Mesquite fireman Madison Lyle flew to Hollywood last Wednesday after the Castros invited him to take a front row seat during the Idol Gives Back show.

Madison is back at the fire station today, working a 24-hour shift. Pending any emergency calls, he’ll be joining fellow firefighters tonight as they tune into Idol from the station’s big screen. I had a chance to talk with him during some down time.

“It’s not by accident that Jason is where he’s at,” Madison said, acknowledging that there is something bigger at work in Jason’s life, and on the Idol stage. “I’m really excited for him. This is a great opportunity for him to be an example for others, to reach out to people, and to do so in a non-threatening way. He’s a good person, with good morals and good values.”

Then Madison echoed what so many other Castro friends have been saying. “With Jason, what you see is what you get. He’s well rounded; his feet are firmly on the ground. Win or lose on this, he’s going to be Jason.”

As for Idol Gives Back, Madison said the trip was a lot of fun. “I got to meet all of the contestants. Brooke was very nice...David Cook was very nice...and David Archuleta, like a goofy little high school kid – you know, that’s the way he really is. My middle daughter Katie is in love with him.”

Madison quickly added that of course Katie likes Jason, too, and is voting for him. But when David A. came out and signed an autograph for Katie, Madison let Archuleta know that Castro has a little competition when it comes to winning his daughter’s affections. “David just giggled, put his head down and shuffled his feet...he’s so “Disney”...so endearing...” Madison reported. “It’s really amazing...for all the pressure all these contestants are under, they were all cordial, friendly, out signing autographs.”

Fan reaction video: Madison talks about Jason