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PARKER: Big Crush casts vote for 'Idol' singer Cook

By Penny Parker, Rocky Mountain News (Contact)

Published March 22, 2008 at 12:30 a.m.

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Crush quarterback John Dutton, his wife, Terina, and sister-in-law Kristy Lee Cook, right, with Zach Dutton.

Photo by Dutton Family Photo

Crush quarterback John Dutton, his wife, Terina, and sister-in-law Kristy Lee Cook, right, with Zach Dutton.

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Colorado Crush quarterback John Dutton says American Idol is required watching at his house. Why? He's married to Idol top 10 contestant Kristy Lee Cook's sister, Terina.

"Seeing her on national TV in front of millions of people, it's been cool," Dutton said after his sis-in-law avoided the cut Wednesday night to make it into the Top 10, a group that will go on tour after the show ends.

But Cook's future on the show seems shaky because she's been in the bottom three for three weeks in a row.

"Unfortunately, she hasn't been able to really belt one out," said Dutton, who added that Cook was sick while she had to perform for the first couple of weeks. "Her rehearsals were really bad because she couldn't hit a lot of the notes, but she kept plugging away."

The 24-year-old beauty's speciality is country crooning. Dutton said he met Cook when she was 13, and he and Terina were dating in college. At age 16, Cook was "discovered" and picked up by a record label that ended up dropping five of its artists. Cook was one of them.

"She moved to Texas and started performing in the country bars," Dutton said. "She was a headliner in those places, but ended up moving back to Oregon with her parents."

America seems to like her, since she's made it this far from a field of 24, even though snooty judge Simon Cowell called Cook's performance this week, "like musical wallpaper, in so much as you notice it, but you can't remember it."

Dutton says Cook is tough enough to take it. "This is a big job interview for her," he said. "This will toughen her up and get her ready for a business that's ruthless."

American Idol airs at 7 p.m. Tuesdays and 8 p.m. Wednesdays on KDVR- Channel 31 Fox.

BOTTLES OF COURAGE: French Ambassador to the United States Pierre Vimont drew an A-list crowd Tuesday night at a Governor's Mansion reception, followed by a six-course dinner at Mizuna.

Among the attendees were Gov. Bill Ritter, Mayor John Hickenlooper, U.S. Rep. Diana DeGette, The Denver Forum's George Mitrovich, Qwest CEO Ed Mueller, Chamber of Commerce CEO Joe Blake, CSU President Larry Penley, DU Chancellor Robert Coombe and 5280's Dan Brogan.

After repeated urging from Ritter and Hickenlooper, local lovely Lannie Garrett serenaded Vimont with an a capella version of La Vie en Rose.

"Certainly, urgings by the governor and mayor were persuasive, but the six wine pairings with dinner clinched it," said Garrett, who regularly performs at Lannie's Clocktower Cabaret.

MOVING: After more than three months of hotel living (thank you to the incredible crew at TownePlace Suites Denver Southeast), we're finally moving into our new condo at the Strada Flats, 1100 Grant St., on Monday. If you get the uncontrollable urge to unpack boxes (as if), drop by. I'll be back April 1.

EAVESDROPPING on a woman about to drink a tequila shot at Capital Grille: "Just get in me and get it over with."

Penny Parker's column appears Tuesday through Saturday. Listen to her on the Caplis and Silverman radio show between 4 and 5 p.m. Fridays on KHOW-AM (630). Call her at 303-954-5224 or e-mail parkerp@RockyMountainNews.com.