‘Idol’ champ eyes long-term success
Barely six months after being crowned the winner of “American Idol, ” David Cook has released his self-titled debut album.
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 2 ½ 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.”
Week Ending Nov. 16, 2008: Teens On Top
For the first time in nearly a decade, teen acts hold down the top two positions on The Billboard 200. Taylor Swift, 18, opens at #1 with her sophomore album, Fearless. David Archuleta, 17, bows at #2 with his eponymous debut album. This is the first time that teen acts have held the top two spots since January 1999, when Britney Spears, then 17, bowed at #1 with her debut album, …Baby One More Time, the same week that *NSYNC peaked at #2 with its eponymous debut. Two members of that boy band were teenagers at the time: Justin Timberlake, 17, and Lance Bass, 19.
Just a Minute With: “American Idol” David Cook
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”.
David Cook Would Like To Give You A Warrant T-Shirt For Christmas
Following in the footsteps of his runner-up David Archuleta, American Idol champ David Cook has shared the contents of “his iPod” with USA Today. This is mainly worth noting because he has Warrant lead singer Jani Lane’s version of “Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas” on there, and Lane’s version of the chestnut isn’t all that bad, actually’ it’s a gloomy-then-peppy cover that I will bet cash money was inspired by Joey Ramone’s version of “What A Wonderful World.” (Ramone, it should be noted, is not on Cook’s iPod, although Sevendust is. Sigh.)
Will David Cook become a Grammy darling?
If, as many music gurus say, David Cook is “American Idol’s” new rock superstar, that means he’s the new Chris Daughtry. That means David Cook could be nominated for four Grammys soon, just like Daughtry. Right?
Entertainment Weekly gives the new disc a B grade, adding, “If you’re expecting Daughtry 2: Post-Grunge Boogaloo, well . . . you’re about right. Cook is clearly built in the guy-linered mold of that earlier Idol alum, though his debut owes just as much to the expert hands that craft it, including producers Rob Cavallo (Green Day, My Chemical Romance) and Brian Howes (Hinder, Chris Cornell). They give David Cook’s clutch of bombastic verse-chorus- verse rockers an impressive melodic sheen, one well suited to Cook’s husky, expressive vocals.”
American Idol Daily: King Cook
The first day of “Idol” champion David Cook’s post-show career began with a very positive sign: His album debuted in the top position on the iTunes top albums chart ‘ sweeping aside not just his Season 7 opponent David Archuleta but also the formidable marketplace powers of Taylor Swift, the “Twilight” soundtrack, Beyonce, Britney and Nickelback. Idol Nation anxiously awaits the arrival of hard numbers on both Davids’ sales with upcoming charts, but in the meantime this bodes well for a singer who less than a year ago, in the opening days of the top 24, was given less a chance of winning than the guy who worked the backstage coat room. He was the singer whom judge Cowell dismissed out of hand, saying he had zero charisma.
‹Idol winner debut a feast for the ears
The man who was not originally going to audition for …American Idol is probably now thanking his lucky stars. David Cook, who auditioned in Nebraska with Bon Jovi …Livin on a Prayer, was initially there only to support his brother ‘ who was not as successful at making it to Hollywood.
It was down to the two Davids in the last week, and as it turns out, the one with a rocker style and rough voice won it all and took the title as the seventh …American Idol winner. David Cook self-titled debut album portrays a wide variety of music styles and instrumentals, all of which are enhanced with his rock sound and husky voice.
David Cook: ‘David Cook’
As the first full-on rocker to win American Idol, David Cook turned to some of his heroes for help with his first post-Idol album, which actually is his second solo album (he released a CD called Analog Heart in 2006).
A pair of producers who know a thing or two about sleek rock records – Rob Cavallo (Green Day, My Chemical Romance) and Brian Howes (Hinder, Chris Cornell) signed on to help Cook get an album quickly assembled after his underdog victory over David Archuleta last spring..
Cook got to write with Johnny Rzeznik of the Goo Goo Dolls, Raine Maida of Our Lady Peace and Norway’s Espionage
David Cook – David Cook
– After winning American Idol in May, David Cook had a lot riding on his impending album. He had just won over squeaky-clean teen crooner David Archuleta and had to prove to the public that he was a true rocker. He also had to deal with the constant comparisons to that other …Idol who can growl his lyrics, season five contestant Chris Daughtry.
