Jason Castro Idol Rising

I am at a point I'm wondering how far Jason Castro can really take this show. Initially I was simply thrilled that someone from our area representing the Deep Ellum arts scene had decided to take on this cheesy show. In words similar to what Paula Abdul said, Jason brings a favorite rainbow of 'colors'. (Pauler is so beautiful when she's tripping along with some good meds.) In the American Idol Top 24 After Party, Castro made me love him more; who can resist a guy with flowers in his hair?

Scanning the topics of discussion and articles written over the past several days, there have been more than a few talking about Jason Castro making a big impact with his performance this past week. That said, to date, he's the only contestant who has their song in the top 100 on iTunes. He also was pivotal in sending "Hallelujah" sung by the late Jeff Buckley to the number five spot out of basic obscurity.

This is a subtle yet important showcase exemplifying Jason's burgeoning impact this season in this competition. Considering that Jason Castro hasn't been singing that long, an even bigger point selling his natural and raw talent. Jason Castro has just recently decided to pick up the guitar, and the singing because he found himself, while out in Aggie Land, without his drum kit and needing an outlet for musical expression. Originally Castro was a drummer throughout his high school days. He had been involved with two bands, playing drums, Keeping Lions and Charlemagne.

In this video created a few years ago, Jason Castro shreds some skin (can't resist a good excuse to use a double entendre).


In this article, found in the Calgary Herald, Benjamin Eckstein, writes, "Who will win American Idol?". Mr. Eckstein gives a run down to anyone interested in the gambling side of this show as well as just his personal take on the current standings of the contestants.

- Jason Castro.......................... 7/5
- David Archuleta................... 8/5
- Carly Smithson..................... 9/5
- David Cook............................. 3/1
- Michael Johns....................... 5/1
- Brooke White........................ 8/1
- Ramiele Malubay................ 12/1
- Syesha Mercado................. 15/1
- David Hernandez............... 25/1
- Kristy Lee Cook.................. 50/1
- Amanda Overmyer............ 75/1
- Chikezie............................. 100/1

"If you were not one of the millions who watched this week's shows and missed Jason Castro's cover (he's the one with the dreads) of Leonard Cohen's haunting "Hallelujah", you missed one the most chilling, most brilliant performances in Idol history. With that amazing effort, Castro has jumped all the way to the top of the odds chart.

Everybody's favourite, David Archuleta, was good, but not great, so he slipped to second, while Carly Smithson performed well, holding down the third slot.

The other huge move up the ladder was David Cook, who brought out his guitar and ripped up a cover of Lionel Richie's Hello. The biggest surprise was that we lost one of our dictators, Danny Noriega instead of Chikezie. But Castro is still in the hunt."

Jason Castro on my local news station, KDFW FOX 4 report:

American Idol Interview with Jason Castro, absolutely gorgeous guy. He's typical of the type of folks I know in Dallas; the way he talks, the way he presents himself, the arts background.

Check out Jason Castro singing at LakePoint Church, Rockwall, Texas:
What can we call this, Dreadhead gospel perhaps. Love. this. guy.

I have to say, his leaving that drum kit behind has worked out very favorably musically for him. Next to Josiah Lemming, who was erroneously denied entry into the Top 24, Castro undeniably one of the best raw talents to be discovered by this show.

Speaking of Josiah Lemming, he recently gave a concert to good reviews. This kid reminds me of the type of natural talent along the lines of Paolo Nutini. Video from the Hotel LA Cafe: