http://www.mydesert.com/article/20100225/L.../lifestyles0101

'American Idol' winner David Cook writing for next album between shows

“American Idol” winner David Cook is pretty low-key on the phone.

The singer-songwriter, who accompanied his younger brother to “Idol” tryouts in Nebraska, ended up winning the national talent contest in 2008. Today, he's carving out a rock career in Los Angeles.

We started off the conversation discussing what could be a crosstown “Idol” rivalry on Saturday night.

“Adam's (Lambert) in town, too? Huh,” he said. “Truthfully, I don't have anything to do with bookings. I've always followed my own road when it comes to performing, and I don't think there's any kind of rivalry between us — at least on my part.”
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Cook takes the stage at 8 p.m. Saturday at Morongo Casino.

“I've been out on the road for the last 10 months, and I'm really looking forward to these last couple of shows,” Cook said.

In between concerts and life on the road, Cook's been writing songs for his second studio album. As it turns out, it's actually his third effort on disk.

Unlike the more familiar “David Cook,” which produced a pair of top 20 singles in “Light On” and “Come Back To Me,” the singer cut a demo while in college.

“I had about eight songs, and I wanted to make a demo disc,” he recalled. Cook asked the members of his band, the Midwest Kings, if they wanted to go with him.

“No one wanted to go,” he said. So Cook went alone and cut eight tracks. When he heard what he'd laid down, “I added the other four to make a record,” he said.

Although he earned his degree in design from the University of Central Missouri, Cook decided to go back to Tulsa after graduation “and give myself a year to see if I could make it in music,” he said.

While in Tulsa, the disc he'd cut earlier, “Analog Heart,” became a regional hit.

“While we were on tour last year, I had a woman come up to me in the airport,” he recalled. “She told me ‘Analog Heart' was her favorite album, and that was really special for me.”

Cook said he knows he's yet to reach his peak as a performer.

“I was in New York a couple of months ago and got to see (Bruce) Springsteen,” he said. “He did three solid hours. I go out and by the end of 90 minutes, I feel like I'm ready to die. I've got to get better at performing live if I want a career that lasts as long as his. I'm working on it.”

While he's riding the crest of his “Idol” fame, Cook said he realizes it doesn't guarantee lasting success.

“My philosophy on my career is to play good shows and put out good music on my records,” he said. “I'm proud of the work I do. And I want to continue doing that.”

Cook maintains a good relationship with “American Idol,” he said. “I love to watch the show because they build up the artists. I remember last May when my brother (Adam) died (of brain cancer). They asked me to sing on the show. For me, that was a transcendent moment. And because I felt so loved, I was completely at ease.”

Cook's younger brother Andrew, who urged him to tryout for “Idol,” is now out of school and living in L.A.

“He's been living with me since June, and that's great because we're really close,” he said. “You'd think he'd get upset with me for stealing his thunder (at the auditions), but he's really happy for me and what's happened.”

Now it's Cook's turn to support his brother's ambitions. “I think he wants to be the next Ryan Seacrest. Which would be OK because (Seacrest) earns more than I do.”

lol. It makes Andy, Neal, and whomever else was in MWK at the time seem like "Ehh, we don't care about you. Go do whatever." Which is totally misconceiving! Kinda makes me laugh though.

They were probably all busy with their projects as well.

Jeannine