FROM THE HARD ROCK CAFE
NOVEMBER 18, 2008, 7:15 PM
This is the live blog from the Hard Rock Cafe exclusive performance and album signing. Refresh your page for updates.
6:12 - It's a cold night in New York City. Especially for all the fans who woke up early to get a ticket to this very special performance. The stage is set, the crowd is here and the excitement is palpable. Kiss on the Neck is playing over the speakers. Just 20 more minutes before the performance starts.
6:21 - Just a few minutes left before the show starts and we have some familiar faces in the crowd. We just met Nancy, who is Andy's aunt (Andy plays guitar and keyboards). The room is filling up fast.
6:28 - Just got a message from David! "I'm getting ready to go on stage now and I just want to say hi to all of you following the blog on DavidCookOfficial.com"
6:30 The background music just went quiet but the lights are still on. Is the show about to start? Not yet.
6:33 Music is off again now. Some in the crowd are starting to scream. The stage is dark and there is a big DAVID COOK logo in the background in white. Another tease, sound familiar?
6:34 LIGHTS ARE OFF NOW. Screams are deafening. Flashes. This is about to start!
6:36 LIGHTS ON! In a matter of seconds the band hits the stage and right behind them David comes out with a red shirt on and a black vest. The show started!!! HEROES is the first song.
6:38 The crowd sings along "I'm still standing"
6:39 David says this next song is called Mr. Sensitive. You can hardly hear him over the screams.
6:41 David is playing guitar next no Neal now. Facing each other during the solo.
6:42 "IIIIIIIII would like to introduce Mr. Sensitive" screams David facing the crowd on the right side of the stage. The right side of the room shows their appreciation loudly!
6:43 Song ends. "Thanks" says David in his very own humble way "This is a lot more people than on my last CD release party" and then he goes straight into Declaration. Drops his guitar, picks up the mike and starts to move. He owns the whole stage now.
6:45 Solo. He is clapping and the whole crowd follows along. He asks for the lights to be turned on and an ocean of clapping hands takes over the room.
6:46 Some 500 people have learned their lyrics fast! The whole room is singing Deeeeeeclaration out loud. And I am sure some of you at home are doing the same too!
6:47 Between songs David speaks: "This has been a pretty amazing day. I cheated and I looked at the charts on iTunes. What do you guys think it was?" - NUMBER ONE shouts the crowd. "That's all I care about" pause. "For the record, it's number two on the main chart but NUMBER ONE on the Rock charts!"
6:50 David is holding his guitar again. Now this one's for you! He just said: "This one is dedicated to all of those following the show from DavidCookOfficial.com" The crowd shouts their approval. And he starts playing LIE.
6:53 Guitar change. He is now holding the white guitar with the AC letters on it. Starts to speak: "Before we get too far I have to thank a lot of people. Namely you guys. Just to quote Christina Aguilera: It just keeps getting better. Thank you everyone at 19 and RCA and the Hard Rock and thanks to my Mom who's also here. This song is about this last year and is called LIFE ON THE MOON".
6:56 "Life on the moon, could it be any stranger?" There will be lots of new pictures on DCO tomorrow because there are hundreds of cameras in the crowd. Everyone is trying to take home a piece of this very special night.
6:58 "We're gonna play one more" The crowd complains "OK, the whole record"? Massive approval. "Let's start with one"
7:00 David begins to introduce the band. He says "This is Kyle" and the beat starts strong. You can feel the vibration of the bass drum in your chest. It's the beginning of Bar-Ba-Sol.
7:01 We're in the middle of the first verse and David steps on top of the monitor in the center of the stage. He stands tall and dangerously close to the audience. Hands reach out to touch him. His voice sounds powerful and confident as he looks up to the sky delivering a powerful scream.
7:02 Grabs the guitar. This is getting seriously loud now. The energy in the room is overwhelming.
7:03 And just like that the song ends. We hear a "Thank you guys", the lights go off and they all leave.
