• David Cook was the winner of American Idol Season 7. Cook was named the winner during the FOX reality show's live finale on May 21, 2008.

  While serving as Grand Master, opening the Race for Hope benefit run, David Cook announced that his brother, Adam Cook died the morning of May 3, 2009, after his long battle with brain cancer.TMZ: David Cook's Brother Dies (May 3, 2009)

• Fast Facts

  1. Full name: David Roland Cook
  2. Born: December 20, 1982
  3. Birthplace: Houston, Texas
  4. Hometown: Blue Springs, Missouri
  5. Audition city: Omaha
  6. Cites Our Lady Peace and Chris Daughtry as musical inspirations
  7. Education: Central Missouri State University
  8. Brothers: Adam Cook and Andrew Cook
  9. Won American Idol on May 21, 2008
  10. Debut album released November 18, 2008
  11. Began college music tour on February 13, 2009

• On Tour

  In March of 2009, Cooke released plans for a 37-date U.S. tour to begin on February 13 at Florida State University. The tour will take place primarily at colleges and universities throughout the country, including the University of Mississippi and the University of Notre Dame.Reuters: "Idol" David Cook to hit colleges on U.S. tour (January 23, 2009)

  Cook announced in March of 2009 that he had to cancel two of his shows due to "personal family matters," leading to speculation that he was referring to his brother, Adam, who has brain cancer. Cook plans to return to his tour the first week of April 2009.People: David Cook Cancels Shows Due to 'Family Matters' (March 31, 2009)

• American Idol

  Host Ryan Seacrest said more than 97 million votes were cast in the contest, with Cook garnering 12 million more votes than fellow contestant David Archuleta.

  Idol judge Simon Cowell said that Cook's performances of Lionel Richie's "Hello" and "Billie Jean" by Michael Jackson were among his strongest performances of the season. His other performances like "Always Be My Baby" by Mariah Carey and The Beatles' "Eleanor Rigby" also received high marks from the judges.

  Throughout the season, Cook was considered a frontrunner in the competition. Week after week, he avoided ever landing in the bottom three.

• Cook/Caldwell Relationship

  Celebrity gossip blogger Perez Hilton reported in January 2009 that Idol winner Cook, and former Idol contestant Kimberly Caldwell broke off their relationship over the winter holidays. Cook and Caldwell had been dating since just after Cook's Idol win. A representative for Caldwell released a statement saying, "Kimberly and David ended their relationship just before the holidays. The couple remain good friends and being very private people, appreciate their privacy at this time."Perez Hilton: The Idol Love Is Gone (January 13, 2009)

• Road to Hollywood

  Cook is a musician and former bartender from Tulsa, Oklahoma. He received his Golden Ticket to Hollywood after he sang Bon Jovi's "Livin On a Prayer." Cook actually agreed to audition for Idol as support for his younger brother, Andrew Cook, who didn't make the cut.

• Musical Background

  A seasoned performer, Cook made his first stage appearance in the second grade, when his teacher gave him a solo in the school choir performance. Cook went on to perform in most of his school's Christmas and PTA programs. In middle school and high school, Cook was a part of the choir and drama programs. He also performed with bands throughout high school and college.

  In 2008, after touring with the band Midwest Kings, he went solo.

• Background Information

  Cook received a scholarship in theater to Central Missouri State University. After two semesters, he changed majors and graduated in 2006 with a graphic design degree. Cook is a self-proclaimed "word nerd" and a big fan of crossword puzzles.

• David Cook Quotes

  • "I started this season, much to Simon's chagrin, as the word nerd, but now I'm at a loss for words."— After winning American Idol
  • "I just want to give myself until I'm 26 years old to get a job."
  • "...when Randy, Paula or Simon talks to you, unless they ask you a question, you probably shouldn't say a word, which in turn has allowed me to listen a little bit more."

• Related Mahalo Pages

  David Cook Album | Adam Cook | American Idol Season 7 | American Idol | David Cook Music of the Night | David Cook Always Be My Baby | David Cook Innocent | David Cook Little Sparrow | Billie Jean David Cook | Eleanor Rigby David Cook | Day Tripper David Cook | Hello American Idol | David Cook Hospital | American Idol Top 24 | American Idol Top 10 | David Cook Guitar Hero Commercial | David Cook SNL | American Idol Season 8 | American Idol Season 8 Premiere | American Idol Season 8 Spoilers | Luke Menard | David Cook Album Download | David Cook Kimberly Caldwell | Kimberly Caldwell | Danny Gokey | Matt Giraud | Anoop Desai | American Idol Winners

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