Grin...if his initial foray onto the Billboard charts is any indication, the Cookie is gonna have a huge career. His debut single is the highest selling single of any AI winner since season #2. RCA/19 Entertainment released studio versions of his AI performances, and they're selling like hotcakes. So David has something like 17 songs on the Billboard Hot 100 this week. No other artist has come close to this number of songs on the charts in the same week since the Beatles set the record in 1964.
David's first album is tentatively scheduled to be released in the fall. If he gets to do the pop/rock album he wants, and the material is good, and if public interest in him continues at its current level, the album will be a smash hit.
Which, of course, will leave the likes of Montgomery to stew in their own putrid juices, wondering why Cookie and not them.
Well, let me explain it to him.
On Idol, David Cook showed up with what looked like grungy hair, a blank puffy face, a stupid "feather" of red paint in his forelock, and zero presence. His voice was not bad.
Over a very short time, the rough diamond began to shine through. He had intelligence. He had heart and he started to pour it into his songs. His voice was smoky rich. He made that huge point to show the orange rubber bracelet he wore for the tiny little girl undergoing cancer treatments. He broke down when his very ill brother was able to be flown to L.A. to see him perform. He was gracious to all of his fellow contestants. He was funny. He was sweet. His face is not blank at all: now it's handsome with twinkles in his eyes and a Grinchlike smile across his lips.
And he really is good: great voice and fun to watch. I'm listening to him right now and I look forward to hearing more. He knows how to give 100% of himself when performing. And he's a nice guy.