I cannot tell a lie — okay, well that’s not true. (I lied to myself this morning when I said that four-pack of mini Cinnabons wasn’t going to totally wreck my diet.) But I cannot tell a lie when it comes to my favorite television program/unhealthy obsession, American Idol. And in this current eighth season that’s found new judge Kara "The Terrible" DioGuardi repeating the word "artistry" like a shrill parrot begging for a cracker, the sad truth has been that, as a whole, the top 13 finalists haven’t shown much artistry at all.
Maybe I got spoiled last year by warbly Brooke White and her piano, consistently cool David Cook and his ballsy song arranging skills, even Chikezie and his harmonica. But in many ways this year, I’ve been missing fourth-place finisher Jason Castro — with his befuddled energy, his gentle vocals, and his laid-back guitar-strumming — most of all. I can still remember when Idol‘s producers sprang him on the unsuspecting public during the first week of the season 7 semifinals. Usually, you can bet the contestants who get no screentime before the voting portion of the competition kick in are nothing but cannon fodder. But Jason’s "Daydream" was downright revelatory. The guy knew enough not to defile a classic melody with a zillion unnecessary runs, but still managed to "make it his own" (if you’ll forgive my use of a threadbare Idol-ism). And as the season progressed, Jason kept delivering the downloadable moments: "Hallelujah," "Travellin’ Thru," "Over the Rainbow," "Memory," and (my personal favorite) "I Don’t Wanna Cry" (embedded below).
And then, when season 7 was over: Crickets. By the time the holidays rolled around, it became a regular phenomenon to find my EW colleague and fellow Castrophile Kate Ward and I sitting in my office and glumly wondering: Where the heck is Jason’s major-label deal?
Well, today, finally, our moping is over, thanks to an email that arrived in my inbox titled "ATLANTIC SIGNS JASON CASTRO." All caps, yes, and I’m not lower-casing a single consonant or vowel. According to the email, Jason’s collaborators on the disc, due later this year, are "Grammy Award-winning producer John Fields (Lifehouse, Switchfoot, Soul Asylum) and a number of acclaimed songwriters, including Kara DioGuardi (Kelly Clarkson, Jewel, Santana), Martin Terefe (Jason Mraz, KT Tunstall), Sacha Skarbek (James Blunt, Jason Mraz), Guy Chambers (Robbie Williams), and Jason Reeves (Colbie Caillat).
I know, I know…the road to Billboard chart success if littered with bargain-bin discs from Idol finalists, but I can’t help it. I’m stoked for a Jason Castro CD.Does that make me crazy? Possibly. But I don’t think I’m the only person out there who’s going to raise a glass tonight celebrating this news. What say you? Will you be pre-ordering Jason Castro’s debut disc? Or are you taking a wait-and-see approach to his post-Idol output? Share your thoughts in the comments section below!
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OMG! I’m sorry, those are just my only emotions right now. Jason, I’m so happy for you! This is such kick-ass news! No-one deserves it more than you!
OMG! I’m sorry, those are just my only emotions right now. Jason, I’m so happy for you! This is such kick-ass news! No-one deserves it more than you!
OMG! I’m sorry, those are just my only emotions right now. Jason, I’m so happy for you! This is such kick-ass news! No-one deserves it more than you!
Oh, I will absolutely be pre-ordering Jason’s CD. Like you, Michael, he had me at “Daydream”.
I was lucky enough to be able to see his first solo concert in Tulsa in November and he didn’t disappoint. I really enjoyed his new music.
Can’t wait. Yippee Jason!!!
Loved him! He was my favorite contestant last year. I will definitely buy this cd.
You people are just so pathetic, the only one’s who would buy this are the one’s who rock out in the elevator to the muzak or to the poor suckers hooked on Valium!
My all-time favorite AI contestant! This CD will be on my must list.
I’m excited. I’ve been waiting for his CD, wondering why the heck he seemed to disappear. Out of that season (and this one too) he’s the only person I can really see having an album that would be real music and I’d look forward to buying.
Hopefully this means another appearance on the show!
I am so excited about Jason Castro getting a record deal with Atlantic! I’ve been mesmerized ever since “Daydream”. I am 49 and a total music fanatic liking genres from rock to folk to blues. Never before has an artist just grabbed my heart and soul like Jason has. I have to play his music everyday. His voice, vibe, spirituality, and humble personality will carry him straight to the top of the charts! I’ll definitely be in line to buy his cd the day it is released!
Very excited! Anyone have any idea when it’s suppost to drop?
Count me in. I have been waiting for this announcement too. Jason was my favorite from last season and I can’t wait to buy his first cd.
Heck yes I’ll be pre-ordering the CD.
I’m so happy for him! I can’t wait for the cd to come out! If I could pre-order it now I would!
WOOHOO!!!!!!!!!! Can’t wait to hear that boy’s voice again! My AI tracks of his from last season sound just as fresh today as they did last year. He rocks! Here’s to the bigwigs (hopefully) not screwing up his first album. Cheers!
I am so happy for Jason. Thank you for covering this great news, Michael. I can’t wait for his CD; he’s someone very unique.