Q) What do you feel America saw in you that kept viewers voting for you?

A) I think that throughout the show, even in the beginning, when I was a little more reserved, that I think I'm a real guy.  Whether it is on the show or on camera or off the camera, you know, I stay true to myself.  I really wanted my experience in the show to be about me and my performing and my music.  I think I can connect with an audience because I know what it's like to be on the other side of it and I really remember all of that.  I know what it's like to be starting, trying to do something and have a goal and trying to reach it.  So, throughout the whole show I was just trying to just be myself and make it about the music and not so much about things in the past or that.  For me, it's just about that moment when I was up there and I put my emotions in every song.  I connect with every song, as best I can, and the audience.

Q) How thrilled are you that some of your music that you wrote, even way before this Idol experience, is still getting so much exposure and people out there listening to it?

A) As far as anything I did before the show that was a stage in my life that I'm, obviously, proud of and I've learned a lot from a lot of my past experiences through music.  It's cool to hear things like that, obviously.  But I'm really looking forward to the new album I'll be making now.  It's nice that the fans have reached out and found interest in other things I've done because that's what I'm about.  I'm about being as original as I can and to stay true to myself.  But, you know, through this experience this is has given me a platform.  It's a really on a major scale making an unbelievable album.  That's really what I'm looking forward to right now.  I mean, of course, it's really cool to hear things like that.  You know, because it just is, like who wouldn't be proud of that?  But, right now I have an album that I get to make.  I get to take time on it. The show is interesting because you go each week and you have a song, and you're given this much amount of time.  I'm the kind of person that when I'm on stage I like to build, I like to build up to something.  But, you know, we get a minute and a half and that's the game.  That was the challenging part of it all.  So, for me, I'm just excited to get on the big stage and really put on a performance, put on a show without time limits, without judging and going through the process that I did really helped because those are like the scariest conditions to be under, being judged by people in front of national television.  It's a rough thing to do.  But I'm psyched to make a new album, man, and I'm really looking forward to it.

Q) Could you talk a little bit about the experience as meeting the ex-winners at the finale and anyone that you were just really excited to meet or anyone who gave you good advice?

A) Meeting the past winners, in the beginning of the show, like when we got to meet with them, was really almost intimidating because you see what they've accomplished and you just want that.  There's a sense of, you know, I want advice.  I want to know how you got through this and all these things.  You know in the beginning, it's very different because there's a lot of us and as it's closer and closer to the end we got to meet more and more of the past idols.  I was able to talk to some of them and they've been really amazing.  Like, Adam Lambert was awesome on the show because he's a real genuine guy.  He's original and I like him.  He's got a good attitude and everything.  I think he's real and he says it how it is.  I like that about him.  But I got to talk to David Cook a little bit.  He's one of the nicest guys I ever met in my life.  A lot of them, I've noticed a trend throughout all the idols is that they're very genuine people and they all know what it's like to be on the other side of it like where I was at.  So, talking to David Cook, I got to talk to Chris Allen, Ruben, I actually saw Carrie for a little bit at the party, the Idol party.  She was so supportive and, you know, "anything you need," she's like, "let me know."  She's just been awesome. There's a line you cross once you get to this point with everybody and it's almost like, you've, I've joined them, in a sense, you know?  And I see how much confidence they have and, for me, because I won American Idol, I mean it's amazing.  But at the same time it's also a new beginning and a time for me to really show what I have and what I can do.  I just look to them for kind of inspiration.  They've been through the same process and they've been able to make their marks on music the same way I want to make my mark on music.  So, talking was really helpful because it kind of gave you the sense of direction and how it's all going to go from here.  So to see that they've been successful it's really awesome.  Especially, I met Chris Daughtry too and he is just a cool guy.  Again, just down to earth and original and I can relate to that.  So I'm just looking forward to working with all these guys and talking to them and hopefully forming some cool relationships.

Q) When you went to the party, did you get to have a final drink with Simon?

A) I did see Simon and we "cheers" and he said congratulations and he told me he's proud of me.  He's excited to be working with me and I told him thank you for the opportunity because without American Idol, obviously, I wouldn't have had this platform to start a career on a major level.  It was cool.  We got to spend a little time together and talk.  It was a moment I won't forget because that was a big moment for me.

Q) You've mentioned that there was a time in your life when you weren't doing that well and you ended up at an alternative high school and so forth.  Tell us a little bit about that and about what it was that really sparked you to zoom on from there?

