David Cook Brings Acoustic Show to Ridgefield Playhouse

Season 7 winner of "American Idol," rocker David Cook has released three successful albums since he appeared on the show. His hits include "Time of My Life," "Come Back to Me," "Light On" and "Fade Into Me." Earlier this year, he made his Broadway debut in Kinky Boots and returned to the smash-hit musical this summer for a limited run which ends this weekend. Don't miss David Cook, when he tours in support of his new EP, Chromance, with an acoustic set at The Ridgefield Playhouse on Wednesday, November 7 at 8pm, part of Pepsi Rock Series powered by Xfinity. Media sponsor for this show is 100.7 WHUD, One Great Song After Another.

After winning "American Idol," Cook signed a major label record deal and released his eponymous debut album, David Cook, which was certified platinum. It featured collaborations with artists like Chris Cornell, Collective Soul's Ed Roland, and Our Lady Peace's Raine Maida. His post-Idol success includes debuting a record-setting 11 songs on Billboard's Hot 100 in one week, shattering the previous record. His single "The Time of My Life" debuted at number 3. That same week, Cook also broke the record for most debuts on Billboard's Hot Digital songs chart with 14 debut entries. Cook's sound is rock-oriented with a hint of grunge. He cites his influences as Our Lady of Peace, Big Wreck, Jimmy Eat World, and Foo Fighters, among others.

When Cook released Chromance earlier this year he remarked, "I wanted this EP to feel like the darker side of love... I recently found some psychology textbooks from college and read about different forms of love - parental, platonic, romantic, obsessive. When most people, including me, write love songs, it's usually 'you and me against the world,' but I wanted to tap into the murkier aspects of love people rarely talk about." A fan of both Massive Attack and Nine Inch Nails, Cook always admired how they pushed the envelope and brought pop elements in to rock music. "I used them as a bedrock for this EP and how I wanted the record to feel."

"American Idol" remains a part of Cook's life with many appearances on television promoting the show, as well as performing in reunion shows with various other Idol winners. What does he think of the Idol re-boot? He's all for it. "To me, what American Idol represented more than anything was opportunity. It was another chance for singer/songwriters to showcase what they did. Some people thought Idol was a shortcut, but I spent ten years playing out, hoping to get noticed before I auditioned. I want the show to do well because I think that's good for music."

Another passion of Cook's is his work with ABC2, a Washington DC-based nonprofit that drives cutting edge research and treatments for brain cancer and brain tumors. The death of his older brother Adam from brain cancer in 2009 had a tremendous effect on David who still plays his white, left handed Les Paul guitar, with the letters AC on it.

For tickets ($39.50), call the box office at 203-438-5795, or visit ridgefieldplayhouse.org. The Ridgefield Playhouse is a non-profit performing arts center located at 80 East Ridge, parallel to Main Street, Ridgefield, CT.

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