Kristy Lee Cook - Post Idol

Post Idol

After American Idol, Cook has been interviewed on The Ellen DeGeneres Show, Live with Regis and Kelly, and on WNYW in New York. Cook performed with the other top 10 finalists on the American Idols LIVE! Tour 2008 which ran from July 1, 2008 to September 13, 2008. She sang "Squeezin' the Love Outta You" (Redmon and Vale), "God Bless the USA" (Lee Greenwood), which she performed on Top 10 night during the season and "Cowgirls" (Kerry Harvick). In Toronto, she replaced "God Bless the USA" with "Anyway" (Martina McBride), which she performed on Top 8 night during the season.

Cook announced on June 29, 2008 that she had once again signed with Arista Nashville along with 19 Recordings. On August 12 of that year, "15 Minutes of Shame" was released as the lead-off single for Cook's upcoming studio album. It debuted at number 58 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs charts a week before its release, and has since peaked at number 28. Her album, Why Wait, was released on September 16, 2008 and produced by Nashville singer-songwriter Brett James. During the Season 10 finale of American Idol, Lauren Alaina's first single was "Like My Mother Does," which was featured on Why Wait.

In October 2008, Cook performed the Star-Spangled Banner at an NCAA football game between the Vanderbilt Commodores and Duke Blue Devils. On October 25 of that same year, Cook made her debut on the Grand Ole Opry. Arista Nashville announced on December 10, 2008 that Kristy Lee Cook and the label had parted ways. She has hosted The Outdoor Channel's "Outdoors 10 Best show", and has a reality show on the same network documenting her life called Goin' Country.