David Cook

Band:

David Cook

Where are you right now?I'm in San Diego getting ready for a show. It's September in California, so the sun is shining and life's good.

What's a typical day like on tour for you? I usually wake up on the (tour) bus and try to find a shower. If I'm lucky, I'll find one pretty easily. We usually do press around 3 p.m. and then do sound check after that.

You played your 100th show this summer, right? We played the 118th show last night. (Sept. 9)

How do you stay sane while your're on tour? I think you have to have a certain mindset and personality. I love being paid to make noise.

I see you started a Twitter account recently. I was kind of slow to join that party for sure. I think the one thing that sold me immediately on it was that (Twitter) is an instant way to talk to fans. The other night, I posted that we had a good show and then went out to sign (autographs) for fans and someone came up to me and said, "thank you for the (tweet)." It's the weirdest thing to have people so connected.

You're going for 50,000 followers by Sept. 13? Yes, since I joined, thousands of people have started to follow me. I thought, "why not try to get 50,000 by the end of the week?" I am really amazed at how many people respond. I have really great fans. They really embrace and get involved with what's going on with this band. We'll see what happens.

You played the Penn State York's Pullo Family Performing Arts Center in March. How was the reception? We've been really lucky with the economic climate to still have (high attendance). People are taking their money really seriously right now and it is a huge compliment that they still want to come out to shows. I consider myself fortunate to be playing regularly. I actually have to book time off in advance.

Do you have any time off coming up?After Saturday night (Sept. 12), I'm going home to see my dogs for a few days, and I'm actually going to attend the wedding of a couple I know.

Where do you call home base these days? I bought a home back in the Kansas City, Mo. area. I also rent a place out in L.A. for when I'm out there working and recording.

Some big "American Idol" news broke recently. How do you think Ellen DeGeneres will do as Paul Abdul's replacement?I think she'll be great. I've been on ("The Ellen DeGeneres Show") a couple times and have built a rapport with her. I know she's a huge fan of ("American Idol"). I think that her exuberance about the process will be welcome. I hope she doesn't come in and try to replace (Abdul). I just hope she comes in and is herself. It's still bittersweet that (Abdul) won't be on the show this season. I'll be bummed not to see her.

Kelly Clarkson kicked off the York Fair last week. Did you watch her win the first season of "Idol?"Really? You should say "hi" to her for me. I didn't really invest in the show too much before I was on it. I'm where I am because of the (winners) that came before me. Being a rock musician, I wouldn't have a chance without Bo Bice or Chris Daughtry. (Clarkson) set the standard and she killed it. Without her success, I don't think anybody would take "Idol" so seriously.

Your self-titled debut album did well. Are you planning on going back into the studio anytime soon? We've already started writing for another record. We'll be touring until the end of the year and will try to get back into the studio in February. I don't want to make another debut, as proud as I am about it. I said something on the "Idol" finale to (judge) Simon (Cowell). I told him, "I don't want to repeat myself and do the same thing." (On the new album,) I'm going to try different dynamics and am going to lean different instrumentation.

Do you want to collaborate with any other artists?Anybody and everybody. Let's all get into a room and make music together. (Laughs) I had my first co-writing experience with the first CD. For years, I had written all the songs on my own. There's nothing like being in a room with people you respect. I have a serious jones to do that again.

You're playing with a band again. Is this the final lineup?As far as I'm concerned, this is the band. We are trying out the name David Cook and The Anthemic. There are a couple of the guys (in the band) that I played with in Tulsa, Okla. We're really a collective now.

What can people expect from David Cook at the York Fair?We turn the guitars up. We're a rock band. If people are coming out and expecting magic rainbows. . .they might be disappointed. (Laughs). The best compliment we ever got was. . .we're a lot of sweat, a lot of stink and a lot of fun.

Well, let's hope you can find a shower in York. (Laughs) Let's hope. . .or the stink might be a little stronger.

- ERIN McCRACKEN, FLIPSIDE STAFF

If you go

See David Cook perform at 8 p.m. Friday at the York Fair, 334 Carlisle Ave. in West Manchester Township. Tickets are $35 for center track, plaza and grandstand and $32 for side track, plaza and grandstand.

For show details and tickets, visit www.yorkfair.org. For details about Cook, visit www.davidcookofficial.com.