The National Enquirer is telling us something most know about Jason Castro -- that he's cool under pressure.

But it's more fun reading it in the Enquirer, which, in its latest edition, is chock full of relationship news involving Oprah, Jodie Foster and Shania Twain.

Anyway, back to Jason ...

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Jason Castro sat across from Larry King -- the same spot where the Suspendered One has grilled Frank Sinatra, Zsa Zsa Gabor, Marlon Brando, etc. Jason talked about Paula Abdul's judging gaffe and Simon Cowell's suggestion that he pack his bags.

That was Friday's Larry King Live on CNN. Tonight at 8, the top-10 Idol contestants are back for another hour of interviews.

Larry apparently has a facination with Idol. Either that, or his producers realize the viewing power of Idol and its performers. Last month, Randy Jackson told Larry that as a record producer he'd pass on Jason. On the same show, Simon said Jason appears to be too carefree.

It kicks off a busy time for Jason, who'll be in Rockwall for his homecoming appearance. Then, he'll get ready for the Idol tour, which starts July 1 in Glendale, Ariz. The tour makes its Dallas stop Aug. 25 at  the American Airlines Center.

While some fail to see past the dreads, many are drawn to the light of Christ that shines brightly through Jason Castro's eyes.

"That's always one of the things that people have kind of noticed, just in the way I carry myself...it very much represents what I believe," says Jason Castro in this video, when asked about his faith, and his happy, carefree personality that is an extension of his relationship with Jesus Christ.  

Young and old alike, dreadhead fans are uplifted by Jason Castro's songs. Check out the video of this little guy - a young, aspiring musician named Christopher singing Jason's version of Somewhere Over the Rainbow. I think he's got the facial expressions down. Gotta love it.

 

It’s official. The City of Rockwall released final details about Jason Castro’s homecoming celebration, which is happening Thursday, May 29. The fanfare begins with a parade featuring the top four American Idol finalist and his family, and includes an exclusive mini-concert at The Harbor.

The parade rolls out from the corner of Ridge Road and Summer Lee at 5:30 p.m, and ends on Lake Front Trail near the Cinemark Theater. In car one, will be Rockwall Mayor Bill Cecil. Jason and his parents, Rene and Betsi, will be in car number two. Cars three through eight will include members of Jason’s family. The vehicles that follow will include Jason groupies, the Chick-Fil-A cow, and of course, the dreadhead buses. (I think you’ll see me hanging out one of the windows!)

At 6:30 p.m., Jason will perform three songs at The Harbor’s outdoor amphitheater on the shores of Lake Ray Hubbard - and yes, dreadhead fans, I’m told he’ll bring his ukulele and sing “Somewhere Over the Rainbow.”  Mayor Cecil will present Jason with a key to the City. Teaching Pastor Wes Hamilton from LakePointeChurch (Jason’s home church) will commission Jason.

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Texas had its stamp all over the American Idol finale. The winner, David Cook, was born in Houston. He performed a duet with ZZ Top, which formed about 40 years ago in Houston. Of course, there's Rockwall's Jason Castro. Carrie Underwood is from Oklahoma, but her former boyfriend is Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo. George Michael, who dropped in to perform, is a part-time Dallas resident. Bryan Adams ... well, there's a high school named Bryan Adams in Dallas, but it's not named after him.

Jenice - JC looked sharp in a suit. (You're welcome!)

Nice to see a guitar-playing semi-rocker come out on top, for a change.

Also, the skit involving a 1970s Gladys Knight and her Pips "tryouts" featuring Ben Stiller, Jack Black and Robert Downey Jr. was funny ... for about 30 of the 120 seconds it played ...

OMG:So glad I don't sing myself because I've just about lost my voice! The show itself was so much more than I thought it would be. Syesha, Jason & Michael Johns made me think of what could have been (Johns' voice was completely on point; he was robbed, leaving when he did.) Carrie Underwood - WOW. She's still one of my favorites, ever. (Where can I get that dress?!) I was even all excited waiting for George Michael, who's still riding the wave of career rejuvenation from his Eli Stone stint. And how cool to see Bryan Adams who's hardly aged! Too tired to name all of the great things about tonight's finale, but it was worth it. David A clearly should be on Broadway or head straight to Disney. Very talented kid, but not an Idol type.

I am so excited that David Cook won AI. And I'm relieved the season is over. Now, if I can just get my hubby to give up the NBA playoffs....yeah, right!

 

If it can't be Castro, let it be Cook.

Wow. What a finale. To see David Cook cry, and to see Andrew say "That's my brother!" so proudly at the end, why, that really brings it home for me.

And speaking of home, did I mention that Jason Castro is coming back to Rockwall next week? (Oh, yeah, I just said that in my last post. Oh, and the one before that. And the one before that.)

Remember I said I'd be dancing in the streets? See you at the parade, dreadhead fans! More details to come as the City finalizes its plans.

Archie has a great voice. But he really strikes me as a Broadway star rather than an Idol. Nobody is THAT innocent and cheery-faced. Nobody is that doe-like. He smiles too much. And did anyone see that Guitar Hero commercial?? Archie in his undies? To quote a common Randy quip, "Didn't work for me." Anyway, America made the right choice (a native Texan, kind of) if it couldn't be Jason Castro. Cook has a sound that is so smokin' that I just can't wait to buy those albums and see him in concert.