Lee DeWyze

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Lee DeWyze
Lee DeWyze.jpg
DeWyze performing in June 2010.
Background information
Birth name Leon James DeWyze, Jr.
Born (1986-04-02) April 2, 1986 (age 27)
Mount Prospect, Illinois, U.S.
Genres Rock, alternative rock, indie, folk
Occupations Singer-songwriter
Instruments Vocals, guitar, piano, drums, bass
Years active 2003–Present
Labels WuLi (2007-2010, 2012-present)
RCA (2010-2011)
19 (2010-present)
Vanguard (2013-)
Associated acts Louis Svitek, Lee DeWyze Band
Website www.LeeDeWyzeOfficial.com

Leon James "Lee" DeWyze, Jr.[1] (born April 2, 1986) is an American singer-songwriter from Mount Prospect, Illinois, and the winner of the ninth season of American Idol. Prior to Idol, DeWyze had a solo career and formed the Lee DeWyze Band. He had also released two independent albums called So I'm Told in 2007 and Slumberland in 2010, both on WuLi Records. His post-Idol album Live It Up was released on November 16, 2010, through 19 Entertainment and RCA Records. WuLi Records, citing demand from DeWyze's fan base, released a third album of pre-Idol recordings, What Once Was, on February 14, 2012.

Contents

Background [edit]

DeWyze was born in Mount Prospect, Illinois, the eldest son of Kathleen (née Donahue)[2] and Leon (Lee) DeWyze, Sr., who worked as a postal carrier in Elk Grove Village, Illinois.[3] He has two older sisters, Shannon and Sarah, and a younger brother, Michael. His musical influences include Cat Stevens, Eric Clapton, Ben Harper, and Simon & Garfunkel.

DeWyze attended St. James Catholic Elementary School in Arlington Heights, Illinois, and Prospect High School in Mount Prospect, Illinois, up until his senior year, due to too many fights. After leaving Prospect High, he attended Forest View Alternative School in Arlington Heights, having been inspired both by his teachers and his interest in music to return to his studies.[4] While he never graduated from either high school, he eventually got his GED.[3]

Pre-Idol career [edit]

After expulsion from high school, DeWyze worked as a paint salesman. He also worked as a trading floor clerk at the Chicago Mercantile Exchange in 2007–2008[5] before returning to work at the Mount Prospect paint store until he auditioned for American Idol and making it through to the Hollywood rounds of the show. The store continued to support him during his American Idol run by selling tee shirts encouraging fans to vote for Lee.[6]

DeWyze started singing at an early age and was discovered by Louis Svitek, who saw DeWyze, then 17, playing guitar and singing at a house party in the northwest suburbs of Chicago. Svitek signed DeWyze to WuLi Records, the independent record label he runs with Ryan McGuire in Chicago. Dewyze formed the "Lee DeWyze Band" with Svitek, McGuire and Jeff Henderson. DeWyze recorded two albums, So I'm Told (2007) and Slumberland (2010), both produced by Ryan McGuire.[7] WuLi released a remixed and remastered edition of So I'm Told in 2010.[8] In 2008, as a favor to band member Jeff Henderson, DeWyze and the band recorded a disc for Square One Organic Baby Food Company, a company owned by Henderson's wife. DeWyze recorded six songs on the "Square One Organic" promotional CD,[9] also produced by Ryan McGuire.

As a result of touring in the area and performing at many venues, DeWyze and his band's music were known locally, even getting radio play on WXRT long before he auditioned for American Idol.[3] The Lee DeWyze Band was featured on a local television sports program, The Chicago Huddle, hosted by ABC 7's Ryan Chiaverini, during the 2008 and 2009 seasons.[10][11]

DeWyze also had an acting role in 2006 in a low-budget short horror film Deadscapes: Broken Road.[12] He played one of a trio of survivors in a land overrun with the undead.

American Idol [edit]

DeWyze auditioned in Chicago at the United Center for the ninth season of American Idol on June 22, 2009, after encouragement from his friend Vincent Ferrara who was also trying out for the contest in Chicago. He auditioned with the song "Ain't No Sunshine". He was one of only 13 people from Chicago, the lowest number out of all 7 audition cities, to make it through to Hollywood week. During Hollywood week his group included Aaron Kelly and Crystal Bowersox, all of whom made the Top 5. Crystal Bowersox and DeWyze made it to that top two, in which he won.

His closest friend among the competitors is Andrew Garcia.[13] Garcia was his roommate throughout the season until he was eliminated in the Top 9. Lee stated that he was generally close to all the Top 10 Idols, but he is also especially close to Siobhan Magnus, Katie Stevens, Michael Lynche, Aaron Kelly, and Alex Lambert and Lacey Brown from Top 16. Before every performance, DeWyze would call his family.

