I just posted on the thread for duo Daughtry-Cook fans. I stated that at the age of 40+ years of age these have been my first experiences of being an active fan, doing my best to promote music artists that I want to see succeed. It was easy when it was just Daughtry. There wasn't any internal competition when it came to requesting songs on the radio or voting for "Artist of the Month" etc. Now that I'm doing whatever I can to get David's career up and running, I'm feeling guilty for letting down my support of Daughtry. I'm realizing that people who are new die-hard fans of David Cook may also have many years' experience supporting many artists.

My questions: 1) How do you stay in it for the long haul? 2) How do you give equal support to more than one artist?

I have been a Fall Out Boy fan for about 5 years and counting, since they released "Take This To Your Grave" in 2003. They filmed thier first music video blocks from my house.

But anywho,

My advice to to still support the both of them in any way you can. What helps me in the long haul when FOB is not doing anything is to take a look at thier other projects if they have any. Also, what helps in the long haul that may be a little easier would be to always remember why you are a fan in the first place, for the music. Keep it focused somewhat on the music and I think you should be set.

Yes, you should support both, but you should see to the situation. David's career is just taking off, he needs you right now to help support him. I was in that situation a few years ago when Panic At The Disco was having a hard time getting radioplay. See to the situation but always remember that you love the both of them.

I'm not sure if I've made a whole lot of sense, but I wish you luck!

Well, I've been a Nickelback fan for about 2 years and an Alter Bridge fan for a almost a year (supported them when they were Creed, though, before Myles Kennedy came along and brought the best out of them as their lead singer, so in that sense, I've been a fan much longer), but regardless of, I think to add to what's already been said, don't stop at just the radio stations. Tell your friends and family about the new artist you're into. Hopefully, you'll run into someone who'll end up loving the music and you'll have another one on the Cook (and Daughtry) train. Oh, and since both came from Idol, another great thing to do to support both of them at the same time to to pimp them like crazy and prove to them (if they think Idol's worthless or just never watched an episode) that Idol can showcase the talent of some great individuals and if you're around the computer - utilize YouTube and any other outlet that's available, too.

Also, keep buying their CDs, that's Support 101. LOL!

Oh, and since I've been a wrestling fan longer than I've been of Nickelback and Alter Bridge (although I feel I've been a fan of them forever after researching their careers - a fan is a fan is a fan, right?), another thing I can say is don't allow what others say about your faves get in the way of you supporting them. Trust me, that's some of the best advice right there. Anyone who's ever gone public about pro wrestling will definitely understand that one.

Well...
I've been a Pearl Jam fan since 1994..Saw them live for the first time when I was 16 in 2000- So a good 13 years! Also been a fan of Bruce Springsteen for at least 10 years, and many others.
I love to see how artists progress, which is why I like a lot of bands that have been around for years! It's easy to continue being a fan is they continue to release material that is worth listening too, also if a song grabs you for whatever reason that affect will always remain! So it's not a case of staying for the long haul, but continuing to appreciate what the artist is trying to achieve!

As for being an 'equal' fan...I don't get why you have to be!! Pearl Jam hardly ever tour the UK, the same with Bruce, so I have seen other bands live a lot more..But I own all there albums..All you can do is like what you like..

Thanks to everyone for your ideas!

This is it exactly.

Pearl Jam (14yrs) Jewel (12yrs) and Blur (14yrs). There are others but these seem to be the longest!!!

Living in the UK its hard to follow them gig-wise but I have always supported them by buying there music and if they've played here I've been to see them.
I've gone so far as to travel to Paris last year to see a musical production that Damon Albarn (blur) was producing!!! And I've been to a few of the other guys from Blur's solo gigs!

i'm a durannie from way back, starting when i was a junior in high school (1984) - i haven't followed them as religiously as some, but i do still love them, have seen them in concert 3 times now, and am always interested in what they are up to....

my "grown up" obsession is josh groban - i have been following him from the start of his career, this may marked 7 years now, and counting....i buy everything he puts out, sometimes buying multiple copies, to have one to play, one to keep nice and wrapped up, and sometimes purchase others to give away....

and then, taylor hicks, which has been 2 years now, and still going strong....

coming up now, david cook!!

i have found it's very easy to give equal time to the artists i love - music has always been very important to me, and i always have enough love in my heart for those who touch me deeply....

i agree with what others have said here - DC needs us now, to make sure his career takes off in the manner that it should....support him by buying his albums, purchasing songs on itunes, going to concerts when you can - it's very easy to stay in "for the long haul" when you are committed to an artist, not by how he looks (or she) or who they date, or whatever, but continuing to appreciate the artist's older music, as well as letting the artist grow for the sake of the music, and supporting them through whatever changes they go through....

i've been thirty seconds to mars fan for quite some time.., i really really love the band.. they are not popular here in our country, unlike david and other foreign artist.. i've joined there forum and been postin there for some time, there are only 10 or fiver active Filipino fans in there but we're doing our best to help promote the band..like voting for their songs, helping and supporting their humanitarian campaign and the like.. i have so dedicated all my spare time for them..

then there comes david, but nothing really change, i'm doing what i've been doing before..no stress or fuss about anything..
i think it's not really a problem supporting two or more artist at at the same time.., vote for their songs, buy their cd's, spread the word, encourage others to join the craze..

in my opinion, maybe your having trouble with regards to this matter because your confuse which artist you like better than the other...
they're both good and deserve equal treatment and support.., you can't call yourself a true fan if you neglect the first one just because you've got a new artist to support..

