Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: FRIDAY, March 10, 1995                   TAG: 9503100036
SECTION: EXTRA                    PAGE: 1   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: CODY LOWE STAFF WRITER
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

CHRISTIAN SINGER IS NO LONGER A LOST SOUL

Cook had been diagnosed with "disassociative disorder." He had disappeared from his Fort Lauderdale, Fla., home one day to turn up five months later in a Charlotte, N.C., hospital. Cook didn't know where he had been or what he had done during those five months.

Today, Cook says he's put all that behind him and returned to the Christian ministry through music.

He was nominated this year for five Dove Awards for excellence in Christian music.

Saturday night, Cook will perform in concert at Roanoke Valley Cathedral of Praise. His concert managers said there will be a taping of Cook's latest release, "My Song," for use in a future music video.

The concert is free, but an offering will be taken, and concertgoers are asked to bring an article of clothing or non-perishable food for distribution to the poor and homeless in the Roanoke Valley.

Such charitable contributions have become a staple of Cook's concerts, which have raised money for HIV-infected children, the homeless and Christian crisis-pregnancy centers.

Cook, 29, began performing at age 5 with his family, the Cook Family Singers. In his adult career, he says he has avoided major recording labels and publicity to keep his focus on ministry.

Nevertheless, Cook has received numerous industry awards, including a Dove nomination for "new artist of the year." He has two Grammys - won with his family - and recently won the "Gospel Music Humanitarian Award."

Gospel singer David Cook: Saturday, 6:30 p.m., Church of God - Roanoke Valley Cathedral of Praise, 8100 Angel Lane, Roanoke. Evans Newell opens. 362-8041, (800) 850-3463. Also, Sunday, 10:45 p.m., Pulaski Church of God; 6:30 p.m., Riverview Church of God, Draper.