Jason_Castro : Messages : 744-778 of 778

hello to all my fellow d.h.'s! how are you? whats been going on with you all?
did you know that Jason is on twitter and when he gets a chance he twitters us
random thoughts throughout the day! you can have twitter messages sent to your
phone and its like he is texting ya! i love it! his brother and mom do it as
well. just key word jason castro and you'll find the real jason!  :)
bye for now!

#777

From: "sirlinksalotnet" <sirlinksalotnet@...>
Date: Thu Apr 23, 2009 4:19 pm
Subject: Group Invitation

sirlinksalotnet

Online Now

Thanks to all of you for joining my Jason Castro group! As you may
know American Idol Season 8 begins tonight on FOX. You are all invited
to join my American Idol group to discuss the show:

http://tv.groups.yahoo.com/group/AmericanIdol/join

Thanks!

Reply | Forward | Messages in this Topic (2)

#769

From: Christina <sweetsongs2jesus@...>
Date: Sat Aug 9, 2008 11:02 pm
Subject: hi i wanted to share this with ya!

sweetsongs2j...

Offline

I have made some of these and been posting them on Jason's myspace. i just wanted to share some with you all here as well. :> I hope it comes through...

<a href='http://mine.icanhascheezburger.com/view.aspx?ciid=1702139' ><img src='http://images.icanhascheezburger.com/completestore/2008/8/4/hugzfurjason128623707032421163.jpg' alt='funny pictures' /></a><br />moar <a href='http://icanhascheezburger.com'>funny pictures</a>

I love Jesus

Agape, (Love without condition)

Christie

#768

From: "Serenity" <plhhserenity@...>
Date: Wed Aug 6, 2008 2:39 am
Subject: Re: Videos

ty_clara

Offline

You have to have a My space account to get on the site. If you do, once you log in it would take you to the videos. Sorry. I have no other way to post them.

-------Original Message-------

From: HHHyacinth39@...

Date: 8/5/2008 5:37:19 PM

To: Jason_Castro@yahoogroups.com

Subject: Re: [Jason_Castro] Videos

In a message dated 8/5/08 1:15:15 PM, plhhserenity@comcast.net writes:

http://vids.http://vids.http://vidhttp://vidshttp://vids.<&MyToken=c8c958ec-MyToken=c8MyToken=c8c958ecM

The click does not direct me to your video. Takes me to general sign-in page. Thanks

**************
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#767

From: HHHyacinth39@...
Date: Tue Aug 5, 2008 8:48 pm
Subject: Fwd: pic/blurb Jason & Mandy shopping engagement rings

hhhyacinth39

Offline

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copy and paste

http://www.starmagazine.com/jason_castro_engagement_ring_idol/news/14431

**************
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#766

From: HHHyacinth39@...
Date: Tue Aug 5, 2008 5:37 pm
Subject: Re: Videos

hhhyacinth39

Offline

In a message dated 8/5/08 1:15:15 PM, plhhserenity@... writes:

http://vids.http://vids.http://vidhttp://vidshttp://vids.<&MyToken=c8c958ec-MyToken=c8MyToken=c8c958ecM

The click does not direct me to your video. Takes me to general sign-in page. Thanks

**************
Looking for a car that's sporty, fun and fits in your budget? Read reviews on AOL Autos.
(http://autos.aol.com/cars-BMW-128-2008/expert-review?ncid=aolaut00050000000017 )

#765

From: "Serenity" <plhhserenity@...>
Date: Tue Aug 5, 2008 5:22 pm
Subject: Videos

ty_clara

Offline

http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.myvideos&MyToken=c8c958ec-9b18-4d15-b69a-8832ad77b9f1

I have uploaded a few videos to myspace if anyone wants to see them. They aren't great but better than nothing. These were from the show last night.

#764

From: HHHyacinth39@...
Date: Tue Aug 5, 2008 10:47 am
Subject: Fwd: Check out "'American Idol': A trip to Idol Camp | Show Tracker | Los Angeles Times"

hhhyacinth39

Offline

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Click Here: Check out "'American Idol': A trip to Idol Camp | Show Tracker | Los Angeles Times"

VIDEOS HERE

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/showtracker/2008/08/american-idol-b.html

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#763

From: HHHyacinth39@...
Date: Tue Aug 5, 2008 10:46 am
Subject: Fwd: Check out "Up Close With The American Idols - Carly Smithson"

hhhyacinth39

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Click Here: Check out "Up Close With The American Idols - Carly Smithson"

http://blogcritics.org/archives/2008/08/04/231235.php

**************
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#762

From: HHHyacinth39@...
Date: Fri Aug 1, 2008 8:22 pm
Subject: Fwd: Jason and pals ring the bell at the NYSE

hhhyacinth39

Offline

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Click Here: Check out "neighborsgo: the go blog"

http://neighborsgoblog.dallasnews.com/archives/2008/08/jason-castro-american-idol-tou-1.html

**************
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#761

From: Amy Je <nur122007@...>
Date: Fri Aug 1, 2008 4:13 pm
Subject: Re: Concert tickets

nur122007

Offline

Lol. Well, turn up the AC or sit in front a fan and make sure to enjoy yourself at the concert this year. Send pictures if you can. When is it (Idol)?

Amy

You know I am brain dead I guess...I was talking about SYTYCD tickets. I already have Idol tickets. DUH. The heat is getting to me!! I am not even ON a SYTYCD group this year!!

#760

From: "Serenity" <plhhserenity@...>
Date: Fri Aug 1, 2008 4:01 pm
Subject: Re: Concert tickets

ty_clara

Offline

You know I am brain dead I guess...I was talking about SYTYCD tickets. I already have Idol tickets. DUH. The heat is getting to me!! I am not even ON a SYTYCD group this year!!

