David Cook

Season 7 American Idol winner David Roland Cook was a rocker way before making it onto the reality competition show.

Although he has had no formal training, the Texas-born singer/songwriter considers himself “lucky” when it comes to his vocal talents.

In his first band, Red Eye (later renamed to Axium), he was the singer and guitarist, but the group just bounced around a few indie labels and never hit it big. After moving to Tulsa, Okla., Cook joined another band called the Midwest Kings and began working on his solo record Analog Heart.

While competing on Idol, the performer also was looking for love.

He was spotted flirting with So You Think You Can Dance competitor lacey schwimmer early in the season, and has previously dated season two Idol contestant Kimberley Caldwell.