David Cook's Lessons From Life On The Road

David Cook on tour (Frank Micelotta / FOX)

When you're the new American Idol, you've got to get to grips with the pop star lifestyle pretty fast.

And just three months after winning the contest, David Cook has already learned the true value of family, fans and... Lysol!

Right now, David and rest of the AI Top Ten finalist are two weeks into the American Idol Live summer tour presented by Pop Tarts, and David tells OK! he's loving every minute of it.

"This is our way of saying thank you to everybody that voted -- it's one big love-fest.

"Plus, I'm excited to experience parts of the country that I've never seen before," said the 25-year-old.

"There is something romantic about waking up in a different city every day. There's a cool synergy within the group, and we're really supportive of each other -- we got lucky."

But there's some pitfalls that you have to look out for when you become a star almost overnight.

Like, if you're a guy who was tending bar less than a year ago, you have to make sure that standing in front of a sea of screaming fans every night doesn't go to your head.

"Whenever I feel like I need to get my ego in check, I'll call my family," he said.

"Obviously, my family is really important to me, so I'm going to try and get them out to as many people as possible."

So apart from a firm grip on reality, is there any other must-have item that David has to have on tour?

"My guitar," he says, "and a can of Lysol. I don't trust Michael Johns and that mustache of his!"

Facial hair must seem like a much bigger health risk when you're on a cramped tour bus.