I Was Never In It to Win It: 'Accidental' Idol

Cook says he 'was never in it to win it'

By Michael Foreman, Newser User

Posted Jun 15, 2008 11:32 AM CDT

(Newser) – David Cook almost didn't audition for American Idol—he was there to offer moral support to his younger brother. But goading from his family kicked off a whirlwind journey that took him from fledgling Midwest rocker to Billboard star. Cook tells Rolling Stone about his modest beginnings—and his early skepticism about the Idol pop machine.

"I appreciated the show for what it is, but I never really saw it as my path," he said. "I was never in it to win it, and that took some pressure off me. If I'd gotten caught up in all that, I would've had a coronary."

[Images (3)]

[Videos (2)]

Recent American Idol winner David Cook almost didn't audition for the show. (AP Photo, file)

The week after winning Idol, 11 of Cook's songs broke "Billboard's" Hot 100, the most since the Fab Four ruled the charts. (AP Photo)

Cook was skeptical of the Idol pop machine. "I'm aware that I signed on the dotted line," he says. (AP Photo, file)

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David Cook covers Temple of the Dog's "Hunger Strike" with his old band Midwest Kings. (rdiogrl81)

David Cook wins American Idol. (singincurlyq)

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I Was Never In It to Win It: 'Accidental' Idol