DeWyze was one of two contestants in Season 9 to never land in the bottom three, the other being Crystal Bowersox. The judges praised him for shedding his shy persona throughout the season and showing, with confidence, that he was "in it to win it."

On May 14, 2010, DeWyze performed at the Arlington Park Race Track in Arlington Heights, Illinois, with more than 41,000 people attending as part of his American Idol Homecoming day. Along with performing at the race track he had a parade in Mount Prospect, performed at a local AT&T store, and threw out the opening pitch at a Chicago Cubs baseball game.

On May 26, DeWyze was crowned the winner of American Idol Season 9.[14] As a result of winning the season, DeWyze also won a recording contract.

Performances/results [edit]

Episode Theme Song choice Original artist Order # Result
Audition Auditioner's Choice "Ain't No Sunshine" Bill Withers N/A Advanced
Hollywood First Solo "One of Us" Joan Osborne[15] N/A Advanced
Hollywood Group Performance "Get Ready" The Temptations N/A Advanced
Hollywood Second Solo "You Found Me" The Fray N/A Advanced
Top 24 (12 Men) Billboard Hot 100 Hits "Chasing Cars" Snow Patrol 7 Safe
Top 20 (10 Men) "Lips of an Angel" Hinder 10 Safe
Top 16 (8 Men) "Fireflies" Owl City 1 Safe
Top 12 The Rolling Stones "Beast of Burden" The Rolling Stones 9 Safe
Top 11 Billboard #1 Hits "The Letter" The Box Tops 1 Safe
Top 10 R&B/Soul "Treat Her Like a Lady"1 Cornelius Brothers & Sister Rose 8 Safe
Top 9 Lennon–McCartney "Hey Jude" The Beatles 9 Safe
Top 92 Elvis Presley "A Little Less Conversation" Elvis Presley 4 Safe
Top 7 Inspirational Songs "The Boxer" Simon & Garfunkel 2 Safe
Top 6 Shania Twain "You're Still the One" Shania Twain 1 Safe
Top 5 Frank Sinatra "That's Life" Frank Sinatra 5 Safe
Top 4 Songs of the Cinema Solo "Kiss from a Rose" — Batman Forever Seal 1 Safe
Duet"Falling Slowly" — Once with Crystal Bowersox Glen Hansard & Markéta Irglová 3
Top 3 Contestant's Choice "Simple Man" Lynyrd Skynyrd 3 Safe
Judges' Choice3 "Hallelujah" Leonard Cohen 6
Top 2 Contestant's Choice "The Boxer" Simon & Garfunkel 1 Winner
Simon Fuller's Choice "Everybody Hurts" R.E.M. 3
Coronation song "Beautiful Day" U2 5

Post-Idol career [edit]

DeWyze's Idol coronation song, a cover of U2's "Beautiful Day," was released as a digital single on May 27, 2010.[16] DeWyze has said about the song: "I like that song a lot; it's a really good song (...) Is it something that is necessarily in my genre? No. There were songs on the table, and I went with the one I thought would represent the moment the best."[17]

DeWyze signed with Simon Fuller's 19 Entertainment and RCA Records.[18]

DeWyze performed the national anthem at the Staples Center for Game 2 of the 2010 NBA Finals on June 6, 2010.

As a result of winning American Idol he became the headliner of the 2010 American Idols LIVE! tour. The songs he chose to perform for the tour include "Beautiful Day," "Rocket Man," "Treat Her Like a Lady," "Hallelujah," and "Use Somebody."

DeWyze won "Choice TV: Male Reality/Variety Star" at the Teen Choice Awards on August 8, 2010.[19]

DeWyze returned to Arlington Park Race Track in Arlington Heights, Illinois, for a post-Idol homecoming concert on September 24, 2010, where he performed for more than 20,000 people. His 12-song set of cover songs and pre-Idol originals also included a new song, “Only Dreaming”.[20] On January 23, 2011, DeWyze performed at halftime during the NFC Championship Game between the Chicago Bears and Green Bay Packers at Soldier Field in Chicago.[21]

Live It Up (2010–2011) [edit]

In July 2010, DeWyze described his upcoming album:

"It’s gonna be like a whole rock/pop sort of deal. It’s gonna be very chill rock, a little harder stuff. It’s gonna be my vibe — stuff I would have done from day one and what I’ve always done."[22]

On October 7, 2010, DeWyze announced that his debut album, scheduled for a November 16, 2010 release,[23] would be called Live It Up and the first single, also called "Live It Up," would debut October 13 on On Air with Ryan Seacrest.[24]

