Keeping Up With David Cook

[Claygirl]

From Shadow Buddies.org
David Cook Teams Up With The Shadow Buddies Foundation
4/16/09

To celebrate his return to Kansas City, as well as his first Homecoming concert as a solo artist, we are proud to announce that David Cook has joined forces with the Shadow Buddies Foundation to launch his own Shadow Buddy, supporting seriously ill children or children undergoing different medical treatments.

David became involved in December of 2008, when he and Kansas City Chiefs tight-end Tony Gonzalez teamed up with the Shadow Buddies Foundation to brighten the holidays of some very special children at Children’s Mercy Hospital in Kansas City. The Cooks/Forakers and Postlethwaits have been friends for a long time, and now, David and his family are supporting this very important charity. The Shadow Buddies Foundation had already been in the process of developing a David Cook Shadow Buddy for children, and now is a perfect opportunity for his fans to get involved. With the approval of the Cook/Foraker family, it was decided that the first 500 adopted David Cook Shadow Buddies will benefit All Children’s Hospital in St. Petersburg, Florida. Additional adoptions will result in David Cook Buddies being donated to other pediatric hospitals in need.

All Children’s Hospital offers care to any and all children, with no child being turned away regardless of their family’s financial circumstances. Unfortunately, this sometimes means that programs that are beneficial to the emotional well-being of the patient has to be set aside in order to focus on their physical well-being. In the last few years, one of those programs to be set aside was Shadow Buddies. We hope, with the generosity of David’s fans, to make sure every child in need gets a special Shadow Buddy to help them through their difficult time.

The David Cook Buddy is now available for purchase! With your donation, a child in the hospital will receive their very own David Cook Shadow Buddy, and you will get an adoption certificate, signed by David thanking you for your generous support.

Click On Our Brand New Buddy to Order Today!

Shadow Buddies

~Kelly~

[Claygirl]

From the Newark Advocate:
'American Idol' winner's Midland show sells out in 28 minutes
by Tiffany Aumann
4/16/09

NEWARK — It took a mere 28 minutes Thursday morning for the power of “American Idol” to sell out the Midland Theatre.

Patrons clamored for a chance to hear last season’s champion, David Cook, perform in the 1,200-seat theater May 28. The Midland sold tickets beginning at 9 a.m.
through its three phone lines, its Web site and at the box office, where a line of 40 people gathered outside, said Midland Assistant Director Nancy Anderson.

“It was a huge success,” she said, “Everything we thought it would be and more.”
The theater experienced some difficulties with Internet sales, however, after the Web site was hit with “unprecedented” volume.

“We took precautions, but apparently, it wasn’t enough,” Anderson said.

Staff determined the problem was related to an e-mail link sent to students at the Newark campus of Ohio State University for their orders. The glitch also affected public access to the site and since has been corrected.

Anderson said people who were standing in line when the tickets sold out were added to a waiting list, and some tickets were sent to the university as compensation for the Internet disruption.

The Cook concert — part of his college tour — is the result of a collaboration between the Midland and OSU-Newark.

Newark Advocate

~Kelly~

[Claygirl]

From Fox KC.com:
David Cook Puts On Personal Show For Hometown Concert
by Meagan Kelleher
4/22/09

KANSAS CITY, MO - David Cook knows his fans are the ones who got him to where he is today. Literally, if thousands of Word Nerds and Cookies hadn't called into American Idol every night, the reigning champ might still be working behind the bar in his college town. And on Wednesday night at the Ameristar Star Pavillion, Cook put on a show for his most devout fans and followers from his hometown.

While Cook made no mention of American Idol, "Vote for David Cook" and "Hometown Idol" t-shirts were worn by many of the fans, who all somehow knew each other. Almost every other conversation in the venue started out with a fan identifying themselves as their online handle from the David Cook message boards and forums, and then saying how great it was to finally meet their Cook colleagues in person.

Cook took the stage with his song, "Heroes," and a strong vocal performance, a reminder that Cook is a rarity in the music scene nowadays. When a fan threw a stuffed skunk onto the stage, Cook quieted the crowd so he could play the stuffed animal's message over the mic.

Cook's parents and brother were on hand, as well as fan club members who were familiar to anyone who attended a watch party during Cook's American Idol days. Cook even persuaded his brother Andrew (it didn't take much persuasion), to share the stage with him on "Declaration." Cook shared a story with the crowd of driving along I-70 with his dad and stopping to see the new highway signs that welcome travelers into Blue Springs, "Home of David Cook, American Idol 2008." Blue Springs Mayor Ross presented Cook with a replica of one of the two new highway signs that flank east and westbound I-70 honoring the Blue Springs native.

The song choices were all crowd-pleasers, especially "Kiss On The Neck" and fan-favorite "Bar-ba-sol," which Cook said would be his next single off his Platinum selling major label debut. A cover of Van Halen's "Hot for Teacher" appeared to be Cook's favorite moment of the night as he told the crowd, "I can't believe I get paid to do this."

It's apparent Cook gets paid to do "this" not only for his talent, but also because he "gets" his fans. The entire evening felt like a show he was putting on for his closest friends and family. He wasn't distant from the crowd, but fed off their reactions. He is still performing as a singer who is working for your vote, though he certainly got the nod of approval from everyone at his performance Wednesday night.

