Lee DeWyze

Lee DeWyze

DeWyze performing in June 2010.
Background information
Birth name Leon James DeWyze, Jr.
Born (1986-04-02) April 2, 1986
Mount Prospect, Illinois, U.S.
Genres
Occupation(s) Singer-songwriter
Instruments
Years active 2003–Present
Labels
Associated acts
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 first post-Idol album Live It Up was released on November 16, 2010, through 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. His fifth studio album Frames was released on August 20, 2013, and his sixth album Oil & Water was released on February 12, 2016.

Background

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, when he was expelled because of 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]

Career

WuLi Records

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 2005 in a low-budget short horror film, Circling the Drain and in 2006, Deadscapes: Broken Road.[12] He played one of a trio of survivors in a land overrun with the undead.

American Idol

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 thirteen people from Chicago, the lowest number out of all seven 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 the 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

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

RCA Records (2010-2011)

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]

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.

Vanguard Records & Frames (2013-14)

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

On May 30, 2013, DeWyze announced the title, track listing and release date of his new album, Frames which was released on August 20, 2013.[30]

On March 9, 2014, a song by DeWyze called "Blackbird Song" was used in the TV series The Walking Dead.[31] According to The Fresno Bee, it was the second most viral song on Spotify in the United States that week.[32] The song debuted on Billboard's "Pop Digital Songs" chart at number twenty-nine.[33]

Oil & Water (2016–)

DeWyze's sixth studio album, Oil & Water was released through Shanachie Entertainment and Pledgemusic on February 12, 2016.[34][35] It was led by the single "Stone" whose music video premiered April 8th, 2016.[36][37] It was directed by Gabriel Younes, starring actor Harwood Gordon, and filmed near Big Bear Lake.

Philanthropy

DeWyze has been involved with several charity organizations. In July 2012, he teamed with The Heart Foundation's "One for the Heart" Campaign, offering his song "Fight" as a free download to those who donated to the organization.[38] He has twice performed at the Gateway for Cancer Research's annual Cures Gala charity event; once in November 2012 and once in October 2013.[39][40][41]

In September 2012, DeWyze performed at Stars on Staff, a charity event held by Music in Schools Today.[42] In November of that year, he performed at the 2013 IP Summit - an event promoting the protection of intellectual property rights, which was held by the Global Intellectual Property Center at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. [43][44][45] That December, DeWyze performed at Kringle Mingle, a fundraiser event for the Covenant HealthCare's Covenant Kids Foundation.[46][47][48] The following year, in February, he performed at the Chicago Auto Show's First Look for Charity, raising funds for various local charities.[49][50][51]

Personal life

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.[52][53] 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.[54][55]

On July 27, 2011, DeWyze announced his engagement to model and actress Jonna Walsh. The couple married on July 21, 2012.[56][57]

Discography

Albums

Year Album details Peak Sales
US US
Digital		 US
Heat[58]		 US
Indie		 CAN[59] UK
2007 So I'm Told[60] — — — — — —
2010 Slumberland[62]
  • Released: January 7, 2010 (iTunes)
    January 20, 2010 (physical release)[63]
  • Label: WuLi
  • Format: CD, Digital Download
 — — 7 39 — —
Live It Up
  • Released: November 16, 2010
  • Label: RCA, 19
  • Format: CD, Digital Download
 19 10 — — 79 122
2012 What Once Was
  • Released: February 14, 2012[61]
  • Label: WuLi
  • Format: CD, Digital Download
 — — — — — —
2013 Frames
  • Released: August 20, 2013[30]
  • Label: Vanguard Records
  • Format: CD, Digital Download
 116 — — — — —
2016 Oil & Water
  • Released: February 12, 2016
  • Label:
  • Format: CD, Digital Download
 — — — — — —
"—" denotes releases that did not chart

Digital albums

Year Album Peak Sales
US
Heat		 US
Indie
2010 Season 9 Favorite Performances 9[67] 40

