American Idol David Cook to Perform at The Grand in Macon

2008 American Idol winner and platinum-selling recording artist David Cook will make his Macon debut Wednesday, April 8, when the record-breaking, chart-topping rocker performs at The Grand Opera House, a performing arts center of Mercer University, during his first headline tour “The Declaration Tour – 2009.” It is his first scheduled tour date in Georgia.

The concert begins at 8 p.m., and the $25 tickets go on sale to the public Wednesday, March 18, at 10 a.m. Tickets are available through Mercer Ticket Sales at (478) 301-5470 or online at TheGrandMacon.com. Tickets may also be purchased at one of two Mercer Ticket Sales locations in downtown Macon: The Grand Opera House, 651 Mulberry St., or The Grand’s Administrative Offices, 400 Poplar St.

Just one week after being named the winner of the seventh season of “American Idol,” 25-year-old Cook rewrote chart history, with a record-breaking 14 debuts on Billboard’s Hot Digital Songs survey. He also had 11 songs jump onto the Hot 100, the highest number of new entries ever, and the second-highest amount of simultaneous hits since the Beatles in 1964. All that, and his single, “The Time of My Life,” instantly became the highest debuting title of 2008, entering the Hot 100 at No. 3.

When this most recent season of “American Idol” began, Cook wasn’t on anyone’s radar to win the whole thing – including his own. “I like that I ‘snuck up’ on people,” he says. “During those early shows, when there were 24 people, I knew I didn’t have to be one of the best, but I didn’t want to be one of the worst. So it was fun for me because there wasn’t a lot of pressure and I could find my own footing.”

Cook won fans with his unique renditions of songs like Lionel Richie’s “Hello,” Michael Jackson’s “Billie Jean” and the Beatles’ “Eleanor Rigby.” He explains, “When I began, I told vocal coach Debra Byrd I wanted the season to be like a set list, so people would feel like they were at one of my concerts.”

Cook’s musical journey began early. He grew up watching his father play guitar. But David’s first instrument of choice was the violin. “I tried that first because there was a girl in the school orchestra I thought was pretty.” When he was in seventh grade, his dad bought him a Fender Stratocaster. “I was bad at it because I never took a lesson. Gradually I got better.”

He was exposed to many different genres of music. “My parents had eclectic record collections. My mom liked Kenny Rogers and my dad was more into Boston, Kansas and Dire Straits. The first cassette tape I ever bought was by Kris Kross. I was into Boyz II Men for a while. When I was 13, someone played me the song ‘Closer’ by Nine Inch Nails and once I got past the audacity of the lyrics, I really enjoyed the song. So I backtracked through rock, which got me to where I am now.”

Cook formed a band in high school with a friend and appeared in three musicals: “West Side Story,” “Singin’ in the Rain” and “The Music Man.” He also loved sports and played baseball throughout high school. Ultimately his love for music brought his attention back to his band. Cook enrolled at Central Missouri State, changed the name of the band from Redeye to Axiom to Axium and had some local success.

As he was completing his studies, Cook had to choose between working as a graphic designer in Kansas City or moving to Tulsa to play rhythm guitar and sing backing vocals for a band called the Midwest Kings. “Of course, I moved to Tulsa,” he says. That’s where he lives today, although home is officially Blue Springs, Missouri. The Cook family relocated there after he was born in Houston on Dec. 20, 1982.

With his friends chipping in financially, Cook recorded “Analog Heart.” The album sold well regionally and won an URBY award from Urban Tulsa Weekly for Best Independent Album. He was in the early stages of recording a second album when his younger brother Andrew asked him to accompany him to Omaha and lend moral support while he tried out for “American Idol.” Cook was reluctant, but his brother and mother did their best to persuade him.

Next, Simon, Randy and Paula sent Cook to Hollywood, where he made it into the top 24. Then he was in the top 12, the top 10, the top five and the top two, all without ever being in the dreaded “bottom three.” Then, on May 21 at the Nokia Theatre in Los Angeles, Ryan Seacrest pronounced David Cook the winner of this season of “American Idol.”

It’s all come with lessons learned, according to Cook. “The whole process has given me a brand-new lease on life in that I am more sure of who I am now that ever before. I’ve learned that when I’m singing live on stage to embrace that moment and if doesn’t work, it’s OK, move on.”

Cook’s self-titled debut for 19 Recordings/RCA Records was released on Nov. 18, 2008, and entered the Billboard charts at No. 3 and the digital album charts at No. 1, marking the best debut from an American Idol winner since 2006.

Anyone interested in tickets or information about the April 8 concert, should contact Mercer Ticket Sales at (478) 301-5470 or visit TheGrandMacon.com.

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Braves Announce 2009 Spring Training Schedule

The Atlanta Braves released their 2009 Spring Training schedule yesterday. The 35-game slate begins on Wednesday, Feb. 25, with a road contest against the Detroit Tigers at Lakeland, Fla. The Braves open the home portion of their spring schedule on Thursday, Feb. 26, when they face the Houston Astros at Champion Stadium at Disney's Wide World of Sports in Lake Buena Vista, Fla.

Braves' pitchers and catchers are scheduled to report to camp on Saturday, Feb. 14, with their first workout set for the following day. The rest of the Braves players are scheduled to report on Tuesday, Feb. 17, with the first full-squad workout slated for Feb. 18. This spring marks the 12th year that the Braves will train at the Disney complex, recently ranked as the one of the best Spring Training facilities in the country by Baseball America.