Fox KC

~Kelly~

[Claygirl]

From Fox4KC.com:
David Cooks Plays Hometown Show Tonight
by Rebecca Sapakie
4/22/09

KANSAS CITY, MO. - Kansas City's American Idol David Cook will be performing at Ameristar Casino on tonight Wednesday, April 22.

FOX 4 will be there to talk to the star and our web team will be capturing all the behind-the-scenes action. We asked you what you want to know from the star and we received dozens of responses.

Your question may be answered Wednesday night. Make sure to check back to fox4kc.com for Cook's answers.

Also on Wednesday, Blue Springs Mayor Ross will present Cook with a replica of one of two new highway signs honoring the Blue Springs native.

Together with the Missouri Department of Transportation, the City of Blue Springs is installing two roadside signs, trumpeting Blue Springs as Cook's hometown. The signs, which will be installed along both the east-bound and west-bound roadways of Interstate 70 at Blue Springs city limits, read: "Blue Springs, Home of David Cook, American Idol 2008."

Mayor Ross said the signs represent a "positive and momentous occasion for Blue Springs, and illustrates the City's pride in the 2008 'American Idol' winner."

"This is great time not only for Blue Springs, said Ross, but also for the many young men and women in our community who aspire to achieve great things, just as our own David Cook has done."

Ross continued, "David is a positive role model, and a true testament of what can happen when people believe in themselves, are embraced by their community, and work hard to accomplish their dreams and goals. David is certainly America's Idol, but he is also Blue Springs' hometown hero."

Fox4KC.com

~Kelly~

[Claygirl]

From talesfromthepit.net:
A Hometown "Idol" Experience
by KC Music Gal
4/22/09

For the past fifteen months, it’s been nearly impossible to escape the name David Cook in Kansas City. While David has been playing music in Kansas City for over five years, his “big break” occurred when he auditioned for American Idol last August in Omaha, Nebraska. The local Fox affiliate provided a quick interview with David and his brother Andrew prior to their Omaha audition and well, we all know what’s happened since that day.

Kansas City isn’t much of a winning town as far as sports go. Sure, we’ve got our Jayhawks and the Missouri Tigers but for a city who hasn’t seen a professional team championship since 1985, David Cook became our hometown “Idol” last May when he was named the 2008 American Idol. With a platinum album and nearly sold out tour, David returned to Kansas City last August with the American Idols tour (two shows, one completely sold out; the other at about 75% capacity). Admittedly, that show was full of cheese and screaming girls but what stands out in my mind was the fact that David single handedly sold out a venue which seats 18,000 people.

There was a lot of controversy surrounding David’s return home in support of his self titled platinum album on April 22nd. First off; his management chose a very small venue for his first solo tour stop in his hometown, leading to a sell out in less than seven minutes. Secondly, the website selling tickets for the show sucked, leaving many diehard fans out in the cold or paying hundreds of dollars for a single ticket. Third, in most towns this tour was billed as a college tour, making tickets under $30. In Kansas City, the tickets were $65 for floor and $55 for balcony (which wasn’t really a balcony but risers). Luckily, I was one of the 1300 to attend the concert and it was nothing short of phenomenal.

I honestly had no idea what to expect from David’s concert at the Ameristar Casino. The venue itself isn’t the best but the acoustics were pretty great and that gave the green light for an amazing show. With a mix of old, new and unreleased tracks, David’s 70 minute set rocked the socks off of all 1300 attendees.

I knew I was in for a treat when the show opened with “Heroes” and lead directly into “We’re Only Honest When We’re Sleeping”; a song rumored to be written right before David’s American Idol Audition. With fan favorites “Kiss on the Neck” (the hidden track on the aforementioned self titled album) and “Lie” the crowd appeared to sing along to every song played.

The concert highlight for me was David’s performance of my personal favorite song off his “Analog Heart” CD, an album yanked from multiple stores and websites upon David’s entry into the top 12 of American Idol. Another unexpected song was a cover of the 1984 Van Halen hit, “Hot for Teacher”. Immediately following the song David exclaimed “How cool is it that I get paid to play that song?” a true testament that he’s still in awe of his AI title and humbled view of his rapid rise to stardom. The show closed with “Bar-Ba-Sol”, probably the most “rocking” song on his major label debut. The crowd couldn’t get enough of David and Kansas City is still taking advantage of David’s popularity. The day after the concert, local radio station and HUGE David Cook supporter, Mix 93.3 announced that David will be the headliner for their annual Red, White and Boom concert in June. That show will give 15,000 Kansas Citians a chance to get their DC fill along with Kevin Rudolf, The Veronicas, Matt Nathanson and several others.

David may not sell as many albums as Kelly Clarkson or Carrie Underwood but he’s definitely making a name for himself around the country. David will continue to tour the US through the summer in several radio station summer festivals and county/state fairs.

talesfromthepit.net

~Kelly~

[Claygirl]

From an American Idol forum thread with pictures:
David Cook Is Still As Selfless As Ever

As if you needed reminding.
I attend the high school that David went to, and graduated in 2001. Now, we already knew he was devoted to us when he made sure Blue Springs South HS was a stop on his homecoming, what we didn't know was how much that would carry over to his post-idol career. David stopped in KC on his tour yesterday to play at Ameristar Casino, and unbeknownsed to anyone besides his crew and the school faculty, David personally arranged a concert to play today at his own alma mader, free, and without any media coverage, just a pure selfless act. And I must say, it was one of the best things I could have experienced. I won't describe the band or the songs because, let's face it, I don't have to. He's awesome. We know this. What I will say is I was right up there, front of the floor, and I took a ton of pictures. And of course, we can never let him leave empty handed, so South gave him a jersey from the baseball team (he was a pitcher when he was here) and a cap. We also announced the creation of a new scholarship in his name.

