David Cook to perform new single “Laying Me Low” Thursday on “American Idol”
“American Idol” Season 7 winner David Cook released today a new single “Laying Me Low,” at iTunes and other digital retailers.
The former Tulsan will return to the “Idol” stage Thursday to perform the single. The reality show airs at 7 p.m. Wednesdays and Thursdays on Fox.
Cook, 30, and RCA Records parted ways in May 2012, and he subsequently moved from Los Angeles to Nashville to continue his rock ‘n’ roll career as an indie artist.
“I think stepping away from the scene and just focusing on writing and not worrying about what I’m writing and the process of writing … I don’t remember the last time I was so excited about music,” Cook told The Hollywood Reporter. “To be able to be back on the ‘Idol’ stage and perform this song is really different for me. I can’t even explain how, it’s new territory and it’s really exciting to kind of unveil this new chapter. I haven’t titled this chapter yet.”
He also told the trade publication he was enjoying the collaborative culture of Nashville’s creative community and shopping for a new home for his new material.
“The plan right now is just to put the song out and give it as much traction as it deserves. I would love to be putting a record together sooner rather than later. We’re just trying to find a home for it — whether it’s major or DIY or whatever, but I think we have a pocket of six or seven songs that are great material. I feel confident that someone is going to want to put it out.”
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Wednesday Video Spotlight: David Cook covers Counting Crows, debuts new song “From Here to Zero”
David Cook
“American Idol” Season 7 winner David Cook, who has Tulsa ties, premiered a new song, “From Here to Zero,” Saturday as he closed out the day-long Tampa Bay Summerfest celebration, according to The Hollywood Reporter.
During the acoustic set, he also delivered a stripped-down version of Counting Crows’ 1996 smash “A Long December” as well as re-tooled versions of his own songs, including “The Last Song I’ll Write For You,” “Mr. Sensitive,” “Heroes,” “Lie” and “Life on the Moon.”
Cook told the Summerfest crowd he is currently living in Nashville writing songs for a future record. He parted ways with RCA Records last year.
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Photos: David Cook, Jon Hamm, Eric Stonestreet and more play in MLB Celebrity Softball game, airing tonight on ESPN
From left, model Chrissy Teigen, "American Idol" David Cook and "Idol" contestant Haley Reinhart pose for a photo at the 2012 MLB Taco Bell Legends & Celebrity Softball Game.
"Modern Family's" Eric Stonestreet
"Mad Men's" Jon Hamm
“American Idol” winner David Cook, who has Tulsa ties, is among the actors, musicians and other famous folks who will be featured in the 2012 Major League Baseball Taco Bell Legends & Celebrity Softball Game.
The game was played Sunday at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City, MO as part of the 83rd All-Star Week. Fans can watch the game at 9 tonight, immediately following the State Farm Home Run Derby on ESPN.
The fun six-inning softball event features baseball legends and celebrities from TV, movies and music competing together.
Here is the celebrity roster:
Eric Stonestreet — “Modern Family” Emmy Award winner and Kansas City native
Jon Hamm — Golden Globe winner and “Mad Men” star
Chord Overstreet — “Glee”
Haley Reinhart – American Idol contestant
Chrissy Teigen – model
David Cook – American Idol winner (who used to work at the Stadium Club in Kauffman Stadium before he moved to Tulsa to pursue his music career and later auditioned for “Idol.”)
James Denton — “Desperate Housewives”
Horatio Sanz — actor and comedian
David Nail — country music artist
Paul Dimeo — “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition”
Carlos Bocanegra – captain of the US National Soccer team
Jennie Finch — USA Softball’s Gold Medalist hurler
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Video: Carrie Underwood, David Cook on Yahoo! Sports’ top 5 “American Idol” NBA Finals National Anthem performances
As previously reported, Season 11 “American Idol” runner-up Jessica Sanchez delivered an absolutely beautiful rendition of the National Anthem Tuesday night prior to Game 1 of the NBA Finals series pitting the Oklahoma City Thunder vs. the Miami Heat.