7:04 David, David, David, the crowd demands more. But the room is dark. Just a few screens and of course the iPhone Light On lighter application...
7:07 He's back out!
7:08 He thanks everyone again and goes into something different now. A cover. From the 80s. can you guess which one? Fleetwood Mac anyone?
7:09 Little lies! But of course, in David's own way: with that special touch you are all so familiar with. Sounds so much better than the original. He owns it like he wrote it. David and the band are in top form tonight!
7:10 He says "On the count of three everyone name your favorite song on the record"
7:11 You asked for it. David is about to sing "Light On". But before he starts he says thank you again and says he looks forward to many more of these. You know there will be.
7:15 Song starts with those familiar chords. Finally. The stage lights up big. And in the center stands David, guitar in hand. "Try to leave a light on when I'm gone" The crowd knows it's the last song.
7:17 Song ends. David throws the guitar pick to the audience. One lucky fan picks it up, tears in her eyes. Show's over.
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Replies for this News article
That's weird,
that he mention Christina Aguilera. The reason why was I said that was suppose to get her new CD the day DC's CD came out but apparently her CD only sells at Target.
--
~Natalie
Sneaking In Late...
It was a fantastic show. Especially liked the "Lie" dedication & the Mac's "Little Lies". Band is awesome, I came to realize that even more by the "Little Lies" performance, thank you! & for all the introductions.. you're awesome, what more can I say. Congratulations David. Well-deserved!
--
IndyCat
THANKS BE TO GOD! FIMALLY!!!
FINALLY< I'VE GIVEN IT TO SHARMINE CATHERINE IRINCO REYES! SHE HOPES THAT ALL THE LYRICS IN THE ALBUM WILL BE RELEASED SOON!!!!!!
As I write this
I am listening to Davids new CD and I love it! I have never been a huge american idol fan but this time, once I heard David Cook, I refused to miss a single show, and faithfully voted for David every time. Congratulations David, your new CD is wonderful!
It's far from ordinary....
David -
What a great performance at the HRC. The blog on dco and videos on You Tube helped all of us feel like we were in the front row. Congratulations on the release of "David Cook! I am speachless, and you sing it best anyway....
"Today's not the same as everyday, it's far from ordinary.."
Oh! and awesome #1 debut of the LO Video on VH1! I look forward to seeing you on the Red Carpet tomorrow night. Then I hope you get a chance to spend a restful Thanksgiving with your family and friends "at home". Remember, we fans are all so thankful to have David Cook in our lives. You have given us such a big piece of you on your debut albumn. It is unbelievable! Remember, we realize you need a break from us crazy fans and the hectic pace you have been so gracefully handling for so long. Please take care of yourself and I look so forward to seeing you and your band "live" in 2008.
Your music washes away from my soul the dust of everyday life...Thank-you David Cook!
got the pick!
I am absolutely in love with you David Cook! Your voice is so beautiful! Tuesday was one of the best days of my life, it was an absolute blast!!! When you finished singing the final song of the night you threw the pick into the audience. It landed right behind me. I bent down, felt the ground, and there it was! I was so incredibly excited, to say the least! I met you once before outside the Wachovia Center in Philly. So to have the pleasure of meeting you again was so awesome. You signed the pick for me and shook my hand and held it for a few seconds which I will never forget! Call me:)
CAN'T WAIT!!
Ugh, reading that just made me so anxious to see you guys play live even more!!!
Congratulations on your debut on VH1 @ #1!!! Woohoo!!!
but of course we're not suprised....
David's music
David,
You are a wonderful singer! Just wanted to let you know that your music inspires a lot of people.
With the history of singers from American Idol, I wanted to let you know that when your music isn't on the count down or your record company does not resign you.... the Christian community will embrace and welcome you with open arms!! Your voice was meant for higher purposes. God will use it for his Glory!!!
