David Cook rocks with Malmstrom

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Daniel Brosam
  • 341st Missile Wing Public Affairs
MALMSTROM AIR FORCE BASE, Mont. --  Nashville singer-songwriter David Cook helped Malmstrom kick off the Memorial Day weekend by performing for more than 300 Malmstrom Airmen and their family members at the Grizzly Bend May 28.

The band played for nearly two hours and sang more than 15 songs from two of their albums. They also covered Michael Jackson's hit song, "Billie Jean."

By the end of this year, Cook and his band will have toured and performed for more than 15 Air Force bases across the country.

"I can only speak to the benefit on our end for (touring)," Cook said. "I have family in the military but even then I feel I only understand 10 percent of the sacrifices that (service members) and their families make. So to get to come out and say thank you for that, it's a big honor."

Cook said playing for the bases helps him to understand what the military endures while protecting and serving the country.

"It's one thing to tour and play for club shows and theaters, but to get to do stuff like this where there's a little more depth and mutual appreciation, I really enjoy that," Cook said. "Not many people get the opportunity to come to bases like this and say thank you. That's what we're taking away from this more than anything."

Cook said while making noise and putting on a show for the base was what his band came to do, bringing Malmstrom a piece of his background and a moral boost is ultimately what his band wanted to give back.

Cook will end his spring tour by visiting Ellsworth Air Force Base, South Dakota, and pick back up in the fall at Joint Base San Antonio, Texas, Sept. 9.