Jon Peter Lewis: Difference between revisions

| instrument = [[Human voice|Vocals]], [[guitar]]

| genre = [[Funk music|Funk]], [[blues]], [[rock music|rock]], [[pop music|pop]]

| occupation = [[Singer-songwriter]]

'''Jon Peter Lewis''' (born November 7, 1979, [[Lincoln, Nebraska]]) is an [[United States|American]] [[singing|singer]] and [[songwriter]], and was one of the finalists on the [[American Idol (season 3)|third season]] of the reality/talent-search television series ''[[American Idol]]''. He was frequently referred to by the judges and [[Ryan Seacrest]] as JPL.

Lewis lived in various cities across the United States before leaving home at the age of 18. He graduated from Central High School in Cheyenne, Wyoming in 1998. He starred in the lead role of [[Thorin Oakenshield]] in a local children theater's production of ''[[The Hobbit]]'' in the summer of 1997. Lewis performed in other numerous theatrical productions and was a band member of various rock and roll bands throughout his high school and college years.<ref>{{cite book|last=Myers|first=Jared|title=Your All-Access Pass to American Idol|year=2011|publisher=Cedar Fort|isbn=9781462100194|page=31}}</ref> Lewis is a member of [[Mormonthe Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints]]<ref>{{cite news | last = Petersen | first = Sarah | title = 4 Mormon contestants advance on 'The Voice' | newspaper = Deseret News | date = April 24, 2013 | url = http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865578880/4-Mormon-contestants-advance-on-The-Voice.html?pg=all | accessdatearchive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130425001540/http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865578880/4-Mormon-contestants-advance-on-The-Voice.html?pg=all | url-status = dead | archive-date = April 25, 2013 | access-date = December 23, 2013 }}</ref> and attended [[Brigham Young University–Idaho]] for a time hoping to pursue a career in medicine.<ref>{{cite news | last = Landeen | first = Chanae | title = 'American Idol' changed Jon Peter Lewis | newspaper = Deseret News | date = December 5, 2009 | url = http://www.deseretnews.com/article/705379543/American-Idol-changed-Jon-Peter-Lewis.html?pg=all | accessdatearchive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20131224090840/http://www.deseretnews.com/article/705379543/American-Idol-changed-Jon-Peter-Lewis.html?pg=all | url-status = dead | archive-date = December 24, 2013 | access-date = December 23, 2013 }}</ref>

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 (Van Morrison song)|Crazy Love]]" by [[Van Morrison]]. Praised by [[Simon Cowell]] for his "very, very good voice," Lewis went on to display an uninhibited stage personality that won the hearts of millions of Idol fans. 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 Lewis's voice for his "excellent pitch and phrasing."

Affectionately known as 'JPL' by his fans, Lewis was a member of the third group of semifinalistssemi-finalists and performed the Elton John song "[[Tiny Dancer]]". After performing "[[A Little Less Conversation]]" in the wild card round, Lewis 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 "[[Jailhouse Rock (song)|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.

|SemifinalSemi-final Group #No. 3

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. From late 2004 to 2006, Lewis spent the majority of his time composing original music working closely with music producer [[Alex Gibson (music producer)|Alex Gibson]] of [[Henson Recording Studios]], among other notable entities in Hollywood. "Turn to Grey" was among the first songs that he wrote; he composed it while on tour with the ''Idol'' finalists. Jon recorded part of the song as a homage to [[Jennifer Hudson]] after she told him that she loved singing the song around her house.

In 2005, he collaborated with Canadian songwriter/actor [[James Collins (songwriter)|James Collins]] to write and record "It's Christmas", which was released by [[EMI]]/[[Universal Music|Universal]] in Canada as part of the ''Now Christmas 2'' album. The song went to number thirteen on the Canadian radio charts in two weeks.<ref>[httphttps://www.heraldextra.com/lifestyles/former-idol-contestant-jon-peter-lewis-comes-to-provo-to-promote-his-new-album/article_445cba76-bee1-56f4-b15c-860ed08a11f1.html Heraldextra.com] {{Dead link|date=November 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> In addition, a second original holiday song "California Christmas" was recorded by Lewis 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)|Billboard]]'' magazine.{{citation needed|date=March 2013}}

