Click here to download it now!

Jason talked to Entertainment Weekly about the upcoming CD and American Idol Season 8. He had this to say about a release date for the CD:

From what I understand, from the time we turn in a finished album, there's a three-month setup period. So if we start recording, let's say, at the end of this month, we'll probably be in the studio for another month, maybe month and a half. I've done the math, and I think it ends up in October, with a single in August or September. But who knows?

That's only another...6 months. *facepalm*

That's okay, Jason. You've taught us patience. Click here to read the full article.

Join Atlantic recording artist, Jason Castro, and his guitar for an intimate conversation with a few thousand friends.

Visit Jason's Official website on Wednesday, April 29 at 7 PM ET for a live webcast, complete with a musical performance and Q & A session.

Twitter your questions to Jason at his NEW twitter account starting now, and he'll select a few to answer during the webcast -- or grill him live on Wednesday during the chat.

Be there or be. . . a trapezoid.

Please join us in a one year celebration of the "Jason in Goth" thread on AI.
For us, it was the beginning.
And because we are so fond of one another and think we are so clever,
we will be hosting a special party that includes the 1st Annual Gothies.
That's right, we are giving out awards.
If you are a member, please stop by and cast your votes.
Voting closes Friday the 17th at 11:00 Eastern.
If you are not a member, please feel free to join us for our party anyway.
Some chatter threads are open now and more will open the day of the party.
The awards will be presented in the evening.

Well, not exactly but on Rolling Stones' Rock&Roll Daily

http://www.rollingstone.com/rockdaily/index.php/2009/04/14/american-idol-singer-jason-castro-signs-with-atlantic-records/

...Jason Castro got a record deal! He sure as hell did, and the word is getting out. The industry is "a buzz" with news of our main squeeze and his sweet deal with Atlantic.

From Rolling Stone:

As American Idol’s eighth season hits its home stretch with only seven singers remaining, a former Idol is making some news of his own: While many former Idol contestants have lost their record deals due to slow sales, Season Seven’s third runner-up Jason Castro has inked a contract with Atlantic Records. The label will release the dreadlocked crooner’s debut album later this year. Castro made AI history last season, becoming the first singer to play an instrument on the show (AI changed its rules to permit instrumentalists to show off their skills). He later topped the iTunes chart with his cover of “Over the Rainbow.”

From Michael Slezak, our favorite blogger at Entertainment Weekly:

...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...

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.

They all pretty much say the same thing, but if you're interested, check out these articles/blogs:

TV Envy
The Seattle Times
MTV
New York Daily News
Pollstar
liveDaily
Marketwire
GuideLive
USA Today
Premium Hollywood
About.com
Earthtimes

That's just a few! Yay, Jason! Much love from your Goth Girls. You deserve all of this recognition and then some.

ACCLAIMED SINGER/SONGWRITER SLATED TO RELEASE DEBUT ALBUM LATER THIS YEAR

Atlantic Records has announced the signing of singer/songwriter Jason Castro. The Texas-based tunesmith – best known as the third runner-up on the 2008 season of Fox’s American Idol – is currently hard at work on his debut album, set for release later this year. Among his creative collaborators 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).

A multi-talented singer and guitarist, Jason Castro was among the most popular and talented artists in American Idol history, entering the record books as the first contestant ever to play an instrument on the show. His performance of the Leonard Cohen-penned classic “Hallelujah” proved such an audience favorite that cult hero Jeff Buckley’s rendition of the song hit #1 on the iTunes chart the following week, selling an astonishing 178,000 digital singles. Jason scored a chart-topping single of his own a few weeks later, when his interpretation of “Over The Rainbow” also hit #1 on iTunes after a show-stopping performance of the song on American Idol. Upon the season’s conclusion, Castro was among the stars of the hugely successful “American Idols LIVE! Tour 2008.'

Since then, Jason has been busy writing and woodshedding the new songs that will appear on his debut album. In December, he teamed with Amazon.com to release a free download of “White Christmas” as a special holiday gift to his fans. Castro has also recorded a new version of “Hallelujah,” which will be featured on the soundtrack to the film, Amar A Morir, to be released theatrically this summer.

In addition, Jason has been a prominent supporter of a variety of charity organizations. Last December saw him starring at a Garland, Texas Christmas concert benefitting the city’s Best Education Foundation. He has also been an active supporter of The Recording Academy’s MusiCares Foundation.

For up-to-the-minute information, please visit Jason's Official Website.

thanks to overstrung for the tip on the video
posted by dare2dream @ TDH