30 Facts About Lee DeWyze

Lee DeWyze had released two independent albums called So I'm Told in 2007 and Slumberland in 2010, both on WuLi Records.

Lee DeWyze has two older sisters, Shannon and Sarah, and a younger brother, Michael.

Lee 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.

Lee DeWyze started singing at an early age and was discovered by Louis Svitek, who saw Lee DeWyze, then 17, playing guitar and singing at a house party in the northwest suburbs of Chicago.

Lee DeWyze recorded two albums, So I'm Told and Slumberland, both produced by Ryan McGuire.

Lee DeWyze recorded six songs on the "Square One Organic" promotional CD, produced by Ryan McGuire.

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.

Lee 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 trying out for the contest in Chicago.

Lee DeWyze was one of only thirteen people from Chicago, the lowest number out of all seven audition cities, to make it through to Hollywood week.

Lee DeWyze then beat Bowersox and was crowned the winner on May 26,2010.

Lee DeWyze stated that he was generally close to all the Top 10 Idols, but he is especially close to Siobhan Magnus, Katie Stevens, Michael Lynche, Aaron Kelly, and Alex Lambert and Lacey Brown from the Top 16.

Lee DeWyze was one of two contestants in the ninth season to never land in the bottom three, the other being Bowersox.

On May 14,2010, Lee 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.

Lee DeWyze signed with Simon Fuller's 19 Entertainment and RCA Records.

Lee DeWyze performed the National Anthem at the Staples Center for Game 2 of the 2010 NBA Finals on June 6,2010.

Lee 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.

Lee DeWyze's 12-song set of cover songs and pre-Idol originals included a new song, "Only Dreaming".

On January 23,2011, Lee DeWyze performed at halftime during the NFC Championship Game between the Chicago Bears and Green Bay Packers at Soldier Field in Chicago.

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

On October 12,2010, Lee DeWyze announced that his single "Live It Up" would be held off for release.

Lee DeWyze performed the second single, "Beautiful Like You", on the American Idol Season 10 Top 12 Results show on March 17,2011.

On October 6,2011, RCA Records CEO Peter Edge confirmed that the 25-year-old Lee DeWyze was no longer on the label.

Lee 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.

Lee DeWyze started his "Acoustic Duo Tour" on October 26,2012.

On January 15,2013, Lee DeWyze announced that he had signed with Vanguard Records.

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

On March 9,2014, a song by Lee DeWyze called "Blackbird Song" was used in the TV series The Walking Dead.

Lee DeWyze has twice performed at the Gateway for Cancer Research's annual Cures Gala charity event; once in November 2012 and once in October 2013.

In September 2012, Lee DeWyze performed at Stars on Staff, a charity event held by Music in Schools Today.

On July 27,2011, Lee DeWyze announced his engagement to model and actress Jonna Walsh.