'Idol' puts up bigger numbers now that he's a Billboard-topping rock star

Mike Hughes • For the Lansing State Journal • July 1, 2009 • From Lansing State Journal

David Cook's life seems to stays the same, but the numbers get a lot bigger.

Two of his four bandmates were with him in Oklahoma obscurity. A few of their current songs are ones they did back then.

"I always imagined them like this, with a crowd singing along," Cook said by phone. "It just wasn't the same when there were only eight people listening."

Now it's 8,000-plus. It's been like that since Cook - who headlines the Common Ground festival Friday - became the 2008 "American Idol" champion.

Suddenly, the former Tulsa bartender was writing with Johnny Rzeznik (Goo Goo Dolls), Zak Maloy (Nixons) and his favorite, Raine Maila (Our Lady Peace). "Our first writing session, we did three songs in four hours," Cook said.

Cook and Maila met again and had just finished another song. "I had to go to a meeting," he said. "When I was walking out, his wife (singer-pianist Chantal Kreviazuk) began playing this tune. I thought, 'OK, I guess I'm going to be late.' "

That tune became "Permanent," a tribute to Cook's brother, then battling brain cancer. Adam Cook, who died on May 2, was one of many influences in a mid-American, Missouri childhood.

Learning the music

David grew up near Kansas City and says he remains close to both parents (they divorced when he was 12) and his stepfather. His first instrument choice was basic: "I started on the violin, because a cute girl played the cello."

He taught himself to play the guitar at 13, had his first rock band at 15 and did school musicals - but not as the star. "I was always the hero's friend," he said.

Cook switched several times at Central Missouri State, going from theater to a graphics major - he designed his current album - and communications minor. Then he "had a chance for a grown-up job in Kansas City."

He resisted and moved to Tulsa, where he was more of a full-time bartender than a full-time musician." He performed a couple times a week with the Midwest Kings, doing arena-sized songs for bar-sized crowds. Then he agreed to accompany his brother Andrew on an "Idol" audition; David made it, Andrew didn't.

Making it big

At first, Cook was noticed only as the "word nerd" who did crossword puzzles while waiting. Then he grabbed judges by performing a "Billie Jean" variation done by Chris Cornell of Soundgarden.

Cook hasn't been doing any of the "Idol" covers on tour, but he does do Cornell's "Light On"; that's the one song on the album he didn't help write. "I had always said if something comes along that's really good, let's do it."

He took "Light On" to No. 17 on the Billboard charts, "The Time of My Life" to No. 3, "Permanent" to No. 24. He sold records, drew crowds; life is sort of like before, but with better numbers.

Now, my 950th post for the boards, here's some more articles for upcoming DWEEB concerts (and, although I really like David's modesty, someday...he HAS to acknowledge his own talent sometime). On this, the 2 month anniversary of the 2009 Race for Hope in Washington, DC :

1. Article from WBRZ and "The Advocate" (for tomorrow's concert in Baton Rouge, LA)
2. Article from Galveston County Daily News (regarding concert on Sunday night, benefitting Galveston Island Relief Fund)
3. From Chattanooga Times Free Press (for his concert this coming Wednesday night with NeedToBreathe)

David Cook Examiner article
NEXT STOP: this evening...House of Blues New Orleans