Tulsa Wants a Cookie

David Cook

A few times a week, long after his morning shift ended at Tulsa’s alternative rock station, KMYZ-FM 104.5, deejay Chuck Stikl used to pull up a stool at the Rehab Lounge and talk music with the bartender.

The mixologist was a spiky-haired singer-songwriter who understood the music business, had a strong, resonant voice and worked hard at his craft, taking any club gig that could pay him $50 a night.

That bartender was David Cook, who will find out tonight if he is this season’s “American Idol” champion.

Stikl thinks that Cook, 25, could be the winner tonight, mainly because his style and sensibility seems more geared for long-term radio success than his fellow finalist, 17-year-old David Archuleta.

“I don’t really know if I’m sold on him (Archuleta) being a pop star,” Stikl said. “If it was ‘Broadway Idol,’ the guy would win hands down — the guy’s incredible. But I think his age kind of plays against him a little bit, and I think that plays to Cookie’s benefit, definitely.”

Stikl said he and Cook often talked about the music business, discussing the latest installment of record industry analyst Bob Lefsetz’ blog, and trying to chart the best route to success.

“He was always into the industry, into the business, so it’s not like he’s one of those guys who just popped up,” Stikl said. “He was always a guy who was always into it and driven, but always a super, super nice guy.”

Anticipation is heating up in Cook’s adopted hometown for the final “American Idol” episode, which airs at 7 tonight on KOKH-25 in Oklahoma City and KOKI-23 in Tulsa. Concert promoter and Tulsa radio personality Davit Souders said area musicians are showing interest in how Cook comes out and how it could impact the scene.