It was truly amazing, and I take away great lesson in this, because I aspire to be what David is, and because I'm currently doing exactly what he was doing in this exact same school under some of the exact same teachers. David isn't just the American Idol, but is one of my personal Idols.

American Idol Forum

~Kelly~

[Claygirl]

From the Parthenon Online:
Grad turned idol
by Francesca Karie and Kaylin Adkins
4/23/09

Clad in a gray Katy Perry logo T-shirt and a dark beanie hat, David Cook resembles any ordinary and good-natured young person in any college town in America.

A few years ago, Cook, 25, was just an average student making his way through college and deciding what he wanted to do with his life. He took volumes of notes, crammed for tests and spent time with friends en route to graduating in 2006 with a graphic arts degree from Central Missouri State University.

He carried out the collegiate motions, only to discover that rock music was his primary passion.

Since winning the "American Idol" crown in 2008, Cook's life has been a whirlwind of tours, recording studios, appearances and screaming fans. His life has changed forever.

And he wouldn't have it any other way.

"Music was kind of just always around and by the time I was 19, it was kind of the only thing left that I really felt passionate about, so I just kind of took it and ran with it," Cook said.

Cook, a Missouri native, dabbled in music throughout his childhood, singing in school productions and playing guitar. According to Cook's official Web site, he started a band at age 15 and released a solo album when he was a senior in college. The album was successful regionally, but Cook debated whether to enter the graphic design field or remain a musician.

"When I graduated college, I had to choose between music and getting a real job. And I chose music, and now, music's a real job and it works," Cook said. "You know, I think it's different for each person. I know for me, I didn't think I'd be able to survive doing something I wasn't happy doing. I've had the jobs that I've hated, and when you don't like your job, you're not going to do well at your job. So, for me, this is really the only thing I had the drive to do."

Cook accompanied his brother Andrew to an "American Idol" audition in Omaha, Neb. When his brother didn't make the cut, he encouraged Cook to try out.

Cook advanced to the Hollywood round and then endured the grueling weeks of television performances, judges' rulings and high levels of pressure. At any given time, "Idol" viewers could have decided he wasn't worthy of remaining on the show. However, he received 56 percent of 100 million votes to win the competition.

"I think the thing I liked the most about him was that he made the songs his own and he was really artistic about it," said Erin Harris, senior organizational communication major from Evansville, Ind. "He kind of showed everybody that he can put his own spin on things. And he was also a really likable person. He was charming on the show, and he was talkative. He wouldn't just stand there. He would talk to the audience and the judges."

After winning the "Idol" competition, Cook recorded a self-titled album, which has produced hits such as "The Time of My Life," "Light On" and "Come Back to Me." Cook's song "Permanent" is about his brother Adam's fight with brain cancer.

Cook is now touring cities, college campuses and other venues across the nation on his own tour. He performed at Shawnee State University on February 27 and at West Virginia University on March 6, bringing "The Declaration Tour" across the country.

Cook said he has always thought college audiences have presented an interesting challenge to musicians.

"To me, they've always seemed to be the most critical and the hardest to really impress," Cook said. "I think my reasons for thinking that are purely having been one, having been a college student - being critical. I'm a firm believer that if you can impress a college student musically, then you can impress almost anybody musically. And so for us, it's just going out on stage and trying to impress everybody."

Being in the public eye may have its perks, but it also comes with the role model stigma, Cook said. He said it is not fair to view stars as role models, but at the same time, he said he understands the other perspective.

"I do think that there's a bit of responsibility for me to make sure that I'm living my life in a way that I'm proud of and living life in a way that shows good example to my nieces and nephews and hopefully someday my kids," Cook said. "So, on that end, that's kind of how I operate. You know, if I can live a life that I feel showcases the right aspects of being a human being to the people I care about, then everybody else should just kind of follow suit."

The Marshall Parthenon

~Kelly~

[Claygirl]

From Fox KC.com:
David Cook Plays Surprise High School Concert
by Rebecca Sapakie
4/23/09

BLUE SPRINGS, MO. - When students at Blue Springs South High School got up Thursday morning, they had no idea they were going to a rock concert.

David Cook, who attended Blue Springs South, wanted to do something for his alma mater. So, he planned a little surprise.

The students were huddled into an auditorium. The stage was set. A white sheet covered a silhouette of the singer and no one said anything. All of a sudden, the sheet dropped and David just started playing.

Cook launched into an hour set with his full band and all the lighting of a regular show. The kids went wild.

No media was invited. No one from the school was supposed to take pictures. Cook had said he didn't want this event to be about him getting something out of it.

His family was on hand, just like they were at Wednesday night's show at Ameristar. He told the crowd of kids "I wanted to come back and do this for you guys...You go to one of the best schools in the world."

