David Cook feels the power and the light

When the pomp was nearly over, the man who had his very own "Day" in Blue Springs, Kansas City and the entire state of Missouri emerged from backstage. The force that hit him bowed his back: an ocean of people and signs and an ecstatic roar -- the kind you hear at rallies for Super Bowl champs.

This city hasn't had a major-league title since 1985; for now, it seems David Cook will do.

His "American Idol" rally down at the Kansas City Power & Light district drew a crowd of many thousands (I'd guess around 4,000). They filled the covered pavilion area, including the stairs and walkways, and they spilled out both entrances. Some stood on roofs of nearby buildings. Media were everywhere, including one of the sports talk-radio stations.

It was a diverse crowd. There were tots, middle-schoolers, teens, tweens, young adults, middle-aged adults and grandparents. And there were friends of the Blue Springs native, and family, too. Cook acknowledged some of them, including younger brother, Andrew, who strained to hold back the tears. "Don't start crying," his older brother said, "or I will."

Nobody  cried, though. Mostly there was a lot of celebrating and cheering and sign-waving. Some of the signs were clever, like the KC/DC sign drawn like the AC/DC logo. And one with a famous line from "Idol" judge Randy Jackson: "Molten hot lava bomb!"

There was a little music, too. Cook performed two songs, accompanying himself on acoustic guitar. The first: Bon Jovi's "Livin' On A Prayer," his audition tune; then "Always Be My Baby," his contribution to Mariah Carey Week.

Before Cook performed his two songs, he received the royal treatment backstage. City Manager Wayne Cauthen and City Councilwoman Jan Marcason thanked presented proclamations on behalf of the city and the state. (Excerpts will be on the city’s Channel 2 cable channel.) Cauthen told Cook, “No pressure, but we really hope you win.”

Cauthen beamed as he surveyed the throng in the entertainment district, where people stood on the roof of a nearby parking garage. “This is what this was built for,” he gushed. As he contemplated the free publicity on Fox and its various networks, he said, “People will come to this city. They’ll fill some hotel rooms.”

Marcason admitted that she didn’t know much about David Cook before she was tapped to present the proclamation. (Mayor Mark Funkhouser is out of town picking up his son from college). But she was giddy after meeting the "Idol" contestant. “He’s so cute,” she said. “He’s a doll.”

Cook is one of three finalists in Season 7 of "American Idol." Like Cook, the other two (David Archuleta and Syesha Mercado) went back home this weekend for similar rallies. Footage of all three will be aired during the two "Idol" shows next week (a little on Tuesday, much more on Wednesday). Wednesday night, one of the three will be eliminated. This season's finale will be held May 20 at the Nokia Theater in Los Angeles.

After his second number at the Power & Light District on Friday, Cook said a few more thank-yous and made his way off stage and through the crowd. His destination was a stretch limousine parked about 100 feet away. It would take him nearly 20 minutes to get there.

Along the way he signed everything stuck in front of him, including some of the many $10 David Cook T-shirts that had been sold before and after his performance. That limo was parked across Grand Boulevard from Sprint Center, where the electronic marquee promoted the Aug. 29 "Idol" tour. Earlier, Cook told the crowd he really hopes to be the final performer that night -- the spot that goes to this season's winner. As if it needed another cue, the crowd let loose another champion's roar.

| Timothy Finn with help from Lynn Horsley and DeAnn Smith, The Star

Watch a video of David Cook's performance here.

For more on Cook's visit, go to Prime Buzz.

Comments

[Keith in KC]

Look, I know this guy nor American Idol are the most important things happening in the world right now, but how can you not appreciate a "Local boy does good" story? Are we that jaded that we can't enjoy something as simple as that for a few minutes? On another story earlier, many Johnson Countians were degrading Cook and Missouri (once again, like a broken record), but weren't you guys making the equally insignificant Jayhawk victory sound like the best thing that has ever happened in the Midwest just a few weeks back?

Look, when something happens to give Middle America the national spotlight (Such as local Band, The Republic Tigers, appearing on Letterman in a couple of weeks), shouldn't we at least be a little proud of that, if even for a moment? This part of the country rarely gets any major attention by the national media. For those who are happy about David Cook's journey on "American Idol", keep cheering him on. If you couldn't care less, that's fine too. Just keep it to yourself, OK?

[Tim Finn]

Thanks for the note, but who are you talking to? (Don't mind the haters.)

[David Smith]

Tim-

"This city hasn't had a major-league title since 1985."

Please add in that the Kansas City Wizards won the 2000 MLS Cup Championship, as well as the 2004 US Open Cup Championship. I am glad to see that the Power and Light can host a concert of this magnitude.

David

[Tim Finn]

I know it has "ML" in its name, and I'm a soccer fan, but the "major-leagues" refers to the four big sports. (And I hope they win it again this year)

[Gail]

I am from Florida, I think David Cook is awesome, GO DAVID
I truly hope he wins, to me his voice is the best.

[second and first]

wow. Local schools poured out for the spectacle.
He sings two songs. Written by famous people.

May our own children reach such dizzing heights
of achievement and honor.

My tears are streaming onto my faded yellow ribbon.

