Former American Idol contestants David Cook and David Archuleta are gearing up to go head-to-head again - they are setting off on rival US tours just days apart.

The pair battled it out to be crowned winner of last year’s hit TV talent contest - with Cook proving triumphant, winning the season with a landslide 12 million majority.

And both have had a taste of success since - Cook broke pop chart records in last May (08) when 11 of his songs debuted on the Billboard Hot 100, and Archuleta’s eponymous first LP and single Crush both reached the number two spot in America.

And now, the pair will compete again - to pull in revellers to their American jaunts.

Cook is hitting the road with his The Declaration Tour on 13 February in Tallahassee, Florida, while Archuleta will kick-start his solo dates on 24 February in Virginia Beach, Virginia.

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“Testing, testing, one, two, three,” a man says in a microphone while performing a preconcert sound check. “How you guys doing tonight?” he yells out to the crowd of listeners.

Without another word, the crowd of 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team Soldiers and civilians begin to flood the stage area at Forward Operating Base Warhorse’s food court.

The crowd begins to hush as David Cook, rock singer-songwriter, grabs hold of the microphone, smiles at the crowd and signals his band to begin playing. “This song is called ‘I did it for you’,” Cook says, as the crowd applauds in cheer and whistles.

The Blue Springs, Mo. native got his start on season seven of the reality television show, American Idol. As a result of his brothers coaxing, Cook auditioned in Omaha, Neb., never expecting to get past the audition phase or even becoming the overall winner.

Even with his new found fortune and fame, Cook is still very much a humble man and is tour of Iraq is no exception. “To be able to do something of this kind of magnitude, it’s definitely a big deal to us,” Cook said, referring to his band mates. “I was privileged enough to be asked to come here. I have family in the military, so to be asked to do something like this is a badge of honor for me and for my family to know that we are doing something.”

On his first tour of Iraq, Cook says he has learned a lot from each and every person he had been able to talk with.

“This trip has been life-changing and an eye-opening experience to say the very least,” Cook stated. “It’s been really intriguing for me to just be able to talk with the Soldiers and hear their stories. Coming out here has allowed me to really take on a different perspective. I think I would go home and change myself as person because of it.”

Cook addressed the crowd one last time before ending his encore performance, “Heroes. Thank you for having us, it’s been a real pleasure,” Cook said. A roar of applause began as Cook and his band concluded the concert.

After the concert, Cook and his band remained behind to take pictures and sign autographs for the fans.

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Hot off the release of his debut self-titled album, ‘Idol’ winner David Cook is hitting the road for a full-fledged Spring tour. The singer (and well-documented cougar bait) will kick things off on February 13 at Florida State University, and end up at the University of Tulsa, Oklahama, on April 25. Cook has drawn inspiration from arena-rock staples U2, telling PopEater, “Seeing U2 at the Super Bowl a few year back. It was just very poignant. Not overdone, but definitely powerful.” Check out the full list of tour dates after the jump.

Friday, February 13th - Tallahasee, Fl - Florida State University
Saturday, February 14th - Biloxi, MS - Beau Rivage
Sunday, February 15th - Oxford, MS - Ole Miss
Wednesday, February 18th - Eau Claire, WI - University of Wisconsin
Thursday February 19th - Cedar Falls, IA - University of Northern Iowa
Friday, February 20th - Green Bay, WI - University of Wisconsin - Green Bay
Saturday, February 21st - Valparaiso, IN - Valparaiso University
Monday, February 23rd - Waverly, IA – Warlburg
Tuesday, February 24th - Fullton, MO – Westminster
Wednesday, February 25th - Conway, AR - Central Arkansas University
Friday, February 27th- Portsmouth, OH - Shawnee State University
Sunday, March 1st - Newburgh, NY - Mount St. Mary
Tuesday, March 3rd - Carlisie, PA – Dickenson
Friday, March 6th - Morgantown, WV - W Virginia University
Sunday, March 8th - Willimantic, CT - Eastern Connecticut State University
Tuesday, March 10th - Poughkeepsie, NY - Marist College
Friday, March 13th - Niagara Falls, NY - Seneca Niagara Casino
Saturday, March 14th - Elkins, WV - Davis and Elkins
Monday, March 16th - Bloomington, PA - Bloomington University
Thursday, March 19th - Mansfield, PA - Mansfield University
Friday, March 20th - Atlantic City, NJ - Borgata
Saturday, March 21st - Atlantic City, NJ – Borgata
Monday, March 23rd - Akron, OH – Musica
Tuesday, March 24th- York, PA - Penn State York
Thursday, March 26th - Blues Creek, NC - Campbell, University
Friday, March 27th - Pemberton, NJ - Burlington Community College
Monday, March 30th - New London, NH - Colby Sawyer College
Tuesday, March 31st - New Haven, CT - So. CT State
Thursday, April 2nd - Wilmington, NC - Azalea Fest at Wilmington University
Friday, April 3rd - Towson, MD - Towson University
Sunday, April 5th - Radford, VA - Radford University
Wednesday, April 8th - Macon, GA - Mercer University
Tuesday, April 14th - Malcomb, IL - Western Illinois University
Saturday, April 18th - South Bend, IN - Notre Dame
Tuesday, April 21st - Searcy, AR - Harding University
Wednesday, April 22nd - Kansas City, MO - Ameristar Casino
Saturday, April 25th - Tulsa, OK - University of Tulsa

