Don Cook profile picture

Don Cook

International Entertainment Manager/Producer

About Me

..Check out my Dark Ages profile!Check out my Dark Ages profile! At this time my company Don Cook Productions is undergoing a major reorganization, and we are currently in a dormant mode. We are concentrating on management of artists and other management possibilities. I have been managing the great upcoming Essex, UK rock band Carmen Pimps for a number of years now, and we eagerly await the release of their long awaited debut album sometime later in '08. And let me just say here that after hearing some of the new tracks, and the responses of these songs in live performances, this may be one of the best debut rock albums ever produced, and I don't mind going out on the limb with that remark. Wait until you hear this collection. These guys are WAY up the scale already. And I also manage a fantastic Chicago area Elvis tribute artist, RONNIE B. ELVIS. He puts on a show that Elvis would want to go to. He brings the performer back to life and his vocals and performance leave no doubt who is still the King! Contact me here for inquiries:>Before I go into any detail about my favorite's here, let me say that there ARE many more to fit in and not enough space. Eventually some will be replaced, if only because of trying to bring awareness to other artists I have recently found on here. But rest assured that any artists I've ever listed deserve to be amongst the best. And look to Russia in the near future for some really fantastic artists coming out!Here is a list of other artists I am associated with in one way or another, and a brief critic: ROCK: (1)Electric Crush(US)- One of the best US rock bands out there today! Look for them to hit very soon!Yeah! (2)The Gourami(UK)- (Another CREAM!)Just waiting to burst on the scene. Biker follower's rejoice!(3)Shearkahn(US)-The Stones/Talking Heads/Gun's N' Roses/Blues all in one! (4) 10 Reasons To Live(UK)- The first of many 21st century British Invasion bands with it all going on! (5)Dmitry Chetvergov(RU) Just an unbelievable rock/classical performer. One of the best on Myspace!(6) Alex Brachet(FR)- Has the talent to become an international star in classical/rock. Also, I think, one of the best overall performers here. (7)Silverneedle(US)- This LA rock band is on the verge of hitting it big. Just this_close!(8)The Sleepers(US)- Chicago has a major rock band that can't be denied. And they are on the track to stardom! ROCK/Other: Alexander Shkuratov(RU)- I just added a song here, "Killed Children" that shows the power of this guy! Brilliant producer who needs some support! TRIBUTE: Marty Penrose(AU)- Just a brilliant performer! Does some great tribute work. BLUES: (1)Patrick Droney(US)- (14 yrs.old) He is every bit the phenom and is one of God's gifts to humanity! (2)Joe Moss Band(US)- Another Chicago area product, who is one of the best Blues performers in the country! (3) Lil' Guy(US)- Just puts a real good feel on blues. POP?ROCK: (1)Nick Barclay(UK)- One of the most talented new songwriters out there in any genre! (2)Vanessa & the O's(FR)- I'd like to compare them with Blondie, but that may be an injustice as they will be HUGE in their own right. Their album is just one of the best I have ever heard, every song is good. And they most definately will be an international blockbuster one day soon! (3)The Long Stay(Belfast)- These guys have a sound I'm crazy about and hope everyone gets to hear their music! (4)Sammy & Sasha(US)-(16yrs. old on New Years Day & extremely talented) Again, from Chicago (Yeah!) I predict that these identical twins WILL BE the next young Pop superstars! (5)The Elements(UK)- The Mersey beat comes into the 21st century and these guys are WAY talented! (6)Kelly Mueller(UK)- She is an awesome talent just on the verge of international stardom! (7)The Sky About To Rain(UK)- This UK band has a unique sound right out of a Clint Eastwood western. Really cool! (8)James Quinn(UK)- If Robert Mitchum was a pop star, he would be James. He has a future in music and film! A star waiting for his chance! Hell, he can write and perform the music for his own movies!!!(9)Jackson Cook(CA)- I'm proud to mention here a performer of such talent, at such a young age again, but he also carries the same name and that's awesome too! (10)Laura Krier(UK)- She has a great voice and doubles as a radio DJ! Really a very talented artist of many gifts! (11)Brea(CA)- What a wonderful performer and her music will take her far! (12)& (13) Again, here are some Russian artists who I believe will be very big if given the opportunity to be heard here in the west (12)Nastasya and (13)Irisha. COUNTRY/FOLK: (1) Kyle Jennings(US)-I believe if given the chance, he will be one of the next big country stars! Kyle IS country music at it's best! (2)Will Stark(US)-He has a voice and music that the country girls will swoon over! (3)Ludwig(Belfast)-This folk artist has music sung from the heart and is ready to showcase his stuff! (4)Kate Walsh(UK)-She has that right voice, awesome writing ability, and her songs come from the heart. A real GEM! R&B: Steve Butler(US)- Yeah, Chicago again. Can we become the next musical capitol? I wish! lol Steve's music just makes you get up and dance. Move to the groovin tunes and just an awesome band! CLASSICAL COMPOSER: I have 3 words for you. Jose Maria Porto! I really believe he will go down as one of the all-time great composers of this century with unbelievable scores. A modern day Strauss in his ability to project wonderful/wholesome music that is pleasurable to any ear. Film makers, check this guys material out. For that matter, EVERYBODY check his songs out. It will make you feel good! PUBLISHER: NO ONE works harder than my Swedish friend Roger Ostman who I believe before he's through will have a ton of hits published! PRODUCER: My Brit friend Stuart Epps is as good as it gets! He has a way of bringing the very best out of one's music. On his myspace, check out his really cool African sounds. And I must mention the very Myspace popular and moving song written for the missing UK child Madeleine that was one of the most inspiring songs I have ever heard. He is simply BRILLIANT!!! PRODUCER/Indie Label: Keith Chester(US)of Crop Circle Records. He also is brilliant! He not only manages the rock band Electric Crush, but runs the coolest named record company of them all, and his company MotionSonic just does some of the best creative work I have seen. And he also is a cherished friend and colleague.-----------------------------------
My wife Jeanie is Russian and from Vilnius, Lithuania. I have 3 stepchildren, Olga 29, Alex(Sasha) 28, and Natasha 25, and Natasha's baby Jonas was 3 years old in May,'08 and getting very big already. And now another addition to the family. Ian was born in January '08 to Olga & her husband, also named Alex. Ian is already sitting up by himself and talking. Very advanced for his age. We feel very blessed! Along with my immediate family,these are the real loves of my life.
At this time I am working with a number of international as well as national artists for recognition and promotion of their unique and gifted talents.
To the future artists of tomorrow, remember this, "Try Hard, Try Often, and Don't Take NO For An Answer!" It's just a long YES in the making! author-Me... Oh, and when you get a chance, check out the fabulous young Italian tenor named Julian Sage. He's just fantastic and what a career he has down the road! Here's his link. Enjoy!