-------Original Message-------

From: solisinmia305@...

Date: 8/1/2008 11:08:25 AM

To: Jason_Castro@yahoogroups.com

Subject: Re: [Jason_Castro] Concert tickets

What state is that

Sent via BlackBerry by AT&T

From: "Serenity" <plhhserenity@comcast.net>
Date: Wed, 30 Jul 2008 11:02:40 -0400 (Eastern Daylight Time)
To: <Jason_Castro@yahoogroups.com>
Subject: [Jason_Castro] Concert tickets

Does anyone know if they are doing a presale this year and how to get them??? They changed the show from Hartford Civic Center to MGM Theater this year and it only holds 4000 people!

#759

From: HHHyacinth39@...
Date: Fri Aug 1, 2008 11:21 am
Subject: Fwd: Lots on Jason from this article from waltonsun.com

hhhyacinth39

Offline

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Interviews with Season 7 American Idol finalists
I was fortunate to time the American Idol tour in Detroit, Michigan with a visit home to Ann Arbor. Luck was on my side, as an opportunity for an interview prior to the show was arranged. My good luck continued as the five Idols sent out for interviewing included my favorite Jason Castro!
After meeting at the media access door, we followed our contact to the exclusive Olympia Room, where we were seated in private booths. It felt like I was meeting all of them individually for lunch, except that we were under time constraints of about five – ten minutes apiece. I like to have long lunches, so it was hard to cut short what I wanted to unfold slowly.
The Idols rotated from booth to booth, while the media representative stood watch, making sure rules were being followed (no autographs, no photos and no singing) and to move them along so that everyone could have a chance to interview all of them. Because there were so many reporters, the time was shortened so I missed David Cook. He did not make it to three of us, which was a little disappointing but I heard him do a radio spot for a local radio station two booths over.

Syesha Mercado
Syesha sat at my booth first. She had on large gold earrings, hair loose and to the side, dressed in a yellow top. First impressions: she is very striking and self-confident; I asked her if she was surprised about the standing ovations and rave reviews for her performances of Beyonce’s Listen. “No. I’m not being cocky when I say that; I put my whole heart and soul into the song, I think I connect with the audience and make them feel it.”
I told her I had One Rock and Roll Too Many on my ipod; my favorite performance of hers, which I thought was her turning point on the show. The note she hit in the line “ringing the bell” was my favorite part, her tone pure and beautiful – when I told her that, she sang it (I did not ask her!) and she hit it again! Her voice reminds me of a songbird. Simply amazing!

Fashion tidbits: She likes open-toed shoes but hailing from Florida, she is the most comfortable in flip-flops. Favorite purse: A gold 9 West bag.

Jason Castro
Jason was introduced next. Wearing mantras, blue t-shirt, cream-colored boat shoes and trademark dreads, he slid into the booth. I told him I had already met him and his girlfriend Mandy in May at the Red Bar in Grayton Beach, Florida. I had been wondering what he had for dinner that night, he said it was the Manicotti. Mandy went back to the Red Bar for dinner a few days ago, I am sure with more privacy than when they ate there together.

He said that in LA, celebrities are commonplace; no one thinks much of seeing them out at dinner. When he was in Grayton Beach, it was the first dinner out in public since leaving American Idol. He was surprised at how many people wanted to meet him – it was crazy - the line of people was quite long! I told him my husband had gotten a great picture of him there and that he liked his peace charm that was in his dreadlocks. I asked him if it was still there – he looked down and searched through his dreads (this was so cute as he inspected each one), yep, it was still there! The dreads looked blonder than when I saw them last.

I asked if Mandy was still in Destin and he said she was leaving on Friday to go home and then will meet him in New York while the tour is there. He said the tour was hard on relationships and that he felt lonely sometimes.

Perking up when I said I loved Hallelujah, I asked if he would sing it during tour. Jason said he was recording Hallelujah on Friday for an independent film being shot in Mexico, called Tierra de Tigres (Land of Tigers.) When he pronounced Tierra Tigres, he rolled his r’s and I asked him to repeat it – I was thrown off a little because of the accent he gave it. Truth be told, it was somewhat sexy!

Since my son is a fan of Jason’s and baseball, he wanted to know if Jason had met the other Jason Castro, who was drafted by the Houston Astros. He said he had not met him but had heard about him. I think he needs a jersey of his!

His faith is a big part of his life and it saw him through the American Idol experience. He said it has everything to do with where he is. “You have to give it all up; then it will come back to you bigger than before. I had not imagined all of this but fame does not give me satisfaction, my faith does and it gives me hope.” I would have liked to talk more about this with him;

I could feel his passion for it but I was given the sign by the media rep for only one more question.

I asked him what venue he was most looking forward to playing in and his answer was what I expected. He said he would prefer a smaller, intimate setting with good people and good music.

Fashion tidbits: His favorite shoes are Sperry Topsiders, which he was wearing during the interview. He has had several pairs of them; he said he read on the box of a pair of Topsiders the “Ocean is the last frontier.” Describing his love for the ocean, it was apparent the words resonated with him.

The last thing he said to me was “What was your name again? Rhonda?" I’m hoping he asked so he wouldn’t forget!

Ramiele Malubay
Ramiele was the next Idol to join me in my booth. Petite and pretty, she was wearing a large camouflage sweatshirt. She has her hair cut in a very current style, which many girls are copying ala Jennifer Anniston, when she was the trendsetter of all things hair.

She is the idol who wears her heart on her sleeve; she had been shown crying on the show several times. Remarking she probably cried too much, I told her I thought it endeared her to many people. She talked about her friendship with Danny Noriega, whom she adores, and said they would be going on tour in the Philippines early next year.

