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Access Atlanta > American Idol Buzz > Archives > 2008 > August > 21 > Entry
8/21: David Cook reflects on life so far, David Archuleta’s “Crush” opens big
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Two days after the “Idol” concert in Atlanta, David Cook became reflective on his Web site blog here.. The guy’s a good writer! Here’s a portion:
So, I promised that I wouldn’t really try to process all of this madness until I got an extended break, but something happened today that really made me reflect. Well, I may be getting too generic. A lot of small things have happened lately that correlated into some fresh perspective. Let me explain…
We had a much-needed, much-deserved day off in Ft. Lauderdale, FL, today. I took it as an opportunity to rest myself not only physically, but mentally. The strain of trying to put everything I have into this tour, on top of the scheduling conflicts that inevitably arise from doing a record while on the road, and not to mention the crazy press commitments, have left me, and all the idols, with an almost humorous non-distinct stare as we enter the home stretch of this tour. So, today I did little but stay in bed and walk around. I went with MJ and Chik to go see “Tropic Thunder”. I give it 4/5 stars. Tom Cruise was the only part I didn’t like about it. Don’t know why.
After the movie, we went and grabbed dinner, and then split up upon returning to the hotel. I went out to the beach, and plopped down on a chair to watch the waves and the lightning in the distance. (Hurricane/Tropical Storm/Massive Nuisance Fay) All at once, it hit me full on what has happened to me this last year. I thought about Omaha, and my brother, Andrew, and the Green Mile, and the top 12 red carpet event, and the hotel, and the finale, and this tour. It really became apparent to me at that moment that the tour will be done in about a month, and we’ll all, hopefully, go on to amazing careers and lives away from this “Idol Machine” and apart from one another. After a year with these guys, that thought looms ominous and scary.
I want to say thank you for the support you guys have shown, but more importantly the understanding you guys have shown to my limitations as I try to meander through this very new lifestyle of actually being acknowledged for doing something I love.
-David Archuleta landed at No. 2 on the Top 100 singles chart thanks to being the top download sale single with 166,000 sold for “Crush.” The song debuts at No. 40 on the top 40 chart and should easily exceed “The Time of My Life,” Cook’s coronation song, which is now at No. 29.
Hah! Here’s his vlog shooting the “Crush” video. It looks like he taped it on Tuesday, the offday in Florida after Atlanta. He even says nice things about Atlanta but otherwise, not a lot of content here but Archuleta fans will be thrilled:
“Had a great show yesterday. The crowd was just amazing… it was one of the best nights I had.”
-The Miami Herald reviewer enjoyed the “Idols Live” tour Wednesday, the first one since Atlanta.. Hometown gal Syesha Mercado got plenty of love:
Of the 10, Syesha Mercado of Sarasota, who finished in third place behind the two Davids, looked the most like a seasoned star. She earned the night’s first — and only real — standing ovation for her rendition of the Dreamgirls tune, Listen. (The audience rose for the two Davids afterward but that was more out of adoration than for anything they did — though both Davids played to their strengths.)
Oh, and here’s the gratuitous Ramiele slam:
The Miramar native has such a thin voice and lack of command on stage it’s a shock she even made it through the Idol auditions. She, more than anyone, doesn’t belong here.
And sorry Michael Johns, he didn’t like you:
Michael Johns squandered his opportunity with hamfisted vocals on classic rock (he wasn’t helped by the tepid backing band).
-MJ reported some more “Idol” attendance numbers, most 80% or more. Atlantic City even hit 100%. Yet Cincinnati was the big bomb— just 59%. Of 22 concerts, the average attendance has been 85% and average revenue of $588K. MJ—you are working your buttocks off. Great blogging the past couple of days!
-Meanwhile, over at Idol Chatter,, Ken Barnes reports that the three “Idols” on the Top 200 in album sales moved up. Carrie’s “Carnival Ride” jumped to 38 and sold 11,000, up to 2.29 million. Daughtry jumped to 70 and sold 7,000 copies for 4.19 million total. Daughtry nabs his fifth top 40 hit with “What About Now” debuting at No. 35. Jordin edges up to 71 with 7K more and 885K total. At this pace, it could take quite a long time for her to hit 1 million copies. She is about to have her third top 10 hit with “One Step At a Time,” which is at No. 11, according to Radio and Records. And the song sold 54K copies on the download chart for 554K total. Counting her coronatioin song, she has now sold more than 5 million downloads. Impressive!
On the country chart, Carrie Underwood’s “Just a Dream” is at No. 15 (with her single selling 18K for the week and 92K total) while Bucky Covington’s “I’ll Walk” is stuck at No. 23. Kellie Pickler’s “Don’t You Know You’re Beautiful” is still gaining airplay but her song fell from 26 to 28 as other songs leapfrogged her. Kristy Lee Cook’s “15 Minutes of Shame” is at No. 46, up from 60.
Chris Sligh’s single “Empty Me” is at No. 8 on the soft Christian pop chart after 23 weeks.
Jennifer Hudson’s “Spotlight” is at No. 24, showing modest airplay increases.
Taylor HIcks’ “Early Works” moved 2,300 copies and missed the Top 200.