Once again, thank you to everyone for your insights...

Since I orginally posted this, I am feeling less divided. I've actually started tuning into artists on Myspace that David has stated are his favorites: In particular, Our Lady Peace and Raine Maida (OLP lead's solo album) Each artist, be it Daughtry, David Cook, Our Lady Peace, etc., brings his own beauty into our midst and improves our world in the process.

I've been an Avenged Sevenfold fan for almost 10 years now...I actually own their DEMO...way before they were signed. I started listening to that band when I was 13-14, and I'm still a die-hard A7X fan. I also love other bands almost as much as A7X and David Cook is right there with those other bands. I own an A7X fansite that is probably the biggest MySpace fansite for A7X, and definitely one of the only ones approved by the band's management, and it has over 10,000 friends. I also own a David Cook fansite on MySpace, that at the moment has about 920 friends.

Basically...all you can do is promote as much as you can, but without going overboard, you know? Remember that there is life outside of these artists, and you'll be fine. Just split your time enough to be able to promote and support whoever you want without it interferring with reality, your job, etc, and you should do fine. Promote at concerts...hand out flyers. Promote on MySpace or other websites. Call in to radio stations, and you should be fine promoting both.

I've stayed in it for the long haul with Avenged Sevenfold because not only are they amazing musicians, but they are also great people who I've had the pleasure of meeting many times. When people are geniuenly good-hearted in this industry, you know, and it makes their music all the more enjoyable and promoting them all that much easier.

Wow... Thank you, Val, for your insight based on many years' experience.
One question... When you say "hand out fliers" at concerts, what kind of fliers? I have only been to two concerts in my adult life (Ben Folds/Guster and Evanesence.) I don't remember anyone handing out fliers.

Have been a hardcore U2 fan going on 18 years now , its easy for me to stay the long haul not just because of the music , but also for all the amazing work they do in Africa and where ever else they feel they can help , these four guys are just awesome human beings and the shows are amazing as well.

in the beginning I always went to the shows and discovered a knack for really creative displays so I went to work at Blockbuster music to make displays and of course push bands that I thought were fantastic and to learn what else was out there , if you get online with the Labels and the Fan Clubs you'll find all kinds of stuff you can do , but most of all do it for the music and you'll find you have a lot of fun !

Just make something up or have someone make something in photoshop for you (if you can't yourself cause I know I suck at photoshop), make a bunch of copies, and pass them out.

I'm sorry to be obtuse....
What would a flier say? If I'm at a concert for David Cook, I would be surrounded by David Cook fans, so I wouldn't need to convince anyone there that he's someone to take notice of. I'm just totally at a loss as to what you mean by a flier. (My mind is thinking of a sales flier... "Come to our sale this Friday"... which I'm pretty sure isn't what you are referring to.) Again, sorry to be so clueless. But, as I said when I started this thread, this is my first experience in supporting a music artist.

There are so many bands I love, it's crazy.

Here is some of my musical history...


Nirvana, Soundgarden, Alice In Chains, Stone Temple Pilots, Pearl Jam (15 years)

Alanis Morissette (12 Years)

Ryan Adams (7 years, although I always liked his music, I didn't really take him seriously at first....I got into him hardcore a couple years ago)

Rolling Stones, Led Zeppelin, Joni Mitchell, David Bowie, and other various classic rock staples (6 years)

Jeff Buckley (3 years)




And lastly, The Beatles have been a part of my life since I was a baby.


I'm in my early 20's, so alot of the bands I mentioned were a huge part of my growing up, and they really helped shape me into the person I am today.

When Justin Timberlake's first solo album was about to come out, I was part of a promotional fan site and we hung up flyers in our home towns trying to get people to buy the cd haha. So maybe like that if you really want to.

I've been an Nsync/Justin fan since.. well I guess 1999ish. Still love him to death. I guess just buy both albums. Go see both shows. if it came down to like, a People's choice and you only had 1 vote....I don't know what to tell you..... make up a second email addy and vote twice haha.

My moms been a Paul Mccartney fan for 40+ years now. She likes David Cook too, which is really cute. She was so excited when she kept getting through and voting for him. But I know for her, her loyalties will alwys be with Sir Paul.