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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Wednesday Video Spotlight: David Cook, AAR on late night TV
Oklahoma talents have been all over late-night TV this week.
On Monday, Stillwater’s own pop-rock hitmakers The All-American Rejects played their latest catchy single, “Gives You Hell,” on “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno.”
On Tuesday, “American Idol” Season 7 winner David Cook, who lived in Tulsa before finding fame on the reality TV juggernaut, appeared on “Jimmy Kimmel Live.” In addition to performing two tracks from his recently released self-titled CD, the good-natured Cookie appeared in an amusing skit about his big “Idol” win last May.
Check out the video of the appearances, posted here courtesy YouTube:
AAR on “Leno”:
David Cook on “Jimmy Kimmel”:
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New releases
Oklahoma music fans have a lot to look forward to this week.
Ada native and current Tishomingo resident Blake Shelton released his fifth studio album, “Startin’ Fires,” today. The album was originally set for early 2009 release, but the date was moved up because of the enthusiastic response to the great first single, “She Wouldn’t Be Gone.”
Also, David Cook, who lived and played music in Tulsa before winning “American Idol,” released his self-titled major label debut today.
With the holiday shopping season gearing up, variety seems to be the order of week. In the DVD section, new releases range from Disney/Pixar’s “WALL-E” to ventriloquist Jeff Dunham’s first Christmas special to the Hollywood satire “Tropic Thunder.”
Look for more variety in books, with new titles from Denis Leary, Mike Huckabee, James Patterson and Mary Higgins Clark.
Here’s a list of the new CDs, DVDs and books from Amazon.com, VideoETA.com and BarnesandNoble.com:
CDs
Blake Shelton, “Startin’ Fires.”
David Cook, “David Cook.”
Nickelback, “Dark Horse.”
Beyonce, “I Am … Sasha Fierce.”
Il Devo, “The Promise.”
Dido, “Safe Trip Home.”
DVDs
300 (Widescreen Special Edition)
Bones: Season Three
The Clique
Dr. Who: The Complete Fourth Series
Encounters at the End of the World
Garden Party
Gene Simmons Family Jewels: The Complete Season 3
Gonzo: The Life and Work of Hunter S. Thompson
Hannah Montana DVD Game
Hannah Montana: The Complete First Season
High School Musical DVD Game
Jeff Dunham’s Very Special Christmas
Monty Python’s Holy Trinity
The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2
Tropic Thunder
UFC: Ultimate Comebacks
WALL-E
Books
“Outliers” by Malcolm Gladwell.
“Cross Country” by James Patterson.
“Dashing Through the Snow” by Mary Higgins Clark.
“Do the Right Thing: Inside the Movement That’s Bringing Common Sense Back to America” by Mike Huckabee.
“Dying for Revenge” by Eric Jerome Dickey.
“Private Patient” by P. D. James.
“Why We Suck: A Feel Good Guide to Staying Fat, Lazy, and Stupid” by Denis Leary.
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“David Cook” set for Nov. 18 release
“American Idol” winner David Cook’s first album on a major record label will be self-titled.
“David Cook” is set for Nov. 18 release. It will include 12 tracks, and the 2008 “Idol” theme “Time of My Life” will be a bonus track.
Cook, who lived in Tulsa before competing on “Idol” recently told USA Today, “I really wanted to show what kind of artist I am going to be for the next five or 10 years,” he says. “And I am not 100 percent sure that (“Time”) fits the record.”
The singer/songwriter/guitarist, who performed tonight on “Saturday Night Live,” also said he is pleased with the album, which he put together on a tight timetable while playing on the “American Idols LIVE” tour, which ended in Tulsa in September.
“There are definitely songs on this record that are heavier than ‘Light On,’” he told USA Today. ”There’s heavy stuff and soft, intimate songs. But there are also songs that really incorporate the idea of ‘Keep it simple, stupid’ with some guitar, some piano and that’s it.”
The album is currently No. 8 on Amazon.com’s best-sellers list.
Amazon.com also is offering customers the option to sign up for notification for when Cook’s highly regarded indie album “Analog Heart” becomes available, so fans who don’t have it apparently will get the chance to buy it soon.
