Up Close With The American Idols - Kristy Lee Cook

For most contestants American Idol is their once in a lifetime shot at stardom. But for some, like Kristy Lee Cook, it is also a second chance. Cook, along with fellow contestants Carly Smithson and Michael Johns, was signed to a record label in the past. Seven years ago Cook was signed with Arista-Nashville under Britney Spears’ Superstar label. As with Michael Johns (who recorded an album with Maverick Records), Cook’s deal fell apart before an album was ever released.

Kristy Lee Cook is now back with Arista Nashville (sans any involvement with Britney Spears). Her new single “15 Minutes of Shame” is available for digital download on August 12th with her album Why Wait scheduled for release on September 6th.

When I spoke with Cook, before the Idol concert in Tacoma, WA last month, she was in the final stage of readying her album for release. She came across as very determined and ready to make her mark on the country music scene.

Last week you performed in Portland. What was it like to play in your hometown?

It was so cool. You could tell it was my hometown because a lot of people were really loud and rooting for me. That was really cool. But I was born in Seattle and lived here for nine years. I've got kind of two areas I'm from up here. I have a lot of family here too.

You have a new song coming out soon?

Yes I do. I have "15 Minutes of Shame" coming out, my single. It actually got leaked on-line, but it's coming out officially in August.

Are you working on an album too?

Yeah, we're working on the album. We're just right now picking the songs that we want for the album. I've already done all the recording. So I'm just picking and choosing right now. I did it during the first two weeks I was done [with American Idol].

And are you going to be planning a tour of your own?

Hopefully, next year I'll have a tour of my own going - that would be awesome. I definitely want to. If the album does good, I'm sure I will.

Article Author: Sherry Lipp

Sherry writes mostly music and dvd reviews and on occasion she gets to do an interview. She plays the guitar, enjoys playing with her dog Pepsi and she and her husband are currently in the process of internationally adopting from Poland.

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