Lewis' second full-length album, ''Break the Silence,'' debuted July 22, 2008. The album was released through Cockaroo Entertainment in conjunction with Adrenaline Music Group and Lieber Management. Chris Garcia, who has worked with [[Santana (band)|Santana]] and [[Michelle Branch]], [[Dido (singer)|Dido]] and [[Jewel (singer)|Jewel]], produced the album under the guidance of executive producer Don Grierson, a former head of A&R for [[Capitol Records|Capitol]] and [[Epic Records]]. Lewis wrote or co-wrote several tracks for the album, featuring musicians such as guitarist Nick Lashley, drummer [[Kenny Aronoff]] and Blake Mills. The CD has received critical praise including a "Critic's Choice" review from ''Billboard'' magazine.<ref>{{citationcite magazine |title=The Billboard Reviews Albums |magazine=Billboard needed|date=MarchJuly 201326, 2008 |volume=120 |issue=30 |page=57 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=6RMEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA57 |access-date=May 8, 2020}} </ref> It was called "one of the best pop/rock CD's of the year" by Monica Rizzo of ''[[People (magazine)|People]]'' magazine{{citation needed|date=May 2013}} and "impressivea much stronger album" by Ken Barnes of ''[[USA Today]]''.<ref>{{citationcite news |last1=Barnes |first1=Ken |title=A slew of albums from ex-Idols |url=http://blogs.usatoday.com/idolchatter/2008/03/a-slew-of-album.html |access-date=May 8, 2020 |work=USA Today needed|date=March 201328, 2008 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20080330054348/http://blogs.usatoday.com/idolchatter/2008/03/a-slew-of-album.html |archivedate=March 30, 2008}}</ref> The title track single hit the top 30 charts on Hot AC radio and in November 2008 was one of only fifty songs pre-programmed into all of the new iPhones on display at Apple Stores and AT&T stores across the country.{{citation needed|date=March 2013}} Lewis went on to release a self-titled EP in February 2010.

In 2009, Lewis launched an internet show titled ''American Nobody.'' The program takes an inside look at the music business as well as a tongue-in-cheek view of pop culture. The show received early critical praise. American Idol journalist and biographer Richard Rushfield described the show as, "a hilarious romp through Idol land built around the misadventures of a singer who, seven years after Idol, is still searching to find his place in the industry."<ref>{{cite book|last=Rushfield|first=Richard|title=American Idol: The Untold Story|url=https://archive.org/details/americanidolunto00hype|url-access=registration|year=2011|publisher=Hyperion|page=[https://archive.org/details/americanidolunto00hype/page/254 254]|isbn=9781401324124 }}</ref> ''American Nobody'' was added to ''[[TV Guide]]'''s "Hot Web List"<ref>[http://www.tvguidemagazine.com/web-hot-list/american-nobody-318.html TVguidemagazine.com] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091021094633/http://tvguidemagazine.com/web-hot-list/american-nobody-318.html |date=October 21, 2009 }}</ref> and the ''[[Los Angeles Times]]'' called it "the most brilliant and biting satire of Idoldom ever written."<ref>[{{Cite web|url=http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/americanidoltracker/2009/04/jon-peter-lewis-takes-satire-to-new-heights.html |title=LAtimesblogs.latimes.com]|access-date=May 22, 2020}}</ref>

Jon Peter Lewis met Ryan Hayes in Rexburg, Idaho, and became friends. In 2010, Lewis produced and starred in a rock opera, ''Deep Love: A Ghostly Folk Opera''. The production, co-written by Ryan Hayes and Garrett Sherwood, debuted in Idaho in October 2010 and garnered support, which positioned the show into a multi-city theatrical event.<ref>{{cite news|title=‘Voice’'Voice' Folkies Midas Whale Talk Rock Operas, ‘Idol’'Idol' Origins, and Being "Baked" |url=http://music.yahoo.com/blogs/reality-rocks/voice-folkies-midas-whale-talk-rock-operas-idol-230108720.html |author= Lyndsey Parker |work=Yahoo Music |date=3 March 3, 2013 }}</ref><ref name=People>{{cite news|title=People: American Idol|url=http://www.amazon.com/dp/1618930222/ref=rdr_ext_tmb|accessdate=29 March 2013|newspaper=People|date=17 April 17, 2012|page=57}}</ref><ref>[{{Cite web|url=http://deeploveoperawww.com deeploveopera.com/|title=Deep ]Love|website=Deep Love|access-date=May 22, 2020}}</ref> Deep Love was chosen as one of ten shows produced for the New York Musical Theatre Festival in July 2015.{{Citation needed|date=March 2015}}

