Hey Travis, the time may have come to add a subforum for the upcoming tour, which is fast approaching! Maybe under the pre-album discussion? Until then, I'm starting this thread here and in the off topic forum.

I'm trying to mobilize as many people as possible here, since there are so many fans of David's talented friend Andy Skib. The general concensus is that David and Neal will headline on the upcoming tour. We don't know for sure, but it seems likely.

Wouldn't it be great if To Have Heroes can be the opening act for the David Cook Tour. (It would be a long night for him, but imagine Neal Tiemann coming out and playing guitar for a few THH songs!)

We should let all TPTB’s know that we want To Have Heroes open for David.

I know we can write to: 19E (address below). We can bombard them with the suggestion. Snail mail works. So few people use snail mail that it grabs their attention. I know it grabs mine at work. Please post here if you know of any other places we can contact. I am especially interested in getting a hold of the tour booking agent or production company. I live 1 block from 19E (yes, Boot Star is there too!) so I can easily "take a meeting" if they will have me! I'm usually against any kind of campaign, but this is different because we're not telling them how to manage David, we're "requesting" an opening act by being strong fans of both David and THH. It's not at all uncommon for the main act to have a say in the opening act, or to have some sort of connection with them. Maybe not on a debut tour, but David is anything but usual!

19 Entertainment
8560 Sunset Blvd
9th Floor
West Hollywood
CA 90069 USA

Edit add: I think Andy would be perfect if David ends up playing mostly theater venues instead of large arenas.

Great idea, I'll definitely try to send something.
I love Andy and his music, he really deserves more recognition.

I am checking with Andy to see if he's cool with this, or if he has other commitments... so we don't spin our wheels for nothing. But my last conversation with him was that the year is still wide open for him!

Scott:
You having the conversation w/ Andy is a good idea - before 19 Management starts getting bombarded with letters.

We do not know if conversations are already in motion regarding David's opening act - there already could be discussions taking place whether it is Andy or someone else.

Annette

OK, Andy is cool with it! This may be in discussion already and we can make a difference. If they play mostly theater venues like the Nokia, THH would be perfect.

I love the idea!! Andy is an amazing talent. How perfect would that be!!!

Jeannine

Talk about THE most ideal concert! I had already planned on going to as many of David's solo shows, but WOW with Andy as a bonus? Perfect!!

Remember, snail mail is easier than ever these days. Just type a nice one page letter in Word (I'm sure most of us have Word, Word Pad or Mac's version), spell check it, print it out and sign in ink. Include your name and address. That's very important when doing a campaign. No need for phone number... no one's calling you back! But do put your real name and address on it. I can't imagine any reason the professionals at 19E would have for misusing your address info! But providing that info makes you legit in the campaign.

It's weird because I was thinking about this the other day and how great Andy would be supporting DC!!

I think it does fall down to what the Album sound is like...If it is 'arena' rock' I think an acoustic styled act would struggle as start up, but as you said we don't know enough about the album to make a suggestion.

Also, I believe Andy would have to be signed to 19, or a sub-label of theirs to actually go on tour with David...For royalty purposes..

But it si a great idea and I would love to see it!!

The thing is, THH isn't all that mellow... at least not on all of the songs. And with Neal they played a MWK song which kind of rocked. And very often they don't book a similar rock act to open, so as not to upstage the headliner. Very often it's a little softer and warms the crowd up. Then a brief intermission and then the big rock act comes on. I think THH has just enough rock to work... and Andy would probably have one or two other musicians on board for this.

I agree with Polly here. I would think that Andy would have to be signed as well for that to happen. As great as musician as Andy is, she is right, then his acoustic style might not be the right fit if David ends up going the arena rock route. I say we wait and see how things develop with the process of getting the band together and wait to see if David may end up being an opening act for someone else to start off with. That is always a possibility.

