David L. Cook

This article is about the Christian country music singer and comedian. For other David Cooks, please see David Cook.

David L. Cook (born November 11, 1968) is a Christian country music singer, comedian and Christian Music Hall of FameInductee.

Biography

Cook was born in Pascagoula, Mississippi but after two years his family relocated to Ft. Lauderdale, Florida where he attended the prestigious Pine Crest School and later graduated from Boyd Anderson High School. Cook began his musical career at the age of five with his family, The Cook Family Singers. His parents divorced in 1980, which brought an end to four generations of the musical group. Cook continued singing both gospel and secular music. Cook maintained residency in Ft. Lauderdale until 1990 when he made his move to Charlotte, North Carolina.

Early life

In his early life while performing with his family, Cook suffered at the hands of a father with a severe drinking problem. His father would become very violent with David's mother and all of the children after becoming intoxicated. After many years of this abuse David developed many psychological problems that ended up following him through to his life as an adult. Cook developed a severe Dissociative Identity Disorder coupled with psychogenic amnesia. David recalls having periods of "missing time" but never really understood why it was happening. In 1990 the disorders finally came full front when David experienced what they thought was a full blown stroke while in Ft Lauderdale. Cook was rushed to Coral Springs Medical Hospital where doctors tried to figure out what was wrong with him. Cook checked himself out of the hospital and disappeared from his Florida home and was found five months later in a Charlotte, NC hospital with similar health complaints. Cook had been around Charlotte for five months and no one realized that there was anything wrong with him until he started developing stroke symptoms again. Doctors finally realized that Cook's problems were not organic and sent him to see specialists. Cook had no recollection of leaving Florida, nor what he had done during his five months in Charlotte. When asked, he stated that, "It was like someone switching off a light and then switching it back on." Cook's story has been told on many occasions and through various media and television shows. The creators of the television series, "Touched by an Angel" filmed an episode entitled, "Show Me the Way Home" based off of Cook's life. The episode portrays a Christian recording star that leaves his career after many tragic events and finding trouble in his walk with God. In the end, he overcomes his trials and returns to the stage and ministry with the help of the angels. The 700 Club also did a full length documentary on David that was aired throughout the world . Cook is the author of the published religious self help book Inspirational Words which outlines most of his ordeal and how he eventually overcame the disorder.

Music

His first solo Christian album, Come Follow Me, was released in 1985. The album was written and produced for him by famed producer/singer, Frank X. Loconto, former member of the popular 50's group, the Lane Brothers The following year, he signed with the American Musical Academy of Arts Association (AMAAA) and recorded a follow up album entitled Personal Feelings.

In 1997, Mountainview Records released his In the Middle of it All album, which went on to earn Cook a Gospel Music Association Dove Award nomination for Christian Country Album of the Year in 1999.

After a fallout with Mountainview records in 1999, he started his own record label called DLC Records. It was during that transitional period that Cook created a comedy character, named Mortermer Crabbottom, in the tradition of comedic country alter egos like Jim Nabors' eccentric Gomer Pyle persona. Cook even recorded an album in character, Split Personality, based on the life and times of Mortermer Crabbottom growing up in the fictitious town of Crabbottom USA.

That same year the (Country Gospel Music Association) inducted Cook into its Hall of Fame, along with Loretta Lynn, Barbara Mandrell, Andy Griffith, Jody Miller and Lulu Roman. To date, Cook is the youngest person to ever be inducted.

The CGMA has over the years decorated Cook with many prestigious awards such as the 2005 Christian Comedian of the Year., 2006 "Media Personality of the Year", "Comedian of the Year" and "Christian Country Entertainer of the Year."

His most recent release is 2006's Have You Ever. On September 9, 2006, the song "Why Can't I go Back" from that same album charted at number one on the Country Gospel Connection charts.

In July 2006, the ICGMA announced the 2006 International Country Gospel Music Hall of Fame Inductees. They were David L. Cook, Mike Manuel, Gayla Earlene, Doug DeRamus and Marijohn Wilkin.

Cook currently maintains residency in both Ft Lauderdale, Florida and Charlotte, North Carolina, US. He lives with his adopted son Shawn. He was married for four years but had the marriage annulled.

Television

Throughout the years, Cook has appeared on many television shows. He has appeared on shows such as The Carol Burnett show as well as, The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson. Throughout the 1980's, Cook appeared several times on various programs for the Bob Hope USO tour and several USO television specials. Cook has appeared on game shows such as The Hollywood Squares. He made appearances on numerous talk shows which included Geraldo, Sally Jessy Raphael and Crook and Chase. In 1987 Cook received a personal invitation from President Ronald Reagan to perform at the White House and to be the co-host of the evenings televised festivities.

In August of 2007 David joined in partnership with the Firebird Arts Alliance. Cook was asked by David Tang, president of Firebirds to write and produce a theme song for the television series entitled, "New South Crossings."

The theme song was written by Cook and his writing partner Zach Roberts. The song is entitled, "Meet Me at the Crossroads." The series is based on artist from various genres coming together and combining their talents.

The first episode aired in November of 2007.

Cook will actually appear in the episode entitled, "Master Class." In this episode you will see Cook working with younger artists such as the Whippersnappers and Caroline Keller. Cook will show them the in's and out's of how to work together musically and during the episode they perform the actual theme song for the series.

The Christian Music Hall of Fame and Museum just announced that Cook will be the host and spokesperson for the induction awards to be held in Texas on June 14 2008. Hee Haw legend, Lulu Roman will be the co-host for the television broadcast. Cook and his family will be inducted during this ceremony.

Awards (Partial Listing 1997 to present)

Discography

The Cook Family Singers

Solo secular albums

Solo Christian albums

Television appearances

External links

• davidlcook.com David's Official Web Site
• All Music Group
• AOL Music History
• CD Baby
• Christian Music Hall of Fame
• Lyrics By David L Cook
• David on the 700 Club
• Official Myspace Fanpage
• MyStrands Music
• Rhapsody
• Bookrags
• Epinions
• The Kings Court
• Zoom Info
• Firebird Arts Alliance