MTV Review: Lee Dewyze, Crystal Bowersox & the Top 10 ~ Good Morning America Concert

'American Idol' Top 10 Begin 'Beautiful Day' With 'Good Morning America'
Lee DeWyze, Crystal Bowersox and company strummed and belted through the rain in Central Park on Friday.

By Christopher MacAllister, MTV

With their signs and banners eagerly clutched in their hands, fans marched into Central Park to see "American Idol" season-nine winner Lee DeWyze and runner-up Crystal Bowersox chat with Robin Roberts and George Stephanopoulos about "The Twilight Saga: Eclipse" before two 12-year-old girls competed and a guy who looked like Santa's older brother competed in an "Idol" trivia quiz. And also to see all of the top 10 Idols perform for the "Good Morning America" Summer Concert Series on Friday (July 9).

Crystal was the first one to perform, singing Janis Joplin's "Piece of My Heart" while strumming her guitar, of course. She did the song justice despite the slight spray of rain.

Next up was Lee, again with a guitar, awaiting his time to shine amid the continuing showers. The crowd shouted their love for him, as he responded to their makeshift banners, wishing happy birthdays and anniversaries.

Asked about the life-changing experience of winning "Idol," he said it was "important to remember where you came from" and managed to plug the October release of his upcoming album. He then performed "Treat Her Like a Lady" by the Cornelius Brothers, to which the audience reacted with more enthusiasm and excitement.

Then all of the top 10 took the stage and the band began the riff for Bon Jovi's "It's My Life." The guys gave their best for the rousing anthem, before the girls took over with "My Life Would Suck Without You" by Kelly Clarkson. The rain seemed to bring down the energy of some, Lee in particular, who almost seemed bored at times. But as all 10 sang the song as an ensemble, they gave it a powerful finish.

Before the last song, Lee, Andrew Garcia and Michael Lynche began to beat box and rap for the slightly drenched crowd. But instead of capping off the set with another group performance, Lee went solo for his single, U2's "Beautiful Day" — and fans didn't seem to mind the irony of the bad weather.

Actually, as one fan told MTV News, there's more than one reason to consider it a beautiful day. "It was great to see the American Idols on stage together, and the rain was nice, as it has been so hot!"

Lee DeWyze & Crystal Bowersox talk about their future plans with YoungHollywood

American Idol Lee DeWyze and runner-up Crystal Bowersox talk about their future and how this is just the beginning for them. Lee tells YH his secret on what he was feeling when he got crowned American Idol as Crystal tells us her musical influences and inspirations ~ like Micheal Franti and Spearhead, Aretha Franklin and Melissa Etheridge. Hosted by Tatiana Diana.

Best of Lee DeWyze comes out at NJ Idols Live show, plus Lee Dewyze interview! (video)

American Idols Live! Shows Best of Lee DeWyze, Crystal Bowersox
Casey James, Andrew Garcia, Katie Stevens also sound better on Newark, New Jersey stage than they ever did on TV.

By Jim Cantiello, MTV

Fans of all ages donned their finest homemade puff-paint T-shirts for the American Idols Live! tour stop at the Prudential Center on Tuesday night. And judging from the excitement in the healthily populated arena, they did not leave disappointed.

Without a TV-friendly two-minute time limit for songs (and without a panel of judges ready to lay into them for any missteps), many of the season-nine performers were well-served by the live setting, particularly winner Lee DeWyze, who smiled more in his five-song set than he did in his entire run on "American Idol."

Also-rans like Didi Benami and Andrew Garcia each delivered sets that reminded the crowd why they emerged as faves during Hollywood Week. In particular, Garcia's take on Paula Abdul's "Straight Up," now with added funked-up fuzzy synths, suggested he may have made it farther had he brought that energy and ear for arrangement to more of his "Idol" performances.

The most-improved award goes to the youngest performers, high school student Aaron Kelly and recent grad Katie Stevens. If a Nashville scout saw the way Kelly owned the stage during uptempo country hits by Keith Urban and Rascal Flatts — and the crowd's warm reception to him — he or she would be insane not to scoop him up and groom him to be a Justin Bieber for the NASCAR crowd.

