Cook’s Tour
American Idol champ David Cook is an intense and gracious young man. In a quick interview before his appearance in Atlantic City, I had a chance to see if he is as genuine as he appeared during the TV show. Quick answer: He is.
You’re on quite a hectic schedule these days.
The worst day on the tour still beats the best day of whatever I was doing before this.
How it’s like performing before 10,000 fans?
I grew up idolizing people in this position, so to have this be my life is a little strange. It’s cool. I’m very happy to be where I’m at.
Any tour dates that really stand out?
Actually, a couple of nights ago in Newark, our second night there, I was doing the single “The Time of My Life,” and the audience started singing the song back to me … It was just one of those moments when the vibe was perfect. When the tour is over, it will be that little memory to keep in my pocket.
How’s the album going?
The record is moving right along. We’re got about 60 songs and we’re trying to find the cream of the crop and put out the best record possible. I’m working with producer Rob Cavallo; he did Green Day’s American Idiot and the last My Chemical Romance record. My old guitar player that I played with in Tulsa is working on the record. Everything is just falling into place. I think this record will really be indicative of who I want to be as an artist.
During the Idol season, it was David A. on top and you were somewhere in the middle of the pack, and then it was suddenly David vs. David.
I think everybody’s story kind of worked out. I was happy to be in the middle of the pack in the beginning. It allowed me the chance to mess up and still be able to stay under the radar. Those first two weeks, especially, I got most of my bumps and bruises out of the way. So when I was able to come in the third week I had some clarity and whatever happens, happens. That’s when things really started to click, when I stopped worrying about everything.
What’s it like on the bus?
Everyone has his niche. Michael Johns is definitely the most extroverted of the pranksters.
Sum up the past year, since you first auditioned until now.
It makes it a little harder to run errands. I’m in a great place, in a position where I can hopefully use this platform to promote some changes that are really important. We were all able to get involved in ‘Stand Up Against Cancer,’ a cross-network simulcast we’re doing in September, a special report trying to raise awareness and funds. It’s a huge thing for me to be able to have the [celebrity] to do this. Those are the things that I really get excited about. Getting out and being some small proponent for change.
