David Cook

Big ‘American Idol’ Changes Leaked!

January 5, 2011 By Holly Stafford 1 Comment

As the debut of this years’ ‘American Idol‘ approaches (January 19th for those of you living under a rock), massive changes to the original format have been revealed! These changes are actually good news, though!

Per The Hollywood Reporter:

UPDATED SET: The set is undergoing substantial modification.

FASTER ELIMINATION: The elimination process is speeding up considerably. Instead of a three-week top 24 round in which America votes, the judges will narrow down the field to 10 or 12 finalists.

ONLINE VOTING: Despite persistent rumors that would lead us to believe otherwise, there will be no online voting.

NEW LIVING ARRANGEMENT: Finalists will all live in an Idol mansion. The show will have a “Big Brother” aspect to it.

ORIGINAL SONGS: Producer-songwriters will help them with song selection, then arrange and produce the musical accompaniment — for the first time ever, contestants won’t be limited solely to cover songs.

THEME WEEK MAKEOVERS: Theme weeks will also get a makeover. “We’re not going to ask a country singer to sing an R&B song, or an R&B singer to do Led Zeppelin,” Jimmy Iovine explains. “If the theme is ’80s or Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, every song will be customized to that contestant.” What’s most important, he adds, is that the song suit the finalist’s voice.

Also, the Idol contestants will not be making music videos (except for maybe those awful Ford ones,) and there will be no appearance by “American Idol all-stars.” Ray Chew, formerly of the “Saturday Night Live” band, will also become the new music director. Also new: there will also be no gender parity.

Explains exec producer Ken Warwick: “If I’ve got six fantastic boys and four average girls, I’m certainly not going to throw out a fantastic boy to put in another average girl, or vice versa.”

And there’s great news for the show’s fans: No more months-long wait for music from their favorite singers – songs will be released as the season progresses. While many ideas were tossed up against the wall, one that was considered and abandoned was having past winners face off against former finalists who may have deserved another chance, such as Fantasia taking on Jennifer Hudson or David Cook taking on Adam Lambert. The idea didn’t get very far since few past winners and finalists were keen on it.

Will you be tuning in?

Click here to see which ‘American Idol’ favorite was married on New Years Day!

[Keep Clicking Thumbnails for a Larger Image]

Images Via: WENN.com

Filed Under: Celebrity Gossip, Television Tagged With: Adam Lambert, American Idol, American Idol Changes, American Idol Jimmy Iovine, American Idol Ray Chew, David Cook, Fantasia, Jennifer Hudson, Jimmy Iovine, Ray Chew

Artist Interview – The Script

December 2, 2009 By Holly Stafford 1 Comment

A little while ago we featured “The Script” on New Music Friday with their video “Breakeven.” (Click HERE to see it!)Hailing from Dublin, Ireland, and consisting of members Danny O’Donoghue, Mark Sheehan, and Glen Power, they are steadily climbing up the popularity charts with their new brand of Celtic soul, blending ‘hip hop lyrical flow with pop melodiousness, state-of-the-art R’n’B production with anthem rock dynamics, classic song construction with gritty contemporary narratives.’ Currently on tour with American Idol’s Season 7 Winner David Cook, they took a few minutes out of their busy schedules to answer a couple questions that many fans have been wanting to know the answers to. Those answers are below – Enjoy!

• What are some of your favorite places you have played?
Croke Park, Dublin, Ireland – Supporting U2. The New Shay Stadium – Cityfield New York. The Warehouse-Houston, Minneapolis-The Fine Line, New York – St. Patricks Day – The Highline Ballroon

• What is one of your most bizarre fan encounters?
We were using the bathroom in a truckstop when a guy came in and said ‘ I dont mean to ask you this now but can I have your autograph? ‘

• Who are some of your inspirations?
Coldplay-U2-Stevie Wonder-Timbaland-Tribe called Quest

• Where do you get your song inspirations from, lyrically speaking?
It can come from anything, anyone or anywhere. It can come from a conversation or a line thats said in a movie we are watching. Our formula is to have no formula, that way we never get stuck.

• How did you come up with the name for your band?
When we call each other up in the morning we would always say ‘ whats the Script? Whats the story, whats happening today? ‘ Also our songs our very storylike in nature and we started the band in LA so we felt that everything was pointing to that name.

• What are some of your passions outside of music?
Golf – Playstation 3 – Reading

• How has your music evolved since you first began playing music together?
In a live sense, we have become a better band, more confident onstage and more aware of what makes a show great. The music has evolved with our audience in ways we couldnt have imagined, people have taken their own meanings from the songs and made them a soundtrack to their own lives.