October 12, 2010, DeWyze announced that his single "Live It Up" would be held off for release. Instead a new single titled "Sweet Serendipity" aired in its place on October 13, 2010. The album Live It Up was released on November 16, 2010. DeWyze performed the second single, "Beautiful Like You", on the American Idol Season 10 Top 12 Results show on March 17, 2011.[25]

On October 6, 2011, RCA Records CEO Peter Edge confirmed that the 25-year-old DeWyze was no longer on the label. DeWyze was the last of a nine-year partnership between Idol, 19 Recordings and Sony Music, which had an exclusive license on the show’s music releases. DeWyze’s option officially expired in September.[26]

WuLi Records, citing demand from DeWyze's fan base, has released a third album of pre-Idol recordings, What Once Was, on February 14, 2012. The album has a total of nine tracks.

DeWyze started his "Acoustic Duo Tour" on October 26, 2012.[citation needed]

New album (2012-present) [edit]

On January 15, 2013, DeWyze announced that he had signed with Vanguard Records.[27] His first single with the label, "Silver Lining" is scheduled to be released to Triple A radio on June 10 and be available digitally the following day.[28] The single's release date was pushed up and was released to digital retailers on April 24, 2013.[29]

Personal life [edit]

DeWyze said in an interview that he owns an English bulldog named Capone, is afraid of heights, and loves playing Scrabble and Poker. He plays guitar, piano and the drums.[30]

DeWyze has some of the lyrics to "Miles From Nowhere", words from a classic Cat Stevens song that say, "Lord, my body has been a good friend but I won't need it when I reach the end" tattooed on his arm.[31][32] He has three other tattoos, including a silhouette of the Chicago flag and tree of life on his right arm and a Shel Silverstein illustration on his left arm.[30][33]

On July 27, 2011, DeWyze announced his engagement to model and actress Jonna Walsh. The couple married on July 21, 2012.[34][35]

Discography [edit]

Albums [edit]

Year Album details Peak Certifications
(sales threshold)
US US
Digital		 US
Heat[36]		 US
Indie		 CAN[37] UK
2007 So I'm Told[38] — — — — — —
2010 Slumberland[40]
  • Released: January 7, 2010 (iTunes)
    January 20, 2010 (physical release)[41]
  • Label: WuLi
  • Format: CD, Digital Download
 — — 7 39 — —
Live It Up
  • Released: November 16, 2010
  • Label: 19, RCA
  • Format: CD, Digital Download
 19 10 — — 79 122
2012 What Once Was
  • Released: February 14, 2012[39]
  • Label: WuLi
  • Format: CD, Digital Download
 — — — — — —
"—" denotes releases that did not chart

Digital albums [edit]

Year Album Peak Sales
US
Heat		 US
Indie
2010 Season 9 Favorite Performances 9[44] 40

Singles [edit]

Year Single Peak Album
US[44] US
Adult Pop[46]		 CAN
2010 "Beautiful Day" 24 — 13 non-album single
"Sweet Serendipity" 110 23 96 Live It Up
2011 "Beautiful Like You" — — —
2013 "Silver Lining" — — — TBA
"—" denotes releases that did not chart

Digital singles [edit]

Year Single Peak Album
US[44] CAN
2010 "Hallelujah" 44 57 Season 9 Favorite Performances
"Falling Slowly" (with Crystal Bowersox) 66 70 non-album single
"The Boxer" 88 72 Season 9 Favorite Performances
"—" denotes releases that did not chart

Collaborations [edit]

  • 2008: Square One Organic Baby Food Company promotional CD (6 of the songs are sung by Lee DeWyze).

Awards and nominations [edit]

Year Presenter Award Result
2010 2010 Teen Choice Awards Male Reality/Variety Star Won

Tour dates [edit]

Live It Up World Tour [edit]