A) I think with many people, you go through different stages of your life.  When I was younger, a big problem for me was just finding a sense of direction as to where I wanted to do because I've always wanted to be a musician.  I've always wanted to be making music.  At a young age, I didn't really care too much about the things that were happening right there in that moment.  If I could go back I probably wouldn't change much as far as what I wanted to do and how I went about it.  But at the same time, I made decisions when I was younger that you wouldn't make when you're older and had been through things and had the experience.  So, going to the alternative school was cool for me because I got a totally different outlook on life and it just made me realize that things aren't always as bad as they seem and there's always an answer. And you can't always accomplish whatever the solution is, if you can't do it, you do the best you can and all you can do is try as hard as you can. It made me just realize that there's a lot more out there than just whatever problem’s going on in my life right now and there's other ways at looking at things and not to be so narrow minded.  I think going to the other school really just opened my eyes to that because if it wasn't for all the experiences I went through I wouldn't be here.  It's all about kind of taking risks and being willing to put yourself out there.  That was a big thing when I was younger not being able to let me be seen, you know, and kind of just being more afraid to just be myself.  After I went to that high school it was really cool to be able to just kind of open up and make a name for myself in the music world.

Q) You and several other contestants have talked about being true to yourself and knowing the type of artist you want to be. Yet, the show forces you to do genre's that aren't native to you that, you're not use to. How frustrating was that for you and as far as your first single, the fact that it's a cover, how frustrating that is and how you choose it?

A) Alright, well the first thing about being true to yourself and also playing by the rules.  I think a big part of American Idol that scares people and actually has, I'm sure, stopped people from trying out is the fact that you do have to do things that are necessarily not your genre.  But my thing on the show was that you're given a song and you do have some say in it, but you go with whatever song you have to go with and you take that song and the judges always said, "make it you own, make it your own," and sometimes it sounds retarded when they say that.  But at the same time you really do.  It's one thing when you get up there and play a song the way it was written originally.  If that's the case that you want to do than just go buy the original, you know, go buy the original artist to fit it.  My thing was I just wanted to take every song and make it kind of like a song that Lee sang.  The judges credited me, they said, you had some great arrangements.  My thing was I went to the studio and we were given free range of range of song of how we wanted it and I did.  That was what kind of got me through that part of it because if it was just a matter of go out there and sing the songs the exact way they were written, you know, that would have been a lot more difficult than it was.  But when we did Shania Twain, that was kind of a rough week because that is so out of my element but I did what I could with the song and that was one of the tougher weeks. I think its part of the game, though.  It's all about - that's what American Idol is - it's go out there on the stage, play cover songs and do the best you can, your way, and make them original.  I think that I was able to do that.  It was frustrating at times.  I won't lie, it was, because there's some songs I would never sing in a million years but I signed up for it and that's the rule.  So, you play by them and you get by as best you can.  As far as the single that they put out, I like that song a lot.  It's really a good song.  Is it something that is necessarily is in my genre?  No, but again, there was songs on the table and I went with the one that I thought would represent the moment the best because they shouldn't even have an original song written for this specifically and whatever the reasons for that, there are reasons.  I don't know all the ups and downs of the behind the scenes stuff but it's just been a big game of play by the rules and that's just really what it is. If it was up to me, there's certain things I would have done differently on stage, maybe a little bit longer shots would have been cool, to maybe be able to get into the songs, as opposed to, ready, go.  But again, that's all part of it.  So just being able to accept it was the hard part.  But then once you accept it you kind of just roll with it.  You can make the songs your own and then move on and it's cool to listen to the tracks after they're done.  Then you get to hear them, it's really cool.

Q) Did you know moms are walking around your hometown in tee shirts that say "Lee DeWyze shook my cans?"

A) So I've heard.  I saw some of those shirts.  I was like, "Okay, they're really running with that."

Q) You seemed very touched playing at home and were on stage for a long time, which was great.  How much did that move you to go back to Hollywood and, you know, just win this thing?  Was that a motivating factor for you at all and give you the confidence that everybody was there?

