Blake Lewis Day Successful in Washington State
Blake Lewis, “American Idol” finalist and favorite hometown son of the moment, attracted several thousand fans for a 45-minute concert Friday at Westlake Center.
Knees bouncing and right hand “air mixing” in his trademark dance style, Lewis performed five songs, including, Keane’s “Somewhere Only We Know” and Jamiroquai’s “Virtual Insanity.” He also did an original song, “She Loves The Way,” and he backed up special guest Sir Mix-A-Lot on the rapper’s famous “Baby Got Back.”
After taking the stage, where he performed with local band Ari Sawkadoria, Lewis looked at to the crowd and said, “Seattle, say hello to ‘American Idol.’” And a cameraman on stage turned his lens to the cheering throng.
Sir Mix gave Lewis, one of three finalists on America’s favorite reality show, plenty of respect. “I’ve been wanting to do this ever since I saw this cat on TV,” he told the crowd. “Everytime you see ‘American Idol,’ you see people who can sing, and that’s it. This cat got real talent.”
Hometown pride was on display, along with signs of support. The messages ranged from “Blake is a hottie,” to “Blake, U R the bomb,” to “Vote for Blake.” Handpainted T-shirts proclaimed, “I heart heart heart Blake,” and “Marry me, Blake.”
The crowd ranged from newborns to middle aged moms and dads. Not surprisingly, many were teen and pre-teen girls, some of whom had skipped school to follow their idol.
Time and again, Lewis’s fans said it wasn’t just about the local connection, but that he’s bringing something different to “American Idol.”
Paula Rogers, 31, brought her son Wyatt, 22 months, with a “Vote for Blake” sticker on his baby backpack. “I just fell in love with Blake Lewis on this show, because I feel like he changed ‘American Idol’ with a new sound,” said Rogers, who added that the show usually sounds so Top 40 and predictable. She owns Nectar, a Fremont lounge where Lewis has performed numerous times.
Kayleigh Olds, 14, of Graham had secured her spot front and center stage with three friends by showing up at 8 a.m. “He doesn’t try to copy the song exactly. He makes it his own,” she said.
Diana Ortiz, 19, who traveled with a friend from Vancouver, B.C., to see Lewis perform, said he’s unique. “I think he’s the only one who doesn’t care what the judges say — ‘do this or do that,’” she said. “He’s true to himself.”
Before reading a proclamation, City Councilwoman Jean Godden — clad in a hot pink blouse and a black leather jacket — shouted to the feverish crowd, “What’s today?!” “Blake Lewis Day!!” they shouted back. The proclamation ended, “And, whereas all of Seattle anticipates that Blake Lewis will become the next ‘American Idol,’ therefore be it resolved by the City of Seattle that May 11 be proclaimed as Blake Lewis Day.”
Pat Monahan, lead singer of Train, whipped up the crowd by introduced Lewis as: “Your own. Your one and only American Idol, Mr. Blake Lewis.”
In between the morning public events and the concert, Lewis enjoyed some down time with friends at the Space Needle, resting his voice. Then he rode the Monorail over to Westlake Center.
The biggest question that trailed Lewis as he ran from event to event was whether his voice can sustain a long day of singing, interviews, fan interaction and more. He had moments of hoarseness, but has three days to rest before the next Idol sing-off.
Earlier in the day, Lewis kept it cool throughout the “hometown visit” financed by the show.
Lewis beatboxed on demand, sounding like a human mixing machine. He signed autographs and posed for pictures and handled like a pro all the questions pingponged at him.
What he didn’t do was predict that he’s going to win the competition. That, he said, likely would happen for Jordin Sparks, the teenager from Glendale, Ariz.
But Lewis, 25, who has been noticed on the show for his smooth voice, beatboxing rhythms, funky style and frosted locks, was cool with that, too. During morning interviews at KCPQ/13, he said his first goal was to get into the top 10 and then the top four.
His main ambition, he said, is to pursue his music and communicate it to people. A lifelong dream, he added, is to host and be the musical guest on “Saturday Night Live.”
But winning “American Idol”? Well, he’s good with that, too.
“If it happens, great. If not, I’m so happy if I got sent home yesterday. When I made the goal of the top four, that was the goal,” said Lewis, who said his musical heroes are the band 311 and musician/producer BT (Brian Transeau).
And despite criticism of too much beatboxing in his performances, he said he won’t shy away if it feels right.
“If I feel the performance needs it, I don’t care,” he said. “I’ve gotten, you know, criticism for my hair and wearing the wrong shirt. Criticism’s criticism. It doesn’t really affect me.”
His prescription for handling all the hype and the pressure is: “Keep doing me. Keep true to myself.” He later added: “I just hope everyone sees how much fun I’m having, because I’m having a blast. The only thing I hope comes across is that I’m communicating my song well with everyone each week.”
In a finale, he said he’d love to sing with Sting, but others also came to mind, including Adam Levine of Maroon 5 and Bjork. “I’m everywhere in my influences. So much music inspires me.”
Lewis has gone further in the pop-singing competition than any entrant from this region. Asked how he would rebound from last week, which judges considered one of his weaker moments, Lewis said, “I think I did well for that moment in time.”
He did drop that he hasn’t lived by the curfew the show sets for its contestants and goes out just about every night — to see live music.
“They call me the rebel for that,” he said. “I’m not 12 and I don’t need to be baby-sat. … For me, I get all my inspiration from going to live music and being around passionate people.”
Friday at the Q13 studios he performed “All Mixed Up” live, followed by some freestyling with the aid of his loop machine and a chaos pad.
Lewis said the hometown support, especially for an “eclectic artist,” has been amazing. He called the “American Idol” winnowing process and all of its attendant fame “surreal,” and said he hadn’t watched the show before auditioning.
“I’m kind of a hermit,” he said. “I stick to music.”
He also gave props to a region that was assailed as the worst source of auditioners for the show by its judges and host.
“There’s so much talent here. You can go down to the coffee shop and there’s so much talent here,” said Lewis, noting that two of the three finalists — Sparks is the other — tried out in Seattle.
Asked what he missed about the area — which he’s been away from for nearly four months — the Bothell resident said: “I miss the air and the water and pretty much everything about it.”
Kara Pierre brought her 9 1/2- month-old son Jensen and some friends to see Lewis at Q13. He didn’t get kissed by Lewis, but the baby did manage to tug at Lewis’ shiny earring. “We all watch ‘American Idol’ together, with the babies,” Pierre said.
Trailed by an “American Idol” crew and cameras, as well as excited admirers screaming “Go, Blake!” wherever he went, Lewis made his way around town in a black-and-white Ford Excursion stretch limo. He was escorted by Bothell police.
But he managed to snag some private time amid the madness. On Thursday night he had a rehearsal and a private party with friends before overnighting at a downtown hotel. He said he planned to catch the Blue Scholars at The Showbox on Friday night.
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