Lee DeWyze, Wakey Wakey and Leslie DiNicola at Lee’s Palace
Thursday night found me at Lee’s Palace to check out Lee DeWyze. Now that name might seem a little familiar to some of you. Can’t quite put your finger on it? I’ll give you a hint. He may have won one of those tv show music competitions.
Yep, that’s right, American Idol Season 9 in 2010. I’ve been following Lee since his American Idol appearances and I definitely thought the best man won that year. I was super excited when I saw he’d be playing in Toronto, it’s been four years. I have to mention that I was chatting with some other fans and he has some hardcore fans. One of the lovely ladies that I spoke to said it was her 22nd time seeing Lee live. That’s commitment!
Lee has a brand new album, Oil & Water and he’s currently touring with the very talented Leslie DiNicola and Wakey Wakey!
Leslie DiNicola opened the show, playing songs from her Wake Up EP. Accompanied by Billy Libby her voice was strong and sweet, and she won the crowd over quickly. The pop/rock/folk sound was exactly what I needed.
Wake Up is Leslie’s fourth album and this NYC singer/songwriter has definitely has a new fan in me. 
Next up was Brooklyn based singer/songwriter Wakey Wakey. I have nothing but amazing things to say about this guy. I may have tweeted halfway through his set that I thought I was in love. Funny, talented, engaging. A great voice, touching thoughtful lyrics did I say he was funny. He’s really funny. He’s got a brand new album coming out on the 26th of February titled, Overreactivist. You can pre-order here!
If you’re thinking he looks familiar too, you might know him from One Tree Hill. Between 2009 and 2010 Michael Grubbs had a role as a musician on the very popular tv series and I might just be in the process of watching the entire series. Thanks for the inspiration Michael.
Our headliner took the stage just after 10:00pm and it was everything I hoped for. If I had to pick one word to describe Lee, I’d choose “real”. He shared with us how he’d been joking with his tour mates about how cool it was to be playing a venue called Lee’s Palace.
He sings with heart, conviction and soul. Lee finished up his set with the song Stone and let us know there’s a new video coming out next month. I’ll be watching for it. Passing me in the venue, he spoke to me. Asking me how I was. Nice, really nice. Heading back to the merch table Lee joined Michael and Leslie. They all took the time to chat, sign and be awesome with everyone.
I’m not sure why his music isn’t all over our radio but, it should be. I may need to start travelling to see more Lee DeWyze.
More photos of Lee DeWyze
More photos of Leslie DiNicola & Billy Libby
More photos of Wakey Wakey!
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Lee DeWyze, Wakey Wakey and Leslie DiNicola at Lee’s Palace
By Trish Cassling
Thursday night found me at Lee’s Palace to check out Lee DeWyze. Now that name might seem a little familiar to some of you. Can’t quite put your finger on it? I’ll give you a hint. He may have won one of those tv show music competitions.
Yep, that’s right, American Idol Season 9 in 2010. I’ve been following Lee since his American Idol appearances and I definitely thought the best man won that year. I was super excited when I saw he’d be playing in Toronto, it’s been four years. I have to mention that I was chatting with some other fans and he has some hardcore fans. One of the lovely ladies that I spoke to said it was her 22nd time seeing Lee live. That’s commitment!
Lee has a brand new album, Oil & Water and he’s currently touring with the very talented Leslie DiNicola and Wakey Wakey!
Leslie DiNicola opened the show, playing songs from her Wake Up EP. Accompanied by Billy Libby her voice was strong and sweet, and she won the crowd over quickly. The pop/rock/folk sound was exactly what I needed.
Wake Up is Leslie’s fourth album and this NYC singer/songwriter has definitely has a new fan in me.
Next up was Brooklyn based singer/songwriter Wakey Wakey. I have nothing but amazing things to say about this guy. I may have tweeted halfway through his set that I thought I was in love. Funny, talented, engaging. A great voice, touching thoughtful lyrics did I say he was funny. He’s really funny. He’s got a brand new album coming out on the 26th of February titled, Overreactivist. You can pre-order here!
If you’re thinking he looks familiar too, you might know him from One Tree Hill. Between 2009 and 2010 Michael Grubbs had a role as a musician on the very popular tv series and I might just be in the process of watching the entire series. Thanks for the inspiration Michael.
Our headliner took the stage just after 10:00pm and it was everything I hoped for. If I had to pick one word to describe Lee, I’d choose “real”. He shared with us how he’d been joking with his tour mates about how cool it was to be playing a venue called Lee’s Palace.
He sings with heart, conviction and soul. Lee finished up his set with the song Stone and let us know there’s a new video coming out next month. I’ll be watching for it. Passing me in the venue, he spoke to me. Asking me how I was. Nice, really nice. Heading back to the merch table Lee joined Michael and Leslie. They all took the time to chat, sign and be awesome with everyone.
I’m not sure why his music isn’t all over our radio but, it should be. I may need to start travelling to see more Lee DeWyze.
More photos of Lee DeWyze
More photos of Leslie DiNicola & Billy Libby
More photos of Wakey Wakey!
Author profile
Writer/Photographer/Editor
Toronto Music Blogger
Great article!!! I totally concur WHY ISN’T LEE’S MUSIC ON OUR RADIO?? I have tried for years to get our Canadian (Manitoba ) radio stations to play Lee’s music and still waiting ..sigh. Canada is missing out on this amazing artist. I love Lee’s soulful soothing voice and his song lyrics well they speak to my heart. Come on Canadian radio stations it’s time to listen to your listeners and get Lee DeWyze on your Playlist because he’s that damned good!
Thanks Kathy. 😀
I too fell in love with Lee after seeing him on Idol. And have had the pleasure of seeing him live here in the southern U.S. (where he needs to come more. ) He really is an accomplished singer/songwriter. And his albums only get better. You are correct that he needs to be heard on the radio.
He’s so good!
Lee absolutley deserves to be all over the radio! He is an amazing musician/songwriter who has more talent in his pinkie than artists like Kanye West have in their whole body. It’s a crime he isn’t on the radio all the time. He is even better live. His live shows have me driving countless hours to see him. I’d go to every show if I could. Every one is different. He masterfully changes it up each night!
Thanks for reading and thanks for commenting Laurel. More radio play for Lee!!!
Thank you for posting this great article. I’ve been a fan of Lee Dewyze since AI9. And be a loyal and dedicated fan since then. I flew to US from Indonesia, more than 20.000 miles just to see his show at Viper Alley, Chicago. Lee Dewyze genuinely is a very nice person, talented artist, he is very honest to his music. The lyrics, the harmony of the music is truly fantastic, so beautiful. He deserves more recognition from the music industry. His music needs to be heard all over the radio! More people should listen to his beautiful and soulful songs.