'Idol' Winner Cook's 'Life' an Online Hit

By Ann Donahue,

Reuters

Posted: 2008-05-31 15:08:57

Filed Under: American Idol, Music News, TV News

LOS ANGELES (May 31) - It's the first time songs performed on "American Idol" have been made available for immediate download on iTunes -- and the audience's ability to make an instant-gratification purchase has paid off handsomely for winner David Cook.

Cook's "The Time of My Life," first performed during the "American Idol" results show May 21, has since tallied 236,000 downloads, making it No. 1 on Billboard's Hot Digital Songs chart and helping to land it the No. 3 spot on the Billboard Hot 100.

In fact, Cook has 14 songs from the "American Idol" season on Hot Digital Songs, with "Dream Big" at No. 7 with 110,000 downloads and his version of U2's "I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For" at No. 9 with 98,000 downloads. All told, Cook sold 888,000 downloads of his songs in one week.

It has been a similar whirlwind for Cook since his win, as he shuttles between press appointments and photo shoots. He's discovering that being the star of the country's biggest reality show -- 31.7 million people watched the finale on Fox -- sometimes has its surreal moments.

"I loved my time on the show, but I've been looking forward to just being able to get back to the creative process of writing and recording," he says. "It's going to be interesting to be able to play a song and not have to wonder where 'camera A' is."

David Cook Snapshots

** FILE ** In this May 21, 2008 file photo, David Cook celebrates backstage after being crowned the latest "American Idol" in Los Angeles. Cook said Tuesday, May 27, on "Live With Regis and Kelly" that he recently had a dinner date with former "Idol" contestant Kimberly Caldwell. Cook, 25, said he met Caldwell through the show. When asked if he had a good time, Cook replied: "I did. We'll probably hang out again. So we'll see." (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello, file)

** FILE ** In this May 9, 2008, file photo "American Idol" finalist David Cook acknowledges the crowd as he attends a homecoming celebration at Blue Springs South High School in Blue Springs, Mo. Cook won the final round, Wednesday, May 21, 2008. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel, file)

Finalist David Cook arrives at the American Idol Season 7 Grand Finale on May 21, 2008 at the Nokia Theatre in Los Angeles, California.."American Idol" Season 7 Grand Finale - Arrivals.Nokia Theatre.Los Angeles, CA United States.May 21, 2008.Photo by Steve Granitz/WireImage.com..To license this image (52013674), contact WireImage.com

WireImage.com

Finalists David Cook (L) and David Archuleta (R) with Paula Abdul (C) arrives at the American Idol Season 7 Grand Finale on May 21, 2008 at the Nokia Theatre in Los Angeles, California.."American Idol" Season 7 Grand Finale - Arrivals.Nokia Theatre.Los Angeles, CA United States.May 21, 2008.Photo by Steve Granitz/WireImage.com..To license this image (52013460), contact WireImage.com

WireImage.com

Season 6 winner Jordin Sparks reacts to David Cook being announced as the winner in the press room at the American Idol Season 7 Grand Finale on May 21, 2008 at the Nokia Theatre in Los Angeles, California.."American Idol" Season 7 Grand Finale - Press Room.Nokia Theatre.Los Angeles, CA United States.May 21, 2008.Photo by Steve Granitz/WireImage.com..To license this image (52013054), contact WireImage.com

WireImage.com

Winner David Cook in the press room at the American Idol Season 7 Grand Finale on May 21, 2008 at the Nokia Theatre in Los Angeles, California.."American Idol" Season 7 Grand Finale - Press Room.Nokia Theatre.Los Angeles, CA United States.May 21, 2008.Photo by Steve Granitz/WireImage.com..To license this image (52012754), contact WireImage.com

WireImage.com

For most of June, Cook will focus on rehearsals for the American Idols Live tour, which features the top 10 finalists and runs for almost three months. The trek begins July 1 in Glendale, Arizona, and wraps Sept. 13 in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

"It's going to be more of a mini-concert for everybody," he says. "There will be some group numbers (and) some duets, but for the most part I think everybody gets to do at least three songs. I've always loved the idea of waking up in a different city every day, so to be able to do that on this kind of scale is going to be an experience."