A) Yes, you nailed it on the head right there when you said it motivated me.  That point of the competition, by the time you get to the last three weeks, I'll just tell you straight out, you are just exhausted.  I mean there's so much mental stress going on, there's so much, I mean not in a bad way, there's just a lot to think about.  You want to win, you want to get as far as you can and it's stressful.  Again, that all goes hand and hand with "that's the name of the game."  But going back home and being able to play in front of everybody was just the most amazing thing.  I've been told by so many people, they're like "man, it just seems so different than when you're on Idol.  When you're up there it just seemed different." For me, I play to a live audience, that's my thing.  I really get into it when there's a live audience in front of me and when I can build up to a song, and build the set and do all those things which I'll be able to do now.  But seeing all the people come out and support me was so huge because it wasn't all me.  Like, this was definitely not all me; it was a mixture of a lot of things.  There's a lot of people to thank because a lot of people had a hand in it.  But seeing all the fans and support really allowed me to get a good grip on how intense the situation is and how seriously, impacted that people can be by music.  You were there, they all showed up and it was just like the most surreal experience and I was scheduled to play 3 or 4 songs and I ended up playing like 9 or 10 I think. It's just how do you not, you know?  They were all there for me and I didn't want to leave them empty handed.  I didn't want to say, "Alright guys have a good night."  They were there for me and they had been supporting me the whole way so I wanted to do everything I could for them.  Then eventually the plug had to be pulled because there were time constraints and stuff.  But it really gave me a sense when I came back that I was doing the right thing and to just keep doing what I'm doing and staying true to what I told myself I'd do from the beginning and that is just go up there and give it everything I have. You know, sometimes it's not going to be the best and I'm aware of that.  I went up there and I had weeks that I wasn't so sure about.  I went in a little nervous or whatever the case may be and it wasn't the best performance for me.  Again, that's part of it, learning from it, getting over that and not letting that bring you down because if you let one performance drag you down, I'm going to be performing a lot, and if I let that happen to me in real life, than, what kind of artist is that?  So, I'm just way more comfortable now.  I'm going to be able to do my thing on my stage and really show everybody what I can do without that dome over me.  It was amazing.  American Idol was amazing.  They've given me this opportunity and I wouldn't be here without them.  Now I can do my own thing and it's the next step.  I'm really looking forward to making an album.  I'm really looking forward to touring and if it wasn't for the people back home I wouldn't be here because when I went back, basically, it was a big thumbs up from everybody.  When I came back I had a rejuvenated energy and I was just ready to do it.

Q) Are some of those original songs you played at Arlington going to be on your new album?

A) The new album, you know, we're going to be getting in the studio and working on some stuff.  I'm definitely going to get a chance to write and then put some of that on the album and whatever we choose to do with any music I already have, there's a lot of stuff that goes into these kinds of things.  So we'll see.  I can't say that it would bother me but at the same time I'm really looking forward to the next step in making new music.  It's a new stage in my life and it's going to be exciting.  So, we'll see.  Well maybe, who knows?

Q) Could you talk about some of the albums you've been listening to lately or listened to recently that are inspiring, the sound you'd like to create on your album?

A) Yes, I mean, as far as new albums that have been out I listen to a lot of different things.  Everything from ... Sean Stevens to Kings of Leon to Ben Harper, I love Soundgarden; I love Rage Against the Machine, Simon and Garfunkel.  I have a pretty wide range of musical taste.  But I actually, for the first time, sat down and listened to Chris' album and I really dug it.  He's a cool guy.  I really got into his album recently because I listened to a little bit of it but I haven't had a chance to really give it the whole listen and I liked it.  It was really cool.  It kind of was inspiring to me because he got to do a lot of things he wanted to do on his album and I know I'm going to get a chance to do the same thing.  I think for me, I'm not really like one way on music.  It's not like - I like rock - so I want to go listen to rock, or I like folk and I do like folk a lot, but I'm only going to listen to that.  For me, it's when I hear something, if I like it, that's what I'm going to listen to.

Q) What's one of those albums you're mentioning that kind of struck you as something that you like, "Hey, I like this sound on my album?"

A) Oh, man, well I just got the Kings of Leon, the new album and I like the original stuff or their first albums a lot, they were a little harder.  But I really dig their newest album and I like that sound.  That's the sound I go for a lot of the time it's very gritty at the same time it's got great hooks and great lyrics.  They break it down and it could be a little more chill, a little more heavy.  But I'm always looking for new music and right now I'm going to be listening to a lot of different things because of new inspiration different ways of production and all those kinds of things.  So for me it's just been a crazy experience, you know, the whole album making thing and talking and going to the meetings about it and everything.  I'm going to have a lot of say in it and that's something I was worried about in the beginning.  Is it going to be like, "here's your song, sing them?"  And it's not, I'm going to have a chance to write and sit down with some people.  There have been some people that have reached out they want to work with me and I'm just excited to do that.  You know, I'd love to co-write with some people and working on it.  Actually Dave Matthews’ new album too; I love it.  I listen to that a lot.  There's so much music out there, you know?  A lot of it is underground stuff, too, you know, stuff that's not necessarily main stream or on the radio.