Date City Country Venue
North America
April 30, 2011 Elkins United States Davis and Elkins College
Asia
May 7, 2011 Manila Philippines Venice Piazza
May 8, 2011 Eastwood Mall Open Park
May 14, 2011 Jakarta Indonesia The Cascade Lounge - Hotel Mulia
May 15, 2011 Mall Taman Anggrek
May 17, 2011 Kuala Lumpur Malaysia Subang Parade
North America
June 4, 2011 Temecula United States Temecula Valley Balloon & Wine Festival
June 19, 2011 Columbus The Basement
June 20, 2011 St. Louis Old Rock House
June 22, 2011 Minneapolis Varsity
June 23, 2011 Madison University of Wisconsin
June 24, 2011 Milwaukee Turner Hall Ballroom
June 25, 2011 Rockford Davis Park
June 27, 2011 Akron Musica
June 28, 2011 Pittsburgh Altar Bar
June 29, 2011 New York City Gramercy Theatre
June 30, 2011 Stamford Alive at Five
July 1, 2011 Boston Brighton Music Hall
July 7, 2011 San Antonio Six Flags Fiesta Texas
July 8, 2011 Corpus Christi Brewster Street Ice House
July 9, 2011 Arlington Six Flags Over Texas
July 10, 2011 Austin Antone's
July 11, 2011 Houston House of Blues: Bronze Peacock Room
July 20, 2011 Gurnee Six Flags Great America
July 21, 2011 Des Moines Simons Estes Amphitheatre
July 22, 2011 Detroit Campus Martius Park
August 1, 2011 Duluth Arena Gwinnett Center
August 3, 2011 Sunrise Bank Atlantic City
August 4, 2011 Tampa St. Pete Times Forum
August 7, 2011 The Woodlands Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion
August 8, 2011 Tulsa Bok Center
August 9, 2011 Dallas American Airlines Center
August 12, 2011 Phoenix US Aiways Center
August 13, 2011 Los Angeles Staples Center
August 14, 2011 Mountain View Shoreline Amphitheatre
August 16, 2011 San Diego Viejas Arena
August 17, 2011 Anaheim Honda Center
August 18, 2011 Sacramento Arco Arena
August 20, 2011 Seattle KeyArena
August 21, 2011 Portland Rose Garden
August 23, 2011 Denver Comfort Dental Amphitheatre
August 25, 2011 St. Louis Scottarde Center
August 26, 2011 Des Moines Wells Fargo Arena
August 27, 2011 Minneapolis Target Center
August 28, 2011 Chicago United Center
August 29, 2011 Toledo The Huntington Center
August 30, 2011 Cincinnati Riverbend Music Center
August 31, 2011 Indianapolis Conseco Fieldhouse

Acoustic Duo Tour 2012 [edit]

Date City Country Venue
North America
October 26, 2012 Blairstown United States Blairstown Theater
October 27, 2012 Fairfield StageOne
October 28, 2012 Northampton Iron House Music Hall
October 29, 2012 New York City Highline Ballroom
November 1, 2012 Bethlehem Musikfest Cafe
November 5, 2012 Chicago Lincoln Hall
November 6, 2012 St. Louis Old Rock House
November 7, 2012 Nashville 12th and Porter
November 9, 2012 Little Rock Juanita's
November 11, 2012 Fort Worth McDavid Studio
November 12, 2012 Austin Stubb's BBQ
November 14, 2012 Denver Soiled Dove Undgrnd
November 17, 2012 Los Angeles Hotel Cafe
November 28, 2012 Portland Mississippi Studios
November 29, 2012 Seattle The Triple Door
December 1, 2012 San Francisco Swedish American Hall
December 27, 2012 San Diego Anthology

References [edit]