Meanwhile, Stevens took her "Idol" persona (wear the clothes of a middle-aged secretary, sing like an untrained teen with self-esteem issues) and completely flipped it on its head. She's now dressing her age (in a fun, flirty dress and killer knee-high boots) and singing like a seasoned veteran. Demi Lovato might regret clearing "Here We Go Again" for Katie, because it will never sound this good live again.

For some singers, the "Idol" tour is a shot at redemption. Heartthrob Tim Urban boldly tackled the Goo Goo Dolls' "Better Days," the song that got him eliminated on the show, and then followed it up with an earnest "Viva la Vida." It was a surprisingly serious set from a guy whose greatest asset is his smile and charming personality. When Urban finally did show off his pearly whites, the little girls in Newark shrieked loud enough for folks at the Jersey Shore to hear. Here's hoping it didn't interrupt Snooki from important business.

Speaking of shrieks, Siobhan Magnus delivered her signature wail at the end of "Paint It Black." While the audience appreciated the energy she brought to that Rolling Stones classic and No Doubt's "Spiderwebs," Muse's "Stockholm Syndrome" flew over the heads of the young ticketholders. It was a bit like watching a Tim Burton character stuck in a Ron Howard movie.

Michael Lynche (a.k.a. Big Mike) kicked off the second half of the show with a smooth, mellow R&B set that relied heavily on his falsetto. (He was, after all, performing songs by Kate Bush and India.Arie.) But it was an uptempo Justin Timberlake track, "My Love," that proved to be the most entertaining, if only for his out-of-left-field rap. (Don't worry, T.I., Big Mike ain't stealing your job anytime soon.)

Casey James, often stiff and awkward on "Idol," had one of the more effortless sets of the night. His impressive guitar work on the Black Keys' "I Got Mine" and the Rolling Stones' "It's All Over Now" made many forget they were watching an "Idol" concert.

Season-nine runner-up Crystal Bowersox kept that energy going with a showstopping set that further proved that the dreadlocked singer is more than just your everyday coffeehouse troubadour. If MamaSox can connect this deeply and emotionally with karaoke staples by 4 Non Blondes, Janis Joplin and Melissa Etheridge, (not to mention a chill-inducing "Up on the Mountain" reprise), it's downright scary to imagine how well she'll perform her own self-penned music. We're in for a hell of a debut album this fall, folks.

As much love as Crystal received, there was no question whom the audience was there to see. "Idol" champ Lee DeWyze's entrance caused near hysteria from his New Jersey fans, and not just because his pants' zipper was accidentally down. (Whoops!) The winner appeared to be positively giddy as he darted back and forth from one side of the stage to the other. The singer rarely stopped moving while putting his laid-back, gruff spin on '70s lite-FM staples "Rocket Man," "Hallelujah" and "Treat Her Like a Lady," showing off a looseness rarely seen on "Idol." Like Crystal, Lee gave the impression that his talents would be better displayed by performing originals. On the other hand, then we'd be deprived of a massive audience sing-along of Kings of Leon's "Use Somebody."

Much has been said (often snarkily) about the latest crop of "Idol" finalists, and while the live concert might not turn haters into slobbering fan-girls, it may leave them pleasantly surprised.

American Idol winner Lee DeWyze talks about Recording his Album, what he'll be singing on Tour, his bromance with Andrew & More

Lee DeWyze is a man of few words.

Perhaps it's because he's saving all of them for his upcoming album, which DeWyze told TV Squad that he's already started writing. Either way, the former paint salesman from Chicago, who came from behind to beat frontrunner Crystal Bowersox with his raw vocals and shy-guy-with-a-guitar appeal, woke up early (sorry, Lee!) to chat with TV Squad about his about his upcoming album's rock sound, meeting season 8 winner Kris Allen, his "bromance" with fellow Idol Andrew Garcia and shucking the "no confidence" portrayal of him this season.

Still, there were a few subjects DeWyze in which decided to remain mum on. (Darn those mysterious musicians!)