Fox KC

~Kelly~

[Claygirl]

From Newsday:
SunFest headliner David Cook not just an 'American Idol' star
by Sean Piccoli
4/24/09

David Cook wants fans to know he's not just an 'American Idol' star.
In choosing band mates for a U.S. tour, rock singer and current American Idol David Cook settled on a symbolic pair of guitar players.

Yes, there were practical reasons to tap six-stringers Neal Tiemann and Andy Skib: Cook, who performs on May 2 at SunFest in West Palm Beach, had been in working bands with both guitarists before he ever tackled American Idol.

"I knew that I could travel with them and play music with them," Cook said in a telephone interview.

But renewing ties with old mates also put Tulsa, Okla., resident Cook, 26, in closer touch with something else: the past experience as a touring, recording musician that he brought to his run on television.

"We're not necessarily a manufactured band," Cook said of the quintet that he's leading on tour.

It's a comment that opens some distance between himself and American Idol, a show known in part as a pop-star grooming machine that turns amateur singers into celebrities.

"I think it's understandable, the misrepresentation," Cook said. "You find somebody on a TV show that you've never heard of before, and that person is new to you. But I've also been in bands since I was 15, and I've worked really hard to get to this point for a long time ... I think I just want people to know that we've put in the work."

The Idol platform did, however, give Cook tremendous name recognition, a slew of Top 40 singles (taken from on-air performances), and access to major-label promotional and production services. His self-titled album, released in November by RCA Records, debuted at No. 3 on the Billboard album chart and has since gone platinum, with sales surpassing 1 million units.

But he suggested that American Idol's influence on the CD is a matter of media-industrial scale, not musical style.

"I feel like the record we have out is the record we would have put out with or without Idol," he said.

He made it quickly, in about three months, with a studio cast that included Tiemann and a veteran rock album producer, Rob Cavallo. Reviewers have compared David Cook to the work of other contemporary rock singers — including past Idol finalist Chris Daughtry — who have applied radio-friendly, pop-music polish to a moody, metal-and-punk hybrid called grunge.

Cook said that as an "angst-ridden teenager" he connected with some of the original grunge bands, such as Nirvana and Pearl Jam. "It just grabbed me at the time," he said.

If he's hung on to grunge as a musical influence, he seems to have let go of the angst.

"I'm a goof," he said, adding, "I want to be the guy that cracks jokes but writes music with substance and a serious undertone."

Newsday

~Kelly~

[Claygirl]

From The Morning Sun:
'American Idol' David Cook surprises his Alma Mater with concert
by Kelly Evenson
4/24/09

Blue Springs, Mo. — .“American Idol” winner David Cook made an appearance at his alma mater Thursday, and it was a complete surprise to almost everyone.

“It was so amazing,” said Jan Rush, a teacher at Blue Springs South. “The kids were very excited, and I think everyone was surprised when he came out on stage.”

Cook, a Blue Springs South High School graduate, performed a nearly hour-long set of music with his full band Thursday morning. Students were ushered into the gymnasium for what they thought was an ordinary assembly. However, in the center of the gymnasium was a full stage and concert lighting similar to what was used at Cook’s performance at the Ameristar Casino on Wednesday.

He also has a performance Tuesday at his college alma mater, the University of Central Missouri in Warrensburg.

Rush said teachers were told of the performance Thursday morning before students arrived for classes. No media were invited to the event, and no one at the school was supposed to take any pictures of the performance.

“I think he is genuinely a very nice guy,” she said. “I think it shows a lot of sincerity of spirit to do that on your own. He wanted to come back to the school and put on a show for the students.”

The cost of the concert was paid for by Cook himself. The Blue Springs School District paid nothing for the performance, district officials said.

Both Leslie Evans, public information director for the district, and Blue Springs South Principal Randy Dowell said it was Cook’s wish that the concert be kept secret from everyone outside of Blue Springs South, “specifically the media.”

Evans said the goal was for Cook to give something back to the school, not for the publicity that would be involved with a public concert.

Cook won “American Idol” in May 2008.

The Morning Sun

~Kelly~

[Claygirl]

From The Rolla daily News:
American Idolized
by Adam Van Hart
4/24/09

Rolla, Mo. -
It has been less than a year since David Cook emerged from obscurity and was crowned the 2008 American Idol winner.

Now, Cook is going to have to surmount his next challenge, Leach Theatre on the Missouri S&T campus.

“I’ve been through Rolla plenty of times,” Cook said Tuesday.

Cook is bringing his Idol-winning brand of rock to Rolla at 7:30 p.m. Monday. Cook took some time while traveling through Arkansas to speak with the about life after Idol.

"I think everything has changed,” Cook said.

Cook has been on tour since February playing mostly 500-to-700 seat venues in college towns.
It is a sharp contrast from what Cook said were the shows he use to play, “one-off” gigs that were 13 hours away.

Life on the road has not afforded Cook much down time, something he said was surprising.

When Cook talks about the past year, he sounds every bit the Missourian that he is.

He has a house in Los Angeles, but he says that LA is “too fast” for him.

"I’ve just got that Midwestern DNA in me,” Cook said.

Cook said he enjoys playing in smaller towns because they can have great audiences, since many national acts do not perform there.

Hopefully, Cook is prepared for the audience that will greet him in Rolla.

