David Cook, Sara Evans, Ginuwine, Nikko Smith added to All-Star festivities

The celebrity names are pouring in for 2009 All-Star Week, Major League Baseball announced today.

We already know about Sheryl Crow and Elvis Costello, performing at the MLB All-Star Charity Concert at the Gateway Arch at 8 p.m. Saturday.

Now part of All-Star Week are Missouri-centric artists David Cook, Ginuwine, Nikko Smith, and Sara Evans, all booked for other All-Star events (though not as part of the All-Star Concert).

– Headliner Crow now has additional duties. The Kennett, Mo. native will perform the U.S. National Anthem as part of the special pre-game ceremony to the 2009 MLB All-Star Game on Tuesday at Busch Stadium.

The broadcast begins at 7 p.m. on Fox with video addresses from President Barack Obama along with former U.S. Presidents George W. Bush, Bill Clinton, George H.W. Bush and Jimmy Carter, as part of the special pre-game ceremony honoring the 30 “All-Stars Among Us.”

Following the video, President Obama will throw out the ceremonial first pitch.

– Country singer Sara Evans, a  Boonville, Mo., native, will perform “God Bless America” during the 7th inning stretch.

– “American Idol” winner David Cook, who hails from Blue Springs, will sing two songs at the start of the State Farm Home Run Derby at Busch Stadium on Monday. Prior to his performance, “American Idol” finalist Nikko Smith, son of St. Louis Cardinals’ Ozzie Smith, will perform the National Anthem. The State Farm Home Run Derby will be broadcast live on ESPN at 7 p.m. Monday.

– R&B singer Ginuwine will perform the U.S. National Anthem on Sunday prior to the 11th annual XM All-Star Futures Game. The game will begin at 1 p.m. and will be broadcast live on ESPN2, ESPN2 HD and MLB.TV. XM will provide satellite radio play-by-play coverage of the XM All-Star Futures Game on XM 175. Ginuwine recorded his new CD “A Man’s Thoughts” at Notifi Records studio in St. Louis; Notifi is run by Ira DeWitt, wife of Cardinals’ president Bill DeWitt III.

Get more information at www.allstargame.com.

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David Cook to perform at Major League Baseball's Home Run Derby

What's more American than the 4th of July, baseball, and American Idol?  Okay, okay, so the 4th has already come and gone, but season seven American Idol winner David Cook and his band are set to perform two songs at this year's All Star event in St. Louis.  Cook, a Missouri native, will perform just before the start of the State Farm Home Run Derby at Busch Stadium.  It's actually an all-star lineup of singers and Missouri natives, as David joins the ranks of nine-time Grammy winner Sheryl Crow, who will perform the US National Anthem as a part of a special pre-game ceremony, and Country star Sara Evans, who will perform "God Bless America" during the seventh inning stretch.  David won't be the only Idol contender to be a part of the event, as fourth season contestant Nikko Smith, who is also the son of St. Louis Cardinals phenom Ozzie Smith, will perform the U.S. National Anthem at the game. 

The actual game takes place on July 14th, but David Cook's performance before the Home Run Derby will be on July 13th.  You can catch it on ESPN at 8 PM EST.  

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Former 'Idol' winner Cook to perform in Yakima

YAKIMA, Wash. -- David Cook, the hard rockin’ season seven winner of “American Idol,” will perform in Yakima next month.

After leaking limited information about the concert on its Twitter feed over the past week, the Capitol Theatre released the specifics about the concert on its blog Thursday afternoon.

Cook will perform at the Capitol at 8 p.m. Aug. 23. Tickets cost $34 for general admission and go on sale July 17 through TicketsWest, www.ticketswest.com, 800-325-7328, or the Capitol Theatre box office, 509-853-2787.

Also visiting the Capitol next month is radio show host/adult contemporary musician John Tesh, whose “Intelligence For Your Life” radio show airs locally on My 99.3 FM.

Tesh’s concert is at 7:30 p.m. Aug. 21. Tickets, which are already on sale, cost $12, $30 and $65.

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David Cook Named Topps Southern League Player of the Month

HOOVER, AL - The Southern League announced on Thursday that former Barons outfielder David Cook has been named the Topps Southern League Player of the Month for June.

Cook, who was promoted to Triple A Charlotte on Tuesday, finished the month with a .303 average, 8 home runs and 29 RBI, leading the league in both home runs and RBI during the month.

The Columbus, OH native started June in grand fashion, hitting a grand slam on June 1 during a 4-for-5, five-RBI game in Huntsville. He added to those totals with a three-RBI performance the following night. Cook finished June just as hot, hitting two home runs and driving in seven runs in his last five games of the month. In all, he recorded eight multi-hit games and drove in three or more runs on five occasions.

Cook was selected to play in the 2009 Southern League All-Star Game, held at Regions Park on July 13, as well as the 2009 Southern League Home Run Derby, held at Rickwood Field on July 12, but he will be unable to participate in either due to his promotion. On Wednesday, it was announced that Barons outfielder Jordan Danks will replace Cook on the South Division roster. His replacement in the Home Run Derby has not yet been determined.

Tickets to the 2009 Southern League All-Star Game as well as to the 2009 Southern League Home Run Derby and Celebrity Softball Game are available online at barons.com or by calling the Regions Park Box Office. Tickets for both events can also be purchased by visiting the Regions Park Box Office.

The 2009 Southern League All-Star Game will be played on Monday, July 13 at Regions Park in Birmingham, AL.

The Barons won the South Division First-Half Title and will open the playoffs on Thursday, September 10 at Regions Park. Game two will be played Friday, September 11 at Regions Park. Tickets to both games are available online, in-person at the Regions Park Box Office or by calling the Barons at (205) 988-3200

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