Lee DeWyze First Season 9 Contestant to Appear on a Billboard Chart

By On 05/20/2010 · 45 Comments · In AI Season 9, American Idol

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WHETHER HE WINS OR PLACES SECOND, LEE DeWYZE IS FIRST SEASON 9 CONTESTANT TO APPEAR ON A BILLBOARD CHART

By Fred Bronson, IdolsNow
Exclusive to MJ’s Big Blog

We don’t know yet if Lee DeWyze will be the winner of Season 9 of “American Idol” or the runner-up, but one thing is certain: he is the first finalist from the current year to show up on a Billboard chart. “Slumberland,” a pre-Idol CD recorded by Lee and released in January 2010, debuts at #32 on the Heatseekers chart, a survey designed to highlight breaking artists. To be eligible to appear on Heatseekers, an artist must not have previously charted in the top half of The Billboard 200, the magazine’s official album chart.

Artists can remain on the Heatseekers tally until they break into the top 100 of The Billboard 200, at which time they “graduate” off of Heatseekers.

Lee is the 48th Idol finalist to appear on a Billboard chart. The season with the highest number of charted Idols is Season 5, with nine of the top 10 making at least one appearance on a Billboard survey. Season 3 and Season 7 are tied for second place, with seven charted Idols each.

Counting all Idol contestants, the number of charted Idols jumps to 51. The three non-finalists to see their names listed on a Billboard chart are William Hung, Josiah Leming and Frenchie Davis.

Here is a list of Idol finalists who have charted in Billboard, season by season:

List after the JUMP…

Season one: (five)
Kelly Clarkson
Justin Guarini
Tamyra Gray
RJ Helton
Jim Verraros

Season two: (four)
Ruben Studdard
Clay Aiken
Kimberley Locke
Josh Gracin

Season three: (seven)
Fantasia
Diana DeGarmo
Jasmine Trias
La Toya London
George Huff
John Stevens
Jennifer Hudson

Season four: (four)
Carrie Underwood
Bo Bice
Constantine Maroulis
Mario Vazquez

Season five: (nine)
Taylor Hicks
Katharine McPhee
Elliott Yamin
Chris Daughtry
Paris Bennett
Kellie Pickler
Ace Young
Bucky Covington
Mandisa

Season six: (six)
Jordin Sparks
Blake Lewis
Melinda Doolittle
LaKisha Jones
Phil Stacey
Chris Sligh

Season seven: (seven)
David Cook
David Archuleta
Jason Castro
Brooke White
Carly Smithson
Michael Johns
Kristy Lee Cook

Season eight (five)
Kris Allen
Adam Lambert
Danny Gokey
Allison Iraheta
Matt Giraud

Season nine (one)
Lee DeWyze

Fred Bronson is the creator of the IdolsNow app for the iPhone (www.getidolsnow.com) and the author of “The Billboard Book of Number One Hits” and “Billboard’s Hottest Hot 100 Hits.” He appeared on “American Idol” during seasons 2, 4, 7 and 9.

 
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  • http://www.planetfierce.proboards.com/ CindyM

    That’s a really good start, I think. I think he may have a chance of selling really really well!

  • Cari

    I think it’s odd that Lisa Tucker is the only season 5 contestant to not chart. I always thought she was so talented! But I guess she did only place tenth, right?

    Congrats to Lee! I think he has big things in his future, whether he wins or not. He and Crystal should both do well after the show.

  • girlygirl

    Good for Lee, but remember that he’s the only one who has a label releasing his pre-Idol stuff. Who knows whether Crystal would be charting as well if her pre-Idol material was available for sale.

    And if David’s or Kris’s pre-Idol albums had been available during their time on AI, I wouldn’t be all surprised if they would have ended up charting.

    Still, this is nice accomplishment for Lee. I don’t know if it means a lot in terms of his future sales, but it’s still nice for him.

  • tessa

    I love seeing ALL my fave Idols on the list! Lee, Matt and Michael Johns!!!

  • Liva

    Who knows whether Crystal would be charting as well if her pre-Idol material was available for sale.

    Oh, if I were a bettin’ man, I’d say FOR SURE she would be charting.

  • Cari

    Oh, if I were a bettin’ man, I’d say FOR SURE she would be charti

    yeah, I doubt *anyone* thinks this is any sort of knock to Crystal. We all know that she would’ve been charting back in March probably :p

  • wjmtv

    Well, Crystal’s getting radio play. I think that’s pretty cool.

  • Liva

    yeah, I doubt *anyone* thinks this is any sort of knock to Crystal. We all know that she would’ve been charting back in March probably :p

    To what are you referring, my dear? ;-)

    Seriously, I love this girl. But point well taken!

  • Liva

    Well, Crystal’s getting radio play. I think that’s pretty cool.

    But darn these idols for seeing musical success before they’re supposed to!

  • AIaddict

    Can anyone tell me why Cookie’s Analog Heart was taken down or not sold anymore when he hit the top 24? Was he made to stop selling it or was it his decision? If it was his decision to remove it for sell, why?

  • jujumagumbo

    I guarantee DC would’ve sold a lot more than Lee pre-finale if his album had been available. He was better at everything really. Performing? Check. Attractiveness? Not a good judge myself, but I’d say check. Singing? Checkcheckcheckcheckcheck.

  • standtotheright

    Can anyone tell me why Cookie’s Analog Heart was taken down or not sold anymore when he hit the top 24? Was he made to stop selling it or was it his decision? If it was his decision to remove it for sell, why?