True. But I don't think it would hurt for them to get lots of fan letters... as long as they're all just "requests" from enthusiastic fans. That way if they're in that decision making process soon, we won't be too late. Perhaps THH will get signed - who knows! Another idea I have for a letter campaign, if you don't mind springing for the extra stamp, is to send me a duplicate letter and I can get them all together in a bundle and deliver them to the lobby security to be brought upstairs. That might grab their attention more than individual letters delivered! I can also give you guys an indication of how many letters were sent! Let me know what you think. I'm in the phone book so I don't care about giving my address.

while we're on the subject of being signed with 19E/RCA for the tour...doctor probably is signed already with david...which probably means he can't play for andy while he's touring.

for writing requests, we'd also need to know what size crowd thh is drawing. we could always ask for him at some key venues. some shows have more than one opening act, usually showcasing a local band...and there may be enough enthusiasm for thh in certain locations where he could possibly open. perhaps the kc and tulsa fans can help here...people who knew mwk and would like to see thh.

I think this is a fabulous win-win idea.

I'd like nothing more than to see DC personally surrounded by musicians (and friends) who compliment each other. Andy is talented, and has wonderful new material. His sound is different enough to work as an opening act for DC, and he's experienced enough to carry it off in a dependable manner. It would give Andy his much needed broader exposure and experience on the large stage, and support DC in his first solo tour....no small undertaking.

In fact, I can't think of anyone else I'd personally rather buy a ticket to as an opener for DC. It's two for the price of one.

Wait. I think that's a third win....for the fans....which makes it a forth win also....

....for the producers and record label! (so sign him, already.....poke.)

Haha, loving the comment above. And your totally right!

Just wanted to point out it's not as simple as it may seem to get an act to support major bands, if all it took was some letters to the record company, we'd all be touring with major bands..

I do however know a band local to me, who have this year toured with My Chemical Romance and Paramore, so it isn't impossible...The band are signed to a sub-label of the same major label though..

I hope THH does get signed, Andy deserves it from his recent record alone...

hey...are you eta from the AI forum?

SCOTT FOR PRESIDENT!

LOL....depends on who wants to know....

I had signed up on this board way back when, with this name, and I've been too lazy (or too much of a lurker) to get a new one.

...so, um.

Yes, it's me....Hi?

I highly doubt he will start out in large venues. Although I'm sure he wouldn't have a problem filling them. It's just a smarter move to start off at the small outdoor places or the theater venues. That's why Kelly Clarkson had to cancel her tour. They put her in huge venues when she was used to selling out small ones.

I think it's a great idea, Scott. I like the idea of putting letters together....or here's an idea.....maybe you could draft a letter that we could all sign (via email)........and then send one letter with all the signatures? Save paper save the trees.

;-)

Personally, nothing would make me happier to go to a DC concert with THH opening up for him.

It's hard to know what is being planned for his solo tour at this point to know if it's feasable, but it never hurts to put the ideas out there.

Mary

I agree with this 100% This would indeed be a win-win situation! I will be more than happy to send a snail mail letter to the powers that be! thanks for the idea Scott!

Scott, I am amazed that you didn't come up with this idea sooner! Great job! I don't know anything about the logistics of making it happen, but I think it would be a great thing.

I really like the idea of DC's good friends coming along with him in this journey. I just think it will make it not so lonely for him, and more comfortable. Andy is more a front man than a back up singer, although he could do it, just like DC did with the MWK.(Does it amaze you that DC ever sang back up vocals or just played the guitar in a band?) So I think the opening act would be great for Andy on the tour.

DC has a way of making us fans want the very best for him. And I think having his friends along is the best.

I think Andy is very talented, too, and would do a great job at this.

Annie that's a great point. It is very common to have more than one opening act, regional opening acts, etc. We should definitely see how things pan out with the tour set up over the next few months. I like the idea of getting Andy's/THH's name out there in the mean time, but we should strategize this a little.


I think individual letters seem more organic, more of a "movement" by enthusiastic fans themself. I would suggest people write a simple request. You love David, you love Andy, you loved MWKs, etc... you would consider it a huge winning ticket for them to share the bill, etc. That should be the first part of this. Down the road, when we know more about the tour, the record, the vibe, the venues, etc... then we can do a letter/petition driver. But for now, I think individual, enthusiastic fans writing one or two paragraphs from the heart will work best.



