkson; her single “Walk Away” topped the Hot 100 Recurrents chart the week of Aug. 12, 2006. It has taken just over two additional years for those 100 “Idol” No. 1s to double and pass the 200 mark.
Here’s how the 203 No. 1s by “Idol” contestants are distributed among seven seasons worth of vocalists:
David Cook fan club hosts cancer fundraiser
Blue Springs, MO ‘ An event that will support the American Cancer Society through the music of American Idol winner David Cook is scheduled for Saturday in Blue Springs.
CooksCrew, a fan-based organization, will hold the event from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Rotary Park at Railroad Lake. The event will include music, food, refreshments and entertainment, according to the Web site Cookscrew.com.
Josh Gracin’s ‘Idol’ Star Keeps Rising
Former “American Idol” finalist Josh Gracin earned his record deal like any other aspiring musician. Sure, the ex-Marine had some help with the visibility he received when he placed fourth in the second season of television’s most popular reality contest. It also didn’t hurt that country music’s Rascal Flatts gave him a bona fide thumbs-up.
Still, when it came down to the simple facts of Gracin singing a cappella in front of a handful of record executives, he tipped the scales and won himself a future with Lyric Street Records, home to Flatts.
Superstar Underwood far from idle
If you’re a music reporter, you have to like U.S. country superstar Carrie Underwood.
She is somebody who made something of her broadcast journalism studies, even if her words are turning into songs for BMI’s Carrie-Okie Music.
Just as important, she is the new queen of country who is happy to pay tribute to that raw-edged icon of the 1980s, Randy Travis.
Celebrate The Holidays With Coko: SWV Member Unleashes Holiday CD
Coko Clemons, known as the lead singer of 90’s R&B sensation SWV is set to celebrate the Holiday season with her latest release, A Coko Christmas.
Featuring 14 special guests including American Idol Alum George Huff, David Caton, Lady Tibba and Sir Jalen, “A Coko Christmas” follows the singer’s Grammy nominated gospel debut, Grateful, released in 2006.
Serving as a segway for her soon-to-come second studio album, “A Coko Christmas” is set to hit stores Oct. 14.