Here is the track list for “David Cook” from Amazon:
1. Declaration
2. Heroes
3. Light On
4. Come Back to Me
5. Life on the Moon
6. Bar-ba-sol
7. Mr. Sensitive
8. Lie
9. I Did It for You
10. Avalanche
11. Permanent
12. A Daily AntheM
13. The Time Of My Life (Bonus Track)
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David Cook plays “Light On” on “SNL”
“American Idol” winner David Cook just performed his new single “Light On” on “Saturday Night Life.” The singer/songwriter/guitarist, who lived in Tulsa before competing on “Idol,” is the musical guest on “SNL” this week.
Cook was in terrific voice and he seemed much more comfortable singing the grungy power ballad than crooning the sugar-coated 2008 “Idol” theme “Time of My Life.” It sounds like he has a strong band backing him, too.
Plus, it doesn’t hurt that the man is really easy on the eyes.
Chris Cornell of Audioslave and Soundgarden co-wrote “Light On” with Brian Howes, who also has penned material for Daughtry, Puddle of Mudd and Oklahoma City rockers Hinder. (Correction: I originally had that Cook co-wrote the song, but that was a slip of the keyboard. From what’s been written, it seems that Cornell and Howes are the ones who penned the song.)
When “Light On” first premiered about a month ago, I expressed my disappointment in it, since I’ve never been a Cornell fan, and song sounds like his work. I was hoping for something that sounded very distinctively David Cook.
But “Light On” has grown on me some in the last few weeks, and it was truly music to the ears tonight on “SNL.”
Cook’s self-titled major-label debut album comes out Nov. 18.
“Light On” recently went on sale on iTunes as a $1.99 “lighter” application that illuminates the screen of an iPhone or iTouch MP3 player. When users open the app and spark up the lighter, the full song plays, according to USA Today.
UPDATE: For his second “SNL” segment, Cook played “Declaration,” the opening track of his upcoming album. From just one quick listen, it sounds much more like what I was hoping to hear from his major-label debut. It is a big, anthemic rock song that doesn’t sound like it was written for someone else, like Chris Cornell. I’m looking forward to listening to it again and hearing the entire album.
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David Cook to be on “SNL” next Saturday
“Saturday Night Live” has notched big ratings and an abundance of exposure during this election season. The satirical show is gearing up for the end of the election cycle with a live show next Saturday, Nov. 1, plus a two-hour election special Nov. 3, the day before Americans cast their votes.
“American Idol” winner David Cook, who was raised in Missouri and lived in Tulsa before winning the reality TV show, will be the musical guest next Saturday.
Next Saturday, Oscar winner Ben Affleck will return to host the program for the fourth time. Affleck received the 2007 best directorial debut award from the National Board of Review for his critically praised film Gone Baby Gone.”
He first rose to prominence in 1997 alongside Matt Damon as the Academy Award-winning writers and co-stars of “Good Will Hunting.” Affleck’s other credits include “Shakespeare in Love,” “Pearl Harbor,” “Changing Lanes,” “Hollywoodland,” “Armageddon,” “The Sum of All Fears,” “Daredevil” and “Dazed and Confused.” Future projects include the ensemble comedy “He’s Just Not That Into You” and opposite Russell Crowe in “State of Play” and Mike Judge’s “Extract.”
This appearance also marks Cook’s first with his new band since his “Idol” win in May.
Cook’s debut record, produced by Grammy Award-winning producer Rob Cavallo (Green Day) is due out Nov. 18 and is already the No. 2-selling record on iTunes.
His latest single, “Light On” is the No. 1 added track at Hot AC Radio and is climbing the Billboard Pop 100 charts. His first post-Idol single “The Time of My Life” was the best digital single debut since the second season of “Idol.” The single debuted at No. 3, making one of the highest new chart entries of 2008.
In addition, “SNL” will present a two-hour election themed special, “Saturday Night Live Presidential Bash 2008,” from 8 to 10 p.m. Nov. 3. The taped compilation show will highlight the blockbuster current season of political satire as well as showcase the show’s 33-year history of lampooning the Oval Office. There also will be new material shot exclusively for the special.
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