It's funny how I started supporting Andy out of wanting the most for David, while at the same time really liking the THH EP... but after seeing Andy with Neal live, I was just convinced that his time has to come as well! And now that Andy and I have met and have been in occassional contact, I feel even more of a personal connection to him than I did before... and like we've said, this could be a real win-win stituation for everyone. But we should be prepared for this not happening. TPTB... and David himself... may have some other ideas about how this tour should be put together. So for now, write and show your support, and make your suggestions. If, after all this, all that 19E does is get THH signed with a label, that would be tremendous. It's all about contacts and that's where we fans can help Andy get noticed. And it would be out of an organic fan drive, not a situation where David has to help him or he rides David's coat tails. Does that make sense?

Absolutely I'll write a letter (or 10)...

What could be better than to have both DC and THH in THE record tewer??

And 19E (or whomever) sign Andy now, for heavens sake!

(has the THH street team gotten involved with this?)

This site is about David Cook. He is working to release an album and you are worried about who will open for him? David should be concerned about himself. I don't remember David being front and center with MWK's, yet some of them are chomping at the bit to ride in with David. I think David is the one everyone is wanting to listen to and can't wait for his album and his solo performances. David has worked for years and has competed for months to get to this point with a record deal and you are suggesting people write letters for a former band member? This is ludicrous. David, this is about your career at this point and we are all so happy and so excited for what is to come.




I think you should start a site for this Andy and not use David's site to promote someone else. Why would David be worrying or concern himself with someone else when he is traveling coast to coast and trying to put an album together?


Bad Idea!

who or what is neal?

neal tiemann (now known as "doctor"...i dunno why, ask david LOL) will be the guitarist for david's new band
he is a primary songwriter and guitarist for midwest kings and also credited as guitarist on 3 tracks on analog heart.


re: thh...i don't know how this works, but would love to support him as well.
also, the most important piece of this puzzle: we don't know what david's management is planning.

I must add that caviat as well. As Annie said, we don't know how David feels, and it's not the sort of question we pose to him in fan meet and greets! And please don't put David on the spot if you meet him... if he wants him, he'll fight for him behind the scenes. If he would prefer that Andy does his own thing, I don't want to force David into a public answer (and I hope you guys feel the same way). That said, if you feel as a fan you want to make that request, go ahead. Fans won't be the ones to decide this... all we can do is help be a deciding factor if DAVID has indicated to his management and label that he wants it.
And I will make all future posts on this topic in the Off Topic forum. I don't want people to think we're detracting from David on this site, even though this does involve him.

One more thing, fans, please give me feedback on this. If there are many of you who feel the way drcfan does, then the last thing I want to do is have a problem on this site. There are other boards and forums where we can work for this.

Scott; My personal feedback is similar to drcfan. Even though I hope for the best for Andy and I will support him to the fullest, the important individual right now is David.

We don't know what discussions if any are being made - David has brought Neal on board. David I am sure is concentrating on all things related to the Album and pulling his backup band together.

Also, we don't know if there has been discussion between David and his management regarding whether there will be a lead in band prior to David and his band playing or if they will lead band for another group. There so many unknowns yet prior to the touring.

I think any conversation regarding Andy should be in the Off Topic Forum and not in the main forum associated with David.

If this is the right thing to do - David, his management company and RCA will have the discussion.

just my feedback.

Scott,
First off, I'd like to say again how much I enjoy your thoughtful and well-thought-out commentary.You are a shining light on this site! I love the idea of this campaign even if it only results in exposure for Andy. I adore his music and listen to it as often as I listen to DC. I'd be very happy to see him get a chance to perform for more of us in other parts of the country. I would pay to see him alone or he and DC together.
Two points I want to cover briefly...
1. Although this is a site for David, I think he would be the first person to promote and encourage support for his real friends in the music business. Andy is his friend and David is the kind of person who I think would be thrilled to see him "ride in on his coattails". Who knows what has already been planned but I think he would be grateful for our love of Andy.
2. I disagree about Andy being too "mellow" to open an arena rock concert. I know someone who is a folk/acoustic singer who opened for Sting a few years back. (There's a story-she walked away from a lucrative record deal because she didn't want the "life"). So, these kinds of acts have opened for big rock acts before on national tours. I believe Andy would be a natural for the tour.
So, count me in for sending a letter. Thanks for the idea.
Susan

