When he was on "American Idol," David Cook - as cool as a cucumber for much of last season - fought back tears after performing for a studio audience that included his brother Adam, who's fighting brain cancer.

The cover of David Cook's namesake debut album

It was a moment of raw emotion, winning Cook the sympathy of viewers who've also been touched by tragedy.

Cook's tears have flowed more freely in private. The 25-year-old rocker, who won the Fox competition in May, fueled his anguish over Adam's illness into the gut-wrenching ballad "Permanent," one of 13 songs on his namesake debut album.

After recording the track in two takes, "I actually called my dad and wept openly for about 10 minutes," he says.

"Anytime you can create something where what's in your head actually comes out the way you originally heard it, it can be pretty overwhelming and pretty heavy," he adds. "I just remember being completely knocked on my (butt) by this song."

Cook is hoping listeners have a similar experience when they listen to the rest of "David Cook," which comes six months after he snagged the "Idol" crown. Recorded in a span of 10 weeks, it's packed with power ballads that accentuate his anthemic voice.

"I wanted to come out with a record that was both heavy and delicate and had some eclectic-ness to it," he says during a break in rehearsals before a recent appearance on "Saturday Night Live." "So I feel like we've got this record that meanders and takes people on a journey a little bit."

Cook's path to stardom took the fast-track after he auditioned for "Idol." A working musician/bartender based in Tulsa, Okla., he auditioned for the talent competition on a lark: He joined younger brother Andrew on line for moral support, and was persuaded to try out, eventually facing Simon Cowell in the judges' chambers. Cook made it to Hollywood; Andrew didn't.

Once "Idol" started, Cowell was one of Cook's biggest critics, condemning him for lacking personality. But the boyishly handsome singer clung on each week, gaining momentum after a midseason makeover that included manly facial scruff and a much-needed haircut. He ultimately won over Cowell with rock-infused covers of pop songs (like Mariah Carey's "Always Be My Baby") that were downloaded by thousands of fans.

(Chinadaily.com.cn/Agencies November 22, 2008)