Cook also will keep busy this month by performing with fellow past "American Idol" champ Carrie Underwood on her Sunday Fox special "Carrie Underwood: An All-Star Holiday Special."
"Carrie's become a good friend. I was honored that she asked me to be on with people like Brad Paisley, Dolly Parton and Kristen Chenoweth," he says.
But despite his participation in Underwood's Christmas show, fans shouldn't expect a holiday-themed record from Cook. He and Underwood aren't even singing a Christmas tune.
"We're doing Van Halen's 'Why Can't This Be Love?' I don't think anybody can expect me to put out a Christmas album anytime soon," he adds, laughing. "The last Christmas record with a rock slant that I heard was Twisted Sister. They got the market cornered."