American Idol

Jon Peter Lewis performs for Idol Camp participants last summer. The Season 3 American Idol finalist is releasing a new single, Break the Silence, on Tuesday.

Jon Peter Lewis has come a long way since his days as a finalist on American Idol Season 3. Heck, he’s come a long way since my interview with him last year.

Now, as he prepares for Tuesday’s release of his latest single, Break the Silence, he takes some time to talk about life in Hollywood, working with teenagers at Idol Camp, joining the circus and, of course, who he thinks has a shot at winning this season’s title.

“It’s much different now than when I was on,” Lewis told me, pointing out the fact producers and judges say year after year the current season has the best talent. Even though he says he understands the motives behind saying such things, “There’s an Oscar winner on my season, and that’s pretty hard to beat.”

That Oscar winner, of course, if Jennifer Hudson. Lewis also was joined in Season 3 by winner Fantasia Barrino and runner-up Diana DeGarmo, who both have made a name for themselves on the Broadway stage. And that’s just the most-remembered names.

Lewis also is working on making a name for himself. On June 3, he will release the entire Break the Silence CD, a follow-up to his Stories From Hollywood. Already, the video for Break the Silence has been released. And fans are responding positively. Fans on his MySpace page are leaving comments like, “Love the new song! You are, hands down, my favorite male vocalist. Love the new music video, too! It’s a treat for all of us who haven’t gotten to see you live for a bit. Keep up the great work. You’re an amazing talent.” And simply, “I love the new video!”

Breaking the Silence certainly is a new sound for Lewis. It’s more mature, a little more heartfelt and definitely a long stretch from his hip-swiveling Elvis impersonations during his run on Idol. Compared to his last release, Lewis says this release is more about the melodies. It’s more about “a singer singing songs.”

“It’s more melodic,” he says. “The whole record itself is definitely moodier. It’s optimistic in a lot of ways … filled with relationship-based songs.”

Lewis, who recently returned to Los Angeles after a trip to Austin’s SXSW, is gearing up for the upcoming release and months of touring behind it. He also is promoting this summer’s Idol Camp, which is set to begin June 15 with two-week sessions planned through Aug. 23. Last year’s inaugural camp was in Massachusetts, and this year the camps for 10- to 15-year-olds are moving to Pali Mountain in Running Springs, Calif.

“These people want to be there, and they’re excited about music,” Lewis says about the teens who attended Idol Camp, in which he was a mentor last year. “It’s really nice to be in an environment with these people with their whole lives in front of them.”

While working with Idol Camp students, Lewis shares his experience and stories about life after Idol. He said it’s important to help the students understand Idol contestants and other celebrities “put their pants on one leg at a time, too.” He shares a post-Idol story of his own that took him by surprise. It goes back to his first major post-show purchase, in which he went to a Guitar Center to buy home recording equipment to begin work on his first debut.

“I go down there, and the manager comes down and says, ‘Jon Peter Lewis, I love your work,’” Lewis says. “I remember looking up at him and thinking, ‘What work? I’m a karaoke singer.’

“I remember feeling really, really awkward,” Lewis continues. “I was thinking, ‘I haven’t done anything other than be on television. I didn’t feel like I was worthy of people liking me. I wanted to do something.”

That something was get started on recording his first CD. And now, with another full-length CD on the horizon, he still is working hard to make a name for himself as a credible musician.

“I couldn’t ever see myself trying to be like a Paris Hilton and be famous for nothing,” he said. “I don’t have the money for it.”

Just like the rest of us, Lewis still is a big fan of the show that helped launch his music career. So, just what does JPL think of the Season 7 contestants?

“I like to listen to Brooke White sing. I like her vibe,” Lewis says. “I really like Michael Johns; I think he’s kind of cool … I don’t think he’s opened up, though. Simon’s right.”

Then there’s frontrunner, David Archuleta. “I’m kind of rooting for him,” Lewis admits.

So, is there anything else going on with the most famous “pen salesman” from Idol?

“I joined the circus,” Lewis jokes, proving he still has his sense of humor. “They’ve been shooting me out of the cannon on a regular basis.”

MORE ABOUT IDOL CAMP: See what Jon Peter Lewis has to say about Idol Camp by watching his promotional video.

American Idol, Jon Peter Lewis, Idol Camp