--
Happy Rose
get to kiss on the neck much faster
Several posts on this thread about how to get to Kiss on the NEck. At the end of A Daily AntheM go to track 13, then fast reverse through the 'noise' for a few seconds to the beginning of Kiss on the Neck......much faster.
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Lady Liberty
Thank you for the great blog.....
Thank you to David and our unsung blogger who gave us such a great insight to the show at the Hard Rock Cafe. It was a great way for those of us who wished we could have been there in person, to share the experience! I listened to album twice today and still can't pick my favorite song...they are all really great! :)Pam
TOML HITS PLATINUM
I just found out that TOML has hit platinum (hooray for the magic rainbow). We knew it would happen. The entire album is awesome and your fans couldn't be prouder. I am listening to the CD now and the lyrics that just played were "I did it for you." You're the best.
Laura in Blue Springs
=/
this didnt make me feel better,
i like begged my mom a zillion times to take me to this,
but she wouldnt.
gahhh,
everyone who met him, are extremely lucky!!
Buy Declaration single! it can chart!
If DC;s fans buy Declaration, it can chart on the billboards! It is currently #44 on itunes, we just need to get it onto the top ten!
so can it hurt to spend the extra penny?!
So impressed!
I got stuck in traffic coming from NJ and made it to the show about 20 minutes late (booo!). We should have been even later than that if it weren't for my ingenious driving skills navigating around the "city that never moves in traffic". Despite missing Dave's first couple songs, we were totally moved by the performance he gave. David was meant to do this and put on one of the most phenomenal shows I have ever seen. As a fellow recording artist/performer who has attended many different venues for my own shows as well as other artist friends' shows, I have seen many performers stand upon many different stages and I have come to truly appreciate those with that extra little something-that-can't-be-taught (kind of an inner glow) that turns a talented person into a star...and David is among the select few who have that. And what's even better is that when I met him during the album signing, I was truly impressed with how genuine he was in person. He smiled and looked me right in the eyes and thanked me as he shook my hand. And it wasn't contrived or phony. I have an uncanny ability to read people, and I saw in Dave's eyes that he was just as happy to be meeting his fans on such a momentous day as we were to be meeting him. It was such a pleasure celebrating the first major-label album release day with David. He was so gracious and excited, and I couldn't have been happier for him! I know fabulous things are going to continue happening for this amazing man.
Congratulations!!!!!!!
David your album is amazing. I love every single song on the album. I bought it twice
. Is the best album I have ever owned!
DROPPED TO #2
david cook's debut album is out in stores guys, its on sale on itunes right now, buy it to support and give him a great debut. i think its only 8.99! Go David Cook!
he currently dropped to #2, lets get him back up to #1!
IS there a wa you can gift it for anyone for your family and give it to them as a Christmas gift?? or anything!!! Do it now!!! Its alllll about the first week of sales!!!!
Archuleta sold 184,000 and i know we can do better than this!!! C'mon cook fans, i bought 3 for myself and ppl i know that like him but dont have money to get the album, help us and cook out, he needs your support!!!!!
I was there
and David was fantastic, a great musician and kind person. Best of luck in a long fortunate career!
there were over 2000 of us online while the blog was being written
If you go back a few pages to the time that the performance was going on, you will see some of the
hurried comments from WE the DCO fans. We were hanging on every word of the blog and some were
listening to the songs as they were being announced to us. Next best thing to being there.
It is a good read if you have spare time. Go back and read us.
Cherie
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Word Nerd @3273
Sanford, MAINE
CONGRATS DAVID!!!!
I wish I could have been there at the Hard Rock. Sounds like it was phenomonal!!! Your album is so awesome!!!!! I love every song. It is hard for me to put into words how each song makes me feel.
watched it on youtube!!
you are such a good guy and nothing will EVER change that!! great job!
Thanks For the Play By Play
It sounds like an unforgettable night with our guy!! Everyone who was there...I'm glad you got to see him. I was flying home from Houston and couldn't make it but saw him there last week for David Wright's gala!!