Sanchez, 16, joins a long list of “Idol” winners or finalists to perform “The Star-Spangled Banner” during the NBA Finals. Yahoo! Sports today listed its top five “Idol” anthem performances on professional basketball’s brightest stage.
The two winners with Oklahoma ties – Checotah native Carrie Underwood and former Tulsa David Cook – both made the list, and I’ve posted videos of their “Banner” performances here. They performed the anthem at the NBA Finals in the weeks after they won “Idol” in 2005 for Underwood and 2008 for Cook, so these videos are quite a blast from the past.
Other “Idols” listed were Kris Allen, Jordin Sparks and Kelly Clarkson.
Today, NewsOK video personality Jennifer Matthews took to the streets of Bricktown to find out which Oklahoma stars Thunder fans would like to see perform the anthem during the series. Not surprisingly, Checotah’s favorite daughter – who has since performed the anthem at the Super Bowl and World Series – ranked high on the request list:
The Oklahoman’s Thunder beat writer Darnell Mayberry tweeted (@DarnellMayberry) today that country music star Sara Evans will perform the anthem before Game 2, tipping off at 8 p.m. Thursday at Chesapeake Arena. The game will air on ABC (KOCO-5), and her anthem performance will be broadcast about 10 minutes before the game starts.
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Video: “American Idol” finalist Jessica Sanchez, not an Oklahoman, to sing national anthem before tonight’s Thunder vs. Heat NBA Finals Game 1
As my colleague Carla Hinton and I reported Monday, now that the Oklahoma City Thunder has reached its first NBA Finals, every aspect of the series vs. the Miami Heat is kind of a big deal, including who performs the national anthem.
Last night, the Thunder announced that “American Idol” Season 11 finalist Jessica Sanchez will perform “The Star-Spangled Banner” before tonight’s game, which tips off at 8 p.m. at Chesapeake Energy Arena. The game, including the anthem, will be broadcast on ABC (KOCO-5).
John Leach, the Thunder’s director of events and entertainment, declined last week to reveal what performers will get star-spangled during the Oklahoma City games of the NBA Finals.
“That’s gonna be a surprise,” he said. “We have a few big names that we’re working out right now.”
Once Oklahoma City clinched its NBA Finals berth, he said Thunder and league officials began working to secure anthem performers.
“We try to showcase Oklahoma talent because we really do feel like there’s a lot of talent here,” Leach said. “There are some that we have pursued for many, many years to no avail. I won’t mention any names. But a lot of the big names that you think of when you think of Oklahoma — Toby Keith, Garth Brooks, Reba McEntire, all those people — they’re singers but they don’t necessarily have the desire to sing the Anthem because it’s a very difficult song … and they don’t want to be put in the position to execute that song at the expectation that people have.”
The pick of Sanchez, who hails from California, led to an outcry by many loyal Oklahoma music fans, who wanted to know why a singer with Sooner State ties wasn’t picked.
"American Idol" runner-up Jessica Sanchez sings "The Star-Spangled Banner" before the WBO welterweight title fight between Manny Pacquiao, from the Philippines, and Timothy Bradley, from Palm Springs, Calif., Saturday, June 9, 2012, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo)
“I just think it’s a shame that on our state’s biggest stage, sports-wise, we can’t put our best musical foot forward. I understand if a big Oklahoma music star doesn’t want to sing the anthem because of scheduling conflicts or because there’s not much for them to gain. What I don’t understand is how the Thunder could ignore the hundreds of superb singing voices in our state that could absolutely nail the national anthem. I’ll take an Oklahoma singer that cares about the state and the Thunder over an ‘American Idol’ contestant from California that couldn’t care less about what’s happening here,” said Oklahoma music blogger Ryan LaCroix, who protested the pick on Twitter @oklahomarock and sent out several tweets with suggestions of state singers ranging from local favorites to superstars.
It’s important to point out that here that the Thunder organization isn’t the only one with a say in the pick. After all, it’s the NBA Finals, meaning the league has a big say in who sings the anthem.
And the league has an in recent years kept a tradition of booking “American Idol” winners and finalists to sing the anthem during the NBA Finals. According to the Zap2It blog, Checotah native Carrie Underwood, former Tulsan David Cook, Kelly Clarkson, Ruben Studdard, Taylor Hicks, Jordin Sparks and Kris Allen have all performed at NBA championship games. Since Season 11 winner Philip Phillips recently underwent surgery, Sanchez is perhaps a natural choice.
While the Thunder prefers to showcase Oklahoma singers, Leach said this won’t be the first Thunder playoff game where a performer from outside the state sang the anthem. Earth, Wind & Fire singer Philip Bailey performed the “Banner” earlier this post-season.
Plus, Sanchez has a proven track record this spring nailing the notoriously difficult anthem at high-profile events, turning in strong renditions at PBS’ Memorial Day Concert at the U.S. Capitol and before Saturday’s Manny Pacquiao vs. Timothy Bradley boxing match at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. Since it’s our country’s song, the most important part to me is that it is sung well.
As a faithful Oklahoma music fan, it is disappointing that a fellow Oklahoman won’t be performing the anthem tonight during our first NBA Finals game. But I’m hopeful that we will see some big-name Sooner State stars belting the “Banner” before the Thunder finishes (hopefully) whipping up on the Heat!
Thunder Up!
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Video: David Cook performs new song “The Last Song I’ll Write for You” on “American Idol,” parts ways with RCA Records
Season 7 “American Idol” winner David Cook, who has Tulsa ties, returned to the “Idol” stage last week to perform his new single “The Last Song I’ll Write for You,” which he said he co-wrote for his forthcoming third album.
Cook also told The Hollywood Reporter that his next album won’t be on RCA Records, since and the Sony Music-owned label have parted ways.
“It just kind of became the obvious choice to do this, and I’m so glad it worked out this way where we could unveil it on that stage. It gives me an opportunity to came back and say hi to everybody again,” he told the trade publication.
The former Tulsan said he is currently without a label and self-released his new song. He also parted ways with 19 Entertainment, according to the trade publication, and is currently being managed by Simon Fuller’s XIX Entertainment.
“After the second record, my deal was up with 19 and RCA and just felt like time to try something different. So we’re kind of just doing the self-release and see how this song does and what happens from there,” he said. “I love the creative control. It’s good. …
“Right now we’re just gonna keep doing what we’re doing. If somebody wants to hop on board and get behind it, great, let’s talk. But I just love making music, and however I’m gonna do that is however I’m gonna do that. But I think if I can keep writing songs like this hopefully things’ll turn out OK.”
After winning “Idol” in May 2008, Cook released his self-titled debut album in November of that year. The album was certified platinum in January 2009.
Cook’s 2011 follow-up effort “This Loud Morning” didn’t produce a hit single and couldn’t match the sales numbers for his debut. His sophomore album debuted at No. 7 on the Billboard 200 with first-week sales of 46,000, according to Billboard.com.
Cook was raised in Blue Springs, Mo, and moved to Tulsa to play with regional band Midwest Kings and eventually branching out to start a solo career before auditioning for “Idol.”
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David Cook to perform this spring on “American Idol”
Season 7 “American Idol” winner David Cook, who has Tulsa ties, will appear on the reality TV show this spring, according to The Hollywood Reporter.
It will mark the fourth year in a row for Cook to return to the stage that blasted off his rock career. Cook’s performance is tentatively scheduled for May.
“American Idol” airs at 7 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday on Fox.
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New releases for Feb. 7, 2012: David Cook, Cady Groves, Van Halen, Paul McCartney, Dierks Bentley, “Twilight: Breaking Dawn – Part 1″, “Phantom of the Opera”
Season 7 “American Idol” winner David Cook, who has Tulsa ties, has released today an EP titled “This Quiet Night” exclusively through Walmart. The CD includes acoustic performances of five songs from his 2011 album “This Loud Morning.”
Emerging pop singer-songwriter Cady Groves, who grew up in Marlow, Cache and Yukon, also is released today her “This Little Girl” EP.
Featuring tracks including her popular first single “This Little Girl” the digital EP will be available at all digital service providers and will include fan-favorite track “We’re The Sh*t” as well as Groves cover of Adele’s “Someone Like You”. The physical version will be available www.cadygroves.com and will include the same tracks as the digital version with the addition of Groves duet “Oh Darlin’” with Plug in Stereo.