  1. ^ http://www.lee-dewyze.net/lee/facts/
  2. ^ "Las Vegas odds say Lee DeWyze will win 'American Idol'". Irish Central. May 21, 2010. 
  3. ^ a b c Ahern, Sheila (May 13, 2010). "Lee DeWyze: From Mount Prospect to Hollywood and home again". Daily Herald. Retrieved May 27, 2010. 
  4. ^ Cantiello, Jim (March 12, 2010). "Lee Dewyze Profile: What Are The Rocker's 'Idol' Chances?". MTV. 
  5. ^ American Idol's Career Secret
  6. ^ Kaufman, Gil (May 18, 2010). "Lee DeWyze Worked At Paint Store Right Up Until 'American Idol'". MTV. 
  7. ^ Interview with Ryan McGuire, co-founder of Wu-Li Records
  8. ^ "Studiophile: December 2010". Illinois Entertainer. December 1, 2010. 
  9. ^ Hoffman, Liz (April 7, 2010). "'American Idol' contestant DeWyze is voice behind River Forest baby food company". Chicago Parent. 
  10. ^ "The Chicago Huddle Kicks Off Second Season". ABC 7 Chicago. September 2, 2008. Retrieved 2010-09-26. 
  11. ^ "American Idol winner has ABC 7 connection". ABC 7 Chicago. May 27, 2010. Retrieved 2010-09-26. 
  12. ^ Deadscapes: Broken Road
  13. ^ Finalist Diaries: Top 4: Lee DeWyze American Idol May 12, 2010
  14. ^ Melisurgo, Len (May 26, 2010). "Lee DeWyze is named 'American Idol' 2010 winner". The Star-Ledger. 
  15. ^ "American Idol Performances". Lee DeWyze Fans (fanstar.net). 
  16. ^ "Beautiful Day – Single by Lee DeWyze – Download Beautiful Day – Single on iTunes". Itunes.apple.com. 1986-04-02. Retrieved 2010-05-30. 
  17. ^ Lopez, Korina (May 29, 2010). "'Idol' winner Lee DeWyze: 'I'm free to do what I want now'". Usatoday.Com. Retrieved 2010-05-30. 
  18. ^ ‘American Idol’ Finalists Sign Record Deals May 28, 2010
  19. ^ Seidman, Robert (August 8, 2010). "Winners of ‘Teen Choice 2010‘ Awards Announced; Teens Cast More Than 85 Million Votes". 
  20. ^ Placek, Christopher (September 25, 2010). "Lee remains down-to-earth with fans at home". Daily Herald. Retrieved 2010-09-26. 
  21. ^ "Lee DeWyze to Perform at Bears' Game But No Anthem". CBS News. January 20, 2011. Retrieved January 17, 2013. 
  22. ^ "Neon Limelight Interview: American Idol Champ Lee Dewyze Dishes On "Very Chill" Debut Album". Neon Limelight. July 29, 2010. 
  23. ^ Concepcion, Marial (August 19, 2010). "'Idol' Lee DeWyze's Debut Gets Nov. 16 Release Date". Billboard. Retrieved 2010-08-21. 
  24. ^ "Lee DeWyze, "Live It Up."". AmericanIdol.com. October 7, 2010. 
  25. ^ Parker, Lyndsey (March 15, 2011). "Exclusive: Lee DeWyze's Next Single Will Be "Beautiful Like You"". Yahoo Music Reality Rocks. 
  26. ^ Halpren, Shirley (October 6, 2011). "Lee DeWyze Dropped By RCA Records". The Hollywood Reporter. 
  27. ^ http://www.mjsbigblog.com/lee-dewyze-signs-with-vanguard-records-video.htm
  28. ^ Brian Mansfield (April 10, 2013). "Lee DeWyze signs with Vanguard Records". USA Today. Retrieved April 10, 2013. 
  29. ^ https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/silver-lining-single/id640381809
  30. ^ a b "American Idol: Lee DeWyze and Crystal Bowersox duet on 'Take Me Out to the Ball Game'". Lee DeWyze blog (American Idol). May 23, 2010. 
  31. ^ Johnson, Steve (May 11, 2010). "Lee DeWyze: The reluctant 'Idol'". Chicago Tribune. 
  32. ^ "Lee DeWyze Biography". TV Guide. Retrieved May 27, 2010. 
  33. ^ "Lee DeWyze, Siobhan Magnus New Tattoos, S9 Idols at the Shrek Screening in Los Angeles". idoltv.com. April 25, 2010. 
  34. ^ Jessica Herndon (July 21, 2012). "American Idol Winner Lee DeWyze Weds". People.com. Retrieved July 22, 2012. 
  35. ^ Jessica Herndon (July 23, 2012). "Lee DeWyze & His Bride Jonna Share First Wedding Photos". People.com. Retrieved July 23, 2012. 
  36. ^ "Slumberland – Lee DeWyze". Billboard.com. Retrieved 27 May 2010. 
  37. ^ http://jam.canoe.ca/Music/Charts/ALBUMS.html
  38. ^ DeWyze, Lee. "So I'm Told". CD Baby. 
  39. ^ a b http://www.lee-dewyze.net/lee/discography/so-im-told/
  40. ^ DeWyze, Lee. "Slumberland". WuLi Publishing (CD Baby). 
  41. ^ http://www.lee-dewyze.net/lee/discography/slumberland/
  42. ^ Idol Chatter 11-24-2010
  43. ^ Gerrick D. Kennedy, (2013-01-16). "Can 'American Idol' still top the charts?". Angeles Times. Retrieved January 17, 2013. 
  44. ^ a b c Trust, Gary (June 3, 2010). "Chart Beat Thursday: Lee & Crystal Rock On". Billboard. Nielsen Business Media. Retrieved June 4, 2010. 
  45. ^ "Country Idols see sales spike following CMA Music Festival", USA Today, June 16, 2010 
  46. ^ "Sweet Serendipity – Lee DeWyze". Billboard. Retrieved March 13, 2011. 

http://www.irishcentral.com/ent/Irish-American-Lee-DeWyze-is-in-the-top-three-on-American-Idol-93672374.html

External links [edit]

Preceded by
Kris Allen		 American Idol winner
2010		 Succeeded by
Scotty McCreery
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