David Cook (singer) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids David Cook
Cook performing at Schriever Air Force Base in September 2016
Born	David Roland Cook (1982-12-20) December 20, 1982 (age 42) Houston, Texas, U.S.
Spouse(s)	Racheal Stump ​ (m. 2015)​
Musical career
Origin	Blue Springs, Missouri, U.S.
Genres	Rock alternative rock post-grunge pop
Occupation(s)	Singer songwriter musician actor
Instruments	Vocals guitar bass piano drums
Years active	2001–present
Labels	RCA 19 XIX Recordings Analog Heart Music

David Roland Cook (born December 20, 1982) is an American rock singer and songwriter. He became famous after winning the seventh season of American Idol in 2008.

Before American Idol, David Cook played in several bands. He released three studio albums and four live albums with his bands. He also released his first solo album, Analog Heart, on his own. After winning American Idol, his first song, "The Time of My Life", became a huge hit. It sold over 1.4 million copies!

His first major album, also called David Cook, came out in November 2008. It also sold over a million copies. This album had two popular songs: "Light On" and "Come Back to Me". His second major album, This Loud Morning, was released in 2011. It included the songs "The Last Goodbye" and "Fade into Me". He also released an EP (a shorter album) called This Quiet Night with acoustic versions of songs.

Later, David Cook decided to become an independent artist, meaning he released music without a big record label. He released his fourth studio album, Digital Vein, in 2015. This album featured songs like "Criminals", "Broken Windows", and "Heartbeat". He then released another EP called Chromance, which had a more pop sound. Its main song was "Gimme Heartbreak". His third EP, The Looking Glass, came out in 2021.

Early Life and Music Beginnings

David Cook was born in Houston, Texas, and grew up in Blue Springs, Missouri. He has two brothers, Adam and Andrew. David became interested in music when he was very young. He started singing in second grade for school plays. When he was 13, he got his first guitar, a Fender Stratocaster. He also joined choir and drama clubs in middle and high school. He performed in musicals like The Music Man and West Side Story.

David was also a good baseball player in high school. After an injury, he focused more on music. He went to the University of Central Missouri on a theater scholarship. But he later switched to graphic design and graduated in 2006. After college, he moved to Tulsa, Oklahoma, to follow his dream of becoming a musician.

Early Music Career

David Cook formed his first band, Axium, with a friend in high school. He wrote his first song, "Red Hot", at age fifteen. Axium became quite successful. One of their songs, "Hold", was even played in movie theaters across the country! They released three studio albums and several live albums.

In 2006, Axium broke up. David then joined a band called Midwest Kings as their bassist. Members from this band later joined David's band after Idol. In 2006, he also recorded and released his own solo album, Analog Heart. Before American Idol, he was working as a bartender to support his music career.

American Idol Journey

David Cook didn't originally plan to audition for American Idol. He went to the auditions in Omaha, Nebraska, to support his younger brother. But a show producer noticed David, and his mom and brother encouraged him to try out too. He sang "Livin' On a Prayer" by Bon Jovi for his audition.

During the Hollywood rounds, David used his acoustic guitar to play "(Everything I Do) I Do It for You" by Bryan Adams. He was one of the first contestants allowed to play musical instruments on the show. This helped him stand out. His white electric guitar had "AC" on it, which stood for his brothers, Adam and Andrew. He also wore an orange wristband to support a young fan with leukemia.

David won the seventh season of American Idol on May 21, 2008. He received 56 percent of the votes, beating David Archuleta. After winning, he sang "The Time of My Life".

After American Idol

Cook performing during the American Idols Live! Tour 2008

After winning American Idol, David Cook broke several music chart records. He had 11 songs appear on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in one week! This was more than any other artist since The Beatles in 1964. His winning song, "The Time of My Life", was number three on the Hot 100. He also had 14 songs debut on the Hot Digital Songs chart.

David signed a deal with Skechers shoes. His photo was even on the cover of The World Almanac and Book of Facts 2009.

First Major Album: David Cook

David Cook worked with many talented songwriters and producers for his first major album. The album was released on November 18, 2008. The first song from the album, "Light On", became very popular. It sold over a million copies. His album was also certified platinum, meaning it sold over a million copies.

David Cook at Moody Gardens in Galveston, Texas, as part of the Declaration tour

David started his first big tour, The Declaration Tour, in February 2009. Two of his former bandmates from Midwest Kings joined his band for the tour. The tour had 153 shows and ended in December 2009. His band became known as The Anthemic.

This Loud Morning and Digital Vein

Cook performing at Toad's Place, New Haven, Connecticut in September 2010

David started working on his second album, This Loud Morning, after his first tour. He wanted to make an album that was very "dynamic". The album was released on June 28, 2011. He toured to support this album in late 2011.