Can you tell us one song you'll be singing on tour
I'll be doing "Treat Her Like A Lady."

How are rehearsals going?
It's going really good, actually. It's just nice to get in the rehearsal space and play a full song, as opposed to the minute and a half stuff. [Laughs] ...We still have a little bit more to go. For me, rehearsals kind of just started, like, a week or so ago, because I was out flying around doing all that stuff. So when I got back, I kind of had to get right into rehearsal.

Will you be writing and recording your album during the tour?
Yeah. I'm gonna be doing that ... It's gonna be quick. I'm going to be going, and touring and recording the album, and by the time we're done with tour, it'll be close to being done. I have personally done writing for it. In the next couple of days, it'll be my first time in the actual studio with the people I'm going to be working with. It's really cool.

Do you plan to collaborate with anyone from season 9?
Not right now, no. Eventually I would (like to); there are people I would work with that were on this season. But right now, it's just kind of about the tour, and then me putting out my album. Someday down the road, I would.

Any idea what the album's going to sound like when it's done?
It's definitely going to have a rock feel to it. Some songs are going to be heavier than others, some songs will be broken down and slow. It'll be cool. It's gonna be very "me." [Laughs]

Is it similar to your pre-American Idol albums (So I'm Told, Slumberland)?
I mean, I don't know. It's probably going to be a little bigger, a little different. We'll see.

Did you get a chance to talk to season 8 winner Kris Allen at all?
I did get a chance to meet him at the finale. I got a chance to hang out with him and his family and everything. He's a really cool guy. I like him a lot. He had some words of advice; but just over all, a really nice guy. I was like, "Wow!" Yeah, I talked to him, and David Cook and a few of the others, and they were all like, "Congratulations!". They've all been real cool.

Have you seen the "bromance" buttons with you and fellow contestant Andrew Garcia?
I didn't see that. That was really awesome. [Laughs] No, we didn't know that. I think it's funny. Oh, I didn't even know about the button. Andrew showed it to me. He was like, "Dude, they got a button for us!" I was like, "Nice."

Season 9 didn't do a great job of showcasing contestants' personalities. Do you think the show accurately portrayed you?
I think, if anything, they harped on the confidence thing too much. That's about it. That's the only thing I would say that I don't think was accurate about me -- just saying I'm not confident. Every week I'd get up there, it'd be like, "Okay. I am."

Are you confident?
Well, yeah! How do you get up in front of millions of people and do that if you're not? But, you know, if you go with it, you roll with it.

What made you choose "Beautiful Day" as your first single?
It just was the right song for the time, I guess you could say.

Are you going to be performing it on tour?
I don't know yet. Since the show's been over, I have come up with an acoustic version of it, a kind of more acoustic-rock version of it, I guess you could say. So if I was (to sing it), it'd be something like that.

Have you seen the bus yet? Do you know what the sleeping arrangements will be?
No, but I can't wait to find out. [Laughs] I'm sure it's going to be interesting. We'll see. As long as I'm not next to Big Mike -- I'm just kidding. We're all looking forward to it. It's gonna be awesome. I mean, who gets to do this, you know?

Which cities are you most excited to visit on tour?
Canada and Chicago. Chicago, (my) hometown, for sure. Yeah, it's gonna be cool.

SOURCE: by Gabrielle Dunn, TVSquad.com

Lee DeWyze Felt Judge Simon Cowell's Advice "Mattered the Most"

In the month since 24-year-old Lee DeWyze won the ‘American Idol’ crown, it has been a crazy new life. Next on the calendar is the annual ‘American Idol Live!’ North American tour, hitting 51 cities from July 1 in Detroit to Sept. 11 in Cleveland. Joined by this year’s eight other ‘Idol’ contestants (including runner-up Crystal Bowersox), DeWyze, still an eligible bachelor, isn’t quite ready to give up work for a committed relationship. At least he has a busy work schedule to keep him busy, and the envelope given to him by Ryan Seacrest from May 26’s finale, announcing him as the ‘Idol’ winner. DeWyze is also writing his first major-label CD (through RCA), ‘Beautiful Day,’ which hits stores and digital download Oct. 26. He took a few minutes to talk with Fancast Thursday in L.A., preparing for the ‘American Idol Live!’ tour. (See Lee LIVE in concert!

