About Lee Dewyze
Who Is The Man Behind Season 9 American Idol Winner?
As millions watched to see who would be crowned the winner of American Idol season 9, the drum roll was set and the confetti flew as Ryan Seacrest announced Lee DeWyze had conquered all. It is something that every musician dreams of and something that truly will transform the rest of DeWyze’s life.
DeWyze was born in Mount Prospect, Illinois to Lee DeWyze, Sr. and Kathleen DeWyze. His father was a postal carrier in Elk Grove Village while his mother was in radiology transcription at a community hospital. Along with Lee, the couple was parents to two older sisters for Lee, Sarah and Shannon, and a younger brother, Mike.
During his childhood he attended Saint James Catholic Elementary School in Arlington Heights, Illinois. Up until his senior year, he was at Prospect High School before leaving to attend Forest View Alternative School in Arlington Heights. This was his ultimate decision to get into music as he was inspired by his teachers and his interest in music to return to school.
Just like any other musician, Lee DeWyze had a number of musical influences growing up. Some of the musicians that stood out the most to him included Cat Stevens, Eric Clapton, Ben Harper and Simon & Garfunkel. He was so inspired by Cat Stevens that he even tattooed some of the lyrics from the classic song “Father and Son” on his arm.
As for the little things in life that sum up the type of person he is, he says he owns a bulldog named Capone, is afraid of heights, is an avid Scrabble player, and actually called his family before every performance on American Idol. This is precisely what drew him into the hearts of Americans and viewers across the country throughout the competition.
He started singing at an early age before being discovered by a Chicagoan by the name of Louis Svitek. Svitek, who runs an independent record label WuLi Records in Chicago, first saw him at the age of 17 and quickly signed him to the label. With three other band members, the “Lee DeWyze Band” recorded two albums and eventually recorded six songs on a promotional CD titled “Square One Organic.”
Thanks to the band’s touring in the area, their music became quite well known locally and was even played on the radio through WXRT. The band was also featured on The Chicago Huddle, which was hosted by ABC 7’s Ryan Chiaverini.
Fast forward to June 22, 2009 and Lee DeWyze was auditioning in Chicago at the United Center for American Idol. Singing the song “Ain’t No Sunshine, DeWyze was one of just 13 people from Chicago to make it to Hollywood. The rest is history.