Another Idol who was missing their significant other, she is looking forward to seeing her boyfriend Austin, who lives in California, when the Idols get to New York. Sounds like quite a reunion will be happening there! She answered several questions:

Favorite song: Right now, it is Right is Rain by Adele

Who would you like to open a concert for: Either Mariah Carey or Whitney Houston.

If you have 30 minutes of free time on tour, what do you do: Sleep!

Sum up the American Idol experience in 20 words or less: This is the most emotional, crazy, spiritual journey you will ever experience in your life. You find out so much about yourself.

Fashion tidbits: Her favorite shoes are her black Vans with white shoelaces.

Favorite purse: Brown leather Big Buddha!

Carly Smithson
Carly was the last in my booth for the afternoon. She is stunning in person in an Elizabeth Taylor kind of way, fair skin, blue eyes with her long dark hair loose on her shoulders. Wearing a sleeveless shirt, her tattoo was clearly visible. She had mentioned in her exit interview that she hadn’t had time to get it finished; it was still a work in progress at the interview.

It made me think about her legs – why did she always wear tights? Was she hiding other tattoos?

“No, I don’t have any tattoos on my legs, I wore the tights because of my ugly knees.” I said, “I’m sure they are not ugly, everyone has parts of their body they don’t like.” She told me that she wore a skirt at the beginning of the season and after seeing her knees, the stylists told her not to wear one again. After that, she decided to wear tights to cover up her knees.
She said “See, look at them,” rolling up her pant legs for me to see. “I have Murray’s knees” – now I’m not sure if that was a reference to an inherited body trait or an Irish term but I didn’t think her knees were that bad!

I told her Blackbird and Superstar were my favorite performances of hers. She said a couple of fans got blackbird tattoos in honor of her and her song. We talked about her beautiful dress she wore during her performance of Superstar. She said she loved that dress so much that when she saw it, she knew she had to have it even though it was more than the budget she was given on the show, so she paid for the difference with her own money. The dress gave her more confidence and it showed in her performance.

Fashion tidbits: Her favorite shoes were a pair of red pumps that she ended up giving to a fan who told her how much she loved them. They just happened to be the same size that the fan wore!

Favorite purse: When Carly went off American Idol, her husband Todd surprised her with a lamb purse by Gwen Stefani. She loves that purse!

She stays in touch with Amanda Overmeyer and recently talked to her. She misses Todd, who she hasn’t seen in person since July 7. All of the Idols are using the internet and webcams to stay connected, and several are making video blogs that they are posting on their myspace.

Our time was quickly up, which signaled the end of the interviews. Even though I did not get to interview David Cook, I was in the same room with him and that will have to do for now!
Rhonda Cloutier lives in Santa Rosa Beach. You can reach her at IdolBeat@....

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#758

From: solisinmia305@...
Date: Fri Aug 1, 2008 3:05 pm
Subject: Re: Concert tickets

solisinmia305

Offline

What state is that

Sent via BlackBerry by AT&T

From: "Serenity" <plhhserenity@...>
Date: Wed, 30 Jul 2008 11:02:40 -0400 (Eastern Daylight Time)
To: <Jason_Castro@yahoogroups.com>
Subject: [Jason_Castro] Concert tickets

Does anyone know if they are doing a presale this year and how to get them??? They changed the show from Hartford Civic Center to MGM Theater this year and it only holds 4000 people!

#757

From: "Celinda Steinman" <califansd@...>
Date: Wed Jul 30, 2008 5:31 pm
Subject: Re: Fwd: Jason Castro records movie track at Cherry Beach Sound

themusica1

Offline

Has it been three months since the show ended? If not, then they probably will unless they gave up the rights to this one project or were bought out.

On Wed, Jul 30, 2008 at 8:41 AM, Amy Je <nur122007@...> wrote:

Will 19E have rights to this including any money? I am assuming yes since all the Idols are still under contract.

Amy

---

#756

From: Amy Je <nur122007@...>
Date: Wed Jul 30, 2008 3:41 pm
Subject: Re: Fwd: Jason Castro records movie track at Cherry Beach Sound

nur122007

Offline

Will 19E have rights to this including any money? I am assuming yes since all the Idols are still under contract.

Amy

---

#755

From: "Serenity" <plhhserenity@...>
Date: Wed Jul 30, 2008 3:02 pm
Subject: Concert tickets

ty_clara

Offline

Does anyone know if they are doing a presale this year and how to get them??? They changed the show from Hartford Civic Center to MGM Theater this year and it only holds 4000 people!

#754

From: HHHyacinth39@...
Date: Tue Jul 29, 2008 8:30 pm
Subject: Fwd: Jason Castro records movie track at Cherry Beach Sound

hhhyacinth39

Offline

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American Idol finalist Jason Castro records movie track at Cherry Beach Sound


TORONTO, July 29 /CNW/ - Toronto recording studio Cherry Beach Sound
welcomed American Idol finalist and singer-song writer Jason Castro to its
studio, on July 25, to record a key track for an upcoming film entitled Tierra
de Tigres by Laguna Pictures.

International producer, mixer, and engineer, Robbie Adams, best known for
his work with U2, Beck, Smashing Pumpkins, Leonard Cohen, Patty Griffin,
Spoon, and Fastball, as well as numerous other artists was brought in
specifically to produce the session for Castro.

Over seeing the session was the film's director, Fernando Lebrija and
producer/co-writer, Harrison Reiner. The film is currently being shot in
Mexico and is due to be released in March 2009. "The staff at Cherry Beach
Sound are the gold standard of professionalism and provided a very intimate
and warm atmosphere in which to work," said Reiner. "I surely hope to be back
in Toronto soon to make use of this very special facility."

For more information on Cherry Beach Sound visit www.cherrybeachsound.com

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#753

From: Samantha Vega<tonper_sam@...>
Date: Mon Jul 28, 2008 12:04 am
Subject: Invitaci�n personal de Samantha Vega

tonper_sam

Offline

Si no puedes pulsar los enlaces, pulsa ��Mostrar el contenido�� e int�ntalo de nuevo.
Correo-electr�nico enviado el 7/27/2008 8:04:00 PM, por Samantha Vega:

Buenos d�as,

�Por fin un sistema inteligente y sencillo para administrar sus contactos!

Con UNYK, he reunido todos mis contactos en una sola libreta de direcciones, que se actualiza autom�ticamente. Uno de mis contactos modifica sus datos en UNYK.com: mi libreta se actualiza. Modifico un dato en UNYK.com: la libreta de mis contactos se actualiza. �Es sencillo, pero me cambia la vida!

�Puedo agregar tu nombre a mis contactos? �Para aceptar, pulsa aqu�!

T� tambi�n podr�s montar tu propia libreta de direcciones inteligente.

Samantha Vega
UNYK : 864 CCC

Esta invitaci�n ha sido enviada por tu contacto Samantha Vega.
�Si ya no quieres recibir invitaciones a utilizar UNYK de parte de tus contactos, pulsa aqu�!

#752

From: HHHyacinth39@...
Date: Fri Jul 25, 2008 10:04 am
Subject: Fwd: From an article in the Detroit Free Press --� Freep.com

hhhyacinth39

Offline

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JASON CASTRO, the fourth-place finisher:

On recording Jeff Buckley’s cover of Leonard Cohen’s “Hallelujah”:

“Tomorrow I’m starting it. It’s going to be in a Mexican film called Tierra de Tigres. That means Land of Tigers.”

On how surprised he was that his performance of “Hallelujah” on the American Idol stage had so much impact:

“All I knew is it was one of my favorite songs. I was always trying to find a song I already knew. That just makes everything so much more believable, because you don’t have to think so much, memorizing so much. And I don’t know a lot of songs. It’s one of the best songs of all time. It’s just awesome. But I didn’t know how it was going to go.”

On anticipating a recording contract:

“I’ve talked to a few people. We’re going to have a few meetings, see what we can do. One way or another. I have been writing and recording. I’m doing a lot of co-writing. I’m very new to the writing. I want to learn as much as I can.”

On what he’s writing:

“Personal experiences. Most of the content so far is kinda of lovey stuff – kind of all I got right now.”

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#751

From: HHHyacinth39@...
Date: Fri Jul 25, 2008 10:05 am
Subject: Fwd: USA Today minute-by-minute article/pics, etc. about IDOLS stop in Rosemont, IL.

hhhyacinth39

Offline

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USA Today minute-by-minute article/pics, etc. about IDOLS stop in Rosemont, IL.
To: HHHyacinth39@...
MIME-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: multipart/alternative;
boundary="part2_c9c.2ab122dc.35bb3711_boundary"
X-Mailer: Thunderbird - Mac OS X sub 292


--part2_c9c.2ab122dc.35bb3711_boundary
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII"
Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit

copy & paste

http://www.usatoday.com/life/music/news/2008-07-24-idols-live-tour_N.htm

USA Today minute-by-minute article/pics, etc. about IDOLS stop in Rosemont,
IL.


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--part2_c9c.2ab122dc.35bb3711_boundary
Content-Type: text/html; charset="US-ASCII"
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<HTML><FONT FACE=3Darial,helvetica><HTML><FONT COLOR=3D"#0000FF" FACE=3D"Com=
ic Sans MS" LANG=3D"0" SIZE=3D"3">copy &amp; paste<BR>
<BR>
</FONT><FONT COLOR=3D"#000000" FACE=3D"Geneva" FAMILY=3D"SANSSERIF" SIZE=3D"=
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/FONT><FONT COLOR=3D"#0000FF" FACE=3D"Comic Sans MS" LANG=3D"0" SIZE=3D"3"><=
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<BR>
USA Today minute-by-minute article/pics, etc. about IDOLS stop in Rosemont,=20=
IL. </FONT><FONT COLOR=3D"#000000" FACE=3D"Comic Sans MS" LANG=3D"0" SIZE=
=3D"3"></FONT><BR><BR><BR>**************<BR>Get fantasy football with free l=
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ww.fanhouse.com/fantasyaffair?ncid=3Daolspr00050000000020)</HTML>

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#750

From: HHHyacinth39@...
Date: Wed Jul 16, 2008 6:39 pm
Subject: Fwd: 'Idol' star Jason Castro is no mental lightweight

hhhyacinth39

Offline

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'Idol' star Jason Castro is no mental lightweight
Indy.com Staff
http://www.indy.com/posts/9930

. The brainy Castro readily concedes hes not the tours major heartthrob, but he is determined to get a record out with or without label backing.

"American Idol's" dreadlocked fourth-place finisher was dogged by that perception as he competed in this year's contest. Some people interpreted his laid-back manner as evidence of a few missing brain cells. But Castro has impressive stats: The guy scored 1,340 on his SAT. He went to Texas A&M on a petroleum engineering scholarship, although he was planning to study construction science.

Sound like good boyfriend material? Reportedly, the blue-eyed singer with an easy smile is already spoken for. Is Castro, 21, going to break hopeful hearts all over the country?

"I do have a girlfriend, and that's the only heart I don't want to break," he said.

Can we have a collective "Awww"?

Castro and the rest of the American Idol top 10, including gravel-voiced rocker winner David Cook and baby-faced runner-up David Archuleta, will roll into Conseco Fieldhouse July 22 for the Pop Tarts Presents American Idols Live! Tour.