Does Cook deliver? Yes. Is he up there with Daughtry? He can be, eventually. Cook self-titled debut is a solid work. Although some songs could be grated a bit more to give them a harder edge, Cook does have people who voted for him who maybe arent ready for an all-around hard rock record.
‘Idol’ champ David Cook keeps rocking on new album
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.
David Archuleta first-week record sales rank him third among runners-up, 10th overall
Archuleta sold 183, 000 copies of David Archuleta, according to Billboard, placing him second for the week, behind Taylor Swift, who sold 592, 000 copies of her debut.
Those 183, 000 copies place Archuleta behind just Bo Bice, whose record sold 226, 976 copies in 2005, and Clay Aiken, whose Measure of a Man sold 612, 859 copies in 2003 and remains the reigning champ of runners-up, according to numbers compiled by MJ Big Blog. Archuleta just beat Katharine McPhee early 2007 self-titled debut, which sold 115, 761 copies. That makes his debut the best in three years for a runner-up.
Album reviews: ‘American Idol’s’ new self-titled albums
Seems only apropos that the two finalists — both Davids, mind you — who duked it out at the end of “American Idol” earlier this year would release debut albums within a week of each other. But while “American Idol” devotees are liable to snap up both CDs, they represent different ends of the pop spectrum.
With veteran producer Rob Cavallo (Green Day, My Chemical Romance) on board, David Cook delivers unquestionably heartfelt renditions of the 13 songs that appear on his debut, though much of the album still sounds like so many other mainstream modern rock discs that clutter the landscape.
Schedule crazy, life good
What is the most important thing you’ve done after …Idol?
MANILA, Philippines’ …American Idol Season 7 finalist Michael Johns says life is good, even if his schedule these days is a bit crazy.
David Foster asked me to come to Motown 50th anniversary show to sing two Commodores songs as requested by Lionel Richie ¦ so I did. Seated in a room with legendary artists, I wanted to pinch myself, like, how did I get here? But I think the most amazing thing Ive done was in my hometown, Perth. There a big charity held there every year, a telethon to raise money for children hospitals. I played a bunch of tunes, took donations on air, made phone calls. It was really special. We raised US$7 million. Anytime you can give back, that very important.
Underwood shows her command of, and joy for, the stage
Despite her small stature, former American Idol winner Carrie Underwood knows how to own a stage.
The blonde powerhouse of a singer delivered an energetic and sometimes sentimental performance Wednesday night to a crowd of screaming fans at the E Center in West Valley City. The event included at least four costume changes and a mix of ballads and rock-infused melodies.
Her opening act, Little Big Town, also joined Underwood for a lively version of Fleetwood Mac’s “Go Your Own Way.” The group, which became well-known about two years ago, gave a powerful 45-minute introduction to Underwood with songs such as “A Little More You” and “Boondocks.”
Kristy Lee Cook on the Move?
Kristy Lee Cook came to prominence this year as a contestant on “American Idol, ” and her rejuvenated career as a country artist presents a bit of a travel problem.
Kristy Lee is from Oregon, and the air travel to and from Nashville can chew up plenty of time. As a result, she looking for a place in Music City, though she not buying.
“Im thinkin of gettin an apartment or something here, but Im looking to stay by where my family is, ” she says.
But that still might mean a change of cities, which could ease her travel issues while keeping her in close proximity to her relatives.
“Im actually looking in Colorado, by Denver, ” she notes. “My sister lives there. It kinda near family.”
Young country music stars shine at 10th Guitar Pull
Another surprise was American Idol finalist Kristy Lee Cook, who was a substitute for Joe Nichols, who canceled.
Even though she has yet to have a hit, the talented vocalist held her own with the other performers: Mr. Otto, Mr. Bryan, Rodney Atkins, Sara Evans and area favorite Lady Antebellum (Charles Kelley, Dave Haywood and Hillary Scott).
Backstage before the show, Ms. Cook still was bubbling with happiness from earlier Tuesday, when she was named a lifetime member of the Augusta-based National Barrel Horse Association. The only other lifetime member is singer Reba McEntire.
