http://www.shreveporttimes.com/apps/pbcs.d...2/ENT/808220302

Season 7 winner David Cook talks about 'Idols' tour
By Stephanie Netherton • snetherton@gannett.com • August 22, 2008

Aug. 11 marked the one-year anniversary of David Cook's first "American Idol" audition in Omaha, Neb.


As Cook looks back now, the year to come was more than the 25-year-old Midwesterner could have expected. The former bar singer was crowned "Idol's" Season 7 winner, he's embarked on a tour stretching to more than 50 U.S. cities, and his debut album is set for release in November.

Cook, along with the other top nine contestants from Season 7 —Brooke White, Carly Smithson, Chikezie Eze, David Archuleta, Jason Castro, Kristy Lee Cook, Michael Johns, Ramiele Malubay and Syesha Mercado — will perform Tuesday at CenturyTel Center in Bossier City.

In an interview with The Times, Cook talks about music, touring, golf and a mysterious pair of pink panties.

The Times: Tell me about your life this time last year. I'm sure it was quite different than your day-to-day life now.

Cook: Everything that defined my life a year ago has completely inverted. Last year, I was at a great place because I was still doing what I love for a living. But my worst day now beats my best day a year ago.

The Times: The 'American Idols Live!' tour schedule is insane. How do you keep up with it all, get the vocal rest you need and take in any down time?

Cook: You sleep when you can and when you don't have to do press or a meet and greet, you try not to talk too much. I'm lucky in the sense that for about 10 years I sang in smoky bars, which is why I'm able to sing and talk as much as I do on tour.

The Times: When you get a few minutes to rest, what do you like to do to relax on tour?

Cook: I like to get lost in the city we're in. We had an hour today to check out Philly, so Michael Johns and I went golfing. We do what we can with the time allotted. It's like trying to do a 30-minute indoctrination of the city.

The Times: Are you a golfer?

Cook: I play, but I'm definitely not a golfer. I won't even tell you what I shot, but I was in the triple digits — comfortably.

The Times: Performing on "Idol," you knew millions of people were watching. But on tour, you have thousands of people with their eyes on you. Have you felt any nervousness?

Cook: I was exponentially more nervous about the show. On the show, we're competitors trying to impress these three people at a desk with millions of people watching. Now we've established what we're about, and we're not being critiqued harshly or voted off. On the stage, I really try to draw in the back of the room. It's interesting and fun to learn how to make it as intimate an experience for a person on the back row as it is for the person on the front row.

The Times: What was your favorite song to perform on the show?

Cook: "The Music of the Night." It allowed me to lean back on some old music knowledge. I started off as a theater kid, but people didn't expect me to do that song. If that teaches you anything about me, it's that I like messing with people a little bit.

The Times: What are you performing on the tour?

Cook: I'm doing "Hello," "I Don't Want to Miss a Thing," "Billie Jean" and my single, "The Time of My Life." I'm also going to do Foo Fighters' "My Hero." It's really exciting, and my set envelops what I wanted this show to be about. It's got a good vibe and energy and gets the crowd involved.

The Times: The show was always quick to pan to screaming girls and fans with posters declaring their love for you. What's the craziest thing a fan has done on this tour?

Cook: I can't remember the city, but I was playing the guitar and something pink hit me in the leg. I looked down and it was a pink pair of girls' underwear with massage oils wrapped in it. I didn't know what to do with it — I'm on a tour bus with four other guys. I guess she used the massage oil to anchor it, but it was perplexing to me.

The Times: How do you digest all this attention?

Cook: I try to take it for what it is and what it isn't. I remember what it was like on the other side of the spectrum when I was fighting to get people to pay attention. Of course, it's flattering and humbling, but when "American Idol" 55 airs no one is going to remember No. 7.

The Times: Now that the competition is over, what is it like to be on the road with your competitors?

Cook: I don't feel they're my competitors anymore. I've never really felt they were my competitors during the show because none of us are really the same. I always felt I was competing against the last version of myself. I love these guys, they've been a huge chunk of my life for the past year. I'm glad we get this last hurrah and, afterwards, we'll get to watch how our careers unfold.

OMG the Pink Panties are famous!

"Now do you feel like a rock star?"

If he wasn't before, he's officially one now.

Wasn't that someone from this board who threw them (Jess?)......all the shows are a blur at this point.

Yes, that was Krunkjess who threw them! We sat in the car before hand to "anchor" them after we had met him. LOL It's great to finally hear him comment on them!

I love the article - DC is so articulate.

Love the pink panties comment.

Good article! I love it when he analyzes and gets introspective..."I always felt I was competing against the last version of myself."

Yep--he has arrived and is a Rock GOD not just a Rock Star!!! He will have many pairs of ladies underpanties thrown at him in every color of the rainbow in the future. I loved this article--thank you so much for it!!!

Wait. this is superb, i love that he knew she anchored them... he's a smart fella.

Im so happy he said girls underwear... i hate the word panties.

Awesome article! Looks like David is more than just a rocker - he's practically a rock god, with ladies "praying" to him by throwing their underwear at him!


Well, David's known to be polite and careful with the usage of words. Something which I should learn from him.