A former bartender, David Cook is the last well-known American Idol winner. Cook, 26, won the popular televised contest in May 2008 and had more impact than the 2009 winners. Influenced by hard-rock bands like Our Lady Peace and Alice in Chains, the Houston native is touring behind last year’s eponymous debut, which has gone platinum. He spoke about how he’s dealt with overnight success and overcome recent health issues .
How would you describe your life, post-American Idol?
If I had to use one word, it would be “nonstop.” I’m always on the move. We’ve been playing a lot of shows. But it’s all good. This is what I wanted to do.
Your life has been like a movie. Not long ago you were tending bar, and now you’re playing to hundreds or thousands every night.
It’s been surreal. I don’t think I could be a bartender anymore since I think I forgot about how to make drinks. That could be a problem. But the truth is that I’m so focused on being a musician. I’m just fortunate that I can focus on that. Before all of this happened, I had to focus on money, having enough to get by. Making sure my car was running. It’s a luxury to just focus on the music and performance. I couldn’t ask for anything more. I get play in front of so many people. It’s a dream come true.
Any interesting fan or groupie stories?
We had a bra thrown onstage. We’ve had panties tossed up onstage. I guess we made it if that kind of stuff is happening. We’ve arrived. We feel like rock stars. It’s a blast. I just love having interaction with fans.
Much has been made of your success, but you certainly paid your dues over the years. How discouraging did it get when you were slugging it out as an unknown in the clubs?
I’ll admit it, I got discouraged. That happens to anybody who does this. You take your lumps and move to what you need to do next. After being in bands going nowhere for years, I wondered if I was going to make it or if it was going to be one of the many sad stories you hear about. It’s not easy to make it in this business. Only a small percentage do make it. You read all about those who make it, but then there are so many others that have it very difficult. It hasn’t been easy, but I’m happy where I’m at today.
How much control did you have with American Idol? Do you have any input in the arrangements of songs?
The arrangements and song selection is all up to the contestant. It was all on us, which was a good thing. We sent our notes of the arrangements to the band and they did what they could do with it. I have nothing but great things to say about American Idol. I’m proud that I was part of such a great show. I wouldn’t be where I’m at without American Idol.
Didn’t you have a health issue while on American Idol?
Yes, but I was no danger. I just have genetically high blood pressure. It just spiked up a bit. It was no big deal, but it was just something that was blown way out of proportion. I wasn’t dying or anything. My health is good.
Unlike many of your American Idol peers, you tend to mix it up live.
I like to play a different set list every night. That keeps everything interesting. It’s all about the entertainment factor. I’m not just up there playing the same songs every night; I’m there to entertain. I like connecting with the crowd. I’ll talk to the audience and just have fun. I don’t understand how recording artists go through the motions every night. It makes it harder on the band, but the fans really like that the songs are different every night and that there’s some banter.
Are you working on new material?
We mess around with stuff on the road. We noodle around at soundcheck. But I would like to get back in the studio next year and make the next album.
This article appears in Sep 16-22, 2009.
1) David Cook was born in Houston — but he is from Missouri — grew up there, lives there now.
2) It’s been almost a year and a half since he won Idol and he’s done SO much in that time — why do 4 of your 8 questions have “American Idol” in them?
3) The best part of this interview is when you asked about the MUSIC!!!
4) Have you EVER heard a musician say they were NOT working on new material???
5) David Cook has a bazillion fans, all over the world. Your site will be hit many times just because David Cook is in the headline — but had this been a better interview, it would have been hit a bazillion times more than once.
6) David Cook’s random twitter Q&A today was very entertaining — take a look if you want to see how quick, funny, and smart he is (no evidence in this interview, unfortunately).
While I’m not as dissatisfied with this interview as the previous poster, I do agree that after nearly a year and a half since David Cook’s time with American Idol ended, it was a little heavy on Idol references. Since then the man has earned a platinum record for his self-titled CD, has two platinum singles for “Time of My Life” and “Light on” and his current single “Come Back To Me” is nearing gold status so I think the public is getting to know who David Cook is without the Idol tag. Oh, and were any of the platinum records mentioned in the article? That would have been a nice fact to point out, as is the fact that after having done well over 100 shows on this tour, 95% of his shows have been sell outs. Another thing that could have filled out the article is information about the charitable work David has done since embarking on his post-Idol career. The man has big talent and an even bigger heart.
Hey, Ed, good article. Since multitudes of David Cook fans have virtual PhD’s in Cookolgy, you can’t cover all the bases and please ’em all. What I especially like here is your immediate reference to some of his musical influences, i.e. Alice in Chains. That ought to tip people that this is not a homogenized American Idol show, but that Cook & Co. rock their a**es off. Hopefully, it will cut down on the number of peeps yelling out “Billie Jean” at Cook during shows, lol. The other thing I really appreciate is your reference to Cook’s years of paying his dues in dives and his struggle to make it as an artist.
His album is great both musically & lyrically, but it is really not like what’s out there today so you have to pay a bit of attention. It has become the soundtrack to my life, although I would also recommend people digging up his pre-Idol stuff – especially Analog Heart.
I’ve only seen him live once on the college part of the Declaration Tour, but it was the best concert I’ve ever, ever, ever been to. If you like over-processed pop, please stay home – you’ve been warned.