Kate Cook (singer)
Kathryn Dee-Anne Cook | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1983 Pine Mountain, Queensland, Australia |
| Died | 2019-03-03 Lowood, Queensland, Australia |
| Occupation(s) | Singer, songwriter |
| Years active | 2009–2013 |
| Known for | Finalist on Australian Idol (2009), debut EP Come a Long Way |
Kathryn Dee-Anne Cook (1983 – 3 March 2019) was an Australian artist known for her contributions to country music and as a finalist on Australian Idol in 2009. Her debut EP, Come a Long Way (released July 2013), featured the singles "Give the Girl a Spanner" and "Hit the Highway", both of which achieved chart recognition. Cook passed away on 3 March 2019 at the age of 36.
Biography
Born in 1983, Cook spent her early years in Pine Mountain, Queensland, raised on a farm alongside her father Dave Cook, a diesel engineer, her mother Jenny, and four siblings. The family later relocated to Lowood. Tragically, Jenny Cook died by suicide shortly before Kate’s birthday. Throughout her life, Kate resided in Toowoomba and Rockhampton before ultimately returning to Lowood.
Australian Idol
In May 2009, Cook auditioned for Australian Idol performing "Make You Stay," a song dedicated to her mother. She progressed to the Top 24 by August and secured a place in the final six contestants by October. While the show elevated her public profile significantly, it also placed pressures on her personal life. Reflecting on her journey, Cook expressed appreciation for the music industry’s support following her Idol experience and acknowledged the opportunities it provided.
Later music career
In May 2011, Cook showcased her single "Survive" during a performance at the Lockyer Valley flood relief event. She toured extensively across Australia, appearing in various venues including pubs, clubs, and prominent festivals such as Tamworth Music Festival and Gympie Muster. During this period, she also supported renowned artists like Troy Cassar-Daley and Beccy Cole. After two years of touring, she took a break from performing in July 2013 to work as a trades assistant in Rockhampton—a role that inspired her to write "Give the Girl a Spanner."
Her first EP, Come a Long Way, launched in July 2013. That year, Cook earned nominations at the Tamworth Songwriters Competition and reached finalist status in the Music Oz Australian Independent Music Awards. By October, her track "Give the Girl a Spanner," co-written with Allan Caswell, gained considerable radio play and celebrated women excelling in traditionally male-dominated occupations. The song climbed to No. 3 on the Australian Tracks Top 30 chart and garnered an Australian Independent Music Award along with being named country single of the year at the Music Oz Awards in 2013.
In 2014, Cook returned to the charts with "Hit the Highway" from the same EP, which attained No. 5 on Australia’s country music charts by May.
Death
On 3 March 2019, after being reported missing, Cook was discovered deceased in bushland near her residence in Lowood, Queensland. Authorities did not treat her death as suspicious. She was 36 years old at the time.
Discography
| No. | Track | Duration | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | "Give the Girl a Spanner" | 3:21 | |
| 2 | "Hit the Highway" | 4:04 | |
| 3 | "Survive" | 4:53 | |
| 4 | "Come a Long Way" | 3:32 | |
| 5 | "Free" | 3:50 |