How have you been living day to day since your big ‘Idol’ win?
It’s all day, every day, busy. It’s a good reason to be tired. It’s a good reason to be doing this. But to go from what I was doing before, to what I’m doing now, it’s just a different life. Different everything. So, it’s just a blessing to know I can cut an album, tour, and do what I always wanted to.

How do you recuperate?
You really don’t. You sleep when you can sleep. It is the best thing you can do. That’s the biggest lesson I think, to anybody who’s ever doing anything like this. Sleep, when you get a chance do it.

How do you keep from feeling overwhelmed?
Literally, they give me my schedule for the next week. I get tomorrow. And then tomorrow, I will look at the next day. I know I have stuff going on next week, [but] I have no idea what it is. I know it’s there, [and] I know I’m going to look at it. Right now, I am one day at a time. You cannot take in your whole week. You will get swallowed up by it.

What’s the best gift you got for winning ‘Idol’?
[Ryan] Seacrest gave me, you know the envelope he reads from, “the winner is”? He came up to me, and he said, “Hey man, you can have this.” I thought it was kind of cool. It was a nice memento from the show. A lot of fans have sent me some really nice things. My family sent me some stuff. It’s cool that people are looking out for us and really being supportive. Knowing the people enjoy what I was doing and to get to do it even more [it's great].

You have been approached by some big name artists to work with you on the CD, I am sure.
Yeah I have, but I’m not supposed to say. Definitely artists I respect and would love to work with.

What’s the CD going to sound like?
Everything from rock ballads to folk to bluegrass rock. I don’t really have a limit on what I like to do musically. Mostly, if I like the way something sounds, I want to do it. I know what I want. I want good melodies. I want stuff that at least I can connect with.

How do you focus creatively with so much going on?
It’s hard sometimes. When you are tired or have a lot going on, it’s good to break away from that creatively. But, yeah man, when you get in that studio, it opens up a whole new door for me. I get to do my thing, and it is an awesome experience. I write stuff on my own, but you know, in the studio, guitars, drums, recording systems, everything around me is ready to go.

Who impressed you most on ‘Idol’?
It would be Simon. He gave me the most advice that I used. You take the good with the bad. What he said to me that mattered the most was to [record] songs that you will have on your album. That’s what I that’s what stuck with me and that’s what I try to do.

What’s up with a girlfriend?
When I find the right girl at the right time, I’m all for it. Now, music is my main focus. Because if a relationship started now, it really would be hard for me and hard for her. Whatever happens, happens. I’m definitely up for a relationship. With the right girl, it will happen.


Source: Nicolas White/Fancast

American Idol Winner Lee DeWyze's Secret Influences ~ The Rolling Stone Interview

Illinois native Lee DeWyze on Sufjan Stevens and Marilyn Manson, plus Crystal Bowersox talks up her metal muse
By Rolling Stone

With an all-star list of producers and songwriters opening their door to Lee DeWyze since his improbable American Idol victory, the low-key Chicago rocker surprised Rolling Stone when he told us that one of the artists he most wants to collaborate with is Sufjan Stevens, who like DeWyze hails from Illinois. As the new American Idol champ tells Rolling Stone, Stevens' 2005 disc Illinois — part-Land of Lincoln travelogue, part-historical concept album and all-around impressive LP — provided endless inspiration when he first heard it a couple years ago.

"I heard of Stevens through friends and I was like, 'Man, I'd really like to check it out,' and I listened to it and I was just in love with the music. I love that kind of stuff, that deep, earthy, lyric, folk feel is just really, really cool," DeWyze says. "I don't shy away from anything. I sing rock sometimes, but sometimes I can break it down and I like it to have a quieter feel, a more intimate feeling to it. I've been listening to him for a long time now. I'm a big fan."

