What to do in Oklahoma on June 23
Today’s featured event:
TULSA – Hear Season 7 “American Idol” winner and former Tulsa resident David Cook at 8 tonight at Cain’s Ballroom, 423 N Main.
For more information, go to www.cainsballroom.com.
Or, Oklahoma City area fans can hear Cookie at 8 p.m. Wednesday at the Diamond Ballroom, 8001 S Eastern Ave.
For more information, go to www.diamondballroom.net.
For more events, go to www.wimgo.com.
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David Cook returning to Oklahoma; Carrie Underwood top-earning “Idol”
David Cook (Associated Press photo)
David Cook, the 2008 “American Idol” winner, will return to Oklahoma next week to play shows in Oklahoma City and his former stomping grounds of Tulsa.
The Season 7 victor will perform Tuesday, June 23 at historic Cain’s Ballroom in Tulsa, where he lived and worked as a singer/songwriter/musician/bartender before auditioning for the reality TV show. For tickets and information, go to www.cainsballroom.com.
He also will play Wednesday, June 24 at Oklahoma City’s Diamond Ballroom. For tickets and information, go to www.diamondballroom.net.
Both dates are part of “The Declaration Tour,” featuring opener Ryan Star.
A lot has changed for Cookie since he beat out baby-faced teen crooner David Archuleta on the 2008 version of the reality TV singing program. Forbes.com recently reported that Cook has earned an estimated $2 million since June of 2008.
Most of his income came from the 1.1 million copies sold of his self-titled major label debut album, released last fall. Cook supplemented his music sales with a live tour and a product sponsorship deal with sneaker maker Skechers.
Archuleta made an estimated $1.3 million from sales of his first album and more than 100 live concerts, according to the Forbes.com story.
Carrie Underwood (AP photo)
But the title of top-earning “Idol” belongs to the other winner with Oklahoma ties: Checotah-bred Carrie Underwood. The Season 4 victor earned an estimated $14 million last year from her lucrative recording, touring and product endorsement efforts.
Her 2005 debut album, “Some Hearts,” spent 11 weeks at the top of the Billboard album charts. Songs from her second effort, 2007’s “Carnival Ride,” got massive airplay on both country and adult alternative radio. She has sold 9.6 million albums and 10.7 million digital downloads, according to the story, which cites Nielsen Soundscan.
But to find the “Idol” with the most album sales, you have to go back to the beginning: Kelly Clarkson, the first champion, has sold more than 10 million records since 2003.
Click here to read the Forbes.com story, which also reveals how Jennifer Hudson, Clay Aiken and Taylor Hicks have used acting to supplement their musical money-making efforts.
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More tickets released to sold-out David Cook Tulsa show
David Cook (Associated Press photo)
More tickets have been released for the previously sold-out David Cook show set for 8 p.m. June 23 at Cain’s Ballroom in Tulsa.
Tickets are still available for Cook’s 8 p.m. June 24 at Oklahoma City’s Diamond Ballroom.
The Season 7 “American Idol” winner lived in Tulsa before successfully trying out for the reality TV contest.
For information or tickets for either show, go to www.protix.com.
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Video: David Cook on “Jimmy Fallon”
“American Idol” Season 7 winner David Cook, who lived in Tulsa while starting his music career, performed Monday night on “Late Night with Jimmy Fallon.” Cook performed “Come Back to Me,” the latest single off his self-titled album. Check out the performance, posted from YouTube.
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Photo gallery: “American Idol” finale
Kris Allen, center, reacts as Ryan Seacrest, right, names him the new “American Idol.” Adam Lambert is this year’s runner-up. (Associated Press photos)
Kris Allen was crowned the “American Idol” champ Wednesday night on FOX. The Arkansas crooner beat out judges’ favorite Adam Lambert of San Diego, Calif.
Here’s a look at the big moment, the performances and the who’s who that were there. All photos are provided by the Associated Press:
Ryan Seacrest and new “Idol” Kris Allen.
Kris Allen backstage, still looking stunned.
Kris Allen performs with country star Keith Urban during the finale.
Adam Lambert sang with KISS.
Season 4 “Idol” winner Carrie Underwood arrives for the event. Underwood grew up in Checotah.
David Cook, last year’s “Idol” winner, poses on the red carpet. Cook is a former Tulsan.
See more photos after the break.
David Cook’s brother dies: RIP Adam Cook
David Cook sings on Season 7 of “American Idol.”
Our thoughts and prayers go out to “American Idol” winner and former Tulsan David Cook and his family. Cook’s older brother, Adam Cook, 37, has died of brain cancer.
According to the Associated Press, Adam Cook was a lawyer from Terre Haute, Ind., who battled cancer for more than a decade.
Last year, during Season 7 of “American Idol,” Adam Cook famously traveled to Hollywood to cheer on his younger brother in the reality singing contest.
