David Cook’s 2nd album, “This Loud Morning,” releasing June 28; 1st single “The Last Goodbye” drops Tuesday
Season 7 “American Idol”winner and former Tulsan David Cook will be releasing his sophomore album, “This Loud Morning” (19 Recordings/RCA Records), June 28.
“This Loud Morning” will be made available for pre-sale at www.DavidCookOfficial.com beginning Tuesday, according to a news release.
Cook will be returning to the “American Idol” stage Thursday to perform the album’s first single, “The Last Goodbye.” “Idol” airs at 7 p.m. Wednesdays and Thursdays on FOX.
“The Last Goodbye” will be available for sale at www.DavidCookOfficial.com, iTunes and all other digital providers, as well as be serviced to radio Tuesday.
“The Last Goodbye” will also be made available as a free instant grat on Tuesday for those who pre-order (or have already pre-ordered) “This Loud Morning” on www.DavidCookOfficial.com. The site also features new premium album configurations, which include exclusive music, merchandise and signed memorabilia.
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 and OneRepublic frontman Ryan Tedder, David Hodges, Kevin Griffin and Marti Frederiksen.
“This album is the culmination of one of the loftiest endeavors I’ve ever undertaken. The end result is an album that I cannot wait to share with everyone,” Cook says in the release.
Earlier this year, Cook recorded the farewell song for the 10th season of “American Idol,” which can be heard every week this season. The song, chosen by “Idol” creator and executive producer Simon Fuller, is a remake of Simple Minds 1985 smash “Don’t You (Forget About Me)”.
Before the singer/songwriter/guitarist had “The Time of My Life” on the reality TV contest, Cook moved from his hometown of Blue Springs, Mo., to Tulsa to join regional band the Midwest Kings. By the time he auditioned for “Idol” in 2007, Cook had launched a solo career, playing a regular date every other Wednesday at Tulsa’s Gray Snail Saloon.
After winning the “Idol” crown in Season 7, Cook went on to sell more than 1 million copies of his self-titled debut album and set out on a yearlong nationwide tour in support of his multiple hit singles. Released Nov. 18, 2008, “David Cook” (19 Recordings / RCA Records) entered the Billboard charts at No. 3 and the digital album charts at No. 1, marking the best debut from an “American Idol” winner since 2006.
Collectively the songs from “David Cook” have sold more than 2 million tracks and ringtones combined. Cook’s coronation single, “The Time of My Life” was certified platinum and is not only the biggest single debut but the highest-selling coronation single in the show’s history.
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New releases for March 15, 2011: Toby Keith’s “10,” “American Idol” 10th anniversary CD, “The Fighter” on DVD
Ten of the most memorable music videos from Oklahoma country music superstar Toby Keith have been collected for the new DVD “Toby Keith: 10,” out today. The DVD features the Western imagery and storytelling of his debut single “Should’ve Been A Cowboy,” his Willie Nelson collaboration “Beer For My Horses” and his latest “Bullets In The Gun” butt up against the fun and frivolity of “I Love This Bar” and “As Good As I Once Was.” He takes a hard-nosed patriotic stance in “Courtesy Of The Red, White And Blue” and delivers wry political commentary with “American Ride,” also included on the DVD.
Former Tulsan Melissa Leo gives an Oscar-winning supporting turn in "The Fighter," on DVD today.
Also, director David O. Russell’s hard-hitting boxing biopic “The Fighter” is new on DVD. Former Tulsan Melissa Leo and “The Dark Knight” star Christian Bale won the best supporting actress and supporting actor Oscars for their incredible performances.
New on CD, the superstar contenders from the past 10 years of television’s No. 1 show “American Idol” have their signature songs featured on one compilation for the first time. “American Idol 10th Anniversary – The Hits” features hits from two “Idols” with Oklahoma ties, along with several other winners and finalists from the reality TV singing contest.
Checotah native Carrie Underwood contributes her Grammy-winning country-crossover chart-topper “Before He Cheats,” while former Tulsan David Cook’s platinum-selling smash “Light On” also is included on the album. The compilation also features hit singles from the likes of Kelly Clarkson, Daughtry, Adam Lambert, Fantasia and more.