Say what you like about "American Idol," it pulled in 31.7 million viewers for this year's finale, and those fans can see their favorites perform together once more during the tour. We caught up with Castro last week.

How does the tour compare to the show?

It's quite different. It's a different pace. It's still busy, but it's kind of laid-back.

What are you singing?

(Israel Kamakawiwo'ole's version of) "Over the Rainbow," "Crazy" and "Daydream."

Who gets the loudest screams on stage during the tour?

Definitely the Davids. It hurts your ears. And sometimes when we walk outside after the shows, it's even more concentrated.

Who gets the big bed on the tour bus?

(There's not) a big bed. We're all in the little bunks.

So David Cook didn't get the first bunk choice or anything like that?

Actually, I think he did.

What's it like to face Simon Cowell?

(Laughs) I don't know if I can describe it. It's a feeling of dread. You finish singing a song and it's the most awkward feeling of your life.

A few of your fellow contestants (David Cook, David Archuleta and Kristy Lee Cook) have inked record deals. What's next for you?

I've been working on songs, done some recording. A record is coming out one way or another, with or without a label. I'm not really sold on record labels right now. I just think they're not serving their purpose anymore. I just want to make music for my fans.

I think with the exposure I have now, I have the ability to do that without doing massive promotion. Maybe I don't know enough.

Who's your inspiration?

One of my favorite singer-songwriters is Ray LaMontagne. I don't want to mirror his sound, but he's really inspirational in the way that he writes. It is just so heartfelt.

If it all ended tomorrow..... ?

I would go home and continue life.

It doesn't sound like you'd be upset, either.

I wouldn't. It might be nice.

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#749

From: HHHyacinth39@...
Date: Tue Jul 8, 2008 6:59 pm
Subject: Fwd: And from the OC Register (note am forwarding those that speak well of JC! )

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ttp://www.ocregister.com/columns/'Idol' finalists back in SoCal

A few hours before the Top 10 singers on this year's "American Idol" hit the stage at Staples Center in Los Angeles on Monday, the freshly minted stars – not long removed from high school, tending bar, baby-sitting and the like – talked about how wonderful life is now that the Fox series is finished and the tour is begun.

It's great to see the fans – this is for them, many said.

It's amazing to be doing what we always dreamed we'd do, others added.

But leave to Jason Castro, still sweetly naïve and dreadlocked, to offer up his wide-eyed truth.

"This is the best summer job I've ever had," Castro said when asked how he's enjoying the tour which reached its fifth stop in Los Angeles on Monday.

"Last summer I was cleaning pools," he said. "Now I make more in one night than I did all summer."

It is, as Castro noted, a job, among which the duties including meeting the media for brief interviews the afternoon before each show.

And so as the Idols moved around a conference room inside Staples in pairs, we asked them how life is treating them, how it feels to step out onto those arena stages night after night, and, at least to a few, how it feels to be free forever of snarky Simon Cowell's critiques of their work.

THE TWO DAVIDS

For Idol champion, David Cook, it felt like the show ended and the tour began, though, of course, there was a month crammed in there according to the calendar.

"I think I got like a weekend to visit with my family and pack stuff up," Cook said, as runner-up David Archuleta, ever the inarticulate teen, smiled and nodded his agreement.

"The crowds so far have been amazing," Cook said, dressed in rock star casual – boots, roughed-up jeans, an orange V-neck T-shirt and four – count 'em, four! – chain necklaces around his neck.

"It's been a different vibe. Now that we're not being voted on or judged, it's fun to see what each of us is bringing to it."

In concert, Cook gets five songs, Archuleta four and the rest of the Top 10 three songs each. While they had some input on their song choices, the tour producers also guided things, Cook said.

"The tour really isn't about us," he said. "It's really a thank you to everyone who comes out and who watched (the series).

So for his set, he does the single written for the winner, three songs he did on the show, and – his pick – "My Hero" by the Foo Fighters.

Archuleta, his father wandering around in the background, seemed as sweet as he had on the show, said little. He's glad the tour producers let him sing "Angels," the Robbie Williams tune he performed on the TV show. The audience responds with the most fervor when he does "Stand By Me."

And then, after the hair guy did up their 'dos with a little more gel, the champion and the crown prince were off to the next interview.

SIMON'S WHIPPING GIRLS

Of all the finalists on the tour, Kristy Lee Cook, the horseback rider from Oregon, and Carly Smithson, the Irish bartender from San Diego, arguably took the brunt of judge Simon Cowell's snippy commentaries.

"He doesn't like horses and he doesn't like tattoos," joked Smithson, her full-sleeve tattoo actually quite lovely in person.

"He doesn't like country music," added Cook, who's finished her debut country album for Arista and will release her first single, "Fifteen Minutes of Shame," in August.

So you hardly need to ask whether they're enjoying the tour more than they did the pressure cooker of the show. The answer is clear from the relaxed smiles on their faces.

"We just have fun," Cook said. "Without the judges, it's a piece of cake."

Cook says Lee Greenwood's "God Bless the U.S.A," which she performed on the series, is a crowd pleaser every night.

"Everybody's been crying and standing up when I sing it," she said.

"I do 'Crazy on You' (by Heart), and I changed the beginning of it to be a cappella," Smithson said. "And it's my favorite, favorite song."

Life in public after the show has offered mixed results, they said. For Cook, blending into a crowd to keep a bit of privacy isn't that hard: "I'm just another blonde," she said.

For Smithson, wearing long sleeves increases her anonymity, though going out with her face-tattooed husband usually blows her cover. At the concert in San Diego a few days ago, fans crowded around him as soon as they spotted that face, she said.

