LV MUSIC: Lee DeWyze gives disc release date, Casey James signs country record contract

Lee DeWyze, this year’s “American Idol” winner, will release his major label debut album on Nov. 15, his management and RCA Records just announced.

And Casey James, who finished third behind DeWyze and Crystal Bowersox, has signed a recording contract with a country label and expect to have a disc out next year.

DeWyze’s new record still doesn’t have a title, the release from 19 Recordings/RCA Records says.

But it says the disc will “showcase Lee as an individual artist and longtime songwriter who has come a long way since his audition for ‘American Idol’ in Chicago. DeWyze is a self-taught musician who has been singing and playing the guitar since his early teenage years.”

DeWyze, 24, of Mount Prospect, Ill., beat out Crystal Bowersox to win the “Idol’s” Season 9 title in May.

He has been on the nationwide American Idols Live Tour this summer, but has been writing and recording the music for his debut, the release says.

“I’ve been very fortunate to be able to collaborate with some amazing songwriters on new songs over the past 3 months,” DeWyze says in the release. “I can’t wait for everyone to hear my debut album.”

DeWyze recently won the Teen Choice Award for Male Reality/Variety Star.

Caseyjames James, 28, of Fort Worth, Texas, has signed a recording contract with Sony Nashville and 19 Recordings/BNA Records, according to the “Idol” Web site.

That’s the same country music label that signed last year’s soulful third-place finisher Danny Gokey and had him record a country album

“Some dreams in life are only just that – dreams,” James says on the site. “All my life I have wanted this and now my dream has come true. Words can’t describe how thankful and blessed I am for the opportunity to give back to all those who have supported me. I’m going to work hard to make the best album possible! I want to thank my Momma for making me go to Denver. Look out! I’m Nashville bound!”

Sony Nashville Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Gary Overton says, “We at Sony Music Nashville are incredibly excited about signing Casey James. I flew to New York to see him ‘live’ with the American Idol Tour and I was blown away with his voice, guitar playing and stage presence...and so were the thousands of fans in the amphitheatre. He has honed his skills as a showman with his years of performing live on stage! I can’t wait to get him into the studio to begin recording his debut album.”

James, who has fronted the Casey James Band since 2008, had never even seen a single episode of the top rated show before auditioning in Denver and winning a golden ticket to Hollywood.

Simon Fuller, Creator of American Idol and founder of 19 Entertainment, says, “Casey is an exceptional talent and it is wonderful to see another of last year’s Idols secure a major record deal and the opportunity to fulfill many more dreams.”

James also is on the American Idols Live! Tour, but soon will be at work on his debut album, the releasing says.