American Idol Finale: Only 2 % Separates the Winner and the Runner up

By FAR the Best American Idol Finale Show EVER!

The entire 2 + hours of the Season 9 finale show of American Idol was entertaining and well organized and full of surprises. Packed with  super stars, and contestants from season 1 forward.  

Bittersweet ending for Simon Cowell, who will go on to the X-factor. 

I have to wonder how excited these  young contestants were to not only be performing at the Nokia theatre, but on stage with some of musics top artists. What a dream come true.. for me I think one of the biggest surprises was seeing Brett Michaels on stage so soon after his brush with death, and Casey was lovin' every minute of it too- it was GREAT! Another surprise moment for me was seeing General Larry Platt and then here comes the ever sweet and innocent William Hung.. Too cool !

A quick rundown of performances:

The show kicked off with a performance of "School's Out for the Summer."Orianthi and Alice Cooper joined the top 12 contestants on stage. Last season's "Idol" champ Kris Allen performed his new song, "The Truth." Season nine contestants Siobhan Magnus and Aaron Kelly sang "How Deep Is Your Love" and they were joined by the Bee Gees. Michael "Big Mike" Lynche sang "Takin' It to the Steets" while accompanied by Michael McDonald.  The top 12 guys sang a Hall & Oates medley, soon to be joined by Hall & Oates. Alanis Morissette paired up with Crystal Bowersox for "You Oughta Know." Carrie Underwood performed her new hit, "Undo It."




Casey James paired up with Bret Michaels for "Every Rose Has Its Thorn." Lee DeWyze teamed with Chicago for a medley of hits. Paula Abdul showed up to say goodbye to Simon Cowell. After that, all the "Idol" winners -- well, except David Cook -- sang "Together We Are One" joined by a bunch of "Idol" finalists. Janet Jackson sang "Nothing" while flaunting her new super-short haircut. (not liking the new cut myself)  but then in pure Janet Style took thje stage with Nasty Boys.. Crystal Bowersox and Lee DeWyze teamed with Joe Cocker to sing "With a Little Help From My Friends."  Now, Who'd I miss? Both Lee and Crystal were given the Ford Fiesta they designed. Personally I think all the top 12 should have gotten one, but then who am I ?

DeWyze triumphs over Bowersox on `American Idol' - Yahoo! News: "Lee DeWyze, a paint store clerk who overcame his shyness to impress 'American Idol' judges and viewers with his spirit and soulful voice, triumphed Wednesday over bluesy musician Crystal Bowersox in the contest's ninth season.

When asked by Ryan Seacrest how he felt, an emotional DeWyze said, 'I don't know. It's amazing, thank you, guys, so much ... I love you. Crystal, I love you.'

The finalists had closely matched fan bases, with just a 2 percent voting gap between them coming into the finale, Seacrest said. DeWyze's victory was based on votes cast after Tuesday's performance show, which drew more judges' compliments for Bowersox, 24, of Toledo, Ohio, than for DeWyze, also 24, of Mount Prospect, Ill."

When asked by host Ryan Seacrest how he felt, an emotional DeWyze said, "I don't know. It's amazing, thank you, guys, so much ... I love you. Crystal, I love you."
The finalists had closely matched fan bases, with just a 2 percent voting gap between them coming into the finale, Seacrest said. DeWyze's victory was based on votes cast after Tuesday's performance show, which drew more judges' compliments for Bowersox, 24, of Toledo, Ohio, than for DeWyze, also 24, of Mount Prospect, Ill.
The total number of votes cast in the finale weren't announced by Seacrest. That's a departure from most years past: Last season, for example, the high-profile contest between Kris Allen and Adam Lambert drew 100 million phone and text message votes.

 

Simon Cowell: I think Lee Dewyze will win 'American Idol,' beat Crystal - Reality TV World - News, information, episode summaries, message boards, chat and games for unscripted television programs

Simon Cowell: I think Lee Dewyze will win 'American Idol,' beat Crystal - Reality TV World: "Simon Cowell: I think Lee Dewyze will win 'American Idol,' beat Crystal"

Cowell said there's just something about Dewyze's background that makes him feel like the 23-year-old from Mount Prospect, IL has what it takes to win.