DeWyze's first post-Idol single is a cover of U2's "Beautiful Day," an appropriately ambitious choice considering DeWyze hopes his brand of music reaches the same peaks as arena-filling rockers like Dave Matthews Bands, Kings of Leon and Ben Harper. "I listened to a lot of Ben Harper before I came on the show. I remember I listened to that on the flight out here," DeWyze says. "I love Rage Against the Machine, Counting Crows. I really do like all types of music, and I think that's why the show kind of worked for me a little bit. It was a lot of different genres, and I can get into all that." Though Bono didn't reach out personally to give DeWyze the thumbs up, Lee says the U2 frontman approved the selection. "They had a huge part in allowing me to do that, so thanks to them."

Runner-up Crystal Bowersox revealed to Rolling Stone that her first taste of rock & roll came in the form of a Pearl Jam cassette tape given to her at the age of six. "I love it, though I didn't listen to it for a long time because I didn't know who Pearl Jam was when I was six," Bowersox admits. Despite being tailor-made to sing the blues, Bowersox says her musical influences go well beyond — and somewhat louder — than that. "Type O Negative is one of my favorite bands. It's something people probably don't guess abou me," Bowersox says. "I like old punk, classic rock, country, blues, rock, R&B. I mean, there's really no limit."

DeWyze took some Idol fans aback when they discovered he'd stripped down Marilyn Manson's "Beautiful People" into an acoustic tune years before he entered the competition. "You'd be surprised at how many people have come up to me that never listened to it like, 'You know I really like that song, was that yours?' I think it's got a cool melody, a cool hook, everything is cool."

American Idol's Crystal Bowersox & Lee DeWyze LIVE CHAT on Father's Day

American Idol's Lee DeWyze and Crystal Bowersox to have live chat on Father's Day

Nothing says, "Thanks, dad" like chatting it up with some "American Idol" singers.

Before the Top 10 finalists from Season 9 kickoff their nationwide tour, a few of them will take to the computer for a live Ustream chat on Sunday, June 20 at 7:30 p.m. ET/4:40 p.m. PT on AmericanIdol.com.

Besides winner Lee DeWyze and runner up Crystal Bowersox, fans will get the opportunity to pose questions like, "What conditioner do you use?" to Casey James and Didi Benami if you so wish.

Just tweet your questions with the hashtag #IdolsLive to submit them for consideration.

The "American Idol Live!" tour starts on July 1 in Detroit.

Ford Gives Lee DeWyze & Crystal Bowersox Cars

One of the perks of making it to the American Idol Finale is the gift of a Fiesta from the Ford Motor Company. The Season 9 Top 2, Lee DeWyze and Crystal Bowersox, created custom graphics with the Ford design team. Lee's black Fiesta has musical notes down the side, and his favorite fabric pattern - plaid - on the hood. Crystal designed her red Fiesta with large Sunflowers at the front, with petals blowing off and along the doors.

Stick Figure Lee DeWyze sings The Rolling Stones' "Beast of Burden"!

American Idol Season 9 winner Lee DeWyze, in a self-portrait from the article "Lee DeWyze looks back on his time in 'La-La Land'" (Go to the Blog Archive for this great article!) singing "Beast of Burden" by the Rolling Stones. Along with Lee's stick figure drawing, this animation features artwork by fellow American Idol Season 9 contestants Casey James, Aaron Kelly, and Crystal Bowersox.

Lee DeWyze and Crystal Bowersox: Amazing journey for two

Winner Lee DeWyze, runner-up Crystal Bowersox keep warm spot for Chicago
BY BILL ZWECKER Sun-Times Columnist

LOS ANGELES -- Even the morning after their American Idol finale, winner Lee DeWyze and runner-up Crystal Bowersox still seemed dazed and amazed by the journey they've been on together.

Chatting with me outside the Nokia Theatre, DeWyze said he owed it all to Simon Cowell. "I wasn't even going to be in the Top 24, except that Simon insisted -- totally demanded -- that I make that cut," said the ex-Mount Prospect paint store clerk.