"The producers were saying, 'That's ridiculous, he's got more fans than you guys!'" Smithson said, laughing.

THE BIG-VOICED BELTERS

It's hard to believe the volume that the Ramiele Malubay generates from what is truly an itsy bitsy little body. And in person, she's as soft-spoken as her interview partner, Syesha Mercado, who finished third on the show.

They might be saving the big voices for the songs they'll sing in the show, but it's also possible that the nerves are starting to set in, five hours from show time.

"I still get nervous before every show," Mercado said. "I'm like, 'Is this normal that I get this shook up?'"

She says her mind gets revved up thinking about every little thing, like, "Is my heel going to get stuck in that crack on the stage and trip me up?"

"We overthink everything," Malubay said.

"But when we start the actual show, it's great," Mercado said.

Both said their song choices were largely dictated by the needs of the tour.

"There's a vision …" Mercado said.

"… that the people we work for have …," Malubay added.

"… For how the show should go," Mercado finished.

Still, they're happy with their numbers. Malubay likes her version of Taylor Dayne's "Love Will Lead You Back," while Mercado is especially happy to sing "Listen" by Beyoncé,

"It's like any song that I do," Mercado said. "I put my heart and my soul into it."

THE HAPPY-GO-LUCKY BOYS

If you're Michael Johns, and you made it onto "Idol" as the age cutoff of (29) stared you in the face, well, it's all good now.

And if you're Jason Castro, it's pretty much all good all the time.

"I haven't had to sacrifice anything," Johns said as he and Castro arrived at our post. "This has been my dream, and playing for 10,000 people every night, that's something for the U2s or Madonna or Paul McCartney – so I'm loving it."

He tended toward the big arena rock songs on the TV show, and that's exactly what he's doing on the tour, too, Johns said.

"I'm having fun with my songs," he said. "I do 'Dream On' (by Aerosmith), and I say, 'This is the song that got me kicked off – I don't think it's going to get me kicked out of the show tonight, though.' And people love it."

Castro shook his head and told his buddy how great his set is, all those ready-to-rock numbers.

And what do you do, we asked. Come out with your ukulele?

He laughed and said that's exactly what he does, performing the version of "Over the Rainbow" he did on the show.

"It's a lot of fun and I love every moment that comes with it," Castro said.

The crowds love it, too, Johns said.

"Everyone who's here wants to be here," he said. "It's not like we're at the county fair and they're just wandering by.

"So we really want to sing our butts off and put on a great show," Johns said.

THE NICE GUYS

Chikezie Eze still has that friendly smile that lights up the room.

Brooke White still seems just as aw-shucks nice as she can be.

And both say they're living a dream, each night as they walk out on stage to sing.

"When you get out there, and they just start screaming like crazy, man, I don't care what you were through that day, it all disappears," Chikezie said.

Their songs on tour reflect the sounds they love, both said.

White does "Let It Be" by the Beatles – today she's wearing a Beatles T-shirt for the interviews – Feist's "1,2,3,4" and Coldplay's "Yellow." Chikezie does "I Believe to My Soul" by Donny Hathaway, "Caught Up" by Usher, and "So High" by John Legend.

"It's fun," White said of her feelings so far on tour. "It's just so many great things that I couldn't have anticipated."

Contact the writer: 714-796-7787 or plarsen@...

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#748

From: HHHyacinth39@...
Date: Tue Jul 8, 2008 6:59 pm
Subject: Fwd: Variety's AI Tour Review

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American Idols Live
�Performers: David Cook, David Archuleta, Syesha Mercado, Jason Castro, Brooke White, Carly Smithson, Kristy Lee Cook, Michael Johns, Ramiele Malubay, Chikezie.
Band: Dave Kochanski, Andy Weiner, Tim Stewart, Derrick Ray, Aaron Spears, Gromyko Collins, Kenya Hathaway. Reviewed July 7, 2008.
�By VARIETY STAFF

Not every "American Idol" finalist realizes it yet, but the post-broadcast tour is an extended audition that's just as important as the first go-around that landed them in the money on the Fox TV show.

This time, however, they are playing to audiences who pay for music, fans looking for stars to invest in down the road. Those who present coherent stage personas that connect with their "Idol" performances -- the two Davids, Syesha Mercado, Jason Castro, Carly Smithson and, surprisingly, Chikezie -- are helping their careers. Those who see the tour as a chance to reconnect with past televised glory -- Kristy Lee Cook, Ramiele Malebay, Michael Johns -- are wasting a golden opportunity.

At the fifth show on a 53-concert tour that ends Sept. 13 in Tulsa, Okla., the complaints and praise are not that changed from the commentary provided by the show's judges: across-the-board consistency works; not understanding the importance of song selection is a career killer.

Each performer is given a solo segment; the bottom six come out for two group perfs prior to a commercial-filled 25-minute intermission, and all 10 end the night with Rihanna's "Don't Stop the Music." (The group songs are blandly sung and choreographed.)

This season's top three did everything right: They exuded personalities that complemented what auds learned about them on television; their three (Mercado), four (Archuleta) or five (Cook) songs had a linear connection that bonded the singers with a style, and they dressed the part, polishing the wardrobe elements just enough to show they take the stage seriously.

Cool and charming, Cook, in white T-shirt, black vest with some sparkles and charcoal jeans laced up the sides, provided two of the night's most passionate perfs on his covers of the Foo Fighters'� "My Hero" and Michael Jackson's "Billie Jean."

He included the single "Time of My Life," which won "Idol's" songwriting competition, in his set; fortunately, it was not as cringe-inducing as past winners have been.

