Green River Ordinance playing Tulsa Tuesday, set to tour with David Cook
Green River Ordinance
Pop-rock band Green River Ordinance will perform Tuesday at Tulsa’s SpiritBank Event Center as the supporting act for the Collective Soul-Gavin DeGraw co-headlining tour.
After wrapping that tour later this month in Florida, the Fort Worth, Texas, quintet will embark on another tour, this time in support of 2008 “American Idol” champ and former Tulsan David Cook.
The band has been receiving a lot of airplay on television, starting with the single “Outside” being played on “The Hills,” according to a news release. Another track, “On Your Own,” popped up on “So You Think You Can Dance” and “Real World/RoadRules Challenges: The Duel 2,” exposing the band to an even more massive mainstream fan collective.
Green River Ordinance continues touring in support of its EMI/Virgin Records debut, “Out of My Hands,” with no end in sight. The band continues to receive critical accolades for its powerful live sets.
For instance, Alternative Press hailed GRO as one of the “Top 100 Bands To Watch in 2009″
Be sure to check out BAM’s Blog Friday, when I’ll have a column about David Cook’s show this weeknd in Thackerville and an interview with Collective Soul’s Dean Roland about Tuesday’s Tulsa show.
Green River Ordinance tour dates:
With Collective Soul and Gavin DeGraw
June 22 House of Blues Cleveland, OH
June 23 Piere’s Fort Wayne, IN
June 24 The Egyptian Room Indianapolis, IN
June 26 Des Moines Arts Festival Des Moines, IA
June 29 The Beaumont Club Kansas City, MO
June 30 Cotillion Ballroom Wichita, KS
July 7 Spirit Bank Event Center Tulsa, OK
July 9 Snowden Grove Amphitheater Southaven, MS
July 10 World’s Largest Block Party Chicago, IL
July 11 Lifestyle Communities Pavilion Columbus, OH
July 13 House of Blues Myrtle Beach, SC
July 14 House of Blues Lake Buena Vista, FL
July 15 Revolution Ft. Lauderdale, FL
With David Cook
July 20 Indianapolis, IN Egyptian Room
July 22 Mahnomen, MN Shooting Star Casino
July 23 West Bend, WI Washington Country Fair Park
July 24 Prior Lake, MN Mystic Lake Casino Hotel
July 25 Monticello, IA Great Jones Country Fair
July 29 Alexandria, VA Birchmere
July 30 Sayreville, NJ Starland Ballroom
July 31 Glenside, PA Keswick Theatre
Aug 3 Bethlehem, PA Musikfest
Aug 6 New York, NY Nokia Theatre at Times Square
Aug 7 Isle Of Palms, SC The Windjammer
Aug 8 Columbus, OH Ohio State Fair
Aug 9 Perrysburgh, OH Owens Community College
Aug 15 Lewisburg, WV State Fair of WV
-BAM
Concert review: David Cook at Oklahoma City’s Diamond Ballroom
David Cook performs a show on his “The Declaration Tour,” which he brought to Oklahoma City Wednesday night. (Associated Press photo)
David Cook proved in person Wednesday night that his as-seen-on-TV potential and promise are real.
He rocks.
The 2008 “American Idol” winner and his talented band energized a sold-out Oklahoma City crowd with a short but potent rock ‘n’ roll show.
“This is our first, like, big (solo) tour,” Cook said, chuckling at the shrieks that accompanied his every word. “So we want you guys to leave here tonight feeling like your appetite for a rock show has been satiated.”
Job well done: His emotive hour-long set of power ballads and soaring anthems thrilled with screaming guitars, thundering drums and casual charisma, creating an arena rock sound and vibe that seemed a bit too big for the overheated Diamond Ballroom.
The show capped off an Oklahoma homecoming trip for Cook, who was living, playing clubs and tending bar in Tulsa when he auditioned for “American Idol” back in 2007. The singer/songwriter/guitarist, who grew up in Blue Springs, Mo., also played a sold-out concert Tuesday night at Tulsa’s historic Cain’s Ballroom, plus an acoustic post-show jam at one of his old haunts, the Gray Snail Saloon.
Fervent fans welcomed Cook back to Oklahoma: Despite the summertime heat, more than 100 people were lined up outside the Diamond Ballroom by 5 p.m. Wednesday – two hours before doors opened – jockeying for the privilege to stand closest to the stage. Though the crowd of about 1,000 leaned toward squealing female fans, the show drew a good mix of men and women, including young couples, parents with children, grandparents, teenagers and, yes, the cougars who so famously love Cook.
When the house lights went down, they chanted Cook’s name, and when their “Idol” seized the stage with the sexy, pulsating “Kiss on the Neck,” they yelled in adulation.
Cook’s jaunty hat, black V-neck T-shirt, facial scruff, electric guitar, gravelly voice and wide grin were all in place as he hit the high points from his platinum-selling self-titled album, including the angsty “Mr. Sensitive,” the heartbreaking “Lie” and the anthemic “Declaration.”
But some of the show’s best moments came when Cook delved beyond his 2008 post-”Idol” debut, including the passionate “Make Me,” a song from his days with the Tulsa-based touring band Midwest Kings. It was a fitting choice, considering Cook’s capable current band includes former MWK guitarists Neal “Doctor” Tiemann and Andy Skib.