• DeWyze and Bowersox, both 24, insist they will always keep a Chicago connection. "I may be from Ohio, but I completely think of Chicago as my hometown," said the singer we've come to call Mama Sox. It was due to "living in Lincoln Park and working and performing in Chicago that made me discover who I am as a person and an artist," she added, smiling happily as she recalled working at Kingston Mines and performing at Fitzgerald's in Berwyn.

• While DeWyze and Bowersox now will concentrate on putting out their solo albums and joining the upcoming American Idol Live national tour of the Top 12 competitors, they acknowledged a high point of this year's final weeks was their duet of "Falling Slowly" from the film "Once."

They nodded enthusiastically and simultaneously said, "Absolutely," when asked if they would ever do a duets album together. "Our voices and our sensibilities mesh so well. I definitely think that will happen down the road, and not too long from now," DeWyze said.

• Finally, Bowersox -- who often sang and played with the buskers on the Chicago subway and L platforms during the five years she lived there -- threw out this idea: "I don't know how the CTA would react, but I'd love to come back at some point and give a concert down in the subway!"

• Meanwhile, People magazine reported Thursday that Crystal Bowersox and beau Tony Kusian, 26, broke up Tuesday before the American Idol finale. "I want this more than anything -- this career, this lifestyle," she said. "He didn't think he was up for it."

• The American Idol Season 9 finale scored the lowest rating since the first season. The show drew 24.2 million total viewers, down 15.9 percent from 28.8 million in 2009, according to Nielsen Media Research.

Post-Idol wrap-up: The Lee DeWyze edition

Lee DeWyze, is quickly learning about one of the most valuable commodities to an American Idol winner -- sleep. The Season 9 champ told UsMagazine.com that he got one hour of sleep the night before Wednesday's finale. "I got a whole list of things I have to take care of," he said Wednesday. "I'm looking forward to it all, but at the end of it, I'm definitely going to take a nice, long nap."

Lee DeWyze defended what some critics called a nervous, lackluster performance to People after the show that night. "It's not easy performing in front of seven thousand people in a situation like that," he said. "If I wasn't confident I wouldn't be able to do this. You have to have confidence to do this and I do, it's just that when I get up there, I get in my zone and do my thing and that's just how I am."

Lee also told Entertainment Weekly that he started feeling like he could win American Idol "when I stopped questioning myself." But if he felt that way, he kept it to himself. Crystal Bowersox told EW, "He's been humble through this whole thing. He's never once said 'I think I'm going to win.'"

Lee's friends back in Illinois tell MTV that winning American Idol is just the beginning for pal. "I knew it had to be him," says Brian Friedopfer. "It's the only thing that made sense.

Want to follow in Lee's footsteps next season? Here are his five keys to Idol success. And Bret Michael has this advice for Lee: "Enjoy what you're doing, live in the moment, get good people around you, and you'll have a long career."

Source: Brian Mansfield, USA Today

American 'Idol's Lee DeWyze and Crystal Bowersox Sign Record Deals

It hasn't even been 24 hours since Lee DeWyze was crowned this year's "American Idol," but already he and his runner-up, Crystal Bowersox, have signed their record deals.

DeWyze is signed to 19 Recordings Limited and RCA Records, while Bowersox is signed to 19 Recordings Limited and Jive Records, a source confirms exclusively to Billboard.com.


DeWyze joins Daughtry and Adam Lambert at RCA, while Bowersox can now count past "Idol" winners Jordin Sparks and Kris Allen, and 2009 finalist Allison Iraheta, as her labelmates.

If 19 and Sony Music stick to the release schedule of past years, fans can expect DeWyze and Bowersox's debut albums to be released in the fourth quarter, as "Idol" albums are typically targeted for release around the holiday season. Last year, Allen's self-titled debut and Lambert's "For Your Entertainment" were released on Nov. 17 and Nov. 23, respectively.

In the meantime, the pair's debut singles were released to iTunes and radio today. DeWyze's single, a cover of U2's "Beautiful Day," and Bowersox's version of Patty Griffin's "Up to the Mountain". It's too early to tell how many downloads "Beautiful Day" and "Up to the Mountain" may sell in their first week. However, industry sources contacted suggest looking to how the past few seasons'-worth of first and second-place finishers have fared with their debut singles in the week after the finale in order to forecast how DeWyze and Bowersox might do this week.