David Cook at Belly Up Tavern in San Diego, California in 2015.

In 2012, David Cook announced he was no longer with his record label, RCA. He decided to release music on his own. He released a new song, "Laying Me Low", in 2013. He also helped write a song for country singer David Nail.

David moved to Nashville and started producing his fourth album, Digital Vein. This album was released on September 18, 2015, through his own label, Analog Heart Music. He went on the Digital Vein Tour in 2015 and 2016 to promote the album.

Recent Music and Broadway

In 2017, David released a new song called "Gimme Heartbreak". An EP called Chromance followed in 2018. He also went on an Acoustic Tour.

In 2018, David Cook made his Broadway debut! He played the lead role of Charlie Price in the musical Kinky Boots. He performed in the show for a limited time.

In 2020, he released the song "Reds Turn Blue" from his EP The Looking Glass. He shared that the song was about his experience with anxiety disorder, which he was diagnosed with after American Idol. He released two more songs, "Strange World" and "Fire", before The Looking Glass EP came out in April 2021. In 2022 and 2024, he released new songs called "TABOS" and "Dead Weight." He also released a charity song, "This Time Tomorrow 16."

Other Activities

Helping Others

David Cook is very involved in charity work. His older brother, Adam, had brain cancer. Adam passed away in 2009. David announced his brother's death at the "Race for Hope" in Washington, D.C., a charity event for brain cancer research. His team raised a lot of money for the cause. On the American Idol finale, David sang his song "Permanent" in honor of his brother. The money from that song's sales went to brain cancer research.

Other Performances

David Cook has performed in many different places. He sang for Hillary Clinton at an awards show. He also performed on Saturday Night Live. He has traveled with the USO to perform for military members and their families around the world. He has visited over 40 military bases.

He has returned to American Idol many times. He performed his own songs and covered others. He also mentored contestants, helping them with their performances. In 2022, he returned to American Idol to mentor rock singers and performed with fellow winner Kris Allen.

Personal Life

David Cook married his longtime girlfriend, Racheal Stump, in 2015. The wedding was a private ceremony in Nashville.

Musical Influences

David Cook's musical influences include bands like Our Lady Peace, Alice in Chains, Pearl Jam, and Bon Jovi. He also likes artists like Chris Cornell and Michael Jackson. After winning American Idol, he named Foo Fighters, Jimmy Eat World, and 8stops7 as some of his favorite bands.

Backing Band

David Cook performs with a band that helps him bring his music to life.

Current members

• Jeffrey B. Scott – lead guitar, keyboards, backing vocals (2016–present)
• Thomas Branch – drums / percussion (2019–present)
• Mike Ball – bass guitar (2017–2022, 2023–present)

Former members

• Joey Clement – bass guitar (2008–2009)
• Neal Tiemann – lead guitar (2008–2011)
• Kyle Peek – drums, backing vocals (2008–2011)
• Andy Skib – rhythm guitar, keyboards, backing vocals (2008–2014)
• Devin Bronson – lead guitar (2011–2014)
• Monty Anderson – bass guitar (2009–2015)
• Nick Adams – drums (2012–2015)
• Daniel Damico – lead guitar, keyboards (2014–2016)
• Andy Wildrick – bass guitar (2015–2016)
• Joshua Zarbo – bass guitar (2016)
• Adam Reidelbach – drums (2015–2016)
• Donovan White - bass guitar (2022-2023)
• Jack Ivins - drums, bass guitar (2023-2024)

Discography

Studio Albums

• Analog Heart (2006)
• David Cook (2008)
• This Loud Morning (2011)
• Digital Vein (2015)

EPs

• This Quiet Night (2011)
• Chromance (2018)
• The Looking Glass (2021)

Tours

Headlining Tours

• The Declaration Tour (2009)
• This Loud Tour (2011)
• Fall Tour (2013)
• Navy Entertainment/AFE Tour (2013–2014)
• Winter Tour (2015)
• Digital Vein Tour (2015–2016)
• Summer Tour (2017)
• Acoustic Tour (2018)
• Summer Sessions/Fall Sounds Tour (2019)
• The Looking Glass Tour (2021)
• Summer/Fall Tour (2022)
• Summer/Fall Tour (2023)
• Scars Open, Eyes Shut Tour (2024)

Co-headlining Tours

• American Idols LIVE! Tour 2008
• 2011 Tour with Gavin DeGraw
• Dave & Kris Go To Europe Acoustic Tour (2021) with Kris Allen

Theatre Work

Awards and Nominations

Images for kids

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