The Declaration Tour
# The Declaration Tour

The Declaration Tour was the first headlining concert tour of the American rock singer-songwriter David Cook, who rose to fame after winning the seventh season of American Idol. The tour, spanning 152 shows across North America, earned an average gross of $46,263 per show.

## Background

The tour supported Cook's platinum self-titled album. The tour is named after "Declaration", the first track from the album and started on February 13, 2009, in Tallahassee, Florida, following Cook's appearance at Walt Disney World Resort's The American Idol Experience attraction. The tour was originally due to end on April 25, 2009, but had since been extended twice to finish until the end of year.

   "I’m more than excited to hop on the road and support this record. This tour represents both a new beginning and a return to form for me," David says. "It's our first full tour, and we’re all ready to pour whatever blood, sweat, and tears that we can muster into making this show, and every show from here on out, an experience. Part of that experience is bringing back this college tour idea. There's something inherently nostalgic about playing college shows. So many amazing acts used to do it, so it's nice to be able to bring that ideal back, in some small way. And besides, touring on a bus beats what we used to do, which was cram five guys into a seven passenger van for one show, 13 hours away..."

Cook was originally supported on the tour with musicians Neal Tiemann (lead guitar, backing vocals), Andy Skib (rhythm guitar, keyboards, backing vocals), Kyle Peek (drums, backing vocals), and Joey Clement (bass guitar). Clement however was replaced by Monty Anderson on July 27, 2009, for the rest of the tour.

## Opening acts

Others who opened for David Cook include his friends from Tulsa; Bryan Jewett and Phil Marshall.

## Set list

(Songs varied between shows and selected from the following list)

* "Heroes"
* "We're Only Honest When We're Sleeping"
* "Mr. Sensitive"
* "Breathe Tonight"
* "Little Lies" (Fleetwood Mac cover)
* "Lie"
* "Declaration"
* "My Last Request"
* "Permanent"
* "Make Me"
* "Kiss on the Neck" (sometimes w/"Hotel California" (Eagles cover)
* "Straight Ahead"
* "I Did It for You"
* "Billie Jean" (Michael Jackson cover)
* "Avalanche" (sometimes acoustic)
* "Come Back To Me"
* "Life on the Moon" (sometimes acoustic)
* "Hot for Teacher" (Van Halen cover)
* "Livin' on a Prayer" (Bon Jovi cover, sometimes acoustic)
* "Anodyne" (Midwest Kings cover)
* "Light On"
* "Hunger Strike" (Temple of the Dog cover)
* "Man in the Box" (Alice in Chains cover, sometimes acoustic)
* "The Truth"
* "The World I Know" (Collective Soul cover)
* "Souvenir"
* "Always Be My Baby" (Mariah Carey cover)
* "Silver"
* Bar-ba-sol"
* "A Daily AntheM"
* "Last Train Home"
* "Shattered Dreams" (Johnny Hates Jazz cover)
* "Til I'm Blue" (Midwest Kings cover)
* "(I Just) Died in Your Arms" (Cutting Crew cover)
* "Make Believe"
* "My Hero" (Foo Fighters cover)
* "Every Day Is Exactly the Same" (Nine Inch Nails cover)