Singles

Year Single Peak Sales Album
US[67] US
Adult[69]		 CAN
2010 "Beautiful Day" 24 — 13 non-album single
"Sweet Serendipity" 110 23 96 Live It Up
2011 "Beautiful Like You" — — —
2013 "Silver Lining" — — — Frames
"Fight" — 37 —
2014 "Blackbird Song" — — — The Walking Dead (AMC Original Soundtrack), Vol. 2
2016 "Stone" — — — Oil & Water
"Again" — — —
"—" denotes releases that did not chart

Digital singles

Year Single Peak Album
US[67] 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

Awards and nominations

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

References

  1. ↑ Archived October 13, 2010, at the Wayback Machine.
  2. ↑ "Las Vegas odds say Lee DeWyze will win 'American Idol'". Irish Central. May 21, 2010.
  3. 1 2 3 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". Forbes. Retrieved 2015-12-07.
  6. ↑ Kaufman, Gil (May 18, 2010). "Lee DeWyze Worked At Paint Store Right Up Until 'American Idol'". MTV.
  7. ↑ "American Idol winner Lee Dewyze, discovered by Louis Svitek from Wuli Records - Audio Player - Audio". RadioLIVE. Retrieved 2015-12-07.
  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". IMDb.com. Retrieved 2015-12-07.
  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". Fanstar.net. Retrieved 2015-12-07.
  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. ↑ "Lee DeWyze Signs With Vanguard Records (VIDEO) • mjsbigblog". Mjsbigblog.com. 2013-01-15. Retrieved 2015-12-07.
  28. ↑ Brian Mansfield (April 10, 2013). "Lee DeWyze signs with Vanguard Records". USA Today. Retrieved April 10, 2013.
  29. ↑ "Silver Lining - Single by Lee DeWyze on iTunes". Itunes.apple.com. 2013-04-25. Retrieved 2015-12-07.
  30. 1 2 "Lee DeWyze: New Album 'Frames' To Be Released August 20th!". Retrieved May 30, 2013.
  31. ↑ Brian Ives (March 10, 2014). "The Music of 'Walking Dead' Season 4: Beth Sings Waxahatchee, Lee DeWyze Sings Bob's Anthem". Radio.com.
  32. ↑ "Spotify's Top 10 most viral tracks". The Fresno Bee. March 18, 2014. Retrieved March 24, 2014.
  33. ↑ Fred Bronson (March 24, 2014). "'American Idol' on the Charts: Harry Connick Jr., Jennifer Lopez and Keith Urban All Rise". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved March 25, 2014.
  34. ↑ http://www.mjsbigblog.com/lee-dewyze-announces-oil-water-album-pre-order-tour.htm
  35. ↑ http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/6843745/lee-dewyze-stone-studio-performance-oil-and-water-exclusive
  36. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_pqqz0EFb2A
  37. ↑ http://www.etonline.com/music/186113_lee_dewyze_debuts_gorgeous_music_video_for_new_single_stone/
  38. ↑ Mark Franklin (July 11, 2012). "Lee DeWyze releases song for a good cause". Idol Chatter. Retrieved October 12, 2013.
  39. ↑ Claire Gregoire; Lee DeWyze (November 3, 2012). Cancer Research Fundraising Gala with Lee DeWyze (Television production). Chicago, Illinois: ABC 7 Chicago. Archived from the original on November 4, 2013. Retrieved November 4, 2013.
  40. ↑ "Gateway for Cancer Research to host Cures Gala Oct. 26 in Chicago". Daily Herald. October 23, 2013. Retrieved November 4, 2013.
  41. ↑ Lee DeWyze (October 26, 2013). "@LeeDeWyze". Twitter. Retrieved November 4, 2013.
  42. ↑ "@MUSTcreate". Twitter. August 29, 2013. Retrieved January 24, 2014.
  43. ↑ "2013 Global IP Summit Enhancing our Today, Building our Tomorrow November 8, 2013 U.S. Chamber of Commerce" (PDF). theglobalipcenter.com. Retrieved January 29, 2014.