According to Loretta Cornick, the box office supervisor at Leach Theatre, tickets at the 650-seat theater sold out in three hours.

"I heard some people started waiting there at 3 a.m.,” Cornick said.

As for what the audience can expect, Cook offered this synopsis:

"A lot of energy, some bad jokes and some good songs.”

Only some good songs?

"Well, more than some,” Cook added.

The Rolla Daily News

~Kelly~

[Claygirl]

David's latest video blog:

VLOG

~Kelly~

[Claygirl]

From Tulsa World:
Fans pack TU center for Cook performance
The 'American Idol' winner gives them a trip down memory lane.
by Cary Aspinwall
4/26/09

David Cook's return to Tulsa was a venue-shaking, light bulb-shattering family affair.

The city's favorite bartender-turned-"American Idol" played a sold-out show at University of Tulsa's Allen Chapman Activity Center on Saturday night, his first local show since releasing his self-titled album last year.

The crowd was packed with fans, friends and family members of Cook's band — the very same bandmates who brought him to Tulsa.

But tickets were not easy to get. The university's students, faculty and staff had first dibs on the several hundred that were available, so there weren't any available for sale to the general public. Fans had to go through friends at TU or scour the Internet to get tickets.

For superfans like Emily Corral, 19, of Broken Arrow, the $125 she paid for a resale ticket online was worth it.

Cook is her all-time favorite "American Idol" — well, he's the reason she even watches, really.

"I never watched 'Idol' until last season, because I thought it was hokey," she said.

Now she's a Word Nerd, a Cookie — one of the many fans who chat on forums at Cook-dedicated Web sites.

"He signed my iPod at 'Idols Live,' " she said. "I'd like to get a picture or hug this time, if I can."

Cook returned the love to his dedicated audience, thanking them for making his rock-star dreams come true as they screamed and sang along with every lyric.

But this was no pop-star contest, there were no Andrew Lloyd Webber covers — this was a rock show. The thundering guitars, bass and drums shook the venue so vigorously, an overhead light bulb shattered on stage before the second song of Cook's set ended.

He joked about going out drinking after the show, and recalled the days when he would play for a handful of people in between bartending gigs.

Fans got a trip down memory lane as Cook switched to backup vocals and let Andy Skib take the lead on an old Midwest Kings song — the band that Cook originally moved to Tulsa to join. Skib and Neil Tiemann, Tulsans who started Midwest Kings, are now guitarists in Cook's band.

Skib's parents beamed from the audience. It was family reunion meets rock show. And the crowd loved it, screaming wildly.

"I like this, I like it a lot," Cook said, decked out in cowboy boots and a T-shirt that read "Make cupcakes, not war."

A pair of self-described "Cougar" fans — both named Nancy — squealed as Cook's band launched into a cover of Van Halen's "Hot For Teacher." They said they considered it a shout-out to his devoted, mature women fans.

During the hour-long set, Cook played several hits and crowd favorites from his platinum-selling album, including "Light On," "Come Back to Me" and "Bar-ba-sol."

Winning "American Idol" may have made it possible, but playing to smaller, devoted crowds like Saturday's is how Cook honed his skills and got his launchpad to stardom.

"You have no idea what you guys are doing for us," he said. "Thank you, guys."

Tulsa World

~Kelly~

[Claygirl]

From Connect Mid Missouri.com:
American Idol winner, Mo. native David Cook plays local show
by Amelia Waters
4/28/09

Missouri native and television's American Idol winner David Cook played at the University of Missouri's Science and Technology's Leach Theatre to a sold out crowd last night.

The musician sat down with KRCG to talk about his tour, family and success after the winning on the popular show. He says it's always fun to play in the Show-Me state.

"Everything's been so nuts in the last year-and-a-half," said Cook. "Making it on the show, I've been doing some amazing things. Anytime I can come home. I feel a little bit more comfortable. I love that."

Originally from Blue Springs, just outside Kansas City, Missouri Cook graduated from University of Central Missouri in 2006. After he got his degree he moved to Tulsa, Oklahoma and joined a band. When auditions for American Idol came along Cook couldn't let it pass him by. Although he has been traveling all over the world since his success on the show he always loves coming home to Missouri.

"People seem, to have a whole lot of pride which is cool," said Cook. "Giving people some sort of a common bond. It's a huge honor."

Honor didn't come easy for the rock star; it was his nerves that almost got him kicked off American Idol.

"The first show I was a wreck," said Cook. "They had to blow dry the armpits of my shirt because I was just freaking out. And then I just started having fun and then everything just fell into place."

The popular show also gave Cook more confidence in his writing.

"It pushed me to be a little bit more open," he said. "I've become a little bit more honest, before Idol I always wrote kind of therapeutic…. too where I kind of rid of all the insecurities.

Despite his insecurities Cook always knew his calling.

"I knew i was always gonna be a musician," he said. "I knew I was always gonna play shows. Idol's given me the opportunity to do what I love to do everyday."

His biggest sacrifice in fame is his family

"I missed some birthdays," said Cook. "I missed some holidays. My family's great. They know that at this stage in my life this is what I'm supposed to be doing."

Cook does anticipate touring in the Philippines and Europe later on.

