 "Photo: Courtesy of RCA Records")
David Cook is making waves through USC on his "Declaration Tour 2009." The season seven American Idol winner will be headlining a free show Tuesday at 8 p.m. in the Russell House Ballroom.
Though distant now, Cook remembers the days of bartending in Tulsa, Okla. and performing three-hour acoustic bar shows to pay rent. When it came to auditioning for American Idol, Cook had no intentions of trying out.
He went to the auditions as moral support for his brother in Omaha, Neb., but got talked into auditioning three minutes before they registered. He winged it with Bon Jovi's "Livin' on a Prayer," which he had previously covered at the occasional gig. Because he decided on a whim, he felt less pressured.
"I went in kind of without any expectations and left without any expectations," Cook said.
Reaping major success from the reality TV show, Cook is more than glad he auditioned.
"It was an amazing experience," Cook said. "I got to meet some fantastic people along the way, made some amazing friends, plus I got to put out a record and travel the world."
Many contestants fear Simon Cowell, the notoriously critical judge. But Cook appreciated Cowell's honesty throughout the show.
"I know Simon and I butted heads the first couple of weeks," Cook said. "I think all the judges are there just to help. Because at the end of the day, it's not up to them, it's up to the American public."
Looking back, he admitted that Simon wasn't very harsh. Cook's experiences with the media have been a double-edged sword - a great tool in publicizing his album, but highly critical of his every move.
"The worst thing Simon has ever said to me pales in comparison to the worst thing that press has ever said to me since idol," Cook said.
Compared to other executives in the music industry, Cook describes Simon as "pretty normal."
"The one thing I can appreciate more than anything is that Simon is not going to B.S. you," Cook said. "What Simon says is what Simon means."
Now that he's off Idol, Cook is excited about his transition to touring life. Cook, who sold one million records in three months, will be on the road until the end of August.
"I appreciate it more now, just to be able to play to more people," Cook said. "To walk out on a stage and see just a ton of faces, getting into the music and they're singing it back to you - it's a very empowering feeling."
Cook said to expect a professional, but laid-back performance Tuesday night. He will perform songs off his new self-titled record, covers and material he sang before American Idol.
"We crack jokes and have fun on stage," Cook said. "It's just five guys on stage playing music, having fun, not taking things too seriously; and hopefully that's a vibe people get into."
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