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Weekend Warmup
Oklahoma City American Indian flutist Albert Gray Eagle performs with the group Unity during the Festival of the Arts in downtown Oklahoma City on Wednesday. (Photo by John Clanton/The Oklahoman)
Here is a preview of some of the Oklahoma events going on the weekend of April 24-26:
- Enjoy art, music, food and fun today through Sunday at the Festival of the Arts at Festival Plaza, Stage Center and Myriad Gardens in downtown Oklahoma City. Information: 270-4848 or www.artscouncilokc.com.
- TULSA – Hear the recently reunited Toadies at 8:30 p.m. Friday at Cain’s Ballroom, 423 N Main in Tulsa. Information: www.cainsballroom.com.
- TULSA – See Black Label Society and Sevendust at 7 p.m. Sunday at the Brady Theater, 105 W Brady. (Due to the high level of demand for tickets, the show, which was originally set for Cain’s Ballroom, has been moved to the Brady.) Information: www.bradytheater.com.
Stardeath and the White Dwarfs
- NORMAN – See Of Montreal, Starlight Mints, Man Man, Stardeath and White Dwarfs and dozens of other bands at the second annual Norman Music Festival. The music will play from 11 a.m. to midnight Saturday in downtown Norman. Information: 579-3693 or www.normanmusicfestival.com.
- GUTHRIE – Take in a carnival, arts and crafts show, parade, old-timey baseball game and rodeo at the 80th annual 89er Days in downtown. The activities started Tuesday and will continue through Saturday. Information: www.89erdays.com.
EDMOND – Pop-rock supergroup Tinted Windows, who just released their self-titled debut album Tuesday, will play Saturday at the University of Central Oklahoma. The show will be 8 p.m. Saturday at Plunkett Park on the UCO campus, 100 N University Drive. Information: www.ticketstorm.com or (866) 966-1777.
David Cook (Associated Press photo)
- TULSA – Hear “American Idol” winner and former Tulsan David Cook will play at 8 p.m. Saturday at the University of Tulsa. (The concert is reportedly sold out, so if you don’t have a ticket, you’re probably out of luck. Still, should be a great show.) Information: www.utulsa.edu/sa.
- See the new exhibit “Rethink: Recycle: Redesign” at Individual Artists of Oklahoma Gallery, 811 N Broadway. Gallery hours are noon to 8 p.m. Friday and noon to 5:30 p.m. Saturday. Information: www.iaogallery.org.
Dionne Randolph as Mufasa in “The Lion King.”
- Experience the “Circle of Life” at “The Lion King” performed at 8 p.m. Friday, 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. Saturday and 1:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. Sunday at the Civic Center Music Hall, 201 N Walker Ave. Information: 297-2584 or www.celebrityattractions.com.
- Listen to Micky & the Motorcars at 8 p.m. Saturday at the Wormy Dog Saloon, 311 E Sheridan. Information: www.wormydog.com.
- NORMAN - Catch comedian Ron White at 8 and 10 p.m. Friday at Riverwind Casino, 1544 W State Highway 9. Information: 322-6464 or www. riverwind.com.
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Photo gallery: “American Idol” attraction opens at Disney theme park
David Cook and Carrie Underwood perform at the launch of the new Disney “American Idol” attraction. (All photos provided by Disney and distributed by the Associated Press.)
All seven “American Idol” winners, including the two with Oklahoma ties, were on hand last week to launch a new attraction at Walt Disney World in Lake Buena Vista, Fla., according to CMT News. ”The American Idol Experience” opened to the public Saturday at Disney’s Hollywood Studios theme park.
Country music star Carrie Underwood, who hails from Checotah, performed her hit “All-American Girl.” David Cook, who lived in Tulsa before auditioning for the reality TV contest, and Underwood also sang a duet of Fleetwood Mac’s “Go Your Own Way.”
The other five “Idol” winners – Jordin Sparks, Taylor Hicks, Fantasia Barrino, Ruben Studdard and Kelly Clarkson – also performed. “Idol” judge Paula Abdul and host Ryan Seacrest demonstrated the new attraction, which features amateur singers performing in the theater for judges (who are actually actors), while the audience decides who gets a “golden ticket” for a real audition.
The seven “American Idol” winners, from left, Ruben Studdard, Kelly Clarkson, Fantasia Barrino, David Cook, Carrie Underwood, Taylor Hicks and Jordin Sparks came together for the first time at the grand opening.
David Cook and Minnie Mouse
Carrie Underwood and Mickey Mouse
Carrie Underwood, the winner of Season 4 of the TV show ” American Idol,” waves to fans during the grand opening of “The American Idol Experience” attraction.
David Cook, the winner of Season 7 of the TV show ” American Idol,” waves to fans during the grand opening.
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David Cook returning to Tulsa in spring
David Cook (Associated Press)
Reigning ”American Idol” David Cook has announced his plans for his first solo tour, which will kick off next month in Tallahassee, Fla., and end up in April on familiar ground – at the University of Tulsa.
Cook, who lived in Tulsa before he auditioned for the reality TV show, will be taking “The Declaration Tour – 2009″ in support of his self-titled debut album, which was released in November. It will mark the first time Cook has been on the road since headlining the “American Idol” Season 7 tour, according to a story on his official Web site.
