‘American Idol’ Season 7 Winner David Cook Mellows Down And Leaves Los Angeles; Claims ‘Idol’ Is Not The Same Anymore

David Cook was projected to become a big star, as all American Idol winners. They seemed to have missed the mark a little.

While he isn't the formula winner (a male eye candy or a teeny BFF princess) that voters of the show would usually choose, he built a reputation as a respectable musical maverick. He's still on the way to fame, but not as they expected. Cook has taken a road less traveled by leaving the bright lights of LA. 

He won over voters with his stylized renditions of Lionel Ritchie's "Hello" and The Beatles' "Eleanor Rigby." His crowning moment came when he made his own version of Mariah Carey's "Always Be My Baby."

In an interview with The Morning Call, David talks about moving from LA to the Midwest, his career transition and American Idol.

 On the progress of his new album."While we kind of talk to these labels and figure out who(m) to go with to get this record out, we wanted to come out and test some ... and to have fun in the process. So that's just kind of what the plan is," he says. "It's just a chance to get these songs out there and see what the fans think, 'cause they are a little different for us. You know, trying some new vibes, and I'm playing keyboard live for the first time in my life."

On moving to Nashville and leaving LA: "It has really helped. Not to knock on L.A. by any stretch, I just think Nashville's a little more my speed. I love the creative community here."

On American Idol and how the past season focused on the judges' spats: "The last couple of seasons I feel like it is a bit of a different show, and I think as other shows have popped up, I'm sure the argument could be made that the format's gotten a little diluted. But I hope 'Idol' figures it out.

Obviously, I'm a little brand-loyal to it and it's been an amazing platform to me, but hopefully they can get the judge's panel sorted out and consistent and the show can make it about the contestants again. Because I think the seasons that the show has done well have been the seasons that they've really focused on the contestants and allowed the public to invest in them."

Those shows are going to stick around as long as people come off that show and find success. They become viable outlets for new artists."