David Cook

From his rock-star swagger, unexpected song arrangements, and unflappable cool, there was no question that "American Idol" season 7 winner David Cook was destined for superstardom. Born on Dec. 20, 1982 in Houston, TX and raised in Blue Springs, MO, Cook had musical aspirations from an early age. He began singing in public when he was in second grade, learned to play the violin and guitar, and began entering talent competitions. At 15, he formed a band, Axium, which produced three independent, locally released albums. After graduating from high school, Cook attended Central Missouri State University. After receiving his graphic design degree, he relocated to Tulsa, OK to pursue a music career. On his own, he released an independent album, Analog Heart (2006), the sales of which skyrocketed during Cook's appearance on "American Idol" the following year. In 2007, Cook traveled to Omaha, NE for the "American Idol" (Fox, 2002-16) auditions to provide moral support for his older brother, Andrew, who did not make it past the auditions. Asked by producers to try singing himself, Cook belted out a snippet of Bon Jovi's "Livin' on a Prayer," impressing the judges enough to send him to Hollywood, where he made it to the semifinals round.