# Don Cook

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American record producer and songwriter

For other people with similar names, see [Donald Cook](/source/Donald_Cook_(disambiguation)).

Don Cook Born Don Kirby Cook (1949-05-25) May 25, 1949 (age 77) Origin San Antonio, Texas Genres Country Years active 1971–present

Musical artist

**Don Kirby Cook**[1] (born May 25, 1949)[2] is an American [record producer](/source/Record_producer) and [songwriter](/source/Songwriter) whose work is mainly in the field of [country music](/source/Country_music). Artists who recorded Cook's material include [Barbara Mandrell](/source/Barbara_Mandrell), [John Conlee](/source/John_Conlee), [Mark Collie](/source/Mark_Collie), [Wade Hayes](/source/Wade_Hayes) and [Brooks & Dunn](/source/Brooks_%26_Dunn). Cook's production work began in the early 1990s when he worked with Brooks & Dunn.

## Musical career

Don Cook began writing songs at age twelve and recorded his first [demo](/source/Demo_(music)) at age fourteen. He played at various clubs and coffeehouses in [Houston, Texas](/source/Houston%2C_Texas) during his teenage years, and moved to [Nashville, Tennessee](/source/Nashville%2C_Tennessee) through the suggestion of a friend.[3] Through the assistance of [Don Gant](/source/Don_Gant), he signed with [Acuff-Rose Music](/source/Acuff-Rose_Music).[3] In the 1980s, Cook had several cuts that were released as singles, including "[Lady Lay Down](/source/Lady_Lay_Down)" by [John Conlee](/source/John_Conlee), which was Cook's first Number One as a songwriter.[3]

Cook co-wrote "[Brand New Man](/source/Brand_New_Man_(song))", the first single release by [Brooks & Dunn](/source/Brooks_%26_Dunn), and was asked to produce for the duo as well. At first, he was reluctant, but he was encouraged to keep producing after the commercial success of Brooks & Dunn's debut album.[4] Over time, Cook produced most of Brooks & Dunn's material, including thirteen of their songs which went to Number One.[3] Other artists who released his work as singles include [Mark Collie](/source/Mark_Collie), [Wade Hayes](/source/Wade_Hayes), [Lari White](/source/Lari_White) and [Steve Wariner](/source/Steve_Wariner).[3]

In 1994, Cook was named Chief Creative Officer and Senior Vice President of [Sony/ATV Music Publishing](/source/Sony%2FATV_Music_Publishing).[4] He retired from both positions in 2004, but has continued to write songs.[5]

## References

1. **[^](#cite_ref-1)** ["Search results for Cook, Don Kirby"](http://repertoire.bmi.com/writer.asp?blnWriter=True&blnPublisher=True&blnArtist=True&page=1&fromrow=1&torow=25&querytype=WriterID&keyid=70335&keyname=COOK+DON+KIRBY&CAE=66225679&Affiliation=BMI). *[Broadcast Music Incorporated](/source/Broadcast_Music_Incorporated)*. Retrieved 8 October 2010.{{[cite web](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template:Cite_web)}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service ([link](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:CS1_maint:_deprecated_archival_service))

1. **[^](#cite_ref-2)** Kingsbury, Paul, The encyclopedia of country music: the ultimate guide to the music, USA, pg. 108

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-featured_3-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-featured_3-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-featured_3-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-featured_3-3) [***e***](#cite_ref-featured_3-4) ["Featured Writers: Don Cook"](http://www.sonyatv.com/en-us-na/index.php/articles/artist_writer/23). *Sony/ATV*. Retrieved 8 October 2010.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-yamaha_4-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-yamaha_4-1) ["Don Cook: Nashville's Reluctant Producer"](https://web.archive.org/web/20110612144335/http://www.yamaha.com/publications/allaccess/summer2001/02cook.htm). *Yamaha.com*. Summer 2001. Archived from [the original](http://www.yamaha.com/publications/allaccess/summer2001/02cook.htm) on 12 June 2011. Retrieved 8 October 2010.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-5)** Skates, Sarah (23 June 2009). ["Skyline Signs B&D Hitmaker Don Cook"](http://www.musicrow.com/2009/06/skyline-signs-bd-hitmaker-don-cook/). *Music Row*. Retrieved 8 October 2010.

Authority control databases International ISNI VIAF WorldCat National United States Italy Artists MusicBrainz Grammy Awards Other MusicBrainz label

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Don Cook](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Don_Cook) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Don_Cook?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.