"There's something about him," Cowell told DeGeneres, his fellow American Idol judge.

"The fact that he's worked in a paint shop, he's talented, he hasn't had any real breaks in his life. This has given him a shot, so I like that."

This week's American Idol finale will also mark the end of Cowell's time on the show's judging panel, as he's leaving to instead launch an American version of his British The X Factor reality series for Fox in Fall 2011.

'American Idol' Who Should Win and Who Needs to Win?

 American Idol Season 9 , the Finale!

Two great contestants, two styles of singing, two people who deserve a chance  BUT only one will win.  Will it be Crystal Bowersox who is the  reborn Janis Joplin? Or will it be the raspy voiced  painter/singer, Lee DeWyze from Illinois?  Personally,  I would like to see Lee DeWyze win  because I think he needs the help of American Idol to power him into a career but once he is there I think he will continue to succeed. Crystal on the other hand has a career no matter win or lose,  So while she did shine in last night's performances,  I think she stands a better chance of success with or without American Idol.  I was hoping  Lee would blow everyone out of the water but it appeared his nerves got to him a bit and let's face it folks, the producers did him NO FAVORS in the song choice. One has to wonder if the  producers can sabatoge a contestant  just by song choice and choose a song that will make another contestant shine  above the rest?  I like them both- but I really would like to see Lee win because  not only does he deserve it  (as does she) he needs to win. Good luck kids..  wishing the best for  you both. Yes my votes all went to Lee last night. :)

Idol Finale: Did Crystal Out-Sing Lee?

The final performance night of American Idol‘s season 9 was a good one for Crystal Bowersox — perhaps being the underdog stirred her resolute Midwestern spirit — and a sad one for America. It was also the last night with Simon Cowell adjudicating. I hope tomorrow’s finale concludes with Paula Abdul and/or Sanjaya jumping out of a cake. FOX owes this man the moon. PEOPLE TV Critic Tom Gliatto breaks down the hour’s three rounds:
Round One: The singers reprise their favorite songs.
Lee DeWyze started with Simon and Garfunkel’s “Boxer,” and it was a more accomplished but also a much showier interpretation than his earlier performance. I still don’t see why he thinks this song should be sung as if it were an inspirational anthem. (If you want to hear it done truthfully, try Emmylou Harris’s cover.) Randy thought the performance was nice, but lacked energy. “I love that you were connected to it,” said Kara. But Simon more accurately noted: “That was a kiss on the cheek, when I want a kiss on the lips.”
Crystal’s “Me and Bobby McGee” didn’t feel much different — a perfectly good cover that brought nothing fresh to a famous song. But the judges definitely interpreted this first round in her favor. Randy thought it was “dope, dude.” Kara said: “You have fire in your belly tonight.”
Round Two: The singers perform a song picked by producer Simon Fuller.
Lee was assigned REM’s “Everybody Hurts,” that sweet, plangent radio staple, and it was very much in the same vein as last week’s “Hallelujah” — a gospel-backed piece of middle-of-the-road commercial pop rock. Ellen was disappointed that Lee kept surging toward a full-throttle performance, then retreating. But Kara credited him, correctly, for being “emotionally accessible” — for having an unfeigned ability to connect with an audience. Simon thought he hadn’t fully delivered on an exceptionally apt song choice, and advised him that his last song would have to be a killer: “I want a 10 out of 10.”
Crystal was assigned that tough old standard “Black Velvet.” She belted it out while moving uneasily down a flight of steps, and I’m not sure she ever really sang it in a way that made sense. It sounded like a woman frantically hunting for a swatch of fabric. But the judges gave her this round, too. “Mama Sox is in it to win it,” said Randy, and Ellen gave her a standing ovation. “I’m almost ALLERGIC to that song,” said Simon, but nonetheless he said she “absolutely nailed it.”
Round Three: The singers perform the song they’ll release as their (winning) single.
The producers obviously, and wisely, gave up on having the singers take turns singing some bombastic new ballad — remember “This Is My Now”? Most likely you don’t.
Lee sang U2’s “Beautiful Day.” He seemed to understand that if he emphasized the song’s blunt melodic repetitiveness, it would build and build in force and finally pay off. A smart gamble, even if it didn’t produce that 10 and out of 10 Simon demanded. Kara acknowledged him as the singer who’d grown the most and had the most commercial potential. Simon, as well, allowed himself a moment of grand self-reflection to deliver a similar verdict: “This is my final time I’m ever going to judge this show … [and] this is what this competition is designed for” — a nice, talented guy hoping for a magical break at stardom. “I genuinely wish the best for you.”
Crystal sang Patty Griffin‘s “Up to the Mountain,” and it was full of spiritual grit and peace and sung with deep feeling. “That was incredible — incredible,” said Randy at the end of a string of glowing adjectives. “You really blossomed,” said Kara, “just with that song.” Then, after Crystal graciously saluted Simon for his advice throughout the season, he in turn praised her: “By far, the best performance and the song of the night.”
In fact, Crystal did so well, and reigned over the stage with such natural calm, I started to wonder whether I’d been wrong to think Lee had such a competitive edge. In the end, though, his three-song set, despite its flaws, showed an understanding of how to make a contemporary pop song work — memorably or not. (How many Idol songs have ever been memorable?)

