By Ryan Gueningsman
Looking back at the past year, and looking forward to the years to come, Kristy Lee Cook knows that perseverance and determination pay off.
With girl-next-door looks and charm, Cook, who finished in seventh place on last season’s “American Idol” television show, is now bringing that determination to Winstock.
“We’ve just got a lot of different things going on right now that we are working on,” Cook said. “There’s different options and some different doors opening and closing. So, we’re just trying to figure out what the best route is to go for everything and kind of, you know, there’s a reason for everything that’s going to happen. So, no matter what I do, it’s all going to work out in the end.”
Following her appearance on “American Idol,” she received a record deal from Sony BMG Nashville and her debut record called “Why Wait” was produced. Cook had touring on the “American Idol” finalists tour to focus on, as well as promoting her own album.
“Right after the tour, we did the radio tour and it was even harder than the American Idol tour,” Cook said. “It was just, like, every day we were at different radio stations, singing twice a day . . . it was like you arrive in the morning to sing and then you get on a plane and go to another city. It was pretty crazy. ‘American Idol’ was definitely crazy, but the radio tour was even more crazy.”
With her debut album, Cook admits it may not have been how she wanted to introduce herself to the country music world.
“A lot of times, the first album is, and even Kellie Pickler said the same thing, it’s not all what you want to sing, but what the label wants you to sing” Cook explained. “When I do get another album out, I definitely am going to have my kind of music. I’m more of a rockin’ fun kind of gal, and I didn’t really get to show that, so I’m really looking forward to getting an album out that really shows who I am and I’m actually really fun. I have a really outgoing personality, so I really want people to see who I really am.”
Cook and the label have parted ways, and she has been looking for ways to make her career blossom.
“Right now, with getting released and trying to get resigned, it’s a long process, so we have gigs this summer and we’re just going to be talking with some people and see what we have in line for us, see what doors are open for artists, and just shop around.”
A potential deal seemed likely with another Nashville label, but Cook said now it doesn’t appear that it’s going to happen.
“I guess they’re (that label) not shopping right now for new artists, so I think that’s out of the question right now,” Cook said. “But, we have a lot of other things coming up, a lot of TV stuff and that kind of thing. We’re just kind of playing it by ear and doing what we can to see if we can get it all to work out. I think it will be awesome if it does work out – it will really boost my career a lot more, too.”
Cook said along with music, she also loves to model, and has done some modeling for various things in Texas.
“It’s always so much fun doing that kind of stuff, but I haven’t done much of it since I’ve been in Oregon,” Cook said. “There’s not really any modeling up here. I’ve kind of been hanging out and working and waiting for things to happen with the career.”
While she’s waiting for the next big break, Cook is focused on beginning her marriage to husband, Andy, and remodeling their recently-purchased home.
“We’re done with the kitchen and we have some friends out helping us do everything. It’s really nice to have more people around and helping me ‘cause I’ve been painting. My sister came down and she’s been helping me paint and it’s been a lot of fun. I’ve never owned my own house, so it’s been kind of crazy, but it’s been a lot of fun.”
Looking back at her days on Idol, Cook said she’s thankful to have been able to go through it.
“The whole experience was pretty much amazing, you know, that’s definitely like a memory that I’m always going to keep with me forever,” Cook said. “One of my favorite memories is the day that I made the top ten. And I think the day that I sang ‘God Bless the USA’ and Simon didn’t criticize that – that was probably one of my other favorites.”
She had the opportunity to meet “God Bless the USA” composer and performer Lee Greenwood not long after.
“It was really cool, and he met Andy – he was really nice, and he was just a real genuine guy, and it was such an honor to meet him. He was very excited that I re-cut his song. I was really excited that he liked that version and was totally 100 percent for it. It was really exciting.”
Along with music and modeling, another passion for Cook is horses. She is very active with her foundation KLC Horse Heaven Foundation.
“We basically rescue horses, we take horses off the track, and neglected, abused, or horses that just need a home and we rehabilitate them, re-train them, and adopt them out to new homes,” Cook explained. “It’s a really great program. We work with kids as well. I love working with animals. I just pretty much got started on it because my passion for horses, so I don’t know, I just have this thing about them and I think that I should help them, you know, ‘cause they’ve helped me at certain times, as well.
She, in fact, sold her favorite horse to raise the money needed to travel to Philadelphia and audition for “American Idol.” Cook has had a passion for horses since she was a child.
“My dad actually used to be an exercise rider up at Long Acres in Washington, on the race track up there, and I got on my first horse when I was two,” Cook said. “He (her father) put me on a big gray race horse up there on the track, and ever since then I’ve just had this thing for horses.”
Cook was born in Seattle, WA, and then moved to Oregon when she was about 9 years old. While her roots are planted firmly in Oregon, Cook said there was consideration of moving to Nashville when she had her record deal.
“You know, it was considered when I was signed. We were actually looking for a house there, and unfortunately it didn’t work out so I just didn’t,” Cook said. “I need a lot of land and a lot space and there’s not enough for me there.”
Leaving Oregon for some tour dates this summer is on Cook’s radar. She is in the process of putting together her band and preparing for her summer shows.
She said she’s looking for people around her age range to make up her band, and said she’s looking for “really good players and with good attitudes and personalities ‘cause we want to have a lot of fun on stage.”
Cook said she loves performing in front of big audiences, and Winstock is sure to provide one of those for her.
“It doesn’t matter if it’s indoors or out,” Cook said. “I just like performing for people, so if there’s a large crowd, I love it. I just look forward to coming up there and performing and getting back out in front of crowds. I’m very excited.”