  44. ↑ 2013 IP Summit. theglobalipcenter.com. Washington, DC. November 8, 2013. Event occurs at 6:00:34 - 6:15:22. Retrieved January 29, 2014.
  45. ↑ Eric Sulcs (November 13, 2013). "VIDEO: A Shoe Designer and Musician Face a Common Threat". theglobalipcenter.com. Retrieved January 29, 2014.
  46. ↑ "3rd Annual Kringle Mingle". covenanthealthcare.com. Retrieved March 7, 2014.
  47. ↑ Jessica Fleischman (December 4, 2013). "Live tonight in Freeland: American Idol winner Lee DeWyze performs at 2013 Kringle Mingle". MLive Media Group. Retrieved March 7, 2014.
  48. ↑ Lee DeWyze (December 5, 2013). Lee DeWyze "Fight" Live At Mix 106.3's Kringle Mingle (video). YouTube. Retrieved March 8, 2014.
  49. ↑ Lee DeWyze (January 31, 2014). "@LeeDeWyze". Twitter. Retrieved March 11, 2014.
  50. ↑ "First Look for Charity Entertainment". chicagoautoshow.com. Retrieved March 11, 2014.
  51. ↑ "First Look for Charity". chicagoautoshow.com. Retrieved March 11, 2014.
  52. ↑ Johnson, Steve (May 11, 2010). "Lee DeWyze: The reluctant 'Idol'". Chicago Tribune.
  53. ↑ "Lee DeWyze Biography". TV Guide. Retrieved May 27, 2010.
  54. ↑ "American Idol: Lee DeWyze and Crystal Bowersox duet on 'Take Me Out to the Ball Game'". Lee DeWyze blog. American Idol. May 23, 2010.
  55. ↑ "Lee DeWyze, Siobhan Magnus New Tattoos, S9 Idols at the Shrek Screening in Los Angeles". idoltv.com. April 25, 2010.
  56. ↑ Jessica Herndon (July 21, 2012). "American Idol Winner Lee DeWyze Weds". People.com. Retrieved July 22, 2012.
  57. ↑ Jessica Herndon (July 23, 2012). "Lee DeWyze & His Bride Jonna Share First Wedding Photos". People.com. Retrieved July 23, 2012.
  58. ↑ "Slumberland – Lee DeWyze". Billboard.com. Retrieved 27 May 2010.
  59. ↑ "CANOE - JAM! Music - SoundScan Charts". Jam.canoe.ca. 2015-04-21. Retrieved 2015-12-07.
  60. ↑ DeWyze, Lee. "So I'm Told". CD Baby.
  61. 1 2 https://web.archive.org/web/20101125030315/http://www.lee-dewyze.net/lee/discography/so-im-told/. Archived from the original on November 25, 2010. Retrieved June 2, 2010. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  62. ↑ DeWyze, Lee. "Slumberland". WuLi Publishing. CD Baby.
  63. ↑ Archived November 28, 2010, at the Wayback Machine.
  64. ↑ Idol Chatter 11-24-2010
  65. ↑ Jason Lipshutz (2013-12-08). "Lee DeWyze's 'Frames': Exclusive Album Premiere". Billboard. Retrieved 2015-12-07.
  66. ↑ "Chart Moves: The Beatles Beat Backstreet Boys; Tedeschi Trucks Band's Best Week". Billboard. 2012-10-09. Retrieved 2015-12-07.
  67. 1 2 3 Trust, Gary (June 3, 2010). "Chart Beat Thursday: Lee & Crystal Rock On". Billboard. Nielsen Business Media. Retrieved June 4, 2010.
  68. ↑ "Country Idols see sales spike following CMA Music Festival", USA Today, June 16, 2010
  69. ↑ "Lee DeWyze - Chart history". Billboard. Retrieved 2015-12-07.
  70. ↑ "Chart Watch Extra: Phillip Phillips' Idol Record". Music.yahoo.com. 2012-10-24. Retrieved 2015-12-07.
  71. ↑ Mansfield, Brian (December 8, 2010). "Jason Aldean, Kelly Clarkson show double-barreled sales power". USA Today Idol Chatter.
  72. ↑ Brian Mansfield (May 1, 2013). "Fantasia album debuts at No. 1 R&B, No. 2 Billboard 200". USA Today.
Preceded by
Kris Allen		 American Idol winner
2010 		Succeeded by
Scotty McCreery
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