On the bookshelf, Sammy Hagar has released his autobiography “Red: My Uncensored Life in Rock,” and from the excerpts RollingStone.com has published, it appears that the Red Rocker has pulled no punches when it comes to dishing on his tempestuous relationship with Van Halen and fellow rocker Eddie Van Halen in particular.
Here is a list of new CDs, DVDs and books out this week, from Amazon.com, VideoETA.com and BarnesandNoble.com:
CDs
Various Artists, “American Idol: 10th Anniversary – The Hits Volume 1.”
Steve Martin and Steep Canyon Rangers, “Rare Bird Alert.”
Nick Lowe, “Labour of Lust.”
Miranda Cosgrove, “High Maintenance” (EP CD/DVD).
New York Dolls, “Dancing Backward in High Heels.”
The Naked And Famous, “Passive Me Aggressive You.”
Al Di Meola, “Pursuit of Radical Rhapsody.”
Mastodon, “Live At The Aragon” (CD+DVD).
DVDs
Toby Keith: 10
The Fighter
Hereafter
The Swith
Sharktopus
The Wildest Dream: Conquest of Everest
Neil Young: Like a Rolling Stone
Snoopy, Come Home / A Boy Named Charlie Brown
The Red Green Show: The Delinquent Years
Books
Red: My Uncensored Life in Rock by Sammy Hagar
Toys by James Patterson, Neil McMahon
Midnight (Vampire Diaries The Return Series No. 3) by L. J. Smith
Rawhide Down: The Near Assassination of Ronald Reagan by Del Quentin Wilber
Heart of the Matter by Emily Giffin
A World without Heroes (Beyonders Series No. 1) by Brandon Mull
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David Cook covers “Don’t You (Forget About Me)” for “American Idol” farewell song
Season 7 “American Idol” winner and former Tulsa resident David Cook has recorded the farewell song for the 10th season of “American Idol.”
The song, chosen by “American Idol” creator and Executive Producer Simon Fuller, is a remake of Simple Minds 1985 smash “Don’t You (Forget About Me).” It will air each week as contestants are eliminated.
“Don’t You (Forget About Me)” will be made available starting on today for free on www.DavidCookOfficial.com for those who pre-order Cook’s forthcoming album. It also will be available for sale via iTunes and other digital providers on March 8.
David Cook has been busy in the studio working on his highly anticipated sophomore album with producer Matt Serletic (Rob Thomas, Matchbox Twenty, Collective Soul), which will be released by 19 Recordings/RCA Records later this year.
After winning the “Idol” crown in Season 7, Cook went on to sell more than 1 million copies of his self-titled debut album and set out on a yearlong nationwide tour in support of his multiple hit singles. Released on Nov. 18, 2008, “David Cook” (19 Recordings / RCA Records) entered the Billboard charts at No. 3 and the digital album charts at No. 1, marking the best debut from an “American Idol” winner since 2006. Collectively the songs from “David Cook” have sold more than 2 million tracks and ringtones combined. Cook’s coronation single, “The Time of My Life” was certified platinum and is not only the biggest single debut but the highest-selling coronation single in the show’s history.
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Carrie Underwood, David Cook contribute to “American Idol” 10th anniversary album
For the first time ever, the superstar contenders from the past 10 years of television’s No. 1 show “American Idol” will have their signature songs featured on one compilation. “American Idol 10th Anniversary – The Hits” will be released on March 15, and it will feature hits from two “Idols” with Oklahoma ties, along with several other winners and finalists from the reality TV singing contest.
Checotah native Carrie Underwood contributes her Grammy-winning country-crossover chart-topper “Before He Cheats,” while former Tulsan David Cook’s platinum-selling smash “Light On” also is included on the album.
The compilation also features hit singles from the likes of Kelly Clarkson, Daughtry, Adam Lambert, Fantasia and more.
“American Idol 10th Anniversary – The Hits” spotlights some of Idol’s most successful contestants like Clarkson’s No. 1 Billboard Pop 100 hit “Since U Been Gone” and rock group Daughtry’s No. 1 ballad “Home.” Other tracks include season 6 winner Jordin Sparks’ collaboration with R&B’s Chris Brown on “No Air” and Fantasia’s No. 1 Hot R&B/Hip Hop song “When I See U.”
The compilation also highlights Ruben Studdard’s soulful single “Superstar,” Taylor Hicks’ esteemed performance of “Takin’ It To The Streets” and Broadway star Clay Aiken’s 2003 hit “Invisible.”