The 26-year-old singer and his bandmates reached all the way back to 1986 for the highlight of the night. They got the entire crowd dancing and shouting along when they transformed Cutting Crew’s pop hit “(I Just) Died in Your Arms” into a full-blown, post-grunge rocker.
Throughout the night, Cook showed he has lost none of the easy charm, goofball tendencies and disarming humbleness evident on the seventh season of the reality TV singing contest.
After commenting on the stifling heat inside the venue, he performed the uplifting “Heroes” with a guitar pick stuck to his sweaty forehead. He often joked with the crowd and even asked at one point for the house lights to go up so he could see and thank his fans.
“There’s some of you that’s got the idea to move around a little, have your hands in the air, shaking your head a little bit, maybe shaking you’re a – -, whatever feels comfortable. But the idea is to move around,” Cook quipped as the band broke into the grungy-bluesy groove of “Bar-ba-sol.”
On several songs, Cook encouraged the crowd to take over the chorus, listening with a smile on his face. And he so charmed the fans he could get them to sing, clap or cheer with little more than a crook of his finger.
Cook and Co. abruptly exited the stage with the final strains of the power ballad “Come Back to Me,” but several minutes of screaming, chanting and clapping brought them back for another big love song, “Light On.”
The budding rock star closed the show with a song he wrote back in 2006 at a friend’s house in Tulsa.
“Now, three years later, it’s on a freaking record. It’s kind of ridiculous,” Cook said as he launched into the stirring “A Daily AntheM,” a tribute to his late brother Adam, who recently died of cancer.
As he and the audience belted out “oh, oh, whoa-oh” together, Cook climbed a huge speaker to lead the fans in waving their arms, then finished with his hands clasped in a kind of celebratory gratitude.
The show certainly left fans clamoring for more: Cook’s entire set, including the encore, was only an hour long. With much of his album left unplayed and his reputation for creative covers, it seems that Cook could have given his adoring audience more music for their money.
Cook was ably assisted in his quest to rock the crowd by high-energy opener Ryan Star, a fellow reality TV show veteran from “Rock Star: Supernova.” His ballads “11:59,” “Breathe” and “Last Train Home,” along with “Psycho Suicidal Girl,” got fans warmed up for their “Idol.”
See the full set list for the show after the break.
Wednesday Video Spotlight: David Cook
David Cook (Associated Press photo)
“American Idol” David Cook is back in Oklahoma, where he will perform tonight at Oklahoma City’s Diamond Ballroom.
He played a sold-out show Tuesday night at Cain’s Ballroom in Tulsa; the Season 7 champ lived in T-town before winning the reality TV show.
When I talked to Cook last summer, he mentioned that he sometimes longed for the days when he was playing Tulsa clubs.
“The crowds are a little bigger, and you … just have more resources available to you. But I don’t know, part of me actually kind of misses playing the Gray Snail (Saloon in Tulsa) on a Wednesday night,” he told me in a phone interview from the road.
Guess he made it back: Check out these YouTube videos of the singer/songwriter/guitarist’s post-show acoustic jam last night at the Gray Snail.
I’m also posting a couple of official videos from Sony BMG’s MyPlay and a few other goodies I found on YouTube.
It’s my first time to see Cook perform live, and if he’s half as entertaining onstage as he was on “Idol,” it should be a great show.
David Cook - Come Back To Me (Official Music Video) - Celebrity bloopers here
-BAM
“Idol” winner David Cook playing Oklahoma City tonight
David Cook is back in Oklahoma to play tonight at Oklahoma City’s Diamond Ballroom. I’ll be reviewing the show for you tonight. (Associated Press photo)
From Wednesday’s The Oklahoman.
“Idol” winner brings tour to city
Season 7 “American Idol” winner David Cook is back in Oklahoma performing, but his star has risen considerably since his days of routinely playing Tulsa clubs and bars.
Cook, 26, will play at 8 tonight at the Diamond Ballroom, 8001 S Eastern Ave. Doors will open at 7 p.m. The show is the latest stop on the 2008 “Idol” champ’s first solo tour.
For tickets and information, call 677-9169 or go to www.diamondballroom.net.
“The Declaration Tour,” featuring opener Ryan Star, continues through October. Cook took the tour to his old Tulsa stomping grounds Tuesday night for a sold-out show at historic Cain’s Ballroom.
The rocker, who grew up in Blue Springs, Mo., famously won a spot on the reality TV singing contest in 2007, when he accompanied his younger brother Andrew to an Omaha, Neb., audition. The elder Cook was pressed into trying out and made the cut.
At the time, Cook was living, playing clubs and tending bar in Tulsa, trying to establish himself as a singer/songwriter/guitarist.
His self-titled post-”Idol” debut album was released last fall and has been certified platinum. Forbes.com recently ranked Cook No. 8 on its list of top-earning “Idol” alumni. Since winning “Idol” in May 2008, he has reportedly earned $2 million.
-BAM
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.
-BAM
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.
-BAM
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.
-BAM
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.
-BAM
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.
-BAM