Archuleta opted for a set of easy-going pop numbers, working his captivating smiles, aw-shucks demeanor and rich, focused voice. He softens edges in songs and sells them well, whether it be Timbaland's "Apologize" or� Robbie William's "Angels."

The most ardent fans in the crowd are clearly Archie-maniacs -- while the cheers may be loudest for Cook, the squeals hit the highest decibels for Archuleta. (Median age of this crowd is probably 24, though no one is actually that age; fans are either between 8 and 15 or 39-55 -- and most likely female.)

Mercado, a beauty whose outfits played up her shapeliness, went for show stoppers by three hot contempo R&B singers -- Rihanna, Alicia Keys and Beyonce -- but it's her affinity for musical theater that found her shining brightest.

"Listen," from "Dreamgirls," had a few clunkers in the first verse, but it became her coup de grace, a gleaning vehicle for her to display finesse in the early going and power at the song's conclusion.

Castro, whose perf was greeted with wide-eyed stares and silence by the kids, has found a comfort zone in between Jack Johnson and George Michael that could become Adult Contemporary gold.

Chikezie, who added an a cappella song for his parents in the audience, has latched onto midtempo R&B with just enough throwback bits and modern touches -- soulful melodies, bass-reinforced beats -- to make one believe he could be a contender.

The rest of the lot were far less successful. Kristy Lee Cook, the only "Idol" singer besides the two finalists to have secured a record deal, came out sassy with Carolyn Dawn Johnson's "Tryin' to Squeeze the Love Outta You," and the style suited her well.

But to quickly revert to Lee Greenwood's "God Bless the U.S.A." suggested that she has yet to settle on an identity as a performer. The patriotism of the song may have saved her from (rightful) elimination on "Idol," but here it suggests that she has yet to move forward as an artist.

Michael Johns and Brooke White re-created moments from the show, and they have a future leading cover bands at corporate events and nightclubs.

Ramiele Malubay, decked out in junior dominatrix wear, was weathered by her third song, her voice too thin to power through anything but soft accompaniment.

Carly Smithson is still a big question mark. There's no doubt about the power of her voice and ability to sing like Ann Wilson of Heart. That job, though, is taken. Blessed with the right material, Smithson could become something of a pop-hard rock queen, but that role is hard to come by. As well as she sold herself in that role -- nonsexual and nonthreatening yet powerful -- she will need to develop a non-"Idol" audience more than any of the other performers.

With the exception of Daughtry, that has proven to be the biggest challenge for anyone who appears on the show.
Read the full article at:
http://www.variety.com/story.asp?l=story&r=VE1117937666&c=34

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#747

From: HHHyacinth39@...
Date: Tue Jul 8, 2008 4:34 pm
Subject: Jason missing his girlfriend!

hhhyacinth39

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copy and paste

http://www.etonline.com/news/2008/07/63173/index.html

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#746

From: HHHyacinth39@...
Date: Tue Jul 8, 2008 9:07 am
Subject: Fwd: "Idol" moments with winner David Cook from the Seattle Times

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By Misha Berson
Seattle Times arts critic

First he handily beat out legions of other hopefuls for the "American Idol" crown. Now the champ of TV's top-rated sing-a-thon is on tour with the top 2008 "Idol" contenders, which began last Tuesday in Arizona, and comes to Tacoma on Saturday.

The 25-year old Tulsa musician David Cook — he of the soaring voice, mercurial hair and indie attitude — might be the first rocker champ to please "Idol" fans and critics alike.

By phone from a limo in L.A., a busy but open and amiable Cook seemed eager to talk about matters musical and creative, revealing passions for grunge rock, books by a hot Vancouver, Wash., novelist, and a Broadway role he's dying to play.

Q: You'll be performing in our area for the first time, when the "Idols" tour hits Tacoma. Growing up near Kansas City in the '90s, did the Seattle rock scene ever excite you?

A: I was kinda late on the curve with the Seattle sound. I had to backtrack to get into bands like Soundgarden, Mother Love Bone. But Pearl Jam's "Ten" was one of the first rock records I really embraced.
I absolutely think the Seattle grunge sound was instrumental to my music education. Songs like Soundgarden's "Rusty Cage" ... You listen to the lyrics and think, where in the world did that come from?

Q: Speaking of Seattle musicians, on "Idol" you sang Chris Cornell's version of "Billie Jean." And we hear you planned to do a Jimi Hendrix classic — Bob Dylan's "All Along the Watchtower"?

A: Yeah ... but I never wanted to plateau, y'know? I didn't want to do two songs in a row with the same vibe. The week I sang the Who's "Baba O'Riley," and we slowed it down, I couldn't also do "Watchtower" the way I wanted — with a slow, acoustic, Dave Matthews vibe. I'll get to it down the road.

Q: Vocal versatility helped you win "Idol." Did you always have such a big vocal range?

A: I was a real midrange singer, out of fear or discomfort I wouldn't stray too far from that. It took me doing a solo record ("Analog Heart," released in 2006) and having to sing backup vocals to realize, hey! There are some high notes there I can actually hit.
The hardest part for me is to find a new (vocal) trick and not beat it into the ground — which I'm very capable of doing.
Q: You've had theater training, and your approach to songs on "Idol" seemed very theatrical.

A: Right. Some of the best rock shows I ever saw were those appealing to all your senses. There's definitely a visual aspect and an emotional aspect to a song. And that harks back, for me, to theater. I think every good song tells a story, as ambiguous and vague as it may be. And if you know what a song is talking about, it can only help your performance.

Q: You had different looks, "costumes" for each number.

A: I had to nudge the wardrobe people a little. They didn't want us to dress for the song, just wear street clothes. I said, why can't we do both? To me, there's a very abrupt disconnect if I go on stage in bicycle shorts and a tank top to sing "One" by U2.

