In May of 2009, David Cook’s older brother, Adam, passed away after a long struggle with brain cancer. The next day, the “American Idol” winner spoke of his brother’s passing at the annual Race for Hope in D.C.
Cook has attended every Race for Hope since.
“I don’t know if I ever got over it,” Cook said of his brother’s passing. “I don’t know if I ever really will. Going back every year, we kind of treat it like the anniversary. It’s been part of the healing process for my family and I. I think more importantly, to be able to use that as a way to keep Adam’s memory alive and do some good for people still struggling with it — that’s the best way we can honor Adam.”
| If you go |
| ‘Night of Hope’ Feat. David Cook |
| Where: The State Theatre, 220 N. Washington St., Falls Church |
| When: Doors at 6:30 p.m., show at 7:30 p.m. Saturday |
| Info: $100; thestatetheatre.com; braintumorcommunity.org |
On Saturday, Cook performs a benefit show at the State Theatre. He also plans to run the 5K on Sunday.
Race for Hope is an annual fundraiser with proceeds going to the National Brain Tumor Society and Accelerate Brain Cancer Cure.
The State Theatre show, titled “Night Of Hope,” will feature a full band acoustic performance that Cook describes as having a storyteller’s vibe.
“Just from an entertainment standpoint, what I’m excited about is being able to tell the stories behind some of these songs,” Cook said during a phone interview from his home in Los Angeles.
Cook entered the national consciousness after winning the seventh season of “American Idol” in 2008, and his most recent album was last year’s “This Loud Morning.” Cook is scheduled to perform on “Idol” May 10.
Cook said he’s looking forward to returning to the show. Though some of the on-air talent has changed, many of the behind-the-scenes people remain.
“It’s such a different show, I don’t know how I’m going to react,” Cook said. “I love going back because I built these amazing relationships with people behind the scenes. Just to be able to go back and see them is a blast.”
“I feel like that old guy who tells stories about how he use walk to school 15 miles in the snow,” he added.
If returning to “Idol” is a kind of homecoming for Cook, so is his return to the Race for Hope.
“I think the organization is amazing with what they’ve been able to do and what they continue to push for as far a being on the front lines of raising money and awareness for research,” Cook said. “I think without them and other organizations like them, we’re light years behind where we’re at right now.”
