Muleskinner

Issue date: 8/18/08 Section: Life & Leisure

David Cook's brother Andrew Cook.

Andrew Cook showing energy.

Andrew Cook takes time to sit down with The Muleskinner

Media Credit: Holly Wright [Click to enlarge]

Standing on the stage at the American Idol finale, David Cook hugged is brother Andrew and cried.

"It's all his fault," David said, pointing to Andrew.

Andrew couldn't say much, the whole thing was a bit overwhelming. His brother was a now a bonifide celebrity and was about to get everything that came with it. Hollywood parties, big paychecks, fans and autographs.

Where did David's newfound stardom leave Andrew?

It left him signing autographs for an hour at one of David's shows in St. Louis. It left him partying at the hottest clubs in Los Angeles for his 21st birthday. It left him with his photo in TV Guide.

And, it presented Andrew with a handful of opportunites he's not about to let slip away.

Check out UCM elementary education major Andrew Cook in his own words.

Q: What's life been like for you after David won American Idol?

A: "It's been really amazing. We get noticed a lot more, even my mom and myself. David is still the same guy though, he's just got a higher profile and lots of fans."

Q: What was it like to go up on stage after David won the show?

A: "It was really special. It was cool because my mom and I were there at the beginning with him. Just about one year ago, my mom and I were with him when he auditioned, so, it was the three of us at the beginning and the three of us at the end."

Q: Have you traveled with David since the show?

A" "I've gone to L.A. a couple times, and I went to St. Louis with him just a little while ago. I'm kind of a crier, and when I saw him playing on the stage in St. Louis, I pretty much cried the whole time."

Q: Has the experience been surreal at all?

A: "It hasn't been that weird. I always thought he deserved this. What's really different is that I remember him playing in front of ten people and now he's playing in front of 12,000."

Q: What are some of the best experiences you have had since the audition?

A: "There are three that really stand out. First, I got to go to L.A. on my 21st birthday and we got into all these really cool places in Hollywood."

"Second was the St. Louis show. People there found out who my mom and I were and they started asking for our autographs. We signed autographs for like an hour."

"Third best was just last week. I got to work for the local FOX affiliate interviewing people who were auditioning for the upcoming American Idol. I didn't know this at first, but Ryan Seacrest was there doing his radio show. He found out I was there and wanted to talk to me.

So, I was on his show for about five minutes, and while I was talking to him, there were cameras in the room. I didn't know what they were for, but I ended up being on 'E-News.' The attention is certainly different."

Q: So you have become a bit of a celebrity, too?

A: "My goal is to take the opportunity I have and make the most out of it. I know that my first opportunity comes because of David's hard work. He deserves everything that he has acheived. He's worked so hard for it. I want to do the same."

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