By RODNEY HO/ rho@ajc.com, originally filed Tuesday, February 23, 2016
David Cook won "American Idol" seven years ago when the show was near its peak of popularity and his name became in instant household name as a result. Today, "Idol" is a relative shadow of its former self, closing shop in seven weeks with very little buzz attached.
But 10 million viewers are still nothing to sneeze at.
Cook performed one final time during last week's pre-taped Thursday semifinal episode. He mentored and dueted with two of the semifinalists: rocker CJ Johnson and bubbly teen ingenue Olivia Rox. Johnson didn't make the top 14 cut. Rox breezed through and is now considered one of the top-tier candidates to win the final season.
"Olivia for her age has a very strong grasp of musical elements that I didn't pick up until my mid-20s," said Cook, who is coming to Atlanta Wednesday at Terminal West. (He was 25 when he first appeared live on "Idol" in 2008). "She created strong harmonies. And I got to meet her folks off camera. You can kind of see that they're a musical family for sure."
He enjoyed working with both singers. "They made the process really enjoyable. You run the risk of finding someone whose personality doesn't mesh with yours. I lucked out. However they put that together, they knew."
Cook said he was a little apprehensive returning on the show after a long absence but he "fell right into pocket" and got to hang with other "Idol" alums such as Haley Reinhart, Chris Daughtry, Constantine Maroulis and Jordin Sparks. "I love that girl to death," he said, referencing Sparks. "And I'm friends with her manager."
He said it was a bit odd singing his most popular song "Light On" as a duet with Johnson.
"I hadn't had much fun playing that song in awhile," he said. "It was awesome to bring in that new energy."
His concert at 600-capacity Terminal West was by choice. He could have gone bigger. "We talked about wanting to do some more intimate shows," he said. "I love being able to connect with as many people as possible not just on a crowd basis but one-on-one basis. I want everybody coming to a show and feel like they're part of a special experience. We play different sets every night. The banter is not predetermined. If the joke's bad, it's just bad for that night if that's any consolation!"
The tour will promote his latest album "Digital Vein," which is his first post-RCA Records indie release.
"I'm a sucker for creative control," Cook said. "I took on the challenge with this record of self producing. It's something I hadn't done since before 'Idol.' I was fortunate to have experiences I had with RCA, to get to work with amazing producers, to take those lessons and experiences to bring it into this new project. You become this amalgam of your favorite producer moments."
He said his last studio album "This Loud Morning" in 2011 was a tough undertaking. His brother Adam died of a brain tumor in 2009. Cook, supporting his first album, was touring nonstop, he said, partly to ward off the grief. His brother's death didn't really hit him hard until he was working on "This Loud Morning."
After that, he took a little time off, even wondering if he wanted to create any more music. He started "Digital Vein" to see if he could get the juices flowing again. And fortunately, it did.
And given Cook's special ability to take a cover song and place his own special stamp on it, he put a cover on "Digital Vein" of Chris Isaak's "Wicked Game."
Oh, and Cook is still excited that his Kansas City Royals won the World Series last fall. He didn't get a chance to make it to a World Series game but did make it to an ALCS playoff. He worked for the Royals in the suites delivering food in college. "I spent way too much time watching the games when I shouldn't have," Cook said.
CONCERT PREVIEW
David Cook
8 p.m., Wednesday, February 24, 2016
$22-$75
Terminal West
887 West Marietta St. Studio C
Atlanta
***
Credit: Rodney Ho
Credit: Rodney Ho
Here is how I rank the 14 finalists, based on how I feel they will do on the show. I do have to remind you that I picked Kris Allen season 8 as the first one to be eliminated, followed by Adam Lambert. That was my worst year ever in terms of predictions. I can't forget it! Then again, I did pick Nick Fradiani to win last year and got it right.
14. Gianna Isabella. Despite a good voice, she is clearly not ready for prime time. She can sing but she doesn't connect with the lyrics. Odds of winning: 1,000 to 1
13. Thomas Stringfellow. Speaking of not ready, Thomas should not be in the top 14. Give him three or four years of seasoning (perhaps when "Idol" returns) and maybe an enunciation lesson or two and he's got a shot. But not now. Odds of winning: 999 to 1
12. Jenn Blosil. Like Thomas, she likes to take words and warp them to the point of non-recognition. The annoyance factor is sky high courtesy of her "quirky" personality. Odds of winning: 500 to 1.
11. Tristan McIntosh. She is similar to Gianna to me, just slightly more mature with more consistent vocal ability. Winner? I can't see it. Odds of winning: 200 to 1
10. Manny Torres. The man has some vocal skills and some sex appeal but I'm not totally buying the package. Odds of winning 100 to 1
9. Jeneve Rose Mitchell. Another young-un. She clearly turns off a lot of people with her perky personality and ridiculous "Toy Story" outfits. But she can sing with sincerity and surprising maturity. I'm a fan but I'm not sure how far she will go in the end. Odds of winning: 50 to 1
8. Sonika Vaid. Wow. She has the best voice in the competition. But her stage presence is as compelling as an ice cube on a rainy day. Odds of winning: 30 to 1
7. Trent Harmon. This guy is very theatrical and intense. He clearly connects with what he sings. But can he constrain himself and not go Constantine-level overboard? Odds of winning: 15 to 1
6. Avalon Young. She comes off as a natural - natural singer, naturally likable, naturally hates dressing up. She's refreshing and a serous dark horse. Odds of winning: 12 to 1
5. MacKenzie Bourg: He's a bit young to take the WGWG crown that David Cook, Kris Allen and Lee DeWyze brougth to the table. He's more singer songwriter and he brings surprising depth to his singing. He could go very far. Odds of winning: 9 to 1
4. Lee Jean. I'm probably ranking him too high right now. He is a little young and possibly one dimensional But I've liked his souful pop-rock blend to date. Odds of winning: 8 to 1
3. La'Porsha Renae: Power singer with power moves but does she really bring anything fresh to the table besides her hair? We'll see how she progresses and picks her songs. Odds of winning: 6 to 1
2. Dalton Rapattoni: Rockers are often winners on the show and he is well positioned to do so, even if he is a dead ringer for Billy Joe Armstrong of Green Day. He's good looking, he emotes and he can change songs around in a way that isn't too off putting. I'm in. Odds of winning: 4 to 1
1- Olivia Rox: She has that Jordin Sparks/Kelly Clarkson vibe going. Chipper, sweet, likable. And she has the chops to boot. If she can show us enough different sides of her over the next few weeks, she'll be unstoppable. Odds of winning: 3 to 1
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