An Idol Tracker's journey ends

Forgive me for interrupting regularly scheduled Idol news with some personal business, but I have an announcement to make to Idol Tracker readers. Tuesday will be my last day with the L.A. Times and thus my stint as the L.A. Times' Idol Tracker comes to an end.

It has been an amazing three years covering the most important spectacle in the history of the world.  Three years ago, when we started the Show Tracker blog, I volunteered to write the occasional review of the occasional episode of "Idol," never imagining my life would disappear down the "Idol" rabbit hole.  But then I came face to face with the incredible stories of these young people, these warriors of song, who every year risked the worst fate any of us can imagine -- public humiliation before tens of millions -- all for a shot at their dreams.  I also got to meet the incredibly talented group of people who put the show together and on so many occasions was allowed to peek backstage at what goes into creating a goliath like "Idol."

So many memories from three years on the "Idol" beat.  Come with me now on a little stroll down Memory Boulevard, as we visit an Idol Tracker's greatest days, with a few of the pictures and videos I've snapped over the years.  Ah, yes, I remember it well ....

An Idol tragedy: David Cook's brother succumbs to cancer

Very sad news in Idol Nation today. David Cook's older brother, Adam Cook, 37, has died after an 11-year battle with cancer. According to US Weekly, David made the announcement in Washington, D.C., at the Race For Hope 5K, of which he was the honorary chairman. US Weekly quotes David telling the crowd:

"I actually lost my brother yesterday to a brain tumor, and I couldn't imagine being anywhere else right now. I lost one today, but I gained 9,000, and I will be here every year that they will have me."

For those who watched David rise through the ranks of Season Seven, his brother's illness was the poignant backstory of the year, and one which David handled with grace and dignity despite the struggles he and has family underwent, never openly discussing his brother's illness on the air but making  general comments in support of cancer victims. Adam's increasingly frail appearance when he visited the set made for some of the season's most dramatic moments. During each show of the Idols Live tour, David dedicated his final number, "There Goes My Hero," to Adam.

Idoltracker's thoughts and prayers go out to David and the entire Cook clan.

UPDATE:  You can contribute to the Race For Hope by clicking here.

And  watch David's moving speech below here:

-- Richard Rushfield

Photo: Fox

Catching up with Bo Bice

Bo Bice, “American Idol” Season 4 runner-up to Carrie Underwood, is fresh off the heels of a three week tour and enjoying life in Nashville with his wife and two young musically inclined sons, Aidan and Caleb.  Aidan, 3, “loves to play on his guitars and drums and he sings. He loves Rock Band -- he does ‘Slow Ride’ very well, he knows almost all the words.” And anytime Caleb, 8 months, “sees an instrument or somebody singing, he’s all over it.”

After trying to make it as a songwriter in Nashville “about a decade ago," Alabama-born Bice, 33, returned to make it his home, and it’s much better this time ‘round. The Bice family have been Nashville-based for four years now.

“It’s nice being here now and being able to really have my dreams come true — being able to write and produce music here," he said. "And then on top of everything else, it’s just a beautiful town here in the South.”

The long-haired former “Idol” started his own record label there, Sugar Money, and has a recording studio that keeps him busy in Music City. Still, Bice enjoys touring near and far — particularly when he’s able to play for the troops in Afghanistan and Iraq as he did last year with Stars for Stripes.

David Cook's 'Come Back to Me' video: Hit or miss?

Season 7 "American Idol" winner David Cook has released the video for his new single, "Come Back to Me," on AT&T music.

The video kicks off with Cook washing his face and a sexy, wet-stubble closeup that his fans are sure to appreciate. Then, Cook spends some time jamming with the band, takes a stroll through a forest and hops a cab to the airport to say farewell to his lady love. The theme of the video is time travel, meaning that Cook spends much of the video literally walking backwards, as do all of the people around him. This is a fine enough technique except for during the forest scene, when Cook's backward mobility seems to threaten his life. Watch out! Tree!

What do you all think? Does David Cook's new video do his sweet and sultry new single justice? And if he were singing to you, would you "come back" to him?

David Cook has been going through a difficult time lately. He had to cancel two concerts recently for "personal family matters," and he was forced to confront some overzealous fans invading his personal space and privacy. Here's hoping the next few weeks are a happier, less turbulent time for our reigning "American Idol."

— Stephanie Lysaght

Photo credit: Fox

Related:

David Cook cancels shows for 'personal family matters'; fans supportive

David and David reunite! In the Philippines?

David Cook cancels shows for 'personal family matters'; fans supportive

Season 7 "American Idol" winner, David Cook, is canceling two performances because of undisclosed family issues.