Atlanta will play a total of 18 home games at Disney and will play two games versus the Detroit Tigers at Turner Field in Atlanta on April 3 and April 4. In addition to its usual Major League opponents, Atlanta will face two World Baseball Classic teams at Champion Stadium for exhibition play when they host Panama on March 3 and Venezuela on March 5. The Braves will play three home games against the Houston Astros and two home games each against the 2008 World Champion Philadelphia Phillies, the New York Mets, New York Yankees and Tigers. Other opponents scheduled to play at Champion Stadium include the Toronto Blue Jays, Florida Marlins, Washington Nationals, Pittsburgh Pirates, and Boston Red Sox.

The Florida portion of the schedule includes three home night games, Tuesday, March 6 versus Houston, Thursday, March 19 against the Tigers and Tuesday, March 24 versus the Pirates.

Individual Spring Training game tickets will go on sale Saturday, Jan. 10, at 10 a.m., at the Disney's Wide World of Sports box office, through the Atlanta Braves' website (braves.com), and through Ticketmaster (407/839-3900). Spring Training ticket prices for 2009 range from $15.00 (general admission lawn seats) to $32.00 (lower level reserved seats). Tickets for the two exhibition games at Turner Field will also go on sale Jan. 10, at 10 a.m., at braves.com, through Ticketmaster (800/326-4000) and at any Publix Ticketmaster location.

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High Hits Record-breaking Advance Ticket Sales for The First Emperor

The High Museum of Art has over 50,000 advance ticket reservations for "The First Emperor: China's Terracotta Army," which opened Sunday, November 16, 2008, and runs through April 18, 2009. This is the largest number ever of advance ticket reservations for the High. The exhibition was previously on view at the British Museum in London (September 13, 2007, through April 6, 2008) and sold out every time slot to over 850,000 visitors.

The High celebrated the opening of the exhibition on Sunday, November 16 from 12 to 5 p.m. with a special opening ceremony at "Ni Hao, Atlanta! A Celebration Fit for an Emperor." Visitors enjoyed traditional Chinese dance and musical performances, as well as art-making workshops to make a miniature terracotta warrior for a miniature army display. The celebration surrounding this exhibition will continue throughout the fall with the following programs:

Go All Night! Friday, November 28, 9a.m. to 2 a.m.
Hands on for the Holidays and Holiday Music: December 26 – 31; 1 to 4 p.m.
High Museum of Art members will be admitted to "The First Emperor" for free and will have special access to preview the exhibition before it opens to the public. Memberships may be purchased online at www.High.org or at the museum. Individual ticket prices are $18 for adults; $15 for students and seniors with ID; $11 for ages 6 to 17; and free for age 5 and under. Discounted tickets are available for groups of 10 or more. Tickets will include admission to "The First Emperor," "Louvre Atlanta: The Louvre and the Masterpiece," all other special exhibitions and the High's permanent collection. An audio guide including both "The First Emperor" and "The Louvre and the Masterpiece" will be available for purchase—$5 for general public; $3 for Members, complete group bookings, and ages 17 and under. The audio guide will be included for school group admission.

The High will also partner with Arts & Exhibitions International, the Atlanta Convention and Visitors Bureau, and Brand Atlanta for a special "Treasures Fit for Kings" combination ticket that will offer discounted admission to both "The First Emperor" and "Tutankhamun: The Golden King and the Great Pharaohs" (Nov. 15, 2008 – May 25, 2009, at the Atlanta Civic Center). Discounted group tickets for both exhibitions can be reserved by calling 1.866.52GROUP.

The First Emperor: China's Terracotta Army "The First Emperor" was inspired by one of the greatest archaeological discoveries of the 20th century. Featuring over 100 works, including 15 terracotta figures, the exhibition represents one of the largest groups of important works relating to the First Emperor ever to be loaned to the U.S. by the Museum of the Terracotta Army and the Cultural Relics Bureau of Shaanxi Province in Xi'an, China. With rarely seen and recently discovered objects from his famed tomb complex, the exhibition will provide insight into the legacy of China's First Emperor, Qin Shihuangdi, who reigned from 221–210 B.C.

"The First Emperor: China's Terracotta Army" is made possible by Lead Sponsor GE, Presenting Sponsor Portman and Official Global Delivery Partner UPS, Official Airline Partner Delta Air Lines, and Official Media Partner Turner Broadcasting. Generous support is provided by The Henry Luce Foundation. Additional support provided by The E. Rhodes and Leona Carpenter Foundation and The Blakemore Foundation. This exhibition is presented in association with the British Museum with support from Morgan Stanley.

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First Chance to Secure Opening Day, Boston Red Sox, and New York Yankees Tickets Starts Today with "Holiday Six Game Gift Pack"

Beginning today, Nov. 14, fans can secure tickets for some of the hottest Braves game in 2009, including Opening Day, and match-ups with the Boston Red Sox and New York Yankees, with the "Holiday Six Game Gift Pack."

Available Nov. 14 - Dec. 15 at Braves.com/holidays or 404-577-9100, the Holiday Six Game Gift Pack includes a pair of tickets to six marquee games in 2009 for as low as $152 (a savings of 27%). The Holiday Six Game Gift Pack also comes with a Braves replica cap, a holiday card, and Braves wrapping paper and a gift box. Other season ticket packages, including a full season ticket package for only $249, are also available for fans looking for additional options.

The Atlanta Braves 2009 home schedule gets under way on Friday, April 10th when the Braves will welcome the Washington Nationals for Opening Night at Turner Field. The New York Yankees come to town for the first time since 2000 in an interleague series June 23-25, followed by an interleague match-up with the Boston Red Sox June 26-28. Tickets to these games and more are available now through the "Holiday Six Game Gift Pack" and other season ticket packages. Fans can call 404-577-5100 for more information.

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