 So what is in the American Idol  News 

now the the season is at it's end?

For Some 'American Idol' Fans, Simon's Exit Is The End | PopEater.com: 

"For Some 'American Idol' Fans, Simon's Exit Is The End"

 Crystal Bowersox vs Lee DeWyze: The readers react - Idol Chatter: American Idol News, Rumors, & Information: "Crystal Bowersox vs Lee DeWyze: The readers react"

Annabella45: "Crystal far out-sang Lee tonight, but my heart is still with Lee. I would rather listen to him on a day-to-day basis."

 MalwareDie: "Lee will win American Idol. America would rather vote for somebody likable and horrible at performing rather than somebody who is a great performer. Simon's final comments to Lee made him seem very likable and solidified his victory today.

bobby_tee: "I have really grown to like Lee, after being pretty unimpressed by him early on. But let's face it, Crystal is head and shoulders, light years, miles (and whatever other units of extreme measure you can think of) ahead of Lee in terms of both talent and stage presence.

 'American Idol' finale is a Bowersox lovefest - Yahoo! News: "'Since this is becoming a bit of a lovefest tonight, I thought that was by far the best performance and the song of the night,' he told Bowersox. 'And since this is going to be the final critique I'm ever gonna give, I would just like to say that was outstanding.'"

 Simon Cowell era comes to close on `American Idol' - Yahoo! News:
Simon Cowell era comes to close on `American Idol'

After serving as a judge on British media mogul Simon Fuller's "Pop Idol" and helping sell the concept to Fox, Cowell went on to create a popular U.K. talent show, "The X Factor," a version of which is coming to Fox with Cowell as judge and executive producer. He's also a producer for NBC's "America's's Got Talent."
On the music side, he's scored hits with singers including Leona Lewis, one of his U.K. talent show finds.
The big question for Fox and the producers of "American Idol" is how to follow his act. The man himself weighed in during an interview with Oprah Winfrey.
"You've got to have somebody on that panel who actually knows what they're talking about, because everyone is talking about casting the nasty person or this person or get another Brit in," Cowell told the talk show host.
When Winfrey said, "it's not about personalities. It's about who knows how to pick talent," Cowell replied that she was "100 percent right."
But personality matters, since reality shows "cast" roles with distinctive people, akin to the way scripted shows create and cast fictional characters.

The End is Near for Season 9 American Idol 

                                 and so it may be the beginning of the end for the show itself.

The 2009/2010 TV season comes to an official end tonight, but not before a winner is announced on the season finale of American Idol (Fox, 8 ET/PT). Regularly a two-hour show, tonight's ending is scheduled, for reasons that escape rational analysis, to run over by at least seven minutes — so if you're recording it, make sure you add some padding at the end.