I wanted to mention too that you can hear the bonus track, "Kiss on the Neck" at the very end of the empty space after A Daily Anthem...our little cutie keeps us on our toes! You have to let the song play out for almost 10 minutes before it starts and it's not listed anywhere in the CD case so it's not easy to find...I had the CD running at work and the song kicked in after a LOT of silence. Pretty cool of David to do that...
So glad the Live Blog was made possible for all of us who couldn't be there...Now, Pictures please!!!
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Candy : )
Thanks for being so Awesome!
I just have to say I Love David's CD!! It is great! I was so happy to get to meet him at the Hard Rock and see him in person. He is truly inspirational and very talented. He did really great last night. I was so happy to hear he made NUMBER 1 on the Rock Charts. Congrats David!!! And Thank You sooo much for being so sweet and making an Awesome CD!!!
<3 I heart David! <3
greater than phenomenal
im so grateful i had the pleasure of seeing that show last night and meeting david.
it was seriously the best night of my life and i want to thank the webnerds and david and the band and everyone else involved for making it possible<33
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<3 Amanda
Kiss On The Neck
Web Nerds: Where can we get that song?
thanks for all the postings about HRC!
Just want to say a big thank you to everyone who took the time to post about their experience with David at HRC last night in New York. For those of us at home, following the live blog was incredible - and seeing some of the Youtube clips today was great. Thanks for sharing your eventful day with the rest of us!
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Lady Liberty
Kiss on the Neck
Cd is AMAZING....David you are AMAZING! Will someone PLEASE explain to me how I can access the "secret track". I am not very technical. I have it from itunes. Do I need the actual cd. Help! Thank you!
Thank you so much to David, the Band, Josh, the gentleman with the Doughnuts and the Webnerds
Thank you to David for being so generous with his time, and giving us this amazing concert. He even took the time to stay afterwards and sign autographs so that every one of the 500 or so people could meet him. I really appreciated that. I'm sure he had had an exhausting day, but you would never have known it from the fantastic energetic performance, and how friendly he was with every fan.
Thank you as well to David for sending us doughnuts in the Virgin records line, and to the gentleman who delivered the doughnuts. I'm afraid we were too cold and muddled to ask his name, so all we could call him was "Doughnut Guy," but we really appreciated how nice he was in handing out "Doughuts from David."
Thank you as well to the band, the tour manager, and the sound guy Josh who spent over an hour in the freezing cold chatting with us around midnight. They were all so friendly and down-to earth. it was the highlight of our "David Cook Camp Out."
Thanks as well to the Webnerds. This live blog is a really cool idea. I'm enjoying re-living the experience by reading these posts, and I'm sure lot of people who could not be there are enjoying this.
Wow!
I can't wait to see the videos it sounds like it was amazing, are any of you guys here in Los Angeles going to wait at the red carpet at the American Music Awards? , since most of us didn't get into the preshow .
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The One Truly Devoted To David Cook
Lucky People!
I wish I could have seen David C. in NYC! I am really not that far away, and I probably COULD HAVE GONE if it weren't a school day. I would have given David yet another crossword puzzle book! Because the first one I threw to David on stage at the Bridgeport, CT tour (tewer!), and he actually picked it up, read it, put it down, sang 2 more songs, picked it up AGAIN, and walked away with it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! YAY! Sorry I couldn't give you another puzzle that day david.
HOWEVER! I will throw you another puzzle when you go on tour... I promise! 
more than awesome
This album is what real music is all about. I am 44 years old and absolutely obsessed. I went to Walmart at 6 am before I went to work to buy the album. You have brought back good music that you can actually understand the words and make me feel like a teenager again. I wish you the best of luck and am looking forward to watching you go far.