Crystal Bowersox and Lee Dewyze in "Idol" spin

Crystal Bowersox and Lee Dewyze in "Idol" spin

*Very interesting to reflect back on Crystal Bowersox and Lee DeWyze when they made the Top 12...

Less than an hour after learning they had made the final 12 on Fox's American Idol, Crystal Bowersox and Lee DeWyze arrived Thursday night at a nightclub on L.A.'s busy La Cienga Boulevard for their first taste of what Idol stardom could bring them.

"This is insane. This is crazy. This is nuts," Dewyze told the Sun-Times, spinning around to take in the media melee of shouting reporters, flashing photographers and TV journalists.

The Arlington Heights native, who prior to making the Idol cut was splitting his time between Mount Prospect and Chicago, was quick to credit his local roots as being key to his success.

Over the past few years, Dewyze has played gigs at numerous area venues, including FitzGerald's in Berwyn, the Abbey Pub, the House of Blues, the Elbo Room and the Underground Lounge.

"So many people have been supportive. Family, friends and the whole town -- Chicagoans I never have even met -- have reached out and been so supportive. It's been an incredible experience."

As one of the contestants on the top-rated talent competition, Dewyze knows the Idol judges rank him among those who truly know who they are as performers. Yet Dewyze said that while his personal confidence and secure understanding of his talent is helpful, it doesn't necessarily make him a front-runner.

"Does it give me an edge? Maybe yes, maybe no," he said. "But I definitely know who I am and what kind of musician and artist I want to be. That's something I've always known."

"This is just the beginning for me, a platform to help me do many great things in music" -- like following in the footsteps of his inspirations, including "classic rockers like Pink Floyd and Led Zeppelin, but also great lyric writers and storytellers like Cat Stevens, Simon and Garfunkel or Eric Clapton."

Bowersox of Toledo, Ohio, auditioned in Chicago last summer after spending a "good part of the last five years living in Chicago." Like Dewyze, Bowersox knows it's her seemingly cool confidence and clear understanding of how best to project her gifts that has many Idol observers ranking her high among the finalists.

"I've known who I am for a long time," she said. "I've been doing this for a long time. Yet, it was this year -- after becoming a mother -- that I came completely into my own and became completely comfortable in my own skin."

"I think that shows, and people seem to be responding to it."

While the singer worked the music scene at various local clubs, "I really think some of the best training -- so to speak -- for 'American Idol' came from all the times I was playing for quarters in the subway and on the L platforms."

As she walked the Idol blue carpet Thursday in a sexy black wrap dress and carefully applied makeup, it was clear that Bowersox had glammed up her look from her days by the trains.

Thursday was a "bit of a roller coaster -- pretty emotional," as Bowersox put it. While she and Dewyze were thrilled to make the final 12, the two singers felt sad that competitors they had personally bonded with -- Katelyn Epperly and Lilly Scott -- had been sent home.

"I'm celebrating the fact I'm still here, but I'm also grieving for the loss of my friends," Bowersox said.

Dewyze agreed. "I made some really good friends, and it's never fun to see friends go. But as far as the competition goes, I'm going to keep doing what I think I do best and go as far as I can."

American Idol Top 3 'Judges' Choice' Picks

By M.S. Chloe

Friday was 'Homecoming Day' for the American Idol Top 3 contestants. During this whirl-wind meet-the-fans/media blitz - which included parades, singing of "The National Anthem", interviews and their first chance to sing original songs for their fans - Crystal Bowersox, Casey James and Lee DeWyze learned what song the judges have picked for them to perform this Tuesday.

This week, the Top 3 will perform 2 songs. One will be the judges' choice and the other is the finalist's choice.

Ellen Degeneres picked "Maybe I'm Amazed" by Paul McCartney for Crystal.

Casey James will be singing "Daughters" by John Mayer, chosen by Randy Jackson and Kara DioGuardia.

Simon Cowell picked "Hallelujah" by Leonard Cohen for Lee to perform.