For those brave troops.

I am an American.

wow.

[Johnny]

"I am an American"....no, you are an idiot first and foremost.

Well done, Tim Finn, there are still some of us with a helthy outlook on life and a desire to celebrate the great accomplishments of our own neighbors, whether they break a record for selling Girl Scout Cookies or cure cancer. Good luck David Cook, you are by far and away the best performer this season.

[East Side Goon]

Pathetic.....the City Council of Kansas City honors a guy......that isn't even FROM Kansas City.......L-A-M-E

[Vandelay]

It's true that American Idol isn't the most important thing in the world. And I suspect that even David Cook, well-grounded as appears to be, would agree with that statement. The show is mostly harmless, escapist entertainment that happens to be the #1 and #2 show in the country nearly every week. It's served as a giant springboard for more than a few popular musicians. So it's naturally going to be a big local media story when a local person succeeds on it. Deal with it.

[cacci]

It isn't the most important thing. But I agree. We can celebrate someone who is doing well from the Heartland. Okay, technically, he isn't from Kansas City but Blue Springs. Last I heard, Blue Springs was a suburb of Kansas City. For those who are trying to liken this to Iraq. Get real. We support and celebrate all areas of life. We support our young people in Iraq (even if we don't believe we should be there) and we celebrate everything else about life. I am proud of David and I think it's been a real hoot today!

[East Side Goon]

Cacci,

EXACTLY...the guy is from BLUE SPRINGS, not KANSAS CITY, so WHY are Kansas City elected officials, who have a MILLION others things they should be worried about (7 murders in a week, multi-billion dollar sewer issue, budget crisis) spending time claiming a day for a guy who ISN'T EVEN FROM KANSAS CITY????

[John]

To say Blue Springs isn't part of KC is kind of like saying spokes aren't part of the wheel. David is from KC and KC is proud to have him.

Great work so far David...now go finish the job!

[East Side Goon]

If it was part of Kansas City, it wouldn't be a SEPARATE CITY.

Sad that KC is so desperate that it poaches from other nearby towns.

[East Side Goon WHAT?]

East Side Goon, you're an idiot. I'd gladly disown Blue Springs from the metro area if given the chance, but the US Census Bureau won't let me. You see, Blue Springs is considered part of the Kansas City Metropolitan area, it is known as a "suburb". You may have heard the term. The gist of it is that most people and businesses that reside in this "suburb" derive thier economic well being from the "City" which in this case, happens to be KCMO. Take away Kansas City from Blue Springs, and David Cook would be wearing a big belt buckle, singing garth brooks songs, and getting in fights about ford vs. chevy.

Blue Springs is the Alabama of the Metro Area, we'd all love to see it go away, but unfortunately, we're stuck with it.

[CityGirl]

Without dissing Blue Springs, it's ridiculous to criticize Kansas City for honoring David Cook.

First, if you've watched the show at all in the past, when a contestant is from a suburb/small town they ALWAYS go to the suburb/small town AND to the larger city for the hometown vists. For example, yesterday David Archuleta was being honored by his home town of Murray, Utah AND the city of Salt Lake. Second, American Idol ASKS the citys, towns and states to do this for the contestants! Third, David Cook spent a lot of time in KANSAS CITY playing in various venues in Westport. etc., with his band, making him a KANSAS CITY taxpayer. His band was voted the number one band in 2004 in KANSAS CITY. He also used to work at the stadium, which is in KANSAS CITY. Additionally, David's mother works in downtown KANSAS CITY and is a KANSAS CITY taxpayer.

Also, on the Q&A section of Idol's Web site, when asked what ONE venue would he like to perform in if he could perform anywhere, David Cook said he would like to perform at KANSAS CITY'S Sprint Center. And as it turns out, David Cook and the rest of the Top 10 WIll be performing in KANSAS CITY'S Sprint Center on Aug. 29.

As much as I disagree with bashing Blue Springs and the suburbs in general, I do believe that those that hybernate in the burbs are really missing out. I moved here from Bloomington, Ill., for a job in Overland Park (now work downtown KC), but I wanted to live in the city because I didn't come to Kansas City just to live near a strip mall! I explored the whole city within the first year and when I started dating a guy from Lee's Summit, I was amazed that when we would go places, whether it be downtown, north, south, west, or whatever, I would know the whole Kansas City metro area better than he or his friends, because many of them never bothered to get out of their own little worlds.

With the new Sprint Center and the Power and Light District, the Crossroads District, etc., now more than ever it's time for people in the burbs to get out and explore downtown and stop bashing it and finding reasons to criticize!

Go David Cook and go Kansas City!

[Mo Dickens]

What a nice way to showcase Kansas City's Power and Light District on a national TV show. This is a break for all of Kansas City and I can't imagine how anyone could find fault with it. I don't watch the show, but that doesn't mean I can't appreciate millions of dollars of free publicity for our city... I read that Mr. Cook declined to sing the national anthem at the Royals' game when he heard it would mean bumping a youth group from that gig. He sounds like a fine young man and I wish him, and his fans, well.

[Donkey Shane]

I bet if you sneezed and he didn't even know you, he'd say: "God bless you."