Adam Lambert soars on this years Grammy-nominated “Whataya Want From Me” while current “Idol” Lee DeWyze closes out the album with his chart-climbing single “Sweet Serendipity.” (Noticeably missing is Oscar-winning third-season finalist Jennifer Hudson, along with country star “Kellie Pickler,” who finished sixth on the fifth season. However, since this album is billed as the first volume, maybe they will be included in the next installment.)
Since its debut in 2002, “American Idol,” created by Simon Fuller, has become one of the most popular shows in the history of American television. Aerosmith frontman Steven Tyler and global superstar Jennifer Lopez help kick off a second decade of “Idol” as new judges this season. Together they join 20-year music industry veteran Randy Jackson and media mastermind Ryan Seacrest for the 10th anniversary season. Throughout the show, contestants will face new and exciting challenges as they compete to become the next “American Idol.”
Check after the break for the compilation’s full track listing.
Wednesday Video Spotlight: Carrie Underwood talks “Idol Gives Back,” wedding plans on Ellen DeGeneres’ show
Checotah native and “American Idol” Season 4 champ Carrie Underwood made a surprise visit to “The Ellen DeGeneres Show” this morning to talk up her performance of her song “Change” on tonight’s “Idol Gives Back” charity episode, airing at 7 p.m. on Fox.
Underwood also spoke about plans for her upcoming wedding to pro hockey player Mike Fisher. She said they have set a date but are not announcing it publicly. They are trying to keep the ceremony small, but between his large family and all the friends she works with, she said that part of planning it has been challenging.
“I wasn’t one of those little girls who always dreamt of being married, so I have no idea what I’m doing,” she said.
The 2005 “Idol” winner also discussed her plans to donate 36 cents of every ticket sold for her fall tour dates to Save the Children’s U.S. programs. The initiative was inspired by the “36 cents” referenced in the lyrics of her “Play On” track “Change,” which sends the message that even the smallest bit of spare change given for a good cause can add up to make a difference and change the world.
An “Idol Gives Back” beneficiary, Save the Children is an independent organization dedicated to creating real and lasting change for needy children in the United States and around the world.
Underwood is bringing her fall tour to Oklahoma City’s Ford Center on Oct. 20 and Tulsa’s BOK Center on Oct. 10. Tickets go on sale at 10 a.m. Saturday. For more information, go to www.okfordcenter.com or www.bokcenter.com.
Season 7 “Idol” winner David Cook, who has Tulsa ties, also will be featured tonight on “Idol Gives Back” in footage from his recent United Nations trip to Ethiopia.
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David Cook talks about tonight’s “Idol Gives Back”; charity episode to feature Carrie Underwood performance
Season 7 “American Idol” winner David Cook, who has Tulsa ties, receives a hug from 7-year-old Mekdes, during a visit to Biruh Tesfa, a United Nations program supported by the UN Foundation, in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia on March 30. Cook traveled with the UN Foundation to raise awareness about the importance of girls education for tonight’s “Idol Gives Back” charity episode. (Photo by Stuart Ramson/UN Foundation)
Season 7 “American Idol” winner David Cook, who has Tulsa ties, will be featured in footage from his recent trip to Ethiopia during tonight’s two-hour “Idol Gives Back” charity special, which doubles as the Top Seven results show for Season 9 of “American Idol.” “Idol Gives Back” airs at 7 tonight on Fox.
Cook, who was living in Tulsa when he tried out for and won “Idol,” went to Ethiopia with the United Nations Foundation last month to help raise awareness about the importance of girls’ education, reports The Oklahoman’s TV Guru Penny Soldan. He sat in on an English class at Biruh Tesfa in the capital city of Addis Ababa, and nobody recognized him.
“We had to explain to the little girls who I was and why I was there,” he said during a conference call from Ethiopia. “But we did get a chance to play some music for them. My guitar player (Neal Tiemann) came out here with me, and then they sang for us.
“It’s always cool to see music be this universal language. But I definitely had to win them over. They didn’t quite know what to do with the tall, tattooed white guy, I guess.”
According to Penny, Cook said during the teleconference that he didn’t know if he would be performing on tonight’s “Idol Gives Back” show.