Who was opening doors for David? No one, except David beating the pavement to get his music out. Andy should not be riding David's coattails. David paid his dues and don't remember Andy being to concerned about David when David was not front and center with MWK's. David left MWK's to put out his own album. Now that David is in the spotlight, Andy wants a piece of it. Nothing against him, but David would be wrong to let this happen. He chose Neil for his band, but David is the lead, which is exactly what he has worked for and 56 million voters has asked for. Remember when Simon said during the "Living on a Prayer" audition that your friends never want what is best for you. Friends want to capitalize on your success and David must remember this. David has yet to put out his first post-idol album. Give him a chance to make it on his own, for goodness sake's. Why would anyone want to contact the label who just picked up David to promote someone else? Makes absolutely no sense to me. I am sure David knows what is best for him. David has enough pressure, please do not add to it.

Don't want to start an argument here but the fact is that Andy opened a door for David by inviting him to be in MWK which was a regional touring band. David said in an interview that one of the best things he learned about his voice was that he could hit higher notes and that lesson was learned singing back-up vocals for Andy. Also, in another thread I read that Andy's father was a financial backer for Analog Heart. I don't think its fair to say that Andy was not concerned with David while he was in the band. Obviously they parted on good terms; Andy was one of the people you saw at David's side right after the win. On Andy's website he is quick to point out his appreciation for DC andDC's fans interest in him.
The other point I want to make is that I don't believe that Andy has any chance of up-staging David. They have very different styles and Andy will not have the exposure that David has gotten. I guess I just don't understand the anger that comes through in your post. I honestly believe that David wants what's best for himself and his friends, and vica versa. No one can overshadow the miracle of David and personally I'm grateful to know the music they both have made and will make in the future.

Very well said, I agree 100%. I actually didn't know that Andy's dad was a financial backer for AH. Andy is NOT riding on DC's coat tails. They are friends and contemporaries... and DC obviously has a lot of love for these guys. That explains the inclusion of "the Doctor" in his new band. So... yeah, sorry drcfan, I disagree with you wholeheartedly. And I also have no interest in starting a fight... just expressing my opinion. But honestly, I have no idea what Andy opening for DC has to do with DC being a lead singer? I'm just not making the connection. The whole point of an opening act is to provide them exposure to like-minded people. So THH makes a LOT of sense to me. I think that David would be thrilled about the opportunity to spend time with and HELP his good friend. DC has shown time and time again that being selfish just isn't his style.

I think this is a brilliant idea, Scott, to write these letters. I'm happy to participate.

DRC fan, I can see what your saying, but at the same time his brother Andrew has been put into this main section...So you can't really say it's just Andy.

I cannot for one moment see DC getting annoyed that his friend is getting the respect for his talent that he deserves...Even if it is through association.

There are plenty of bands out their that only get into the public eye by knowing the right people, it's how the World works!

But I think I made my point on the previous page, but Scott I do think it's a good idea, just not sure how it would work!

Sorry, don't agree. Andrew is in a different league, he is his brother. I am just a believer that David is working hard to make an album and then promoting it. Why would anyone want to burden him with any of this? My opinion. David is the only one I am concerned with and some are concerned about who is going to open for him. Didn't know he had a choice.

There's no way it's a burden on him to take ANYONE he loves (or just likes... lol) with him on tour. It'll be his tour and he'll most definitely have some say as to who opens for him. And even if it were a burden (which it isn't... they're LETTERS), we aren't contacting him... we're contacting his label.

For the record, I think it's highly unnecessary to be selfish on David's behalf. In the end, the decision is ultimately up to him. I believe that he loves his former band mates and he'd be happy to help them out in any way he can. SERIOUSLY, I can't even believe this discussion is even taking place. Has David not demonstrated his selflessness and humility time and time again? What gave you the impression that he wouldn't want to help his friend out? And another thing, I think everyone on this board going to see DC is there first and foremost for HIM... a good opener is just a bonus.

