Jon Peter Lewis

Infobox musical artist
Name = Jon Peter Lewis


Img_size =
Background = solo_singer
Birth_name = Jon Peter Lewis
Alias =
Born = birth date and age|1979|11|7
Lincoln, Nebraska, USA
Died =
Origin = Lincoln, Nebraska, USA
Instrument = Singing
Genre = Funk, blues, rock, pop
Occupation = Singer-songwriter
Influences =
Years_active = 2003-present
Label =
Associated acts =
URL = [http://www.jplewismusic.com www.jplewismusic.com] Jon Peter Lewis (born November 7, 1979 in Lincoln, Nebraska) is an American singer and songwriter, and was one of the finalists on the third season of the reality/talent-search television series "American Idol". He would frequently be referred to by the judges and Ryan Seacrest as simply JPL.

Biography

Lewis lived in various cities across the United States with his roving family, before leaving home at the age of 18. He graduated from Central High School in Cheyenne, Wyoming in 1998. He also performed as Thorin Oakenshield in the Cheyenne Little Theatre production of The Hobbit in the summer of 1997.

At the age of 23, Lewis cashed in his college loans to audition for the third season of "American Idol" in Honolulu, Hawaii where he sang '"Crazy Love" by Van Morrison. Judge Simon Cowell told Lewis "You have a good voice, you look like a pen salesman, and you have the personality of a mouse." Despite Cowell's initial description, Lewis went on to display an uninhibited stage personality that inspired comparisons with a similarly uninhibited finalist, Taylor Hicks, during the fifth season of "American Idol". Simon Cowell later hailed Jon as "the dark horse to win the competition," and Rolling Stone Magazine pegged Jon as a "pick to win," while Elton John praised JPL's voice for his "excellent pitch and phrasing."

Lewis was a member of the third group of semifinalists and performed the Elton John song "Tiny Dancer", but was not voted through to the final round, having placed third in his group. Lewis was instead brought back for the wildcard round and after performing the Elvis Presley number "A Little Less Conversation" was put through as a finalist by audience vote, receiving 22% of all votes cast.

On April 15, 2004 Lewis was voted off in eighth place after a flashy rendition of Elvis Presley's "Jailhouse Rock" during movie songs week. During the competition, he had displayed a three-octave vocal range and developed a strong fan following. As part of the Top 10, Lewis participated in the 50-city American Idols Live tour in the summer of 2004.

Rather than accepting business offers to use his "Idol" fame to release a quick pop album, Lewis decided to work on his own musical style and create original music. After leaving the American Idol competition, and over the course of the subsequent tour, Lewis taught himself to write songs. "Turn to Grey" was among his first written. In 2005, he collaborated with Canadian songwriter/actor James Collins to write and record "It's Christmas," which was released in Canada as part of the "Now Christmas 2" album, and went to #13 on the Canadian radio charts. The song also appears on Wave 94.7's (CIWV FM) "A Canadian Smooth Jazz Christmas" CD, a fundraiser for Camp Kirk, in Kirkfield, Ontario, Canada. In addition, a second original holiday song "California Christmas" was recorded by Jon and released in 2006 for the album "Breaking for the Holidays" by Breaking Records. The upbeat holiday song was called a "Christmas Classic" by Chuck Taylor of Billboard Magazine.

From late 2004 to 2006, Lewis spent the majority of his time in composing original music. He has worked closely with music producer Alex Gibson and Henson Recording Studios, among other notable entities in Hollywood.

In September 2006, Lewis released his second single containing the songs "If I Go Away" and "Man Like Me" through his independent company, Cockaroo Entertainment. His limited release debut album, "Stories from Hollywood," was released on his 27th birthday, November 7, 2006, making Jon the first Idol finalist to independently release an album of original songs. The album is a collection of energetic rock and roll and intimate acoustic tracks.

Jon's second full-length album, "Break the Silence" is due out July 22, 2008. The album will be released through Cockaroo Entertainment in conjunction with Adrenaline Music Group. Chris Garcia, who has worked with Santana and Michelle Branch, Dido and Jewel, is producing the album under the guidance of executive producer Don Grierson, a former head of A&R for Capitol and Epic Records involved with Bob Seger, Heart, Duran Duran, Cheap Trick, Celine Dion and Tina Turner.

Jon is writing or co-writing several tracks for the album, which will feature such esteemed session musicians as guitarist Nick Lashley (Alanis Morissette) and drummer Kenny Aronoff (John Cougar Mellencamp, Indigo Girls).

Members of JPL's recording and concert band have included Dave Angel, Skyler Elobar, Andrew Synowiec, Ian Hendrickson, Lee Ferris, Craig Macintyre, and his cousin Ben Mathews.

Lewis currently resides in Los Angeles, California. He is a frequent television and radio guest and performs nationwide with his band.

Discography

ingles

* "Turn to Grey" download single. Blues-funk. (2004)
* "Stories From Hollywood" download single. Alternative rock. (2005)
* "It's Christmas" single peaked at # 13 on Canada's Top 50 Pop Adult BDS chart (2005)
* "If I Go Away/ Man Like Me" double-sided single. Alternative rock and pop. (Cockaroo Entertainment) (2006)

Albums

* "". JPL covers "My Girl" and joins in the Season 3 "American Idol" Finalists' ensemble cover of "Ain't No Mountain High Enough". (2004)
* "Now Christmas 2" compilation album. JPL contributed the pop song, "It's Christmas," which went up to No. 13 on Canadian radio charts. Album released in Canada. (EMI) (2005)
* "Breaking for the Holidays" compilation album. JPL contributed the harmonic pop song, "California Christmas." (Breaking Records) (2006)
* "Stories from Hollywood" album of original music released November 7, 2006. Alternative rock, soul, and pop.
*"Break the Silence." July 22, 2008. Full-length album released through Cockaroo Entertainment in conjunction with Adrenaline Music Group.

External links

* [http://jplewismusic.com Website of Singer/Songwriter Jon Peter Lewis at jplewismusic.com.]
* [http://www.myspace.com/jonpeterlewis JPL's MySpace]
* [http://www.authenticrecordsonline.com/ Authentic Records]
* [http://www.breakingrecordsmusic.com/artists/breaking_for_the_holidays/index.htm Breaking For the Holiday's page at Breaking Records]
* [http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000JUB39I/ Reviews of Album at Amazon]
* [http://www.mymusiki.com/wiki/Jon_Peter_Lewis_discography Jon Peter Lewis discography]
* [http://www.rithum.com/jonpeterlewis Jon Peter Lewis on Rithum]