My Interests

Playing fantasy sports on The Sportingnews and ESPN.(my moniker is MAX KREW), named after my late long-time companion and best friend, my mixed Yellow Lab/Retriever MAX. We are in a lot of first places in US football, basketball, hockey, and baseball. I like writing my own music, traveling, pizza, billiards (pool), darts, dancing, GOOD jokes, people with vision, charity work, promotional work, powerhouse music business networking, developing new talent, resurrecting old great talent, meeting and learning from entertainment icons, striving to get everyone I'm connected with to reach their goals and go beyond! World War II history buff. Best Quote: Jesus- If you don't believe in me, at least believe in the work I do! HE is The Man!

I'd like to meet:

God, when my time comes (and I hope that is still some time away, lol)Mick Jagger and Paul McCartney, as these are two of my biggest music influences growing up. And anyone looking to help make this a better world to live in and doing work to contribute to this noble effort.10 REASONS TO LIVE VIDEO:

Music:

Carmen Pimps(UK),Ronnie B. Elvis(US),10 Reasons To Live (UK),The Gourami(UK),Electric Crush(US),James Quinn(UK),Nick Barclay(UK),Sammy'N Sasha(US),Lee Thompson(UK),Jackson Cook (BC),DanielDecker(US),Ludwig(UK),The Long Stay(UK),The Elements(UK),KateWalsh(UK),WillStark(US),MelodyGuy(US),Ashle y Reynolds(US),Bailey(US),Carolyn Vargas(US),The Steve ButlerMovement(US),Silver Needle(US),Dmitry Chetvergov(RU),AlexBrachet(FR),LauraKrier(UK),Romina Arena(US),TheDynamics,feat.CharlesWalker(US),Vanessa & the O's(FR),The Kelly Doze Band(US),Kyle Jennings(US),Frank Stallone(US),The Beatles, Elvis Presley, The Rolling Stones, Ricky Nelson, U2, David Bowie, Led Zeppelin, The Who, Tom Petty, ZZ Top, Jimmy Hendrix, Elton John, The Temptations, The Supremes, all the old Motown, Bing Crosby, Dean Martin, Frank Sinatra, Gerry & the Pacemakers, The Kinks, The Animals, Jan & Dean, The Beach Boys, The Pretenders, Pink Floyd, Bob Dylan, Sligo Jack Finnen, The Troggs, Peter & Gordon, The Dave Clark Five, The Monkees, Jethro Tull, Henry Neillson, really everything 50, 60's and 70's. A really golden time. ..