Cook entered the Billboard charts at No. 3 with “David Cook” (19 Recordings / RCA Records) last fall. The Rob Cavallo-produced album also debuted as the No. 1 album on the digital album chart and is the best debut from an “American Idol” winner since 2006. The first single, “Light On,” dominated the AOL Top 40 radio chart with eight nonconsecutive weeks at No. 1 and is currently in the top 10 at Hot AC radio. In late September, “Light On” premiered on AOL Music’s pop culture news site, PopEater.com, receiving more than 1 million plays in less than week.
His first single, “The Time of My Life” recently went platinum, with more than 1 million tracks sold. “The Time of My Life” is not only the biggest single debut but the highest-selling coronation single in the show’s history. Cook is the 34th “American Idol” contestant to appear on a Billboard chart.
Cook started the year with a United Service Organization tour, visiting and performing for the troops at seven different military bases.
“I’m more than excited to hop on the road and support this record. This tour represents both a new beginning and a return to form for me,” Cook said on his site. ”It’s our first full tour, and we’re all ready to pour whatever blood, sweat, and tears that we can muster into making this show, and every show from here on out, an experience. Part of that experience is bringing back this college tour idea. There’s something inherently nostalgic about playing college shows. So many amazing acts used to do it, so it’s nice to be able to bring that ideal back, in some small way. And besides, touring on a bus beats what we used to do, which was cram five guys into a 7 passenger van for one show, 13 hours away… ”
Most of the tour stops are indeed colleges, with the final show set for April 25 at the University of Tulsa.
On Feb. 12, the day before the tour starts, Cook will help launch the Walt Disney World Resort’s world premiere of the new blockbuster attraction, “The American Idol Experience” at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Cook will perform live from the attraction on ABC’s “Good Morning America” and will headline a special guest performance during the night’s event.
Here is the list of Cook’s 2009 winter/spring tour dates:
Friday, February 13th – Tallahassee, Fl – Florida State University
Saturday, February 14th – Biloxi, MS – Beau Rivage
Sunday, February 15th – Oxford, MS – Ole Miss
Wednesday, February 18th – Eau Claire, WI – University of Wisconsin
Thursday February 19th – Cedar Falls, IA – University of Northern Iowa
Friday, February 20th – Green Bay, WI – University of Wisconsin – Green Bay
Saturday, February 21st – Valparaiso, IN – Valparaiso University
Monday, February 23rd – Waverly, IA – Warlburg
Tuesday, February 24th – Fullton, MO – Westminster
Wednesday, February 25th – Conway, AR – Central Arkansas University
Friday, February 27th- Portsmouth, OH – Shawnee State University
Sunday, March 1st – Newburgh, NY – Mount St. Mary
Tuesday, March 3rd – Carlisie, PA – Dickenson
Friday, March 6th – Morgantown, WV – W Virginia University
Sunday, March 8th – Willimantic, CT – Eastern Connecticut State University
Tuesday, March 10th – Poughkeepsie, NY – Marist College
Friday, March 13th – Niagara Falls, NY – Seneca Niagara Casino
Saturday, March 14th – Elkins, WV – Davis and Elkins
Monday, March 16th – Bloomington, PA – Bloomington University
Thursday, March 19th – Mansfield, PA – Mansfield University
Friday, March 20th – Atlantic City, NJ – Borgata
Saturday, March 21st – Atlantic City, NJ – Borgata
Monday, March 23rd – Selinsgrove, PA – Susquehanna University
Tuesday, March 24th- York, PA – Penn State York
Thursday, March 26th – Blues Creek, NC – Campbell, University
Friday, March 27th – Pemberton, NJ – Burlington Community College
Monday, March 30th – New London, NH – Colby Sawyer College
Tuesday, March 31st – New Haven, CT – So. CT State
Thursday, April 2nd – Wilmington, NC – Azalea Fest at Wilmington University
Friday, April 3rd – Towson, MD – Towson University
Sunday, April 5th – Radford, VA – Radford University
Wednesday, April 8th – Macon, GA – Mercer University
Tuesday, April 14th – Malcomb, IL – Western Illinois University
Tuesday, April 21st – Searcy, AR – Harding University
Wednesday, April 22nd – Kansas City, MO – Ameristar Casino
Saturday, April 25th – Tulsa, OK – University of Tulsa
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Crooked X playing tonight on “Jimmy Kimmel Live”
Crooked X
Coweta rock band Crooked X will play tonight on the late-night show “Jimmy Kimmel Live.” The show starts at 11:05 p.m. and airs on ABC (KOCO-5 here in OKC).
The performance continues this week’s streak of Oklahoma musical talents rocking late-night TV. I posted video Wednesday of David Cook, who lived in Tulsa before winning “American Idol,” playing earlier this week on Kimmel’s show. Stillwater’s The All-American Rejects played earlier this week on “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno.”
The streak of Okies being showcased in late-night will continue Jan. 22 when Tishomingo resident and country singer Blake Shelton performs on Kimmel’s show.
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