• What has been your biggest challenge as a band?
Adapting to the touring life, being away from home and the people you love.

Filed Under: Celebrity Gossip, Music Tagged With: American Idol, Answers, Breakeven, Cityfield New York, Coldplay, Croke Park, Danny O'Donoghue, David Cook, Dublin Ireland, fans, Glen Power, Golf, Highline Ballroom, Houston, Interview, Mark Sheehan, Minneapolis, Playstation 3, Questions, Shay Stadium, Stevie Wonder, The Fine Line, The Script, Timbaland, Tribe Called Quest, U2, Warehouse

New Music Friday – The Script

November 13, 2009 By Holly Stafford 1 Comment

The Script is a three-piece Irish pop rock band from Dublin, Ireland consisting of members Danny O’Donoghue, Mark Sheehan, and Glen Power. They are a whole new brand of celtic soul, blending ‘hip hop lyrical flow with pop melodiousness, state-of-the-art R’n'B production with anthemic rock dynamics, classic song construction with gritty contemporary narratives.’

Per Total Assault:

“Irish people have soul,” according to Danny. “It comes from generations of pain, and generations of understanding emotion to be able to physically get that in a solid sound.”

The Script received an award at the World Music Awards for ‘Best Selling Irish Act‘ of 2008, and the ‘Best Band‘ award at the BalconyTV Music Video Awards 2008. They were also nominated for a number of awards at the 2009 Meteor Ireland Music Awards along with a nomination for ‘Best Album‘ at the Choice Music Prize. After reaching #15 on the charts with their debut single “We Cry,” their 2nd single “The Man Who Can’t Be Moved” hit the #2 spot. Their debut album, “The Script,” was released in August 2008 and went straight to #1 on iTunes UK & Ireland. Their 3rd single “Breakeven” was released in November 2008, and have just released the video for the single. They are currently on tour with American Idol’s Season 7 Winner David Cook, but will take time out of their busy schedule to make appearances on “It’s On With Alexa Chung” on November 16th and “The Late Show with David Letterman” on November 17th.

Check out the video for “Breakeven” above, and then swing by iTunes to pick up their self-titled debut album. I love this song. If you have ever been through a bad breakup – and honestly, who hasn’t? – then you can relate to this song. Its beautiful and it touches me – possibly because it speaks the truth.

Filed Under: Awards, Celebrity Gossip, David Cook, David Letterman, Music, Television Tagged With: American Idol, Appear, Appearances, Award, BalconyTV Music Video Awards, Best Album, Best Band, Best Selling Irish Act, Breakeven, Celtic Soul, Choice Music Prize, Classic, Contemporary, Danny O'Donoghue, David Cook, Dublin, Emotion, Glen Power, Hip Hop, Ireland, Its On With Alexa Chung, iTunes, Mark Sheehan, Meteor Ireland Music Awards, Pop, R&B, Rock, single, The Late Show With David Letterman, The Man Who Can't Be Moved, The Script, Tour, Video, We Cry, World Music Awards

Adam Cook, David Cook’s Brother, Died of Cancer – Announcement Video

May 3, 2009 By Cara Harrington Leave a Comment

[David Cook’s Race for Hope Death of Adam Cook Announcement]

After battling cancer for 11 years, Adam Cook, has passed away early this Sunday morning.

[David Cook's Rendition of "Always Be My Baby" on American Idol- Video]

Adam was the brother and real life idol to David Cook. David won the last season of “American Idol.” The cancer had spread to his spine after living with the disease for over a decade. David made the announcement at the Race for Hope and via his official website.

Per DavidCookOfficial.com:

“Hello, everyone. It is with great sadness I share with you that David announced at the Race for Hope this morning that his beloved older brother Adam had lost his battle with cancer late last night/early this morning.

Just a quick note to let’s, out of love and respect for David and his family, offer our thoughts and/or prayers, as well as our support and understanding here in this thread, but otherwise please respect their privacy at this time. Thank you.
An official announcement will, no doubt, be forthcoming.

My heartfelt thoughts and prayers to Dave and his family, to Kendra and the children, and to everyone whose lives are affected by this great loss. I am now without words … *tears*”

Our thoughts and deepest condolences are with the family, friends and loved ones of the Cook family. To make a donation to the Race for Hope organization supporting the fight against cancer, please click here.