Q) Who would be a dream collaboration like for co-writing?

A) If I could co-write with somebody, I think, I mentioned John Stevens but he's lyrics is just so good and he so gets it.  As far as writing, I'd love to write with him.  He's just amazing.  I think I'd be willing to work with anybody that wants to work with me because, truthfully, they've been there and done that and I don't necessarily have the experience they do as far as putting out an album.  I haven't put out an album on a major label yet and now I'm going to get to do that.  So there's a good list of people that, I've been told, I'm going to be getting a chance to work with and I'm just like stoked about it because I think it's going to come out really, really well.  I can't wait to make an album that represents me and just put it out there and tour it.

Q) It was an interesting night because besides being the announcement of the winners it was also Simon's last night. Do you feel like that stole the spotlight a little or did it give you a little bit of a relief?  Did it take a little pressure off at points during the night?

A) Well, he definitely shared the spotlight and that's okay because you know he's been a huge part of the reason the show's been a success and all of that.  Of course it's his last season they're going to definitely have to make mention of that, it's kind of expected to be that way.  But as far as the pressure being off, you know, the night before it wasn't about that.  The night before was about us performing and for them to say goodbye to him, the way they did, was really cool and I thought they did a good job.  I got a chance to talk to him and he was just really happy for me.  He told me "I'm proud of you" and he's like, "I saw something in you and I'm glad you won and I'm happy for you."  So, he's a really nice dude.  I don't feel like he stole the spotlight or anything like that.  It was two big things going on in one night and I thought that was pretty cool actually.  I think it made the night a little bit better.  It made the night really big and it was fun to be a part of that.

Q) What kind of album do you want to make?

A) First, I want the album that I make to be something I'm happy with.  I'd like to have a folk rock, kind of, alternative, to a vibe to it.  I want it to be very earthy but at the same time be able reach out to a lot of different people.  I think that I've expressed that to the people that are in charge and they're all for it.  They're all ready to work with me and it's really a good relationship.  Working with the 19 Entertainment guys and they're just a great group of people and they really know what they're doing.  I think a lot of people when they try out they say, they're going to make me do this, they're going to make me do that.  But truthfully, I think what they want is for you to do what you're best at and you're proud of and confident in and run with that and that's what they're doing.  We have a lot more things to talk about but I was looking to make an album that could really speak to everybody and good stories and good music to back it up because that's the kind of stuff I like to listen to.  I want a song that someone could listen to and say, "That was a song that reminds me of this time in my life."  It's going to be really cool to put a lot of my experiences in the song and just be able to make something new.

Q) Are you going to have to move to L.A. to kind of work on all these things you're talking about, work on the album?  Obviously you'll be on the tour, but do you plan on settling in L.A. after that?

A) I think for a while I'm going to be doing the tour thing like you said and I'm going to be doing the tour and also recording at the same time, which is going to be intense but it's going to be fun.  I think that I'd like to stay in Chicago but have maybe a place out here as well, or visa versa, just because I'd like to really be able to go back to where all my family and friends are.  But a lot of the things I'll be doing out here for now.  So as of right now I'll be probably hanging out here for a while. But Chicago and Mount Prospect that everybody out there has just been so amazing and the fan support is just incredible.  So I definitely want to remain close to home as best as I can.  But the fans, not just at home either, everywhere they've been just so awesome and if it wasn't for them I wouldn't be here.  Thanks to them and its weird being out here and calling this home right now because I've been out there for so long.  But I definitely think that I won't be staying there.  I'll be all over the place.  I'm definitely going to make my rounds in Chicago as often and as much as I can.

Q) What would you like to say to everyone who was a fan and supporter of you

A) I definitely want to make it clear that I'm very appreciative of this whole experience and American Idol and what it's done for me and what opportunities it's given me.  Thank you to my fans that voted.  Fans of the show, my friends, my family, the production staff on American Idol, all the people at night team that have been helping me and the people that were behind the scenes; no one that I would ever get to see and meet.  It's just that they have done so much that the producers, the production and everybody, and to Crystal, because it could have been her up there.  It could have been either one of us and she is just an amazing person, an amazing mom, a great artist.  I know she'll be successful and I wish her the best and all the other contestants on the show.  I'm really close to all of them.  I really hope the best for all of them and I know they hope the best for me.  The tour's going to be fun.  Thank you to everybody that called in today for talking to me.  I appreciate it.