    At the time, I think the producers were a lot stricter about having early material out there. Of the acts who had released albums (CS [as Carly Henessey], BW, and DC), only Cook had sufficient control over his album to remove it, as it was entirely self-released. So they had him take it down, but I think he felt that was appropriate as well. Supposedly it was put back up on Amazon without his knowledge which might be when all the silly “ringer” articles came out.

    He certainly could have put AH back up afterward, but he also submitted the songs for RCA, and I think once they didn’t make the cut, he decided to keep AH (and his other unreleased album) in pocket while he waited to see how the album did. That way he’d have “new” material to put out instantly should he find himself without a contract. I think it’s probably going to stay that way as long as he is with RCA. So I’m paradoxically left hoping that we don’t get to hear those songs outside of concerts for a long time.

    I guess DeWyze has enough confidence in his relationship with his friends and with his future Sony label that he thinks he can thread the needle on this one. I hope it works out for him.

  • connico479

    He (David Cook)certainly could have put AH back up afterward, but he also submitted the songs for RCA…

    I thought he only submitted the songs from the unreleased album he recorded AFTER Analog Heart. Did he actually submit previously released material? I could certainly be wrong.

    Analog Heart was outselling Mariah Carey at one time on Amazon. I feel certain it would have charted really high if allowed to continue to sell. I would pay big bucks even today for an actual cd.

  • http://myspace.com/girlgeek mj

    At the time, I think the producers were a lot stricter about having early material out there.

    The producers have no say over material that’s owned by other entities. The difference between David Cook’s album and Lee’s: David Cook’s was an independent release. He could contact Amazon.com and ask them to take it down.

    Lee on the other hand has no rights over recordings that are owned by a record company. Even if he did not like the material being distributed, he’s got no say in the matter. And neither do Idol producers.

    Analog Heart was outselling Mariah Carey at one time on Amazon.

    Mariah Carey’s album was available everywhere, while Cook’s was available on at Amazon. Plus, R&B music does not have a strong presence at Amazon, so comparing Mariah to Cook is like comparing apples to oranges.

  • sma11ie

    He certainly could have put AH back up afterward, but he also submitted the songs for RCA, and I think once they didn’t make the cut, he decided to keep AH (and his other unreleased album) in pocket while he waited to see how the album did. That way he’d have “new” material to put out instantly should he find himself without a contract. I think it’s probably going to stay that way as long as he is with RCA. So I’m pardoxically left hoping that we don’t get to hear those songs outside of concerts for a long time.

    Ha, true. I’m secretly hoping one of those old songs would be reworked into a more radio-friendly version on his new album though. You know how Kelly Clarkson says she wrote Because of You when she was 16, but the song as it stands on Breakaway was cowritten by David Hodges? Like that. I’m thinking he improved on it and made it better/radio-ready. And now millions got to hear something she wrote when she was younger.

    Also, I think David went into AI really with no expectations outside of getting as much exposure as possible. The follow-up to AH was ready to go, and it was going to be the way for him to capitalize on his AI publicity, after he got kicked off the show. Of course, things worked out differently, and we’re all grateful ;).

    I thought he only submitted the songs from the unreleased album he recorded AFTER Analog Heart. Did he actually submit previously released material? I could certainly be wrong.

    I heard he submitted all of it. During the summer tour meet and greets, he was asked if any song on AH would make the album and he said they were considering one. It eventually didn’t make it, but he submitted them. He also mentioned in an interview that he submitted like 40-50 songs for the record, and I’m assuming he didn’t write/record demos for that many songs over that summer, and at least 20 were pre-Idol.

  • AIaddict

    The producers have no say over material that’s owned by other entities. The difference between David Cook’s album and Lee’s: David Cook’s was an independent release. He could contact Amazon.com and ask them to take it down.

    Lee on the other hand has no rights over recordings that are owned by a record company. Even if he did not like the material being distributed, he’s got no say in the matter. And neither do Idol producers.

    Thanks mj. Honestly I don’t think Lee has a problem with his own material being released by WuLi Records not with the way he tore thru his own songs at his homecoming concert. He was very vocal about which were his own songs that day. So I still say that this is a nice start for Lee to be on the Heat Seeker chart. It’s a great way to be introduced onto the music scene and get people ready for the new cd in the fall.

    Lots of Cookie love here too and I would have loved to get my hands on that Analog Heart cd for sure.

  • http://mjsbigblog.com/luvadamlamberts-american-idol-tour-2009-washington-dc-re-cap.htm luvadamlambert

    Congratulations!!!!

    Sadly,I own she bangs lol

  • karenc

    A Daily Anthem was supposed to be on David Cook’s unreleased cd. I think Souveneir and We’re only Honest When We’re Sleeping was also.

  • KRo

    I’m not surprised! Both CD’s are amazing! He was really young when he recorded the 1st one. “Slumberland” is a work of art. Lee is already out of the gate! LOVE HIM!

  • mozart4898

    Looks like it’s been a while since anyone even checked this thread, but…two things. First of all, I’m sure Crystal would be charting if she actually had an album recorded like Lee does – she’s been getting radio play as it is. Second, someone asked who from this season will end up charting, my take: Lee, Crystal, Casey, Mike, Aaron, Siobhan, Tim. Seriously. I think all of them will have careers after this, and I could see several of them doing quite well – better than a lot of people probably expect.

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