The best thing about this "American Idol" season is the way two everyday people -- each 24, from Northern roots -- soared.
Earlier (see previous blog) I sent papers a story on Crystal Bowersox, the runner-up. Here's my story on Lee DeWyze, the winner:
By MIKE HUGHES
Lee DeWyze's victory seems to be
another “American Idol” moment for the common man.
“I'm a real guy,” he told reporters
Friday. “Whether it's on-camera of off, I like to be myself.”
Viewers knew that already. The show
kept reminding them that DeWyze, 24, is the guy who mixed and shook
paint cans at a store in Mount Prospect, Ill.; currently, women are
sporting T-shirts that read, “Lee DeWyze shook my can.”
The extent of his regular-guy life goes
much earlier than that, though. “A big problem for me was finding a
direction,” he said. “I didn't really care about things (except)
music.”
He was sent to an alternative high
school, which was helpful. “I got a totally different outlook and
realized there's a lot more out there than my problems.”
Eventually, the music clicked. DeWyze
cut two albums on an independent label. He did gigs in Chicago clubs;
he's particularly fond of a House of Blues gig with the Freddy Jones
Band, on a New Year's Eve show that included Collective Soul and
others.
Then came “Idol,” an odd fit for a
guy who leans to folk-rock. “It was frustrating sometimes, because
there were some songs … I wouldn't sing in a million years. Still,
that's what the show is about.”
Time limits were also frustrating. “I
like to build up to something, but we only get a minute and a half.”
Within those limits, however, he could
soar. “We were given free rein to go th the studio and arrange
songs any way we could, and I did.”
He thrived, always staying out of the
bottom two or three. He seemed tense at times, but relaxed when the
final three were sent home for mini-concerts. “I was only scheduled
to sing three or four songs and I did nine or 10. How do you not?”
Only the time limit stopped him that
night, DeWyyze said. It was a sign that he'll enjoy the time ahead.
Yes, his first radio single is a cover
of U2's “Beautiful Day.” After that, however, the folk-rock-blues
can emerge. “I'm going to be able to do my thing on my stage.”