Groves, who was just spotlighted in Seventeen Magazine’s “Ultimate Guide To Music” will be joining her labelmates and friends Hot Chelle Rae in select North American markets in February and March. (See the full list of tour dates after the break; it looks Dallas will be the closest she comes to Oklahoma.).
Among LPs, this week boasts new releases from Van Halen, Paul McCartney and Dierks Bentley. To read my review of Dierks’ latest, click here.
This week’s new DVDs include the 25th anniversary performance of “The Phantom of the Opera,” which I’ll be reviewing in the coming days; the excellent documentary “Project Nim,” which made my top 10 movies of 2011 list; and oh yeah, a little blockbuster called “Twilight: Breaking Dawn – Part 1,” which will be released in the wee hours of Saturday morning.
CDs
David Cook, “This Quiet Night” EP (Walmart exclusive)
Van Halen, “A Different Kind of Truth.”
Paul McCartney, “Kisses on the Bottom.”
Dierks Bentley, “Home.”
The Fray, “Scars & Stories.”
Various artists, “Waylon: The Music Inside, Volume II.”
Tony Bennett, “Isn’t It Romantic.”
Steve Tyrell, “I’ll Take Romance.”
Andrew Lloyd Webber, Ramin Karimloo and Sierra Boggess, “Phantom of the Opera at the Royal Albert Hall: In Celebration of 25 Years.”
Air, “Le Voyage Dans La Lune” (CD/DVD).
Edith Piaf, “Edith Piaf” (3-CD special edition).
DVD
Anonymous
Downton Abbey: Season 2
Father Dowling Mysteries: The First Season
Fireflies in the Garden
Project Nim
The Rebound
The Sunset Limited
The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 1 (midnight Saturday)
A Very Harold & Kumar Christmas
A Warrior’s Heart
Books
Bringing Up Bebe: One American Mother Discovers the Wisdom of French Parenting by Pamela Druckerman
Take the Stairs: 7 Steps to Achieving True Success by Rory Vaden
Kill Shot (Mitch Rapp)by Vince Flynn
Ali in Wonderland: And Other Tall Tales by Ali Wentworth
Hilarity Ensues by Tucker Max
Behind the Beautiful Forevers: Life, death, and hope in a Mumbai undercity by Katherine Boo
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New releases for Feb. 7, 2012: David Cook, Cady Groves, Van Halen, Paul McCartney, Dierks Bentley, “Twilight: Breaking Dawn – Part 1″, “Phantom of the Opera”
13 Days of Oklahoma Music: David Cook greets “This Loud Morning”
We’re in the final days of 2011, and that means I’m winding down my “13 Days of Oklahoma Music,” a video series looking back at musical milestones reached by recording artists with state ties in the year almost past.
“American Idol” Season 7 winner David Cook, who has Tulsa ties, released his second post-”Idol” album, “This Loud Morning,” in June on 19 Recordings/RCA Records. He returned to Tulsa when he brought his tour in support of the new record to Cain’s Ballroom in October.
“This Loud Morning” marked Cook’s first new album since November 2008, when he released his self-titled major-label debut six months after winning on “Idol.” “David Cook” went platinum.
Executive produced by Matt Serletic (Rob Thomas, Matchbox Twenty, Collective Soul), “This Loud Morning” features tracks written and co-written by Cook along with many acclaimed songwriters including, Tulsa native Ryan Tedder, David Hodges, Johnny Rzeznik, Kevin Griffin and Marti Frederiksen.
Earlier this month, Cook talked about his second album, touring and his onstage persona in an interview with ABC’s “What’s the Buzz”:
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Video: David Cook releases “Fade Into Me” video, talks about life on the road
“American Idol” Season 7 winner David Cook, who has Tulsa ties, has released the music video for “Fade Into Me,” the second single from his sophomore album “This Loud Morning.”
Cook, 28, also gave The Hollywood Reporter an all-access pass and sat down for an interview during his recent tour stop in Pomona, Calif. Check out the interview here:
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