Kristy Lee Cook Signs To Arista Nashville

First Published: July 1, 2008 6:55 PM EDT Credit: FOX

NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Caption American Idol 7 - Kristy Lee Cook eliminated 4 16 ‘08 FOXMake room for another country “Idol” — Kristy Lee Cook is joining Carrie Underwood’s record label.

Cook, the seventh place finisher on the seventh season of “American Idol,” has been signed to 19 Recordings/Arista Nashville, People reported.

The Oregon native, who sung tunes by acts including Lee Greenwood and Martina McBride during her “Idol” tenure, is excited to join the country music world.

“I’ve wanted this for so many years,” Cook said in a statement released to the mag. “To have the chance to be a country singer — to make the music I love — and to have enjoyed the support of so many ‘American Idol’ fans this past season, it all means more than I can put into words.”

Cook will release “15 Minutes of Shame,” her first single, on August 11, with an album to follow this fall. She’ll be fitting in recording sessions with producer and “Jesus, Take The Wheel” co-writer Brett James in between “American Idols Live!” tour dates.