Blake Lewis, the popular finalist on the sixth season of "American Idol," was born in Redmond, Washington. He started singing at age five and competed in statewide talent contests while in high school. He became a beat-boxer at 17, inspired by the then Seattle-based a cappella group M-Pact. Lewis was a member of the Pacific Northwest a cappella group Kickshaw for four years. Simon Fuller, creator of the popular TV series and chief executive and founder of 19 Entertainment Label Group says, "Blake is an extraordinary artist; talented, distinctive and unique. He has made a fantastic debut album, and I am so looking forward to all his fans hearing it - they will love it." "Blake knows music, is deeply involved and connected with the process and we all had a ball making this album. The results are so gratifying. Â Blake comes to the fore as a totally fresh, creative, edgy and bold new artist, poised to break through right out of the gate, " comments Clive Davis, Chairman and CEO BMG Label Group. The 26-year-old singer released his debut album, Audio Day Dream, on 19 Recordings / Arista Records in December 2007.