David Cook Update!

David Cook, 26, the rocker who won American Idol in 2008, is already hard at work on a follow-up to his successful post-"Idol" debut, a self-titled album that has sold well over a million copies.

The Blue Springs, Mo., native and his band, the Anthemic, will bring their Declaration Tour to the Colosseum at Caesars Windsor on Saturday. And he just might test out a new song that he hopes will make the new album, due out next summer, he says.

On that sophomore effort, Cook wants to show more depth and to collaborate more with other writers. He doesn't have a producer on board yet, but he promises there will be more "riff-based guitar and more piano." To that end, Cook -- a guitarist -- is trying to beef up his piano-playing skills. "The goal right now is to try to get it to where I can play it live."
QUESTION: You've been on the road since Feb. 13 for a tour that originally was supposed to run through the spring. Did you anticipate you'd still be on the road today?

ANSWER: No. It's a testament to the demand, which is great. To have a record out that's done so well ... how many people can say that? We've been extremely blessed to be on the road this far. The one thing I really wanted to harp on with the tour ... I wanted to come out and do the record justice with good shows. I didn't want to come out with all the bells and whistles. I wanted it to be an accessible rock show.

Q: When does work begin in earnest on the new album?

A: The day we get off the road. I am legitimately kind of enamored with the record process. As such I can't wait to get started. I'm excited. With the last record, it was tough because I was on the road (for the "American Idol" summer tour in 2008) for a lot of the record process. We used a lot of technology to keep me involved. I'll be in the studio and be a little more hands-on. I'm looking forward to that.

Q: Of all the other "Idol" alums, you have connected more with Carrie Underwood; you'll be on her Christmas special on Dec. 7 on Fox. Why have you two become such fast friends?

A: We both kind of lived in the Tulsa area for a while. She's from Checotah and I lived in Tulsa. I don't know. It's one of those random things. We're two people who met each other who happen to get along. She's been amazing. She's made herself available. Someone of her stature has no reason to do that. She calls me Cookie, and I call her Ms. Underwood. And it'll probably stay that way until I reach her level.

-Freep.com