## Tour dates

| Date | City | Country | Venue |
| - | - | - | - |
| February 13, 2009 | Tallahassee | United States | Club Downunder at Florida State University |
| February 14, 2009 | Biloxi | United States | Beau Rivage |
| February 15, 2009 | Oxford | United States | University of Mississippi |
| February 18, 2009 | Eau Claire | United States | University of Wisconsin–Eau Claire |
| February 19, 2009 | Cedar Falls | United States | University of Northern Iowa |
| February 20, 2009 | Green Bay | United States | University of Wisconsin–Green Bay |
| February 21, 2009 | Valparaiso | United States | Valparaiso University |
| February 23, 2009 | Waverly | United States | Wartburg College |
| February 24, 2009 | Fulton | United States | Westminster College |
| February 25, 2009 | Conway | United States | University of Central Arkansas |
| February 27, 2009 | Portsmouth | United States | Shawnee State University |
| March 1, 2009 | Newburgh | United States | Mount Saint Mary College |
| March 2, 2009 | Brookville | United States | CW Post – LIU Open to students only |
| March 3, 2009 | Carlisle | United States | Dickinson College |
| March 6, 2009 | Morgantown | United States | West Virginia University |
| March 7, 2009 | Glassboro | United States | Rowan University Open to students only |
| March 8, 2009 | Willimantic | United States | Eastern Connecticut State University Open to students only |
| March 10, 2009 | Poughkeepsie | United States | Marist College |
| March 11, 2009 | Brockport | United States | State University of New York at Brockport Open to students only |
| March 13, 2009 | Niagara Falls | United States | Seneca Niagara Casino |
| March 14, 2009 | Elkins | United States | Davis & Elkins College |
| March 16, 2009 | Bloomsburg | United States | Bloomsburg University |
| March 19, 2009 | Mansifield | United States | Mansfield University of Pennsylvania |
| March 20, 2009 | Atlantic City | United States | The Borgata |
| March 21, 2009 | Atlantic City | United States | The Borgata |
| March 23, 2009 | Selinsgrove | United States | Susquehanna University Open to students only |
| March 24, 2009 | York | United States | Penn State York |
| March 26, 2009 | Buies Creek | United States | Campbell University |
| March 27, 2009 | Pemberton | United States | Burlington County College |
| March 28, 2009 | Williamsburg | United States | College of William & Mary Open to students only |
| March 30, 2009 | New London | United States | Colby–Sawyer College Cancelled |
| March 31, 2009 | New Haven | United States | Southern Connecticut State University Cancelled |
| April 2, 2009 | Wilmington | United States | Azalea Fest at UNC Wilmington |
| April 3, 2009 | Townson | United States | Towson University Open to students only |
| April 4, 2009 | Lewisburg | United States | Bucknell University |
| April 5, 2009 | Radford | United States | Radford University |
| April 7, 2009 | Columbia | United States | University of South Carolina Open to students only |
| April 8, 2009 | Macon | United States | Mercer University |
| April 10, 2009 | Knoxville | United States | The Square Room |
| April 11, 2009 | Memphis | United States | Minglewood Hall |
| April 13, 2009 | Joliet | United States | University of St. Francis Open to students only |
| April 14, 2009 | Macomb | United States | Western Illinois University |
| April 20, 2009 | Tyler | United States | University of Texas at Tyler Open to students only |
| April 21, 2009 | Searcy | United States | Harding University |
| April 22, 2009 | Kansas City | United States | Ameristar Casino Kansas City |
| April 24, 2009 | Omaha | United States | Creighton University Open to students only |
| April 25, 2009 | Tulsa | United States | University of Tulsa |
| April 27, 2009 | Rolla | United States | Missouri S&T |
| April 28, 2009 | Warrensburg | United States | University of Central Missouri |
| April 29, 2009 | Little Rock | United States | Revolution Music Room |
| May 1, 2009 | Gainesville | United States | Common Grounds |
| May 2, 2009 | West Palm Beach | United States | Sunfest |
| May 4, 2009 | Athens | United States | Georgia Theatre |
| May 5, 2009 | Louisville | United States | Headliners Music Club |
| May 6, 2009 | Perrysburg | United States | Owens Community College Rescheduled for September 9, 2009 |
| May 8, 2009 | Akron | United States | Musica |
| May 16, 2009 | Pasay | Philippines | Mall of Asia Concert Grounds with David Archuleta |
| May 22, 2009 | New York City | United States | New York University |
| May 23, 2009 | Northampton | United States | Pearl Street Night Club |
| May 24, 2009 | New Haven | United States | Toad's Place |
| May 26, 2009 | Elyria | United States | Lorain County Community College |
| May 27, 2009 | Springfield | United States | Clark State Community College |
| May 28, 2009 | Newark | United States | Ohio State University at Newark |
| May 30, 2009 | Virginia Beach | United States | The Patriotic Festival |
| May 31, 2009 | Carrboro | United States | Cat's Cradle |
| June 18, 2009 | Del Mar | United States | San Diego County Fair |
| June 20, 2009 | Bonner Springs | United States | Capitol Federal Park at Sandstone |
| June 21, 2009 | Wichita | United States | Cotillion Ballroom |
| June 23, 2009 | Tulsa | United States | Cain's Ballroom |
| June 24, 2009 | Oklahoma City | United States | Diamond Ballroom |
| June 26, 2009 | Denver | United States | Ogden Theatre |
| June 27, 2009 | Aspen | United States | Belly Up |
| June 28, 2009 | Beaver Creek | United States | Vilar Center for the Arts |
| June 30, 2009 | Santa Fe | United States | Lensic Theater |
| July 1, 2009 | Amarillo | United States | Midnight Rodeo & Piranha Room |
| July 3, 2009 | Thackerville | United States | WinStar World Casino |
| July 4, 2009 | Baton Rouge | United States | Blue Bayou and Dixie Landin' |