Connect Mid Missouri

~Kelly~

[Claygirl]

From OK! Magazine:
How to Land an A-List Hunk!
4/29/09

David Cook,26
Personality is key for this American Idol champ. “Nice, confident, funny — attractive’s always a plus,” David tells OK! about his ideal woman. “I’m just this goober who likes crosswords.” His dream date? “Stay home, watch movies, order a pizza.” And you’d better get along with his mom — he sent her on a cruise with his Idol winnings. “To send her somewhere where she didn’t have to worry about anything was paramount,” he tells OK!.

OK Magazine

~Kelly~

[Claygirl]

From Falmouth Wicked Local:
Falmouth girl recovering from cancer helps others
by Sarah Murphy
4/30/09

FALMOUTH - Although 12-year-old Tyla Lalicata was diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor last June, she doesn’t dwell on the negative. Now that she is recovering, she wants to focus on the positive, and will participate with her mother, Natalia in a charity fundraiser to benefit the Jimmy Fund by raising money for the Pan-Mass Challenge.

"I can’t go backwards and change what’s happened, so instead I want to help other people," Tyla said.

Last June, Tyla passed out in school after suffering a dizzy spell. She was brought to Falmouth Hospital by ambulance where they conducted a CAT scan to rule out head trauma. The doctor told Natalia they needed to send Tyla to Children’s Hospital in Boston, as it was most likely cancer.

"She had been getting dizzy and was having trouble with coordination, but I just thought it was an awkward growth spurt," Natalia said. "Cancer was the last thing I ever expected to hear. The floor just fell out from under me."

Tyla was diagnosed with medulloblomasta, a primary central nervous system tumor, and was operated on two days later.

"They took out the tumor and, thankfully, it hadn’t spread to her bones or spinal chord," Natalia said. "We’re very lucky they caught it when they did."

Natalia and her husband, who passed away in 2002, adopted Tyla when she was four-years-old. Natalia has four grown sons and a daughter from a previous marriage, who have offered their love and support to their younger sister, and also their mother.

Natalia credits her spirituality with giving her the strength and courage to help Tyla fight her battle. She is a self-described pagan, a high priestess of the Wicca religion, which is a nature-based religion that worships both a god and goddess. She is also a psychic astrologer, reiki master and certified flower essence therapy consultant.

"I believe every illness starts energetically," she said. "There is a connection between emotional and environmental factors, and the toxins in our food definitely play a part in our health."

Natalia and Tyla also believe in the healing nature of animals. After her surgery when Tyla was recuperating at Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital (also in Boston), Natalia brought Michelangelo, one of their five cats, to visit Tyla where he was able to spend time with her on the grounds outside the hospital.

"It made me feel better to see him and be able to pet him," Tyla said.

While at Spaulding, Tyla met Senator Ted Kennedy, who was a patient himself, and is a fellow animal lover. Kennedy gave Tyla a CD and an autographed copy of his book "My Senator and Me," which is written from the perspective of his Portuguese water dog, Splash.

Natalia said she is amazed by the strength Kennedy showed by going back to the Senate after being diagnosed with brain cancer.

"That man has such courage," she said. "I told him he is a source of inspiration for others."

Tyla is currently being home-schooled and has added another cat to her animal family. Natalia went to People For Cats in Falmouth and told the volunteers she wanted the most gentle cat they had, for his job was going to be helping a little girl get better. She came home with "Joey," who has since been renamed "Ziggy Stardust."

If she feels up to it, Tyla, who is an artist, will paint faces at the fundraiser, and Natalia will offer her psychic astrology skills. The holistic arts event will feature internationally known psychics, mediums, numerologists, and animal communication astrologers, so attendees are encouraged to bring a photo of their favorite pet. Readings are $20 for 15 minutes. There will also be crystal ball and tarot card readers. Vendors will sell their wares ranging from art, music, crystals and gems and holistic and wellness products. Members of the local holistic community will offer their expertise in Reiki, reflexology, and massage by donation.

Natalia has playfully named the event "Tyla Gives Back" as a nod to her and her daughter’s favorite television show, "American Idol," which produces a fundraising show called "America Gives Back."

"We want to show our appreciation for all of the kindness that others have shown us," Natalia said. "And we also want the community to know that pagans want to make a positive difference in the world."

For those who would like to help but can’t attend the event, checks can be made out to PMC and sent to South Cape Veterinary Clinic, 435 Waquoit Highway, Waquoit, Mass., 02536. Dr. Beth Mosely of the clinic is part of The Grateful Living Team, which will be riding from Sturbridge to Provincetown to raise money for breast cancer research and treatment. The team also consists of Paula Baxter of East Falmouth and Karen Smith-Rohrberg of West Falmouth.

Tyla has another big event to look forward to. Her wish is being granted by the Make-A-Wish Foundation, and on May 22, she and her mother will meet David Cook, last season’s American Idol winner, for whom one of their cats is named. The cat is affectionately known as "Cookie."

"We’re going to the sound check and the concert and we get to meet him after," Tyla said. "And I can bring some things for him to autograph."

"We thought he’d be able to relate to our situation because he’s had his own family experience with brain cancer. And it doesn’t hurt that he’s totally gorgeous," Natalia said and they both laughed.

On a serious note, Natalia said the experience has taught Tyla two things.

"She’s learned to be even more compassionate than she already was and that she’s a lot stronger than she thought."

"It’s also made me appreciate my Mom even more," Tyla added.