 American Idol T-shirts

American Idol Cool Casey James, A Real Class Act

Idol Hot Hunk from Cool Texas Casey James
Who can forget  Casey James' audition for American Idol? 
Casey captured the attention of nearly every female in America and abroad when he shed his shirt for Kara- he went on to show America that he is a steady talent that  earned a spot in Idol's top 3 - 

Women of a certain age love him - There's a reason why Casey sang "Mrs. Robinson" on Movies Night. He knows that the desperate-housewife demographic adores him. The first night he performed on "Idol," Kara DioGuardi, a woman 12 years his senior, lost her cool and practically tossed her underwear and hotel room key onstage mid-song. And yes, there was that Shania hug. Casey just has that effect on older women. Yes, the tweens vote in droves too, but the thirty- and fortysomething ladies are the ones with later bedtimes and more expensive cell phone plans. So they're the ones who could potentially speed-dial-vote Casey all the way through to the finale. Read More

Casey James  - A Class Act 

"I'm so thankful for the opportunity," James said after host Ryan Seacrest delivered the news. "It's been an amazing, amazing journey and I'm so thankful that I'm here."
The episode featured a montage from James' homecoming visit last week when he was greeted by cheering crowds at Millsap High School, his alma mater; in the Fort Worth Stockyards; at Fort Worth's Keys Lounge, and at an AT&T store in Grapevine. James was also shown visiting Texas Health Harris Methodist Hospital Fort Worth, where he talked to medical staff who treated him after a motorcycle crash six years ago. In his departing rendition of "daughters"  he showed real class  once again, when he went to his little cousin and held her for the second half of the song.

Casey James – “To all my hometown people – thank you. I know they’re rooting for me like crazy and voting their butts off, so I owe them a huge thank you. I’ll never be able to show it enough. Even saying thank you a million times wouldn't be enough. I am excited to go home and see my fans, and I am excited to smell that Texas air again. It sounds stupid, but that's going be one of the best things for me.”

Casey James Homecoming

TVGrapvine.com

Lots of footage from the contestants' triumphant returns to their hometowns last week.

The homecoming recaps were admittedly sweet and suspense building. All three contestants clearly had a blast.

During his visit, Casey got to thank the doctors that saved him after an accident six years ago -- and he signed some woman's dachshund and incited more than a few young girls to scream as if they were seeing the Beatles at Shea. "Incredible story. Incredible story," Ryan said as Casey's package wrapped.

Crystal finally got her song "Holy Toledo," which has apparently become an anthem in Northwest Ohio, on the air. It ran under footage of her playfully popping out of a limo sunroof like a prairie dog, signing her name on the chest of a guy who informed her halfway through that he planned to have her signature made into a tattoo, and singing at an event dubbed "Bowerstock." Recalling the day and what it meant to her and her town, she was moved to tears.

Lee, for his part, seemed to have spent his entire homecoming day in tears -- as the crowds swarmed around the paint store where he once worked, as he met with children at his old elementary school, as he sang before his hometown crowd with his parents looking proudly on. But when Ryan tried to elicit some post-package waterworks, Lee, clearly feeling confident, declined to provide them.

 Anyhow, eventually, one contestant was sent home, and that contestant was …

Read more: http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/americanidoltracker/2010/05/american-idol-the-final-two-are-revealed.html

 

'American Idol' Finalist Casey James Was Always 'A Throwback'

: "'He had no cell phone, no computer, no TV ... I remember telling him he needed to get his e-mail address out there, to get some publicity for his gigs at Keys, and he told me, 'Man, I'm just not into that.' He's a real traditional guy, and I think that's why he gets along with us older musicians,' Ross said. 'He's a throwback — he's got a house, and he's got these two basset hounds and, you know, I think he'd be happy just living there, with them, playing gigs. He's honestly in it just for the music.'" Read more

Casey James News Blog

Casey James American Idol T-shirts for a limited time ONLY!