| July 5, 2009 | Galveston | United States | Moody Gardens |
| July 7, 2009 | New Orleans | United States | House of Blues |
| July 8, 2009 | Chattanooga | United States | Chattanooga Convention Center |
| July 10, 2009 | Lansing | United States | Common Ground Music Festival |
| July 11, 2009 | Chesaning | United States | Chesaning Showboat Music Festival |
| July 12, 2009 | Chicago | United States | House of Blues |
| July 15, 2009 | Duluth | United States | Duluth Entertainment Convention Center |
| July 16, 2009 | Des Moines | United States | Simon Estes Amphitheater |
| July 17, 2009 | Sioux City | United States | Orpheum Theatre |
| July 19, 2009 | Indianapolis | United States | The Egyptian Room |
| July 20, 2009 | Covington | United States | Madison Theater |
| July 22, 2009 | Mahnomen | United States | Shooting Star Casino |
| July 23, 2009 | West Bend | United States | Washington County Fair |
| July 24, 2009 | Prior Lake | United States | Mystic Lake Casino |
| July 25, 2009 | Monticello | United States | Great Jones County Fair |
| July 27, 2009 | Harrington | United States | Delaware State Fair |
| July 29, 2009 | Alexandria | United States | Birchmere Theater |
| July 30, 2009 | Sayreville | United States | Starland Ballroom |
| July 31, 2009 | Glenside | United States | Keswick Theatre |
| August 1, 2009 | Ledyard | United States | MGM Grand at Foxwoods |
| August 3, 2009 | Bethelehem | United States | Musikfest |
| August 4, 2009 | Millvale | United States | Mr. Smalls Theater |
| August 6, 2009 | New York City | United States | Nokia Theater |
| August 8, 2009 | Columbus | United States | Ohio State Fair |
| August 9, 2009 | Perrysburg | United States | Owens Community College |
| August 12, 2009 | Ventura | United States | Ventura County Fair |
| August 14, 2009 | Knoxville | United States | Tennessee Theatre |
| August 15, 2009 | Lewisburg | United States | State Fair of West Virginia |
| August 20, 2009 | Lancaster | United States | Antelope Valley Fair |
| August 21, 2009 | Sacramento | United States | California State Fair |
| August 23, 2009 | Yakima | United States | Capitol Theatre |
| August 24, 2009 | Seattle | United States | Showbox SoDo |
| August 25, 2009 | Spokane | United States | Knitting Factory |
| August 27, 2009 | Casper | United States | Casper Events Center |
| August 29, 2009 | Mitchell | United States | Corn Palace |
| August 30, 2009 | Fargo | United States | The Venue at the Hub |
| September 1, 2009 | Billings | United States | Shrine Auditorium |
| September 2, 2009 | Idaho Fallas | United States | Civic Auditorium |
| September 3, 2009 | Missoula | United States | Wilma Theatre |
| September 5, 2009 | Salem | United States | Oregon State Fair |
| September 8, 2009 | San Francisco | United States | The Fillmore |
| September 9, 2009 | Los Angeles | United States | Henry Fonda Theatre |
| September 10, 2009 | San Diego | United States | Spreckels Theater |
| September 15, 2009 | Allegan | United States | Allegan County Fair |
| September 17, 2009 | Cleveland | United States | House of Blues |
| September 18, 2009 | York | United States | York Fair |
| September 20, 2009 | Newport Beach | United States | Taste of Newport |
| September 26, 2009 | Atlantic City | United States | Borgata Hotel Casino |
| September 27, 2009 | Union | United States | Wilkins Theater, Kean University |
| September 28, 2009 | Bloomsburg | United States | Bloomsburg Fair |
| October 2, 2009 | Montreal | Canada | Metropolis |
| October 3, 2009 | Ottawa | Canada | Ritual Nightclub |
| October 9, 2009 | Clifton Park | United States | Northern Lights |
| October 10, 2009 | Providence | United States | Lupo's Heartbreak Hotel |
| October 11, 2009 | Charlottesville | United States | Paramount Theater |
| October 13, 2009 | Richmond | United States | The National |
| October 15, 2009 | North Myrtle Beach | United States | House of Blues |
| October 16, 2009 | Greensboro | United States | N Club |
| October 17, 2009 | Columbia | United States | South Carolina State Fair |
| October 18, 2009 | Perry | United States | Georgia National Fair |
| November 3, 2009 | Phoenix | United States | Arizona State Fair |
| November 4, 2009 | El Paso | United States | Club 101 |
| November 6, 2009 | Shawnee | United States | Firelake Grand Casino |
| November 7, 2009 | Houston | United States | Warehouse Live |
| November 8, 2009 | Dallas | United States | Palladium Ballroom |
| November 10, 2009 | St. Louis | United States | The Pageant |
| November 11, 2009 | Milwaukee | United States | Riverside Theater |
| November 12, 2009 | Friant | United States | Table Mountain Casino |
| November 14, 2009 | Windsor | Canada | Caesars Windsor Casino |
| November 16, 2009 | Orillia | Canada | Casino Rama |
| November 18, 2009 | Hammond | United States | The Venue at Horseshoe |
| November 19, 2009 | Peoria | United States | Peoria Civic Center |
| November 20, 2009 | Elizabeth | United States | Horseshoe Southern Indiana |
| November 23, 2009 | Atlanta | United States | The Tabernacle |
| November 24, 2009 | Mobile | United States | Saenger Theatre |
| November 27, 2009 | St. Petersburg | United States | Mahaffey Theater |
| November 28, 2009 | Orlando | United States | Hard Rock Live |
| November 29, 2009 | Davie | United States | Arena at D. Taft University Center |
| December 1, 2009 | Charlotte | United States | The Fillmore |
| December 2, 2009 | Norfolk | United States | Ted Constant Convocation Center Cancelled |

## Band

* Neal Tiemann: Lead guitar, backing vocals
* Andy Skib: Rhythm guitar, keyboards, backing vocals
* Joey Clement: Bass guitar (Left tour midway, replaced by Monty Anderson)
* Monty Anderson: Bass guitar (replaced Clement on July 27, 2009, for the rest of the tour)
* Kyle Peek: Drums, backing vocals