Movies:

There are too many. A quick off the top 25: Robin Hood, High Noon, Star Wars(all), The Sound of Music, Patton,Taps, They Died With Their Boots On, Braveheart, Night Patrol, Goodfellas, Casino, All Rocky, All Rambo, All James Bond, The Informer, Horse Soldiers, 300 Spartans,White Christmas, Bell's Of St. Mary's, Going My Way, Miracle on 34th St, The Quiet Man, Hondo, Rio Bravo, Jail House Rock, Captain Blood, Angels With Dirty Faces, Strawberry Blonde, White Heat,Yankee Doodle Dandy, The Cray Brothers, Lock Stock & Two Smokin' Barrels, Day The Earth Stood Still,Abbott & Costello Meet Frankenstein,Zulu,Sargent York,Charge of the Light Brigade, High Noon, (All) Godfather's. And about 1000 others! lol

Television:

I don't watch much but sports and old shows and movies. Brit shows like Monty Python, Faulty Towers and Benny Hill. My all time favorites for a laugh and good time are The Three Stooges! Old shows like Gunsmoke, Bonanza, The Saint, The Man From Uncle, Mission Impossible, Andy Griffin, I Dream of Jeanie, Bewitched, Johnny Carson reruns, The Beverley Hillbilly's, The Munsters, The Adams Family, I Love Lucy, Mash, and tons of others when the screen used to be loaded with REALLY good shows and fun times, not phony, plastic, me-me-me s---.

Books:

I don't read as much as I should anymore, but after sampling the Bible, then I would say "Up And Down" with the Rolling Stones, Stuka Pilot, and tons of other war stories, history and travel books. ( I know it's a different lot, eccentric mix, but hey, I'm an eccentric guy. It tends to give you more creativity and doesn't make you stale! lol)

Heroes:

Check out my Dark Ages profile!Check out my Dark Ages profile!Way Too Many! First, Jesus and all those who suffered for and with him, then my Mom & Dad of course, then Romina Arena for her fantastic comeback from a near career threatening assault and her divine inspiration. The unknown people, who take time out to help the elderly or children in need. The Men and Woman of our armed forces who sacrifice daily so we can continue to enjoy the blessings of our liberty. Unsung heros who paid the ultimate price so someone else could live and breath freedom another day. After all those many thousands, then those I grew up admiring and who helped shape me as I am today. These are Earl Flynn, Olivia DeHavelland, John Wayne, Maureen O'Hara, Victor McClaughlan, David Niven, Roy Rodgers, James Cagney, Jimmy Stewart, Gary Cooper, Andy Griffith, Bing Crosby, Bob Hope, Dean Martin, Jerry Lewis, Sammy Davis Jr., Nat King Cole, Oprah Winfrey, Elvis, Rickey Nelson, Roy Orbison, Buddy Holly, The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, Johnny Carson, Benny Hill, John Cleese, Bill Cosby, and The Three Stooges. lol (and to a lesser degree a whole bunch more)To them all, I say a heart felt Thanks For The Memories!

My Blog

Music Interest Requests

At this time I will not be able to review any new artist's music as I am extremely busy working on projects with major industry entities. I will contact artists of interest in the future. I wish all ...
Posted by Don Cook on Sun, 10 Feb 2008 08:28:00 PST

Currently Booking Frank Stallone

I am currently booking Frank Stallone for his upcoming 2008 US & European Tour. Frank is getting recent critical acclaim for his performance in this seasons blockbuster Christmas movie Fred Claus...
Posted by Don Cook on Thu, 08 Nov 2007 10:17:00 PST