Tyla goes for MRI’s every three months and they have all been clean. On a day-to-day basis, she is focused on regaining her balance and getting her strength back, for there is something simple she wishes for.

"I just want to ride my bike again," she said.

Wicked Local

~Kelly~

[Claygirl]

From The Toledo Blade:
'American Idol' winner in Toledo Wednesday
by Kirk Baird
4/30/09

David Cook is focused on building his career
Like millions worldwide, David Cook, last season’s American Idol winner, has been caught up in the phenomenon of Susan Boyle, a contestant on Britain’s Got Talent.

“I think she’s an amazing example of if you’ve got talent, you’ve got talent. She’s got an amazing voice — we’ll see what she’s able to accomplish with it. My hat’s off to her,” he said in a recent phone interview. “It’s no small feat, as far as nerves are concerned, to walk on stage in front of a bunch of people in a room, not to mention everybody watching at home, and to pull something like that off.”

And, like most, Cook — who will perform in the Toledo area Wednesday — was surprised what came out of the dowdy singer’s mouth when she started to sing.

“I think like everybody, it was a little bit of a curve ball,” he said. “I try really hard not to put people into boxes.”

But Cook’s interest in Boyle is more than curiosity. The 26-year-old singer also sees parallels in his own career and when Boyle first took the stage and was mocked by a disbelieving crowd and a panel of judges, before she floored everyone with her soul-stirring rendition of “I Dreamed a Dream.”

“I’ve had people look at me and say I don’t look like that voice should come out of me, so I kind of love to prove people wrong and to put people’s expectation on their head,” he said. “I think that’s why I loved my time on the show, ’cause I made it a point to try to do what people didn’t expect me to do.”

Like Boyle, once Cook established himself, he quickly became a frontrunner on American Idol, with powerful performances of Free’s “All Right Now,” The Beatles’ “Day Tripper,” The Who’s “Baba O’Riley,” Dolly Parton’s “Little Sparrow,” and Aerosmith’s “I Don’t Want to Miss a Thing.”

Cook beat his Idol competitor David Archuleta by more than 10 million votes, and proved his win was no fluke a week later with a record-breaking 14 debuts on Billboard’s Hot Digital Songs survey. His single, “The Time of My Life,” was the highest-debuting song of 2008, entering the Hot 100 at No. 3. And his self-titled album, released in November, went platinum.

With all that chart success, Cook was itching to perform his pop-meets alt-rock catalog for audiences, so he put together a band that included musicians from a previous outfit he fronted, and hit the road in a nationwide tour of college campuses. Cook and company are in town for a sold-out Wednesday night concert at 7:30 at the Owens Community College Student Health and Activities Center on Oregon Road in Perrysburg Township. Additional tickets may be released the day of the show.

“The crowds have been really cool and extremely diverse,” he said. “I think doing this college tour has really worked out for us in a sense that we’ve gotten to really get the record to some ears that otherwise I don’t know would have given it a chance. The crowds have been really receptive. That’s always fun.

“Some of these crowds, I think most of them, maybe didn’t watch the show, but maybe heard the record and [said] I’ll see what this is about. And it’s fun to watch us win a few of them, some of them, or all of them, hopefully, over every night. It’s part of the challenge, part of the fun.”

With all the attention that’s come his way, Cook is still grappling with the sudden fame aspect, especially when it comes to his personal life. A short-lived romance last year with former Idol contestant Kimberly Caldwell, for example, proved to be fodder for gossip magazines.

Cook, perhaps naively, never thought such personal areas of his life would be of interest to few other than himself.

“I never thought anybody would care who I hung out with,” he said. “But you take the good with the bad. And right now, the good pretty heavily outweighs the bad.”
At the moment, Cook said he has put his personal life on hiatus, as he focuses on his career.

“That makes it tough to kind of incorporate a third party who’s not around every day,” he said. “Obviously, I can’t bring a girlfriend out on the road. ... Right now, I’m just really focused on making this work. So whatever I’ve got to do to make it work is whatever I’ve got to do to make it work.”

Toledo Blade

~Kelly~

[Claygirl]

From Gainesville.com:
'Idol's' David Cook performs sold out show
by Travis Atria
4/30/09

David Cook is living the dream. To call it anything but a dream would be misleading. Imagine competing against more than 100,000 people in a singing contest. Then imagine being judged by three celebrities, not to mention millions of Americans - armchair critics, every one. Then, imagine winning.

Clearly, it is a preposterous proposition. But for Cook, it is his life.

"There's no school for it," he says of his experience on the hit TV show "American Idol." "By going through that, I've been able to do some amazing things since."

Cook, who will perform Friday at Common Grounds, won the seventh season of the show. Since then, he has experienced the dizzying highs of sudden fame.

"It's the equivalent of putting your foot on the gas without a seatbelt on and just going for it," he says. "Mentally, I'm still probably playing catch-up a little bit, but I'm having a blast, so it's all good."

Cook actually never planned on auditioning for the show.

He initially came to support his brother, Andrew, who tried out but didn't make it to Hollywood. Only at his brother's urging did Cook get involved.

"I wasn't expecting to be 'The One,' " Cook says. "I didn't go in with any expectations. I just tried to have fun, and I kept making the cut."