Sunday afternoon, the following bulletin was posted on David's website:

"We are canceling Monday and Tuesday's shows to allow David time to deal with personal family matters. Please respect his privacy at this time. David would like everyone to rest assured that we are working with the Universities to reschedule the shows that are missed."

The canceled shows were scheduled at Colby-Sawyer College in New London, N.H., and Southern Connecticut State University in New Haven, Conn.

Cook's fans have been nothing but supportive, posting tons of kind words on the rock star's website.

"We love you and will wait for you however long you are gone," wrote one fan; "your family comes first, and we all respect that," assured another.

If you have a message of support for David and his family, feel free to post it below in the comments section.

David Cook is currently scheduled to perform his new single, "Come Back to Me," which you can listen to here, on "American Idol's" results show Wednesday. 

-- Stephanie Lysaght 

Photo credit: FOX

Related:

David and David reunite! In the Philippines?

David and David reunite! In the Philippines?

O-to-the-M-to-the-G! Season 7's two Davids — Cook and Archuleta — are performing together in less than two months!

And all you have to do to see them is travel to the Philippines. D&D will appear at the Mall of Asia Open Ground in Manila on May 16.

Don't believe me? Watch this video of David Jr. announcing the upcoming concert.

Would you rather hear the news from the David Sr.? Well, here's the Season 7 champ announcing the exact same news.

So, what are you waiting for? I found a ticket from LAX to Manila for $766 here. A meager price to pay to witness the reunion of these two giants of "American Idol" lore.

-- Stephanie Lysaght

Photo: Fox

Note to rabid 'Idol' fans: David Cook is just not that into you

When some concert attendees got a bit too enthusiastic at a recent show, Season 7 "American Idol" winner David Cook did what any creeped-out star would do: Blog about it, of course!

Yesterday afternoon, Cook posted the following impassioned speech on his MySpace page.

I have to address some behavior that has become disturbing. We pride ourselves on being accessible to you as fans, but in contrast, we do enjoy what little privacy we can muster. To that end, the efforts by some fans to find our hotel rooms, call our hotel rooms, attach things to our bus, etc., is something I have to condemn. This relationship only works when it remains healthy for both parties, and should this behavior continue, the only thing we can do is take more preventative measures to maintain our privacy, which in turn makes us less accessible to you.

I hope this doesn't come off as harsh. I merely want to nip this in the bud so we can continue to have a great experience with all of you at the shows we have coming up. Take care and see you at the next show.

What do you all think? Is David Cook's ire justified, or are crazed fans just part of being famous?

-- Stephanie Lysaght

Photo credit: FOX

The Contenders: Meet Casey Carlson

Smokin' Season 8 ... "American Idol" contestant Casey Carlson is a bikini girl without the attitude. FHM has called her " 'American Idol's' sexist ever contestant," and she can sing too! For her Kansas City audition, the 22-year-old University of Minnesota student performed Vanessa Carlson's "A Thousand Miles." She had Paula sitting on the edge of her seat and gained instant approval from Simon, who quickly stated "I like you." Casey Carlson got yeses from all four, which of course sent her to Hollywood.

The Minneapolis swimsuit model is featured in a Campus Girls USA "Girls of the Big 10" 2009 calendar. Proceeds from the sales benefit the fight against breast cancer. She has a MySpace page, and several fan sites. Her music taste ranges from David Cook to indie bands such as Belle and Sebastian and The Postal Service.

Like Paula, we just can't wait to see what cute Casey Carlson does next.

--Leslie Anne Wiggins

David Cook's spring tour dates announced

David Cook is going out on tour this spring after the November release of his debut self-titled album. Cook must not be superstitious -- it starts on Friday Feb. 13 in Tallahassee at Florida State University.

Although he doesn't make it as far west as California, he will have a strong presence in the middle of the country and the East Coast, playing mostly college towns.

PopEater has the full list of stops or you can check them out after the jump. So far ,just one concert from the tour has tickets on sale at Ticketmaster.

Cook to tour, grassroots style

David Cook announced plans for an upcoming "grassroots" style tour to Jaded Insider after a five-song set, which included his debut single "Light On", on the Jimmy Kimmel Live outdoor stage Tuesday night.

He's heading out on a college tour starting Feb. 13. Following a performance to open the American Idol Experience at Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando on Feb. 12, Cook will hit the road for a month's worth of dates, starting in Tallahassee, Fla.. The full tour routing should be announced this week, Cook told us after the show.

He plans to play a lot of college shows, hoping to capture the kind of energy he remembers from shows he attended during college years, a vibe regular venues just don't have. He's part of the lineup for the Virginia Beach Patriotic Festival in May, pre-sale begins Wednesday Jan. 21 on Ticketmaster.

(Thanks to mj for the tip.)

--Leslie Anne Wiggins