‘I’m really proud of what I’ve done so far,’ he tells MTV News of yet-untitled album. By By Gil Kaufman, with additional reporting by James Lacsina Lee DeWyze Photo: MTV News The major-label debut from season-nine “American Idol” winner Lee DeWyze will be released November 16. So far, that’s about all we know about the yet-untitled CD from the suburban Chicago singer/songwriter, who beat out dreadlocked soul mama Crystal Bowersox for this season’s crown thanks to an all-American story about his rise from humble paint-store clerk to household name. The soft-spoken DeWyze, 24, has been writing and recording songs for the album while logging miles on this summer’s American Idols Live! Tour and said in a statement accompanying the announcement of the release date that he’s been “very fortunate” to record with some amazing songwriters for the disc. “I can’t wait for everyone to hear my debut album.” Technically, it’s his third album , but it’s his major-label debut, since he released two previous efforts on the small Chicago label WuLi Records: 2009’s Slumberland and 2007’s So I’m Told. On those discs, he honed the everyman, sensitive growl that helped him win “Idol,” where his slow and steady rise and humble demeanor catapulted him past season-long favorite Bowersox. MTV News recently caught up with DeWyze at the Los Angeles stop of the “Idol” tour and he spilled a bit of detail on the songs he’s been working on and the sound fans can expect to hear. “I’ve written on every song. … I’m more or less looking forward to showing everybody what I do outside of the show and outside of this. To be able to be my own artist and do my own thing, I’m really looking forward to.” He said he couldn’t talk about which artists and songwriters he’s working with but hinted that they were ones he’s listened to and is a fan of. “What’s really most important about the album for me is keeping it true to what I want to do and the kind of music I like to make and having it be real, not just some words thrown together,” he said. “I like to write about love and relationships and emotions and feeling … being down and up. I like writing about things that everybody experiences and to be able to put that into my music … it’s going to be fun.” As if the grueling “Idol” tour isn’t hard enough, DeWyze said he’s flying in and out of New York, Los Angeles and Nashville on his days off to write and record the songs. “I have a lot of say in it,” he said of crafting the sound and mood of the disc. “I have a lot more say than people would think. It’s going to be really good. I’m really proud of what I’ve done so far.” Though there’s no official title yet, DeWyze said he has a few strong contenders. “These are things I dreamt about doing years ago,” he said of working on a major-label album. “To be able to actually do it now is pretty cool.” There has been no word yet on the release date of Bowersox’s album, though the runner-up’s disc has typically hit stores a few weeks after the winner’s effort. Are you excited about DeWyze’s debut album? Let us know in comments below! Get your “Idol” fix on MTV News’ “American Idol” page , where you’ll find all the latest news, interviews and opinions. Related Photos Lee DeWyze: From Illinois Boy To ‘American Idol’ Star Related Artists Lee DeWyze
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‘American Idol’ Winner Lee DeWyze’s Debut Due November 16
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