If two of the three songs don't immediately come to mind, join the club. I don't think I've ever heard of "Daughters", and it took a few secs for "Maybe I'm Amazed" to start playing in my mind's soundtrack, but I think that's because 'maybe I'm amazed' Ellen would choose this song for Crystal. With all the songs that would allow Crystal to show her amazing range and really shine, this song's a bit too safe to sing at this point in the competition. Ellen, we're down to the Top 3, not the Top 24! But then, look what Crystal did to "I'm Alright." Maybe she'll completely re-arrange this song too, and like "I'm Alright", make it better than the original.

Just listened to John Mayer's "Daughters" - no wonder I've never heard it before, it sounds like a public service announcement. Does Kara expect Casey to sit down in an 80's turquoise jacket with his little ukulele and imitate Tiny Tim again? Plus, she's making it too easy for Casey, allowing him to sing the guy mother refers to as "The One-Note Wonder."

And for Simon's choice of "Hallelujah", all I can say is "How boringly predictable." Don't get me wrong, the Jeff Buckley version of this song is one of my all-time favorites. But, hasn't Simon chosen this over-played song before? Tim Urban already sang it this season and Jason Castro gave a great performance of Jeff Buckley's version of "Hallelujah" during Season 7. (It's on Jason Castro's new album...you gotta get it!)

So you don't have to go searching around, I've included the videos below.

"Hallelujah", as made famous by Jeff Buckley:

American Idol Viewers Send "Big Mike" Packing, plus Results Recap

Michael Lynche Eliminated after Predictable Michael Jackson Cover During Movie Week By Joyce Lee

"Michael Lynche came painfully close to his dream of making it to the top three, but fell short when he received the fewest votes on Wednesday night's episode of American Idol.

Lynche, the 26-year-old personal trainer from St. Petersburg, Fla., left the viewers and the judges unsatisfied with his predictable performance of Michael Jackson's "Will You Be There." The judges deemed his performance safe and unimpressive.

During the results portion of the show, Casey James was the first contestant granted relief. This came as a shock since everyone assumed he would land in the bottom two with Lynche."

Next up was Lee DeWyze. Ryan Seacrest reminded the audience of the judges' assessment from last night. Lee didn't think his performance was karaoke-like, and was happy with the performance, but thought he could have done more with the arrangement. Ryan then called Mike's name, then asked him to "hang tight for a second." Then he said "Lee...friends, Lee is headed back to Chicago."

Lee DeWyze is safe!

"Instead, Crystal Bowersox was the one left standing next to Lynche at the end. But it was no surprise to hear she was saved, as she's a strong favorite to win the whole competition, or at least advance to the final two.

Despite being saved from elimination by the judges five weeks ago, Lynche had a good run. He won the viewers over early with his charm, and they were further endeared to him when his wife gave birth to their first child during the audition rounds.
Results Recap
American Idol Season 3 winner Fantasia Barrino opened the show with her performance of "Bittersweet," a powerful ballad from her upcoming album. Bon Jovi also took the stage to sing "Superman Tonight."

Later, Season 5 finalist Chris Daughtry returned to the Idol stage with his rock band and performed "September." Grammy-nominated Daughtry offered a few words of advice to the finalists.

"Stay hungry and don't compromise the music you love -- stay what's true to you," he said.

Wednesday night's results show had 37 million viewers, a record high for the season.

Next week, the Season 9 Top 3 finalists - Crystal Bowersox, Lee DeWyze and Casey James - will get a chance to visit their hometowns before hitting the stage once more, with one more contestant sent home before the May 26 finale."

On next Tuesday night's show, the Top 3 will sing 2 songs each – a song the judges choose for them and a tune they pick themselves. (At the time of writing, no theme had yet been announced for the Top 3 show. Wouldn't it be nice to have a theme-free night?) Traditionally, the contestants find out their judges' pick during their hometown visit - as if the finalists do not have enough on their minds during their whirl-wind tour of parades, ribbon cuttings, keys-to-the-city ceremonies and "God Bless America"'s.


with additional reporting by M.S. Chloe