Can I also say that touring is a long, hard and grueling process. Can you imagine what it would feel like to be working non-stop 24-7 and forced to be away from your loved ones for extended periods of time? I think that in an environment like that DC would jump at the chance to bring an old friend with. I'm just sayin...

Stacye81,
You and I are on the same page. Would love to hear Scott's input since he started this thread and has met Andy.
Love to ALL,
Susan

Are people not allowed to be fans with more than one person then? It's fair enough to express your opinion and that David is the only one your focused on. With 'the association' I would have never heard TTH, and that would be such a shame, as I love the music, truely. Nothing to do with it being a friend of David, the lyrics, melody, all of it, I like, so I am thankful to DC for letting me find THH as well!!

And how can you say, Andrew is in a different league?! When did this site become about a heirarchy? No one person is better or 'more deserving' than another!

I'm gonna stop talking now, because I don't want a fight!

I think we need to get back on track and focus on the task at hand (for those who actually do want to participate). SCOTT!!! Where you at, yo?!

PS, this is my 1000th post.

After I have read the posts of Scott, Stacey, Polly for starters. at the end of the day - the decision on who travels with who on tour will be between David/his management/RCA. However, in regards to Andy, we would have never met Andy if it was not through David. If all worked out, that would be a wonderful combination of Andy being David's opening act. How great it would be if Andy, David, Doctor, and whoever else gets signed on to David's band would be able to perform night after night together on tour. They definitely already have the wonderful chemistry and they are the best of friends.

Sending the letters in Support of Andy is a great Idea and would not hurt - it would only suggest and show our support.

Again, though the net net of the decision will be David/his management/RCA. We do not know, there may be already discussions in the works. The letters will only suggest and possibly help the decision process.

Right on! Are we all going to write individual letters or will there be a generic letter we can use to start us off and then embellish upon if we so desire?

There is a petition that you can sign... it's in another thread in this forum:
http://www.david-cook.org/index.php?showtopic=12066&hl=

I also want to respond to the few fans who think Andy is just trying to "cash in" or ride David's coat tails and that we are distracting from David.

1) David is a loyal friend, and his friends seem to be just as loyal. Quoting Simon Cowell's comment about friends never having your best interests at heart is cynical and way to broad. I trust my inner circle. Not all friends are out to get you.
2) MWK, namely Neal and Andy, took David in when he left KC and moved to Tulsa. MWK was a fairly successful regional band and they gave David a chance to tour with them and play some clubs that were bigger and more crowded than many of the places he played with Axium. David was NOT a known talent and he didn't deserve any other position with MWK than the one he took at that time.
3) It was DAVID who decided to make a solo album. And who is credited on AH? Neal and Andy. They're the only other musicians who worked with David to help him make AH as great as it is. Neal played guitar on many tracks, and Andy did both backup vocals and engineered several tracks. David is clearly into returning the favor and keeping his relationships going with the friends (professional and personal) whom he trusts.
4) I am first and foremost David's fan. But I do love Andy/THH and if this is something that David would embrace, then I think we're helping David as much as we're helping Andy. It's win-win. If for any reason David is NOT comfortable with the idea of Andy touring with him, he can easily, and discretely, veto this with management. This is all relevent to David so I think there's a place for this discussion on this site.
5) If this is organic and fan based, no harm can be done. We must make it clear that David is in no way part of this campaign. It's just a request from enthusiastic fans.

So that's my take on all this.

Scott - just wanted to give you a quick shout out and let you know how much I love you. You are very much the voice of reason in this community and I really look forward to your posts. I also almost alway agree with you...

~laura

LOL! I was thinking the same thing. I find myself responding with "Agreed" to most of Scott's post! And once again, I agree with 100% of what you said in your last post, Scott!

Hi Scott,
What's the email address for 19E in LA? I'm writing from Canada and do not have access to USA phone directory for phone/adress etc.

Thanks Scott for supporting the opinion many of us have on this subject. Makes me all that much more happy to know I will be renting a room in your condo when DC moves in upstairs!