American Idol: Recap For May 18, 2010 The Final 3!

American Idol 
Recap For May 18, 2010
 The Final 3! 
by TNLADY

Tonight on American Idol we will see our Final 3 contestants continue their battle to be named American Idol of Season 9!  With the elimination last week of Micahel Lynche (Big Mike), our final 3 contestants are Casey James, Crystal Bowersox, and Lee DeWyze.  Who will be the winner this season?

Each remaining contestant will perform 2 songs tonight. One selection will be made by the contestants themselves, one will be chosen by the judges. Casey James has chosen  “Ok, it’s alright with me.,”  by Eric Hutchinson.  With guitar in his hand, he is ready to perform.
Randy:  song was just kind of alright with him, too safe, too easy, didn’t work for him
Ellen:  this is the moment to live or die, wished he’d have brought it, tonight was the night he needed to do it
Kara: tonight you have to do something special, song choice didn’t work in his favor
Simon: problem is, it’s the most important night, would compare the song to having dinner and the song being the salad before the dinner, will leave no lasting memories to the audience
TNLady:  not good, same type of performance as always, needed to step it up and do something spectacular tonight and he didn’t do it
Next is Crystal Bowersox who has chosen to perform “Come to my window” by Melissa Etheridge.  Again, performing with her guitar and harmonica, we have Crystal.
Randy: liked the vocal on it, arrangement was ‘fighting’ her, all worked in the end, good song choice
Ellen:  good song choice, artist she wants to be, Melissa would be proud of her
Kara: got a little lost in the arrangement, tone doesn’t have rasp, but a good vocal, thinks she is capable of a ‘moment’
Simon: agrees with other judges, not the most stunning version we will hear, what he likes from the first day until now, she hasn’t compromised herself as an artist, chose to do what was her, honest performance, made the right choice
TNLady:  another good performance, but again, nothing to make her stand out above any of her previous performances, good vocals
Lee DeWyze has chosen a Leonard Skynyrd song “Simple Man.”  Again, with his guitar in hand, we will see Lee perform.
Randy: great song choice, could see him making a record like this, somebody is feeling like they could win this, he’s ready to win
Ellen:  showed he took this seriously, when they met him he was like a baby lamb, now he’s like a tiger, excellent
Kara: what you did tonight is what every contestant needs to show, dynamics, song that showed who he was, round 1 goes to Lee
Simon: why did he chose that song?  Lee thinks he is connected to that song, being honest with him, so far contestants were ok, that song was ‘on the money’, thinks he crushed the other 2 performers with that performance
TNLady:  definitely the best performance of the top 3 for the first song choice, great vocals, great connection with audience, put his heart into the performance, maybe his best ever

Next each contestant will perform a song chosen for them by the judges.
What did they chose for Casey James?  He will be performing “Daughters” by John Mayer.  Randy and Kara chose this song.

Randy:  first song not so good, this song fit like a glove, hope he continues with this type of music
Ellen:  agrees with Randy, really good, liked it a lot
Kara: showed the more artistic side of him, more vulnerable, good job, changed it up but didn’t stray too far
Simon:  much better song choice, only issue it was a bit lazy arrangement, climax being a quite limp guitar solo, needed a much bigger vocal solo, sounded good, song choice didn’t have wow factor
TNLady: quite boring to me, nothing special about his version of the song, he seemed very uncomfortable performing this choice, out of his comfort zone
Ellen has chosen for Crystal Bowersox to perform “Maybe I’m Amazed” by Paul McCartney.
Randy: great song, great vocals, and somebody else in it to win
Ellen: couldn’t have asked for more, you did it
Kara: didn’t change it up much, but what she did with it they haven’t heard until tonight, no instrument, lots of risk, paid off
Simon: must admit song choice was surprising, now he understand, she proved she has soul, worked outside of comfort song, may be thanking Ellen next week for putting her in the finals
TNLady:  great performance, great vocals, wonderful song choice to show her talent, much better type of song than some she has chosen herself
Lee DeWyze will perform “Hallelujah.”  Simon chose this song for Lee.                    
Randy: dude, been waiting all season to see who is going to try and win the whole thing, Simon set him up for his biggest moment, unbelievable
Ellen:  chose the right song, stunning, nothing more to be said
Kara: Lee, you are what the show is all about, someone who starts at one place and ends up at another, owned the entire night
Simon: very very very proud of you, put himself in Lee’s place prior to the show, he proved he is a fantastic singer, great job
TNLady:  he got it right, another great performance, such a different Lee than we have seen for much of this season, great vocals
Did everyone notice the difference in Lee tonight?  He had a sparkle in his eye and a determined look on his face.  I do believe his hometown visit lighted a fire under him and gave him the confidence to know that he can win this!  Crystal stepped it up with her last performance, so I am predicting a Crystal Bowersox and Lee DeWyze finale.  Unless America shocks us with their votes, Casey will probably be going home on Wednesday.