Twelve million votes later, Cook is a platinum-selling and nationally famous musician. It is, he admits, a far cry from where he was two years ago.

"I've slept in cars in Wal-Mart parking lots so I could play a gig," he says. "Just to be able to wake up in a different city every day with different stimuli, and to juxtapose that on top of, you know, I get to go onstage for an hour and make noise every night - it's not a bad existence."

Of course, with anything as popular as "American Idol," there can be a downside.

"I was always really hesitant about people putting me in a box based on what they saw on 'Idol,' because I feel like everybody on the show is more than what you see for the two hours you watch it every week," he says.

But, with all the fame, Cook says he doesn't feel changed.

"I'm still the same person," he says. "I still have the same morals and values and the same things are still important to me. The surroundings have changed quite a bit."

Though he acknowledges that long-term success isn't guaranteed, Cook plans on giving audiences a reason to keep coming back.

"Hopefully we walk offstage and the audience feels like they got way too much for their money," he says.

Gainesville.com

~Kelly~

[Claygirl]

From the PR Newswire:
American Idol David Cook Headlines National Race for Hope
5/1/09

Best selling recording artist joins thousands this Sunday, May 3, 2009 for one of the country's largest brain tumor research fundraising events

Millions were moved by his voice, now thousands more will lend theirs to his as American Idol(R) winner David Cook takes to a different kind of stage, leading walkers and runners; volunteers and survivors at the 2009 Cassidy & Pinkard Colliers National Race for Hope, this Sunday, May 3, 2009 at 9:00 am in Washington, D.C.

Last season on American Idol(R), Cook spoke frequently of his brother Adam, and his ongoing, valiant battle with brain cancer. The Cook family now unites as one, to walk Pennsylvania Avenue -- America's Main Street -- and send a message of hope and resilience to the millions of families currently facing the same experience.

David Cook will be leading survivors to the start line at 8:30 am and following the race will be available for media interviews at approximately 9:45 am. Cook will address the walkers and runners at a special ceremony beginning at 10:30 am.

The National Race for Hope is one of the nation's most inspirational and successful volunteer charity fundraising events. Serving as honorary chair, Cook adds even more excitement to the annual event, which features a kids' Fun Run, the Wall of Hope, and tributes to brain tumor survivors.

Founded and organized by a volunteer committee, The Race for Hope benefits The Brain Tumor Society (tbts.org) and AOL Founder Steve Case's Washington, D.C. based Accelerate Brain Cancer Cure (abc2.org). Both of these organizations share the volunteer committee's hope for a day when there is a cure, and when all patients with brain tumors are told they have a manageable disease.

Within the next 12 months, more than 200,000 people in the United States will be diagnosed with a primary or metastatic brain tumor. A leading cause of cancer deaths in children and young adults, brain tumors cannot be prevented because their causes are unknown. As there is a notable shortfall in research funding to support discovery of new treatment therapies, we need to increase investments of all kinds in the fight against brain tumors and bring hope to an often overlooked area of medical research.

The Race begins at 9:00 am at Freedom Plaza at 13th and Pennsylvania Avenue.

PR Newswire

~Kelly~

[Claygirl]

From the National Brain Tumor Society:
NBTS offers sympathy and gratitude to "American Idol" David Cook
5/3/09

National Brain Tumor Society was deeply saddened by the passing of David Cook's brother Adam, who had battled his brain tumor for the last decade. "We were so sorry to hear this sad news from David Cook," said NBTS Executive Director N. Paul TonThat. "We extend our condolences to David and his entire family during this difficult time."

"American Idol" winner David Cook spent the day greeting fans at the Race for Hope – DC presented by Cassidy & Pinkard Colliers to benefit the National Brain Tumor Society and Accelerate Brain Cancer Cure. David Cook took a late-night flight from a Florida concert to arrive early Sunday morning at the Race for Hope – DC.

Cook greeted participants and posed for photos at the Survivor Tent before running the 5k course on only a few hours of sleep. More fans had a chance to meet Cook before the closing ceremonies, where David Cook's Team was recognized as the event team with the most participants (351) and the highest fundraising (more than $100,000).

When Cook took the stage at the end of the ceremony, he charmed the crowd with a self-deprecating recount of his training for the Race and his 28-minute finish time. It was only then that Cook shared the devastating news that his older brother Adam had passed away the previous day, at age 36. "I lost my brother yesterday to a brain tumor," Cook said, and lost his composure for just a moment before continuing. "And I couldn’t imagine being anywhere else right now. […] I lost one today, but I’ve gained 9,000." Video of David Cook's speech recorded by a Race participant

"He spent his entire day hugging survivors, signing autographs, and taking pictures. He did this for hundreds of people," said Race for Hope – DC co-chair Jeff Kolodin, a board member for the National Brain Tumor Society. "He shared his very private moment with thousands. He was willing to put his personal, raw emotion out there."

Fans can contribute to David Cook's Team in memory of Adam Cook at www.curebraintumors.org. Funds from the Race for Hope – DC support both the National Brain Tumor Society and Accelerate Brain Cancer Cure and benefit brain tumor research and support services for families.

National Brain Tumor Society funds research by academic and industry scientists and provides support services to brain tumor patients and their families at all stages of the treatment journey. Learn more about NBTS programs and upcoming events at www.braintumor.org.

National Brain Tumor Society

~Kelly~