Jon Peter Lewis

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Jon Peter Lewis and his trademark green velvet jacket. 2004.
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Jon Peter Lewis and his trademark green velvet jacket. 2004.
Jon Peter Lewis on American Idol, dancing wildly. 2003.
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Jon Peter Lewis on American Idol, dancing wildly. 2003.

Jon Peter Lewis 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.

Contents

[edit] Biography

Lewis was born in Lincoln, Nebraska on November 7, 1979, but lived in various cities across the United States with his roving family, before leaving home at the age of 18.

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.

Lewis was a member of the third group of semifinalists and performed Elton John's "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 independent music producer 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 which is a fundraiser for Camp Kirk, in Kirkfield, Ontario, Canada. Similarly, JPL's song, "California Christmas" is on the 2006 album "Breaking for the Holidays" by Breaking Records.

From late 2004 to 2006, Lewis spent the majority of his time in composing original music, some of which is slated to be released as an EP album. He has worked closely with music producer Alex Gibson and Henson Recording Studios, among other notable entities in Hollywood.

In September 2006, JPL released his second single containing the songs "If I Go Away" and "Man Like Me" through his independent company, Cockaroo Entertainment. His debut album, "Stories from Hollywood," is set to be released on his 27th birthday, November 7, 2006.

Lewis currently resides in Los Angeles, California.

[edit] Discography

"If I Go Away/ Man Like Me". 2006.
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"If I Go Away/ Man Like Me". 2006.

[edit] Singles

  • "Turn to Grey" download single. Blues-funk. (2004)
  • "Stories From Hollywood" download single. Alternative rock. (2005)
  • "If I Go Away/ Man Like Me" double-sided single. Alternative rock and pop. (Cockaroo Entertainment) (2006)
Flyer art template done for JPL. 2005.
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Flyer art template done for JPL. 2005.

[edit] Albums

  • "American Idol Season 3: Greatest Soul Classics". 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)

AVAILABLE NOW ON BREAKING RECORDS BREAKING RECORDS

  • Stories from Hollywood album of original music slated for release November 7, 2006. Alternative rock, soul, and pop.

[edit] External links

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