But Checotah native and “American Idol” Season 4 winner Carrie Underwood (pictured), whose trip to South Africa was documented on the first “Idol Gives Back” special in 2007, is scheduled to perform during tonight’s live event.
Also scheduled to perform are Elton John, Alicia Keys, The Black Eyed Peas, Jeff Beck, Joss Stone, Mary J. Blige and Annie Lennox.
Ryan Seacrest will host the show from the “American Idol” stage in Los Angeles, while Queen Latifah will emcee the “Idol Gives Back” celebration from the Pasadena Civic Auditorium.
“Idol Gives Back” has raised more that $140 million for charity. Viewers again will be able to make donations during this year’s show that will benefit the Children’s Health Fund, Feeding America, Malaria No More, Save the Children and the United Nations Foundation.
Click here to read more of Penny’s story about “Idol Gives Back.”
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David Cook working on sophomore CD, returning to “American Idol” April 21 for “Idol Gives Back” charity episode
In this publicity image released by Fox, Season 7 winner David Cook performs on “American Idol” March 17 in Los Angeles.
“American Idol” Season 7 champion David Cook, who has Tulsa ties, recently talked with EW.com about the progress on his sophomore album.
Cook and Season 4 winner Carrie Underwood, who hails from Checotah, will appear on “Idol Gives Back,” the annual charity episode of the reality TV singing contest, on April 21.
Cook gave EW.com a “definite maybe” when asked if he would be debut a new single on “Idol Gives Back.”
“I would love to be able to debut a single on Idol this year. But at the same time we certainly don’t want to rush anything. Rest assured, we’re trying very, very hard. I can give a definite maybe at this point,” he said.
Cook, who was living in Tulsa when he decided to try out for “Idol,” said he is pushing the concept of “dynamic” on the new album.
“The choruses on all those songs are massive. They’re just massive choruses. And I will say they have pushed me vocally on these demos more than probably anybody else has. I’m definitely hitting high register on the choruses. The choruses are very open, very U2-esque, and the vocals are just up there, which pushes the intensity of them a little bit,” he told EW.com.
Cook said he planned to travel to Nashville this week to write with Zac Maloy, former frontman of Oklahoma City band The Nixon. Maloy was one of his co-writers on “Lie,” “Life on the Moon” and “Come Back to Me,” three songs from Cook’s 2008 self-titled platinum-selling debut.
To read the rest of Cook’s Q&A with EW, click here.
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Simon Cowell plans to leave “American Idol” after this season
Simon Cowell (Associated Press photo)
Sharp-tongued British judge Simon Cowell announced today that he will be leaving “American Idol” after its ninth season, reports EW.com. The ninth season of “Idol” starts with a two-night season premiere Tuesday and Wednesday.
Cowell will team with Fox to launch a U.S. version of his popular British show “The X Factor” in fall 2011.
Like “Idol,” “X Factor,” which launched the career of Brit songbird Leona Lewis, is a televised talent search that usually offers the prize of a recording contract. But “X Factor” divides contestants into four categories — guys, girls, groups, and singers of all ages — and doesn’t have an age cap limit like “Idol,” so singers older than their 20s can try out.
“I’m doing X Factor in America because I believe I can find someone incredibly talented through this process,” Cowell told TV critics today in Pasadena, Calif. “This country, thank God, has got thousands and thousands of people still waiting to be discovered. I want to find a star at the end, I genuinely do.”
Cowell said he was offered more cash to stay on “Idol,” but he wanted to do something different (though apparently not too different).
“I want to leave ‘Idol’ this year bigger and better than it’s ever been before. Having already done the auditions, it feels fresh, it feels relevant. I like the contestants this year. This final year for me feels different. I never would have wanted to walk out when the show was No. 21 in the ratings. You want to leave on a high. It’s been a fantastic time. We’re going to do something new. America needs a different type of show.” (But again, apparently not too different a show.)
It will be interesting to see how “Idol” fares without Simon, who has been the face of the show as much if not more than high-profile winners like Checotah native Carrie Underwood, former Tulsan David Cook or Kelly Clarkson.
“We are not going to find a Simon clone to do what he does because he is one of a kind,” said Peter Rice, Fox entertainment chairman. “The reason we are making the announcement in January is to give ourselves time and allow people to come forward. We were frankly surprised at the enthusiasm in replacing Paula. We have to make sure the chemistry is as good as it can be. So I don’t think we will rush into that.”
