David Cook (2008)

Bio

David Cook

Just one week after being named the winner of the seventh season of American Idol, 25-year-old David Cook rewrote chart history, with a record-breaking 14 debuts on Billboard's Hot Digital Songs survey. He also had 11 songs jump onto the Hot 100, the highest number of new entries ever, and the second-highest amount of simultaneous hits since the Beatles in 1964. All that, and his single, "The Time of My Life," instantly became the highest debuting title of 2008, entering the Hot 100 at No. 3.

When this most recent season of American Idol began, Cook wasn't on anyone's radar to win the whole thing - including his own. "I like that I 'snuck up' on people," he says. "During those early shows, when there were 24 people, I knew I didn't have to be one of the best, but I didn't want to be one of the worst. So it was fun for me because there wasn't a lot of pressure and I could find my own footing."

Cook won fans with his unique renditions of songs like Lionel Richie's "Hello," Michael Jackson's "Billie Jean" and the Beatles' "Eleanor Rigby." He explains, "When I began, I told vocal coach Debra Byrd I wanted the season to be like a set list, so people would feel like they were at one of my concerts."

It's all come with lessons learned, according to Cook. "The whole process has given me a brand-new lease on life in that I am more sure of who I am now that ever before. I've learned that when I'm singing live on stage to embrace that moment and if doesn't work, it's OK, move on."