(See video of Drew Stevyns below.)

The family of “America’s Got Talent” finalist Drew Stevyns of Eldersburg has been anxious for weeks as the 29-year-old singer, songwriter and guitarist has progressed through the national talent show.

Now, they’re a bit more relaxed as the show heads for its conclusion Monday and Wednesday.

“It’s a relief that they’re coming to an end,” said Steve Piotrowski in a telephone interview today with The Eagle. “The build-up was tougher.”

The 29-year-old Stevyns (whose real name is Drew Piotrowski) is one of 10 finalists for the NBC show, modeled somewhat after “American Idol.”

The Monday, Sept. 14, episode at 8 p.m. will feature the 10 finalists, then America will vote and the winner will be unveiled during the season finale 8 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 16.

The winner receives a $1 million prize and a Las Vegas show, headlining at the MGM.

For Piotrowski, watching his son’s second performance this past week was the most difficult.

“We were rooting for him so much,” he said.

Once Stevyns made it into the ranks of the 10 finalists, the family was relieved.

Stevyns’ sister, Alexandra Axelrod, 24, of Fredericksburg, Va., said it’s a surreal experience to see her big brother on TV.

“It’s very, very nerve wracking and exciting,” she said. “You get the butterflies as well as the utter disbelief that you’re watching him on TV.”

Drew Stevyns' Semi-Finals Fate


An ear for song

Before rock ‘n’ roll, Stevyns rocked tunes in his cradle as a baby.

“As early as 18 months,” Piotrowski said regarding when he first noticed his son’s musical gift.

“It was quite apparent,” he said. “He could hum and pick up on tones and things he would hear on the radio.”

Stevyns is known in the show for his softer choice for songs such as “How to Save a Life” by The Fray, but belted  a version of Wham!’s “Careless Whisper,” recently covered by Seether.

His softer side could be explained by your friendly TV neighbor.

“During the day, his favorite show was ‘Mr. Rogers (Neighborhood)’ because it was a quiet, calming show with music,” Stevyn’s father said. “He didn’t like ‘Sesame Street’ ” and all its chaos.

One of the family’s favorite stories is how Drew learned to sing “Happy Birthday.” His mother, Jenni, tried to teach a 2-year-old Drew the “Happy Birthday” tune to sing to his father.

But a trip to the Mall in Columbia ruined the lesson when they attended an event at the mall celebrating Mickey Mouse’s birthday.

“When he came to sing it to me, he sang ‘happy birthday Mickey Mouse,’ ” Piotrowski said.

Stevyns’ musical tastes became more refined as the family played classical music through the house.

He also followed the works of  folk group Schooner Fare — who sent Stevyns a pep note during the show after his father wrote the group saying how much he admired them.

A work assignment for Stevyns’ father sent the family to England for four years, starting 1989, where Stevyns — who was raised Roman Catholic — tried out and earned a spot in the Anglican Choir, and was a member of the Royal School of Church Music, his dad said.

Stevyns also graduated in 1998 from Calvert Hall College High School in Towson, where he was a member of the National Honors Society, played one year of lacrosse, two years of soccer and two years of track and field.

Also at Calvert Hall, he was in the Hallman Chorus and became a section leader of the school’s elite octet called the Corridors, he said.

During his teen years, Stevyns also earned the Eagle Scout rank.

Rock ‘n’ roll came into his life during those years as well, and at age 15 he  asked to borrow his dad’s acoustic guitar.

“Two weeks later, he was playing it,” Piotrowski said.

For a school project, Stevyns took a medieval Scottish poem and recorded music to it, and even set up a little studio inside the home.

“He’s a perfectionist,” his father said.

Axelrod says the vocal talent in her family all belongs to her brother.

“I’m not a singer at all,” she said, laughing. “My only forte in anything musical was playing the piano.”

More recently, Axelrod would play Billy Joel’s “Piano Man” on the piano while her brother took to the guitar.

“I’m a little rusty,” she said. “It’s been a couple years.”

Stevyns has spent the last few years trying to make a name for himself, and uses his parents’ Eldersburg residence as a “home base” for tours. He also spends time at his sister’s home in Fredericksburg, Va., and with a friend in New York.

But what about Las Vegas?

No predictions from the family.

“There’s so many variables involved,” Piotrowski said. “We’re proud of him and he knows this. The pride we have for his accomplishments to date is as if he’s won the whole thing.”

Fame or infamy

Fortunately, because their son uses Stevyns as a stage name, incessant phone calls from media and strangers haven’t quite hit yet, Piotrowski said. But also, Stevyns has flown under the radar while progressing throughout the competition.

“There’s still a degree in anonymity in some respects because so little has been issued about Andrew in any way, shape or form,” he said. “He’s really been a dark horse in this.”

Having little factual information written about him also means Stevyns is prone to heavy gossip, his father relented.

“These different blogs and things — people can put whatever they want and it becomes gospel,” he said. “You have to develop a thick skin.”

During the judging — the winner of "America’s Got Talent" is ultimately chosen by viewer votes — close friends and neighbors have served as a machine, organizing people to call and vote for Stevyns, he said.

“If we try to organize it, it would fall flat,” Piotrowski joked.

No viewing parties are organized in his hometown for Monday’s and Wednesday’s shows either, he added.

After all, his mom and dad will be seeing him live in person.

Piotrowski said he’s encouraged to hear that his son’s humble, gracious attitude is still in check while out in Hollywood and is happy Stevyns carries himself well.

“My son is my friend,” he said. “We respect each other. He’s a grown man, and he’s also one of the finest.”


Follow Drew Stevyns

Drew Stevyns' official site: www.drewstevynsmusic.com

Stevyn's semi-final performance via YouTube

The Baltimore Sun's "Reality Check" blog's Q&A with Drew Stevyns

Facebook Fan Page

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