This year’s “Idol” judges lineup will be Simon, Randy Jackson, Kara DioGuardi and Ellen DeGeneres, who is filling the seat left by Paula Abdul after the eighth season. In the EW story, Simon intimates that he misses Abdul, whom he famously argued with nonstop on “Idol,” and plans to work with her again. Hmm … wonder if it will be on “X Factor.”
For more TV news, check out Penny Soldan’s blog at http://blog.newsok.com/television.
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Carrie Underwood making holiday TV appearances this week
Carrie Underwood in “Carrie Underwood: An All-Star Holiday Special” (Fox photo)
Country superstar Carrie Underwood this week will make a couple of holiday TV appearances.
An encore airing of “Carrie Underwood: An All-Star Holiday Special” will be on Fox from 7 to 9 p.m. today. Along with musical and comedy bits from Underwood, the special features performances from Tulsa-connected “American Idol” David Cook, fellow Oklahoma native Kristin Chenoweth, Dolly Parton and Brad Paisley.
Underwood will join host Faith Hill, fellow Oklahoma native Reba McEntire and Mary J. Blige on the annual “A Home For The Holidays” special, which will air on CBS from 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesday.
On both shows, Underwood can be seen performing her current single, “Temporary Home,” which she co-penned with Luke Laird and Zac Maloy, the latter formerly of Oklahoma City band the Nixons.
For more TV news, check out Penny Soldan’s great blog at http://blog.newsok.com/television.
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Wednesday Video Spotlight: Recapping Carrie Underwood’s holiday special
Oklahoma country music star Carrie Underwood saw her first holiday TV special, “Carrie Underwood: An All-Star Holiday Special,” air Monday night on Fox. I’ve posted above a few YouTube videos featuring fun moments from the show.
The two-hour special featured a mix of great performances, glitzy costume changes and goofy comedy bits. Checotah’s favorite daughter opened the show clad in black leather and surrounded by male dancers as she belted out her saucy hit “Cowboy Casanova.” She also powered through her past hits “Before He Cheats” and “Jesus, Take the Wheel.”
Much of the guest list was revealed in advance, but Underwood worked in a surprise by inviting brother band Sons of Sylvia to perform with her on “What Can I Say,” their duet from her new album “Play On.”
Although many of Carrie’s all-star pals were divulged in advance, they still managed to put in great performances. Fellow “American Idol” winner David Cook, who has Tulsa ties, made time stop with his emotional “Lie,” though I would have preferred a Carrie and Cookie duet. Dolly Parton stole the spotlight, of course, with her hit “Here You Come Again” and then sat down with Underwood for a wonderful, not at all overdone performance of “I Will Always Love You.”
Country superstar Brad Paisley wasn’t able to be at the show’s Los Angeles taping in person, so he was brought in via satellite from Nashville to sing with the hostess. I initially had my doubts about this high-tech duet, but they faded when he and Carrie launched into a spirited rendition of the Conway Twitty/Loretta Lynn classic “Louisiana Woman, Mississippi Man.” Paisley also crooned his heart-melter “Then.”
But my favorite moment came when Underwood, fellow Oklahoma native Kristin Chenoweth and Christina Applegate donned pink dresses and beehive updos to dance and sing their way through a lively 1960s medley including “Be My Baby,” “Then He Kissed Me” and “Leader of the Pack.” In this case, anyway, blondes do have more fun.
The show featured plenty of silly interludes, including a running gag about Carrie’s naive attempts to get her sister Stephanie a date, a chance for Carrie’s mom Carole to steal the show and a inside-the-thoughts featurette on Carrie’s dog Ace. Underwood demonstrated a clear willingness to laugh at herself, whether playing the piano with her toes, dressing up in a Dolly wig and padded bra or gleefully stuffing envelopes of cash for “Idol” judges in a faux flashback.
My biggest complaint about the holiday special was that it didn’t have enough holiday to it. Besides a few glitzy Christmas trees on stage and Underwood’s lovely performance of “O Holy Night,” the show could have been running in July or October for all the seasonal relevance it had. It’s a shame because Underwood has done some wonderful renditions of Christmas carols, some of which I’ve posted below.
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