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Jason Castro

Jason Castro Opens Tour to Great Reviews

by Joi on February 1, 2010

This week, Jason Castro hit the road with Caitlin Crosby and label-mate Matt Hires on a cross-country tour.  The American Idol alum is only a few shows in, and his set is already receiving great reviews.  The New York Times checked out Wednesday night’s show and reflected on the journey that Castro has made from his American Idol audition to his “magnetic set” at Joe’s Pub.

“Earlier this month he released “The Love Uncompromised EP” (Atlantic), a prelude to a full album this spring, and it’s among the most sure-footed records, debut or otherwise, by an “Idol” contestant from any season. Partly that’s because Mr. Castro has had time to marinate, and to woodshed. His season’s winner, David Cook, and runner-up, David Archuleta, both released debut albums about six months after the season finale. But no one rushed Mr. Castro to pin down his style, and he certainly didn’t rush himself.  He’s got it down cold now, though: 1960s pop with bright guitars, slashed through with a contrarian streak. It’s as if he were still stuck in one of the genre-themed weeks on “Idol,” but the most apt one. Jack Johnson and Jason Mraz should be nervous.”

Read the rest of the review here and be sure to keep up with Jason Castro on tour at Twitter.com/JasonCastro and JasonCastroMusic.com.

Much success to Jason Castro – he deserves nothing but the best.



American Idol contestant, and a personal favorite, Jason Castro married his girlfriend Mandy Mayhall in a private ceremony near Dallas on Saturday.

Details of Jason Castro’s wedding haven’t been leaked, but it is said that he made it known via social networking that he married the girl of his dreams. His mother Rene Castro is also rumored to have leaked photographs of the wedding via a social networking site. It is said that the couple left quickly for their honeymoon.

Jason Castro’s The Love Uncompromised EP will be released digitally on January 12, and he is scheduled to start touring later this month. Busy January for Jason, right?  I’ll post about his EP as soon as I get the details.

Apparently Jason proposed to Mandy Mayhall while the two were dressed as Beauty and the Beast for Halloween. How cool is that? Their engagement was leaked in November – via a social networking site.

Jason was the fourth finalist during season 7.

It Must be a Full Moon

by Joi on May 10, 2008

American Idol JudgesThe music industry has gone mad.  FIrst, we had Miley Cyrus posing in a come hither type pose for a Vanity Fair cover – a pose that is decidedly inappropriate for a 15 year old.  Accusations are flying around everywhere about who’s to blame, but I’m wondering why there’s any question.  Everyone’s to blame.  Miley, the photographer, the magazine that’s printing the picture and benefiting from publicity resulting from exploiting a child, and anyone that was on the set when she was being fitted for a sheet.  They’re all to blame and I hope people will let their disgust be known by never buying the magazine again. 

It tanked it’s reputation.

Marie Osmond has taken it upon herself to point her finger at Miley’s dad, Billy Ray Cyrus.  According to People Magazine, Billy Ray wasn’t on set while those pictures were being taken and everyone close to the family says that he wouldn’t have allowed them.

Another star who’s pointing fingers and throwing out barbs is John Rich.  He stated that American Idol’s ratings were ”going down the toilet” because (in his words) the show’s scripted.  I don’t think it’s exactly scripted – but I DO know they push certain contestants down our throats. (More about David Archuleta later.)

Speaking of Paula, he weighed in on a big blunder that recently had all of us scratching our heads:

“‘American Idol’ infuriates me as an artist,” he told reporters. “They’re being fake about it. When you can’t make a cognizant comment about someone’s performance and you’re commenting on something that happened the day before, why don’t you just walk up on stage and slap them right across the face while you’re at it? As an artist, I would just flip them the bird and walk off the stage. She wasn’t even paying attention to what was going on.”

I have no idea where Paula’s head was that night, but his criticism is pretty unfair. She cares a lot about the contestants and I’ve never heard of anyone having a negative thing to say about her. All contestants, past and present, always talk about how sweet she is, how much she tries to help them, etc.

Granted, this year, the obvious propping of Archuleta and the unnecessary bashing of Jason Castro has turned even a die hard fan like me off.  In fact, if David Cook weren’t still in the race, I’d turn the show off and never turn it on again.  It was THAT uncomfortable to watch how they treated Jason.  It’s kids like him that allow the three judges to even have this show and lifestyle.  To belittle him and disrespect him like that was uncalled for. We all knew they wanted him out of the way for DA – just like they wanted Michael Johns and Carly Smithson out of his way.  Why does this show NEVER want the most talented people to be the last ones standing?!?!

 I’ve been a loyal fan of AI for years now – to the point of dropping EVERYTHING when it comes on.  I literally count the weeks until it returns when it’s on hiatus.  But this season has me thinking that next season will find me with better things to do.  I’ve grown tired of watching the show prop their favorites at superior singers’ expense.  When Simon stated that Archuleta “crushed” the competition, I spewed my Diet Dr. Pepper everywhere.  I’m not saying DA doesn’t have a really good voice – he does.   But, come on, he most certainly didn’t crush David Cook!  No way, never, nu uh.

Now the really weird news: David Archleta (a.k.a. The Chosen One) apparently has a stage father that puts all stage mothers to shame. The guy must be a real ass!

From TMZ: “Idol” sources tell TMZ Jeff has been a complete pain in the ass, interfering with the entire production. He has badgered producers, the band, vocal coaches and even other contestants. The final straw came this week, when Jeff wanted to change the lyrics to David’s first song, “Stand By Me.” Jeff insisted on adding a verse from Sean Kingston’s hit, “Beautiful Girls.” Producers sent him an e-mail telling him the lyrics could not be changed. They were beyond pissed when David sang the song with Kingston’s lyrics during the live show.

We’re told by changing the lyrics, it created problems with the song’s publisher and cost “A.I.” a lot of money.

Jeff was ordered to sit with “A.I.” lawyers on Wednesday, who told him he was “banned from being in the rooms where David was learning or rehearsing his songs.” It’s “Idol’s” position, since David is 17, he does not need a guardian — just a teacher. Jeff will be allowed to sit in the audience during the live show but he’s 86′d from anything backstage. Sources say the other contestants were fed up with Jeff and didn’t want him near them. Now they have their wish.

All in all, sources say Jeff is the stage dad from hell. BTW, he was banned on the set when David did “Star Search” a few years back.

Poor kid!  Dad needs to cool his heels before his son tells him to use them.