Personally I think Casey  (while he may have already not stood a chance,) got the shaft with the song choices. I see him as lead guitar in a popular band for his future.  Crystal was good, great really, but  I have never been a huge fan of Joplin and while she does a great job in that style and it IS her style of choice, I prefer her ballad type sweeter sounding  songs and I predict she will become a star performer possibly for years to come.  Lee is (I think) going to take this all the way - because of his likability, and his sincere humility.  Again not my style of music but he is a success story, but I fear when  he wins it. he will soon be forgotten in the masses of great artists.

American Idol Official Fan T-shirts

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American Idol 2010 Tour Dates and Tickets

Top 10 American Idol 2010 Tour Info

MORE American Idol Tour Tickets Avialable!
Tickets to the American Idol tour have already been on sale for weeks now, but today a whole new batch of tickets were released to the public.

American Idol 2010 Tour Dates & Locations:

DATES	MARKET	VENUE
July 1, 2010	Auburn Hills, MI	Palace of Auburn Hills
July 2, 2010	Milwaukee, WI	Marcus Amphitheatre
July 3, 2010	Grand Rapids, MI	Van Andel Arena
July 5, 2010	Hamilton, Canada	Copps Coliseum
July 7, 2010	Wantagh, NY	Nikon at Jones Beach Theater
July 10, 2010	Atlantic City, NJ	Trump Taj Mahal
July 11, 2010	Philadelphia, PA	Wachovia Center
July 13, 2010	Uncasville, CT	Mohegan Sun Arena
July 14, 2010	Manchester, NH	Verizon Wireless Arena
July 15, 2010	Hershey, PA	Giant Center
July 17, 2010	Albany, NY	Times Union Center
July 18, 2010	Mansfield, MA	Comcast Center
July 20, 2010	Newark, NJ	Prudential Center
July 23, 2010	Bristow, VA	Jiffy Lube Live
July 24, 2010	Baltimore, MD	1st Mariner Arena
July 25, 2010	Charlotte, NC	Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre
July 27, 2010	Columbus, OH	Nationwide Arena
July 28, 2010	Knoxville, TN	Thompson Boling Arena
July 29, 2010	Virginia Beach, VA	Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre
July 31, 2010	Lexington, KY	Rupp Arena
August 1, 2010	Duluth, GA	The Arena At Gwinnett Center
August 3, 2010	Fort Lauderdale, FL	Bank Atlantic Center
August 4, 2010	Tampa, FL	St. Pete Times Forum
August 7, 2010	Spring, TX	The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion
August 8, 2010	Tulsa, OK	Bank Of Oklahoma Center
August 9, 2010	Dallas, TX	American Airlines Center
August 12, 2010	Phoenix, AZ	US Airways Center
August 13, 2010	Los Angeles, CA	Staples Center
August 14, 2010	Mountain View, CA	Shoreline Amphitheatre
August 16, 2010	San Diego, CA	Viejas Arena (formerly Cox Arena)
August 17, 2010	Anaheim, CA	Honda Center
August 18, 2010	Sacramento, CA	Arco Arena
August 20, 2010	Seattle, WA	Key Arena
August 21, 2010	Portland, OR	Rose Garden
August 23, 2010	Englewood, CO	Comfort Dental Amphitheatre
August 25, 2010	Kansas City, MO	Sprint Center
August 26, 2010	Omaha, NE	Qwest Center
August 27, 2010	Saint Louis, MO	Scottrade Center
August 29, 2010	Minneapolis, MN	Target Center
August 30, 2010	Chicago, IL	United Center
August 31, 2010	Des Moines, IA	Wells Fargo Arena – IA
Sept 2, 2010	Toledo, OH	Huntington Center
Sept 3, 2010	Cincinnati, OH	Riverbend Music Center
Sept 4, 2010	Indianapolis, IN	Conseco Fieldhouse
Sept 7, 2010	Winnipeg, Canada	MTS Centre
Sept 10, 2010	Buffalo, NY	HSBC Arena
Sept 11, 2010	Cleveland, OH	Quicken Loans Arena
Sept 13, 2010	Bridgeport, CT	Arena At Harbor Yard
Sept 14, 2010	Pittsburgh, PA	Consol Energy Center