Q: Would you like to act, along with making music?

A: To get back into theater would be a lot of fun. I got very excited when (rocker) Sebastian Bach took over the lead in "Phantom of the Opera." I find that role so intriguing and mysterious. When Andrew Lloyd Webber week came along on "Idol," I couldn't imagine myself singing anything but "Music of the Night." I'd love, love to play the phantom.

Q: "Idol" turned you into an instant media celebrity. Was that weird or intrusive for you?

A: It was like three years of PR wrapped into three months! It's nuts! To have people I've never met come up and congratulate me, say they feel they know me ... it's very powerful.

Q: It probably helped that you looked so relaxed on camera.

A: Well, things changed when I sang (Lionel Richie's) "Hello." I couldn't tell any other difference performance-wise from earlier weeks. I just began to engage the camera more. I learned a trick of not looking at the lens, but through it.
There's an odd disconnect with TV sometimes, and if you can do anything to break down that fourth wall between you and the person 10,000 miles away, it can only help.

Q: You're writing new songs for your album. What are they like?

A: I want the album to be eclectic, but still rock. I've tried to incorporate fresh ideas, and actually I've tried not to listen to rock music while I'm doing this.

Q: So what do you listen to?

A: (Singer-songwriter) Imogen Heap. Some Keith Urban. Trying not to stray too far, but get a bit of a fresh perspective.
I'd like this record to be palatable for sure, because I want to sustain a long career. But I don't feel I have to glue myself to the usual 1-4-5 (pop chord structure). I'm trying to write songs you may hear on the radio, but with interesting quirks that make them stand out.

Q: Isn't it the post-album era, where the big thing is single tracks?

A: Yeah, depressing, isn't it? I came from a time when records were records. I'll let the label worry about the singles, I'm into making a record.

Q: What songs will you perform on tour? The same each time?

A: We have a set list, but I want to make it a bit different every night, get as much audience interaction as possible, make it about us ... as opposed to me! I tried to put some duets in with others and I kept hearing, "David, your set's about you."
But y'know, I'm over that. You can have my ego! I want people to walk away from the show feeling like they've seen something completely unique they won't get anywhere else.

Q: Do you feel pressure to sing the big download hits from "Idol" — like "Billie Jean" and "Hello"?

A: I'm feelin' like, whatever's going to make the audience happy. ... I put a lot of work into this, and I'm completely OK to take the credit that entails. But if a lot of people didn't invest themselves, and their phone bills, in what I was trying to do each week, I'd still be in Tulsa bartending. And telling my roommate I can't pay my rent again this month.

Q: Will you play after-hours gigs at clubs during this tour?

A: I've talked to old bandmates about throwing in an under-the-radar acoustic gig here and there. For me, at the end of the day, all the interviews and attention are nice. But I'd rather be playing music.

Q: You're called "word nerd" because you like word puzzles. Do you read much?

A: As much as I can. I read a lot of poetry. ("Fight Club" author) Chuck Palahniuk — I'm really into his work. Autobiographies. "The Road to Dallas," about the JFK assassination, I'm thumbing through that.

Q: Amazing you can read at all, given how much PR stuff you've doing. Weren't you on a talk show with Barack Obama?

A: He was on "Jimmy Kimmel" with me, but by satellite feed so I didn't get to meet him. But hey, I was on a TV show with Barack Obama! At the end of the day, that's all I have to say.

Misha Berson: mberson@...

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#745

From: Christina <sweetsongs2jesus@...>
Date: Mon Jul 7, 2008 10:55 pm
Subject: Re: Fwd: It beats cleaning pools.�� Las Vegas Review-Journal

sweetsongs2j...

Offline

Grrr another one who got Jasons age wrong!

"In the end, it will all be ok. If it's not ok, then it's not the end!"

Agape, (Love without condition)

Christie

--- On Sat, 7/5/08, HHHyacinth39@... <HHHyacinth39@...> wrote:

From: HHHyacinth39@... <HHHyacinth39@...>
Subject: [Jason_Castro] Fwd: It beats cleaning pools. Las Vegas Review-Journal
To: Jason_Castro@yahoogroups.com
Date: Saturday, July 5, 2008, 3:18 PM

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Reply | Forward | Messages in this Topic (2)

#744

From: Christina <sweetsongs2jesus@...>
Date: Mon Jul 7, 2008 10:47 pm
Subject: Re: I love this video of jason!!!

sweetsongs2j...

Offline

i love the video you made. and i'll bet He meant it was early because he had been making date nights. maybe heehee just a guess. anyways thankyou so much for sharing that with us! :>

"In the end, it will all be ok. If it's not ok, then it's not the end!"

Agape, (Love without condition)

Christie

--- On Sun, 7/6/08, Celinda Steinman <califansd@...> wrote:

From: Celinda Steinman <califansd@...>
Subject: Re: [Jason_Castro] I love this video of jason!!!
To: Jason_Castro@yahoogroups.com
Date: Sunday, July 6, 2008, 11:28 PM

That's my video! I meant to send you guys the link to it, but I guess I forgot. I told Jason I wanted to do a vlog for him since he isn't doing them right now, so that's kind of my Jason vlog. He was soooo sweet. It was funny when I told him I wanted to do it, he said, "It's kind of early." I said, "Jason, it's 1 o'clock in the afternoon." He just kind of blinked at me. LOL I'm sure their sleep schedules are insane.

On Sat, Jul 5, 2008 at 9:00 AM, Christina <sweetsongs2jesus@ yahoo.com> wrote:

http://www.youtube. com/watch? v=YZx2njY- -3g

"In the end, it will all be ok. If it's not ok, then it's not the end!"

Agape, (Love without condition)

Christie