PHOTOS Where Are They Now? Lee DeWyze at a mall in Fresno

Most of you internet-surfin’ whipper snappers probably don’t remember, but back in the day Lee DeWyze was at the center of a worldwide media frenzy after taking home the title of American Idol by beating out a young Crystal Bowersox in the show’s ninth season. 24-year-old DeWyze won over fans and the judges’ panel, which featured Simon Cowell (remember him?) and Kara DioGuardi (remember her?) in their final season on the show, with rousing renditions of Paul Simon’s “The Boxer,” R.E.M.’s “Everybody Hurts” and U2’s “Beautiful Day.”

Since that time DeWyze has been touring extensively, churning out albums and living the life of my generation’s Bad Blake. Photographer Ken McCoy caught up with Lee DeWyze at the Sierra Vista Mall near Fresno where he was gave an acoustic concert last night as part of KWYE’s “Unplugged” series, which has featured other notable former Idol contestants in the past.

“We had David Archuleta at the Sierra Vista Mall and people drove in from San Diego, Los Angeles and even Arizona to see him,” says Chris Miller, KWYE marketing director in an interview with the Fresno Bee.

Be sure to check out Lee DeWyze’s latest album, Live It Up and the first single from it, “Sweet Serendipity.” Here’s the video:

**** Author’s note – before I start getting lots of angry comments from Lee DeWyze fans please realize I’m just having a little fun. Lee is doing great, as is his new album, which cracked the Top 20 on the US charts and has sold more than 100,000 copies.