American Idol Top Three

Lee DeWyze, Crystal Bowersox and Casey James
These are your Three TOP American Idol Contestants. 

It's getting down to the wire, and I for one, Hate to see this season end. I will miss Simon, I think he has a lot to do with the success of American Idol. He IS the man people Love to Hate and Hate to Love.  I see no one honestly that is fit to replace him. 
So what do we know about our remaining three contestants?  They all have a story to tell and this week taking the time to perform in their own home towns and visit their hometown friends and families. 

Lee DeWyze:  

Official American Idol Bio Page

Lee DeWyze Facebook Page 

American Idol's' Lee DeWyze back home on Friday

Lee DeWyze PopTower 

How old is Lee DeWyze? Where was Lee DeWyze born? Where does Lee DeWyze live? Find out here.

Age: 24 years old
Birthday: April 2, 1986
Full Name / Real Name: Leon James DeWyze
Birthplace: Mount Prospect, IL
Current Residence: Mount Prospect, IL

Songs

• February 24 - "Chasing Cars" by Snow Patrol
• March 2 - "Lips of an Angel" by Hinder
• March 10 - "Fireflies" by Owl City
• March 16 - "Beast of Burden" by The Rolling Stones
• March 23 - "The Letter" by The Box Tops
• March 30 - "Treat Her Like a Lady" by The Temptations
• April 6 - "Hey Jude" by The Beatles
• April 13 - "A Little Less Conversation" by Elvis Presley
• April 20 - "The Boxer" by Simon & Garfunkel
• April 27 - "You're Still the One" by Shania Twain
• May 4 - "That's Life" by Frank Sinatra
• May 11 - "Kiss from a Rose" by Seal
• May 11 - "Falling Slowly" by Glen Hansard and Markéta Irglová (Performed as a duet with Crystal Bowersox)

Lee Dewyze, Chicago, IL

7:00 a.m. - Good Day Chicago
11:00 a.m. - Visits the AT&T Store -  9725 Skokie Blvd Skokie, IL 60077
1:30 p.m. - Throws out the first pitch at the Cubs/Pirates game, Wrigley Field
4:30 p.m. - Parade along Northeast Highway between Route 83/Main St. and Central Rd.
5:30 p.m. - Performs in concert - Arlington Race Track, 2200 West Euclid Avenue, Arlington Heights, IL. Concert begins at around 6:30 pm.

More information on Lee's hometown visit here.

 

Casey James:

Official American Idol Bio Page 

Casey James Facebook Page

Casey Does Dallas

Casey James PopTower

How tall is Casey James? How old is Casey James? Where was Casey James born? Where does Casey James live? Who is Casey James dating? Find out here.

