The title of Jon Peter Lewis' new CD is quite apt,
as this is the first the American public has heard from the singer since
his showing as a finalist during the third season of the Fox Network television
show American Idol. Originally seen on the program auditioning when the judges
went to Honolulu to gather contestants, Lewis went to Los Angeles but couldn't
break out of the third group of participants who were sent home shortly before
the top ten finalists were decided. At the time he received rave reviews
from the judges for his voice, but it was decided his personality and stage
presence were lacking. The viewing audience thought so highly of his appearances
on the show that he was brought back as a wildcard contestant and made it
to the top ten, where he was eventually eliminated in eighth place during
the show's movie song week.
During his time on the show he was also praised
by Elton John and Rolling Stone magazine for his performances. After his
elimination, Lewis eventually joined the tour of top ten finalists that
usually commences once the show is finished for the season. After the tour,
instead
of taking the offers presented to him due to his good showing on American
Idol, Lewis decided to retrench and develop his own style and creates his
own music. In 2005, Lewis collaborated with Canadian songwriter/actor James
Collins to write and record a Christmas song which went Top 20 in Canada
and in 2006 released a limited-run solo album featuring all-original acoustic
pop songs, making Lewis the first American Idol finalist to release an
independent album of original songs. This new album by Lewis is a decidedly
more electric
affair, featuring drummer Kenny Aronoff (who has played with John Mellencamp
and John Fogerty among others) and guitarist Nick Lashley (Alanis Morissette)
among other experienced studio ringers.
JON
PETER LEWIS