I was there in my heart and spirit...at the Hard Rock Cafe
I am54 years old...and I am inspired by"my David". He is special. I am very proud of his abilities and accomplishments thus far..(.I saw him on the AI tour in Albany with my daughter Kim, who is 24.) I watch him as if he were my own son....his mom must be so proud. He is humble, self-deprecating, and so talented. I've listened to the new cd over and over, and I can't pick my favorite song....I really love them all. And his voice is so pure. I believe he will be in all our lives for a long time...and forever in our hearts. We have all gotten a gift in David...thanks for inviting us all along on your journey David!!
David Cook Rocks on.......
I just want to say, I love love love this CD, I just saw that the album is number one on Itunes. How wonderful is that. I love that I can listen to every song and not get sick of them. Like so many other CDs I buy. I have to say I cry when I listen to Permanent. I just feel what he is going through, its amazing he can translate that through his song so well, or maybe its just because we all know him so well. I love the song "Come back to me!"and Bar ba sol is so rockin. Need I say more.
My Christmas present to everyone in my family this year is David Cooks CD. I mean everyone! I cant think of one person that would not appreciate this true talent.
David Cook, we all love you and I knew you would be successful!
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Daniela Tasevska
OMIGOD!! AMAZING
I never thought that I would have the pleasure of MEETING & seeing David Cook play.. Last night at the HRC was such an amazing experience.. I still feel his HUG!!! By the way I said I love you to him on stage when there was a quiet moment & he responded "I LOVE YOU TOO"!!!! God I LOVE THIS MAN... If you read this David... Like I told you yesterday after you signed my CD.. YOU ARE AMAZING!!! GOOD LUCK!!!
PS: YOU'RE VOICE IS HEAVEN SENT!!!!
Maria
AWESOME!!
GETTING TO THE THE CITY AT 4:30AM WAS WORTH MY WHOLE DAY JUST SO I COULD SEE DAVID COOK UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL AND TO GET HIM TO SIGN MY CD THAT WAS THE BEST EXPERIENCE FOR ME EVER.. I WOULD DO THAT WHOLE DAY AGAIN IN A HEARTBEAT. I WOULD NOT CHANGE ONE THING ABOUT IT. HIS PERFORMANCE WAS SO GREAT AND HE LOOKS SO GOOD IN RED.. HE IS GENUINLY A GREAT PERSON INSIDE AND OUT ND HE KNOWS HOW TO BRING DOWN THE HOUSE IN A GOOD WAY.. HE ROCKED IT LAST NITE AT THE HARD ROCK CAFE...
Thanks!
This was so awesome to read, for all of us that couldn't be there!
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WN #738 *** Almost As Much Word Nerd
Wow, that must have been phenomenal night!
It was so great how you kept a running blog going...
I am sad, as usual, that I could't make it...
Anyway...
So, how perfect was it that Cookie came BACK out! I am hoping that on the tour we will be able to make him play...well...forever...hehe...
Did Kiss On The Neck sound as sexy as it did on the stream?
Gah...I am guessing that a lot of people got emotional...I would..and have over and over again-each time I listen to the album...
I'm glad yall had so much fun!
GOOD JOB COOKIE!!!
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[IMG]http://i245.photobucket.com/albums/gg44/DramaStar-and-DavidCookCrzy/AI%20Concert%202%20Wilkes%20Barre%20PA/60052_171900AIConcert2MillieBDay-76.jpg[/IMG]
MK/crzy4DavidC/WN#392/"Fanatical Musical Theatre Word Nerd"
DAVID BROKE DOWN AND CRIED
I was 3rd in line waiting to meet him when the fan at the table with David handed her device to him to show him that he was #1 on iTunes. His whole face went to shock and then the signature tears started to flow. He tried to hold it together but he was so overwrought that he had to take a 5 minute break from signing CDs. As he walked away, the security people were screaming over the noise to let all the fans who were still on line that he was just taking a break and not leaving. When David and entourage came back to the signing table, his mom took a seat right next to where I was standing. Her whole face was nothing but smiles. She did a little celebratory dance. It was so sweet to see her enjoying his #1 status. When it was my turn, I could see his eyes were still glazed with shock. I tried to talk to him but he was so lost and couldn't focus. That was alright because he leaned over the table and gave me a huge bear hug.
must have been a BLAST!