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Even though the eighth season has begun, the winner of the seventh season of “American Idol” is still No. 1 on the Adult Contemporary chart with his season finale song, “The Time of My Life” (19/RCA). David Cook’s reign extends to a 15th week, making “Time” one of the longest-running chart-toppers by a solo male artist in AC history.

Six songs by solo males have spent 15 weeks or more at the summit:

19 weeks: “You’ll Be in My Heart,” Phil Collins (1999)
19 weeks: “Bad Day,” Daniel Powter (2006)
18 weeks: “Lonely No More,” Rob Thomas (2005)
16 weeks: “Waiting on the World to Change,” John Mayer (2007)
15 weeks: “Hero,” Enrique Iglesias (2001)
15 weeks: “The Time of My Life,” David Cook (2008)

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So i am here with my big announcement. . .I will be joining Kelly Urich on kcradio.com to bring to you, the listeners, great music on the web. I will be having my own hour or two show a week. Make sure to tune in Monday-Friday 9-3 to listen to Kelly Urich, and i am sure he will keep you up on when i will be starting. Thanks for all the support that you all have given me this past year and I am hoping in 2009 I can make you guys proud. So get ready for a exciting radio show hosted by Andrew Cook only on kcradio.com!

Heidi sent us the KCRadio Chat link, check it out!

Check out the Hits Daily Double Top 10–David Cook, rounds out the list with a 58% increase, while most of his chartmates had a decrease.

What’s the deal with the increase? Last week music from David’s album was featured on both of last week’s audition episodes. Plus, he performed on Jimmy Kimmel Live last Tuesday, the night of the Idol premiere.

That’s a nice bump, especially for January.

Check out the Cook montage featured on Tuesday’s American Idol premiere:

Phoenix was the featured audition city. There was even more pimpage the following night, when Idol auditions hit Cook’s hometown, Kansas City.

LW TW artist / album label power index % change
1 1 TAYLOR SWIFT 63,095 -14% FEARLESS
4 2 BEYONCE 51,176 5% I AM… SASHA FIERCE
2 3 NICKELBACK 48,163 -10% DARK HORSE
– 4 NOTORIOUS 39,005 – SOUNDTRACK
3 5 KANYE WEST 38,912 -23% 808S & HEARTBREAK
5 6 TWILIGHT 38,711 -9% SOUNDTRACK
6 7 BRITNEY SPEARS 33,942 -15% CIRCUS
8 8 JAMIE FOXX 32,592 0% INTUITION
7 9 KEYSHIA COLE 31,977 -12% A DIFFERENT ME
19 10 DAVID COOK 30,263 58% DAVID COOK

HDD numbers are compiled from sales data submitted by record vendors to the industry publication, Hits Daily Double. It’s a good indication of what the official Nielsen Soundscan numbers will look like later in the week.

Sony Phil Music in the Philippines has some exclusive merchandise giveaway on their site and also be sure vote David:

Vote now and post the best comment for a chance to win exclusive merchandise from Sony Music Entertainment (Philippines).

Thanks David Archuleta HQ <3!