In 2015, Lewis released an EP titled ''Roughcuts.'' According to Lewis, the recordings are in their "roughest and raw forms" and "they are like first drafts from my brain and may end up as Midas Whale songs."{{Citation needed|date=March 2015}}

In 2013, Jon Peter Lewis teamed up Ryan Hayes to become Midas Whale (a pun on "might as well"). According to Lewis, he asked Ryan if he wanted to form a band and be on TV and Ryan replied "Might as well", which then became the name of the duo.<ref>{{cite web |url= https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/949450857/midas-whale-album |title=Midas Whale Album: by Jon Peter Lewis |work=Kickstarter |date=December 2014 }}</ref>

In 2013, Jon Peter Lewis and Ryan Hayes auditioned for the [[The Voice (U.S. season 4)|fourth season]] of ''[[The Voice (U.S. TV series)|The Voice]]'' as duo Midas Whale.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://music.yahoo.com/blogs/reality-rocks/voice-season-4-episode-2-pen-salesman-idol-010526078.html |title=‘The'The Voice’Voice' Season 4, Episode 2: The Pen Salesman Of ‘Idol’'Idol' Returns! |author= Lyndsey Parker |work=Yahoo Music |date= March 27, 2013 }}</ref> In their audition, which broadcast on March 26, 2013, they performed the [[Johnny Cash]] song "[[Folsom Prison Blues]].". All four judges pressed their "I Want You" button and turned their chairs. Lewis and Hayes chose to join Adam Levine's team.<ref>{{cite news|last=Amabile|first=Michele|title=American Idol Alum Jon Peter Lewis Advances on 'The Voice'; Hails Show's 'Nurturing' Nature|url=http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/idol-worship/american-idol-alum-jon-peter-431559|accessdateaccess-date=March 29, 2013|newspaper=The Hollywood Reporter|date=March 28, 2013}}</ref> They were eliminated in the knockout rounds.

As Midas Whale, Jon Peter Lewis released their first full-length album titled ''Sugar House'' on February 11, 2014.<ref>{{cite news |url=httphttps://www.prweb.com/releases/2014/02midas_whale_of_the_voice_release_debut_album/prweb11566252.htm |title=Midas Whale of The Voice Release Debut Album |work=PRWeb |date=February 11, 2014 }}</ref> The album was produced by Stuart Maxfield and funded by fans via [[Kickstarter]] where they raised over $30,000.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/idol-worship/jon-peter-lewis-midas-whale-683702 |title=How a 'Voice' Mic Failure Gave 'Idol' Alum Jon Peter Lewis a Second Chance at Music (Video) |author=Fred Bronson |work=The Hollywood Reporter |date= February 26, 2014 }}</ref>

!align="center" rowspan="2" width="240"|Album and details

===EPSEPs===

*2005: "Stories from Hollywood" download single. Alternative rock.

;'''Appearances in'''

*2004: "[[My Girl (The Temptations song)|My Girl]]" in ''[[American Idol Season 3: Greatest Soul Classics]]''".

{{Reflist|2}}

* [https://archive.today/20130118124945/http://www.authenticrecordsonline.com/Authentic Records]

* [https://web.archive.org/web/20070403115938/http://www.breakingrecordsmusic.com/artists/breaking_for_the_holidays/index.htm Breaking For the Holiday's page at Breaking Records]

* [httphttps://www.amazon.com/dp/B000JUB39I/ Reviews of Album at Amazon]

* [https://web.archive.org/web/20080407162711/http://www.mymusiki.com/wiki/Jon_Peter_Lewis_discography Jon Peter Lewis discography]

* [https://web.archive.org/web/20090106151402/http://www.rithum.com/jonpeterlewis Jon Peter Lewis on Rithum]

[[Category:AlternativeAmerican alternative rock singers]]

[[Category:Musicians from Lincoln, Nebraska]]

[[Category:PeopleThe fromVoice Lincoln,(franchise) Nebraskacontestants]]

[[Category:The21st-century VoiceAmerican (TVmale series) contestantssingers]]