Just remembering the wonderful response at the Vegas AI concert and can imagine the crowd at Hard Rock going crazy!.. Wish I could have been there. I plan on going to one of David's concerts next year. I agree with the 60-somethings that David and the Band have awakened our 20-something souls!!!!! ROCK ON, BOYS!!!!!!
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Luv Ya, Judi from Arizona
THANK YOU A MILLION TIMES FOR THE PLAY BY PLAY OF LAST NIGHT'S CONCERT AT THE HRC!!
WEBNERDSl
YOU ARE THE ABSOLUTE GREATEST FOR DOING THIS FOR THOSE OF US WHO COULDN'T BE THERE!!!!
I WATCHED DAVID ON REGIS THIS MORNING, AND AS ALWAYS I HAVE ONLY ONE WORD LEFT TO SAY: THUD THUD AND MORE THUD!!! AT 61 YEARS OF AGE, I HAVE NEVER IN MY LIFE LIKED THIS TYPE OF ROCK MUSIC, BUT DAVID COOK AND NOW HIS BAND AS WELL, HAVE TOTALLY CHANGED ALL THAT!! HOWEVER, IT IS ONLY THEIR MUSIC THAT I LOVE AND NO ONE ELSE'S IN THIS GENRE!! SOMEONE PLEASE TELL ME WHAT IT IS ABOUT DAVID THAT HAS CAUSED US SOMEWHAT ELDERLY PEOPLE TO LOSE OUR HAPPY MINDS OVER THIS INCREDIBLE YOUNG MAN - BECAUSE I HAVE NO CLUE - OTHER THAN HE TOOK THE PROVERBIAL BASEBALL BAT, KNOCKED ME OUT, AND NOW I CAN'T AND DON'T EVEN WANT TO WAKE UP!! LORD ONLY KNOWS THAT WITH SO MUCH UNHAPPINESS IN MY LIFE - THIS MAN HAS GIVEN ME SO MUCH OVERWHELMING JOY IN THE SHORT TIME THAT WE HAVE ALL KNOWN HIM!! MORE HAPPINESS THAN I CAN EVER REMEMBER!!
HOW I WISH I HAD THE TIME AND SPACE TO TELL YOU ALL WHAT IT WAS LIKE TO MEET HIM, AND TO RECEIVE A REAL HUG FROM HIM IN ALBANY, NEW YORK AT THE AI TOUR!! I LIVE IN SOUTH FLORIDA, BUT I FLEW TO ALBANY TO SPEND SOME TIME WITH MY BEST FRIEND. TOGETHER WE WENT TO TO SEE THE TOUR, AND LIKE 2 TEENAGERS, WE SHOOK IN OUR SHOES FROM THE EXCITEMENT!!
WHAT A JOURNEY THIS HAS BEEN - JUST TO GET TO THIS POINT WITH DAVID - AND IT IS ONLY THE BEGINNING!!! BLESS HIS HEART AND BLESS ALL OF YOU - MY BROTHERS AND SISTERS!!
--
Sparky
Live show was amazing!!!!!!!!!!
I just flew back from NYC to Atlanta this morning and should be catching up on work but here I am! David + band, thank you so much for the fabulous show last night -- you guys rocked the house and everyone was just crazy for you. David, you are a total pro up there on the stage - you were so born to do this!!! Seeing you last night put me at a total loss for words when I met you - I know I kept babbling on about seeing you in Atlanta and how I missed you during the AI tour and repeating "we love you" over and over again. I still can't get over how awesome the band sounded last night. I will be seeing you at tons of concerts next year - just can't get enough!! And thanks for spending so much time with the fans signing autographs after the show. You were probably exhausted but such a trooper. I hope your album release day was everything you thought it would be and more!! Love you lots!! XOXOXOXOXO!