And then, after the tour, comes the transition period from day-in and day-out "American Idol" mania to establishing a voice as a musician separate from the show.

"I lucked out in this whole scenario because I knew going in what kind of artist I wanted to be and what kind of writer I was," says Cook, whose 19 Recordings/RCA debut is due in the fall.

"I don't see myself straying too far from what I was doing before, which is kind of a rock vibe with some catchy pop choruses. The cool thing now is that I don't have to worry about taking shortcuts. I have the resources to put together a record that I'm going to be proud of, I hope, for the rest of my life."

Copyright 2008 Reuters Limited. All rights reserved. Republication or redistribution of Reuters content, including by framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of Reuters. Reuters shall not be liable for any errors or delays in the content, or for any actions taken in reliance thereon. All active hyperlinks have been inserted by AOL.

2008-05-31 14:48:38

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16 comments

mgridenour 06:14:21 PM Jun 01 2008

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David Cook was my favorite. His version of The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face brought tears to my eyes. My biggest dissapointment was that there wasn't a studio version of this song. One verse just was not enough.

itzkc44 11:05:16 AM Jun 01 2008

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I have watched all 7 seasons of AI....and David Cook is the BEST, most well-rounded contestant they have ever had. I am one of the hundreds of thousands who bought his music on iTunes, and will continue to support him and his music career. I haven't been this excited over a recording artist ever! Love you David!

abcatbianchi 06:28:01 AM Jun 01 2008

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Have watched Idol every year. This one was the best. A real contest, and the best man won. David Cook is a true musician. and has a winning personality.

Blue5ft2 04:04:00 AM Jun 01 2008

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SO x555liquid is gay,
back to our star DAVID COOK who is ALL MAN

Blue5ft2 04:02:23 AM Jun 01 2008

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DAVID COOK I LOVE YOUR SINGING and what a GREAT season this was on idol, right down to the 2 Davids with DAVID COOK who is VERY TALENTED WIN!

rylcrown8 11:43:04 PM May 31 2008

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David Cook will be way ahead of the 'others' because he is a real artist and a real musician, not just a singing head. David won't 'settle for' anything, won't sell out!
There have been very 'dry' years from that AI venue, but now, a real artist!

ljmallery 11:39:52 PM May 31 2008

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David Cook is an excellent artist. I am very happy he won American Idol. This was my first season watching American Idol. He is a true talent and an artist who is true, to the quality of his work. I know he will have a wonderful future ahead of him.

rylcrown8 11:36:04 PM May 31 2008

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bfflvallone 11:02:05 PM May 31 2008

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I THOUGHT DAVID COOK WAS THE BEST IN THE LAST FEW YEARS HE IS A
TRUE PROFESSIONAL IREALLY ENJOYED HIM. HE TRULY WILL MAKE A NAME
FOR HIMSELFI
Bfflvallone

x555liquid 10:51:53 PM May 31 2008

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gay

resourcann 10:42:29 PM May 31 2008

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Congratulations David Cook on winning American Idol. You are going to be an awesome superstar and I look forward to watching your career grow. Good luck, and as your song said, keep your feet on the ground, stay clean and with your wonderful personality, looks and talent you will be number 1 in the music world.

duvsluv007 10:05:08 PM May 31 2008

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David Cook, "YOU ARE AWESOME" I'm 62 years old and a big music lover. I KNOW what makes a great artist. You not only have an ability to sing, but your creativity is extradanary. When a singer can make me have chills, that's not just good, it's great. I only wish I were 20 years younger and you would come to Pompano Beach, FL, Just to be able to sit and watch you sing would be an absolute precious moment before then end of my life. I'm sorry i only vote for you 420 times, it would have been more if time had not run out. Please stay as focused as you are and don't get mixed up with the "WRONG" people or "RELATIONS" Bless your family for giving you to us. '"YOUR BIGGEST FAN"