Comments
By Deirdre
August 21, 2008 11:19 AM | Link to this
As I said before…congrats to the talented little pipsqueak! :-)
By Deirdre
August 21, 2008 11:27 AM | Link to this
David Cook’s blog warmed my heart. What a nice guy!
By flats
August 21, 2008 11:35 AM | Link to this
BALLS BABY!!!!!!9 DAYS 0 HOURS 53 MINUTES TIL COLLEGE BALLS SHOOTS OFF!!!!!!WOOOOOHOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!BALLLS!!!!!
By Nana
August 21, 2008 11:50 AM | Link to this
Can DA not talk without uing his arms and hands? I will have to say congrats to him. He has earned his place in the spotlight.
Rodney: Have you or anyone heard what is new with Kelly Clarkson? I haven’t read or heard anything about her in awhile. The last I heard she was in Nashville working with Reba and Reba’s husband on a country CD.
It’s always good to hear about the idols and what their talent has brought to them.
By flats
August 21, 2008 11:57 AM | Link to this
Who that crap is that guy in the woods????
By Nana
August 21, 2008 11:58 AM | Link to this
Hey Neg!!! Where you been? Missed you on here.
By flats
August 21, 2008 12:01 PM | Link to this
Is he sanging in the woodswhats?????That is so weirdwhats makes me want to throwupwhats!!!!
By flats
August 21, 2008 12:15 PM | Link to this
BALLS!!!!!!!!
By Crush#1
August 21, 2008 12:17 PM | Link to this
I’m so proud of David A. #1 on the Digital chart, and #2 on the billboard hot 100. Thank God, this kid is maing history! congratulations Archies and his fans! we love you!!!
By flats
August 21, 2008 12:20 PM | Link to this
Yeah Neg…where you been?I missed you man.
By Negativo
August 21, 2008 1:09 PM | Link to this
Neg is on his off-season sabbatical. Just checking in to make sure the house is still in order.
By Linda
August 21, 2008 1:10 PM | Link to this
Congrats to David A. He IS very expressive with his hands! I enjoyed Cooks’ blog. What they go through, especially making an album while doing that crazy tour schedule is amazing. I can’t imagine how it will feel once it is over— probably a little sad but hopefully many of them will get opportunities to make albums.
By flats
August 21, 2008 1:57 PM | Link to this
COLLEGE BALLS IS RIGHT UDER 9 DAYS TO GOWHATS!!!!!WHERE IS ERBODY??????
By woodpappy
August 21, 2008 2:24 PM | Link to this
Flats…..I’m speechless
By flats
August 21, 2008 2:32 PM | Link to this
Why Woody?
By woodpappy
August 21, 2008 2:55 PM | Link to this
Whats all the whats about?
By flats
August 21, 2008 2:58 PM | Link to this
i’m changing thangs aroundwhats!
By Nana
August 21, 2008 3:12 PM | Link to this
Again, its terminology.
By flats
August 21, 2008 3:19 PM | Link to this
I’m trying to attract new peoplewhats!!!!
By linny ,,,=^..^=,,,
August 21, 2008 3:19 PM | Link to this
“terminology”, eh, Nana? ~¿@ some things are best left unsaid…. so i’m going to be quiet for a change ~¿@
By flats
August 21, 2008 3:49 PM | Link to this
Woodpappy..I like to try new thangs to see if peoplewhats catch onwhats and try it themselveswhats!!!!
By Nana
August 21, 2008 3:49 PM | Link to this
The whats should do it.
Time for me to wrap up my day here at the office. No more auditors.
Ya’ll be careful, safe and happy.
As Roy and Dale would say, “Happy Trails to you until we meet again.”
By flats
August 21, 2008 4:04 PM | Link to this
I’m just real creative sometimes…I do have other intrests than college balls!
By JTesla
August 21, 2008 4:09 PM | Link to this
Interests other than college ballswhats? What’s up with that?
By flats
August 21, 2008 4:15 PM | Link to this
JT..Dont get me wrong i love balls.But sometimes being creative and inventing thangs are up they’re too.
By harrietth
August 21, 2008 4:26 PM | Link to this
Well, this discussion has taken too much of an intellectual turn for me, so I will sign off for the day. Happy whats, or maybe whatsnots, or WHATEVER.
By Maxaman
August 21, 2008 7:18 PM | Link to this
All of those songs that David A. is selling must be teeny boppers borrowing Dads credit card.
Maxaman
By Deirdre
August 21, 2008 9:44 PM | Link to this
The Larry King interview of the Idols, which was supposed to air on Friday, is on right now. :-(
By Harmony
August 21, 2008 11:01 PM | Link to this
Olympics still. I guess I’ll go into Olympic withdrawl next week. Thank goodness I don’t have to wait four years for the next Idol.After reading what David Cook wrote, I believe we picked the right idol.
By Harmony
August 21, 2008 11:11 PM | Link to this
Did anyone go to any of the events during the 1996 Atlanta Olympics? I only went to the torch relay when it passed through Carrollton. I did get to see Lance Armstrong in his final Tour de Georgia,the race goes right in front of my house(he threw his water bottle in my yard , and of course we got it and still have it.)
By Lara
August 22, 2008 8:24 AM | Link to this
Harmony…I went to basketball, beach volleyball and I worked at the tennis arena. I got to see Andre Agassi’s gold medal ceremony.