Kristy Lee Cook, seventh place finisher on this past seasons American Idol, has signed a recording contract with 19 Recordings/Arista Nashville. This is the same label that snapped up Carrie Underwood after she won AI season two.

The talented Cook sang tunes from Lee Greenwood and Martina McBride during her Idol run and has now made it official that country music will be her genre. She actually signed with the record label as a teenager in 1999 and was later dropped.

Of her latest business deal, Cook said:

“I’ve wanted this for so many years. 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.”

The first order of business will be the recording of a single entitled 15 minutes of Fame, which is set for release on August 11. An album is in the works for fall release. Cook will be busy with the Idol Summer Tour and will fit in recording sessions with record producer Brett James, who has worked with Carrie Underwood as co-writer of Jesus Take the Wheel.

Check out more photos below.

Photos: WENN

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