Why Country Not Only Survived but Thrived
If you tuned in to the CMA Awards on ABC last week to catch performances by young country stars Taylor Swift, Brad Paisley and Sugarland, or by veterans Alan Jackson and George Strait, you are not alone. This year’s telecast of the country music awards was seen by more than 34 million viewers. You might have seen the September telecast of last summer’s CMA Music Festival, too — the only festival of any musical variety that is broadcast on network prime time. If you’re not sure who or what the “CMA” behind those events is, you’re not entirely alone in that, either. But the Country Music Association, based in Nashville, is marking its 50th anniversary this month.
McEntire, Clarkson thrill at Alltel
Country singer Reba McEntire and pop singer Kelly Clarkson shared the stage for a fun night of duets when their “2 Worlds 2 Voices” tour came to Little Rock’s Alltel Arena on Saturday.
The concert started a few minutes late, but when the lights went out, the crowd was ready. Before the curtains rose, McEntire’s voice sang loud over the auditorium before Clarkson joined in on a cover of The Eurythmics “Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This), ” giving the crowd just a sneak peek of what to expect throughout the night.
Diana DeGarmo Talks Country Music and Idol Rewind
Diana DeGarmo has …Gone Country, but what many people probably dont know is it actually Diana going back to her roots. She performed primarily pop music on American Idol, as that is what had mostly been done up until season three. However, Country music is where Diana heart is, and she thrilled to be making an album in that genre right now. When she went to make her initial album, she wasnt inspired by the pop artists of the time, and R & B wasnt feeling like a good fit either. As Diana said, …I was in a musical rut. After being on the show …Gone Country, Diana is feeling renewed, and has fallen in love with music all over again. …It just fit perfectly, Diana said, as life has brought her “full circle.”
‹Aint Misbehavin production lacks connection with material
What do …American Idol alumni do when they graduate? Some make hit records. Some fade into obscurity. And some ‘ like Diana DeGarmo, Clay Aiken and three members of the …Aint Misbehavinƒ ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ national tour at the Fox Theatre ‘ turn to musical theater.
Just when these …Idols thought theyd escaped Simon Cowell, along come the critics and the musical mavens, many of whom were critiquing and clucking about the craft long before most of these talents were born. One of the cultural gripes of the moment is the way the …Idol style pervades performing today. Young singers with little life experience belt their hearts out while making little emotional connection to the material.
Idols revive ‹Misbehavin musical revue
When Richard Maltby, the creator of …Aint Misbehavin, saw …American Idol winner Ruben Studdard in 2003, he thought Studdard (pictured with Billie Allen Henderson, widow of original music arranger Luther Henderson) would be perfect in a revival of the musical revue.
It took five years, but he got his wish on the Broadway classic 30th anniversary
Guy Adams: Cowell is an export who shames Britain
For Simon Cowell, it was just another day at work when he decided to humiliate Paula Goodspeed, a American Idol hopeful who had just delivered a forgettable rendition of the Tina Turner classic “Proud Mary”.
“I don’t think any artist on earth could sing with that much metal in their mouth, ” he gleefully announced to 30 million-odd viewers. “You have so much metal in your mouth, it’s like a bridge!”
Ms Goodspeed failed to see the joke, though. Last week, 18 months after the clip was screened, she took an overdose outside the home of American Idol judge Paula Abdul in Sherman Oaks, a short drive from the Hollywood studio where America’s most popular TV show is filmed.
Despite being booted off Tuesday’s Dancing With the Stars, Cody Linley tells Usmagazine.com he is “proud, confident, and excited for the future.
“I’m so blessed and thankful to have walked away from this competition with a true gift that I received from Julianne [Hough, his partner] and from the fans especially, ” he told Us.
Linley received a total score of 46 out of 60 from judges for his paso doble and salsa routines Monday. After viewer votes were combined with the judges’ scores, the Hannah Montana alum was sent him.
Lance Bass Is Glad Julianne Hough Was Eliminated
Since Julianne Hough got eliminated from Dancing with the Stars this week, Lance Bass is breathing a little easier.
…She was the one I was scared of the most, he told PEOPLE Wednesday at Paris Las Vegas. …She the queen of Dancing with the Stars and I know that she knows how to win this thing. I love her so much, but Im glad she gone and I dont have to face her.
Bass competition now is Brooke Burke and former NFL star Warren Sapp. Burke, however, poses the biggest threat to Bass, he said.
…She definitely the one Im looking at, he said. …She been in first place every week and the judges seem to absolutely love her. She could pee on the floor and they would give her 10s for it.