Age: 27 years old
Birthday: January 1, 1983
Height: 6' 4"
Birthplace: Cool, TX
Hometown: Fort Worth, TX
Current Residence: Fort Worth, TX

Songs

• February 24 - "Heaven" by Bryan Adams
• March 2 - "I Don't Want to Be" by Gavin DeGraw
• March 10 - "You'll Think of Me" by Keith Urban
• March 16 - "It's All Over Now" by The Rolling Stones
• March 23 - "The Power of Love" by Huey Lewis
• March 30 - "Hold On, I'm Comin'" by Sam and Dave
• April 6 - "Jealous Guy" by John Lennon
• April 13 - "Lawdy, Miss Clawdy" by Elvis Presley
• April 20 - "Don't Stop" by Fleetwood Mac (Bottom 2)
• April 27 - "Don't" by Shania Twain (Bottom 2)
• May 4 - "Blue Skies" by Frank Sinatra
• May 11 - "Mrs. Robinson" by Simon & Garfunkel
• May 11 - "Have You Ever Loved a Woman?" by Bryan Adams (Performed as a duet with Michael Lynche) 

Casey James, Dallas/Ft. Worth, TX

7 a.m. - Good Day FOX 4 morning show
10:30 a.m. - Visits the AT&T Store - 1219 W State Highway 114 Grapevine, TX 76051
1:30 p.m. - Keys Lounge (5677 Westcreek, Fort worth, Texas)
4:00 p.m. - Performs in concert - Ft. Worth Stock Yard, Texas, 76164

Thanks to MJ's Big Blog for the Casey James information.

Poor Casey James --  he's the only one who doesn't get a baseball game!

Crystal Bowersox: 

Official American Idol  Bio Page

Crystal Bowersox Facebook Page

Crystal Bowersox's Friend Calls 'American Idol' Success 'Surreal'

Crystal Bowersox PopTower 

How old is Crystal Bowersox? Where was Crystal Bowersox born? Where does Crystal Bowersox live? Find out here.

Age: 24 years old
Birthday: August 4, 1985
Full Name / Real Name: Crystal Sarah Bowersox
Birthplace: Elliston, OH
Current Residence: Toledo, OH

Songs

• February 23 - "Hand in My Pocket" by Alanis Morrisette
• March 3 - "As Long As I Can See the Light" by Creedence Clearwater Revival
• March 9 - "Give Me One Reason" by Tracy Chapman
• March 16 - "You Can't Always Get What You Want" by The Rolling Stones
• March 23 - "Me and Bobby McGee" by Janis Joplin
• March 30 - "Midnight Train to Georgia" by Gladys Knight and the Pips
• April 6 - "Come Together" by The Beatles
• April 13 - "Saved" by Elvis Presley
• April 20 - "People Get Ready" by The Impressions/Curtis Mayfield
• April 27 - "No One Needs to Know" by Shania Twain
• May 4 - "Summer Wind" by Frank Sinatra
• May 11 - "I'm Alright" by Kenny Loggins
• May 11 - "Falling Slowly" by Glen Hansard and Markéta Irglová (Performed as a duet with Lee DeWyze)

Crystal Bowersox, Toledo, OH

10:30 a.m. - Visits the AT&T Store - 4906 Monroe St.. Toledo, OH 43623
11:30 a.m. - Parade in downtown Toledo
12:30 p.m. - Concert at Levis Square
4:00 p.m. - Another parade and multi-act concert at the Ottawa County Fairgrounds, 7870 W. State Route 163, Oak Harbor, OH. Gates open at noon.
6:45 p.m. - National Anthem and first pitch at the Toledo Mud Hens minor league baseball game, Fifth Third Field.

More details on Crystal's hometown here.
The Three TOP American Idol Contestants and we have THE Shirts and Merchandise that is sweeping the nation in popularity!

Lee DeWyze Rat Pack Performing songs from the Frank Sinatra songbook, Lee DeWyze stood out with a jaunty rendition of 'That's Life' giving 110%

Casey James Cougar Candy Idol Contestants take away with them a memorable Quote, Casey James is HOT with the Cougars- Call him eye candy, ear candy, I decided he is Cougar Candy.

Idol Mama Sox Crystal Bowersox I think it is So cool that my Crystal Bowersox T-shirt was worn ON TV by Crystals Family during her Come Together performance !