Jason Castro wrote on a class project Web site last year that he wanted to pursue a career in music after graduation.

Even though his American Idol run has come to an end, it looks like his dream may become a reality.

The exposure he has gained from his venture on the show might spark a music career. And it might keep him from College Station for a while.

Aggieland's newest celebrity was making the rounds on television and giving interviews with reporters in Los Angeles on Thursday, the day after he was eliminated as one of the show's final four contestants. He said he would travel to New York for more media appearances next week and then go back to California to prepare for the American Idol tour that begins July 1.

All that activity will keep him from Texas for the foreseeable future, he said in a conference call with reporters Thursday.

Throughout the excitement, the Texas A&M junior has kept College Station on his mind, he said.

"I have a lot of friends there, as one could assume, and I had some friends come out here this week that brought me some of the shirts that were made," Castro said. "Every time I hear something [about all of the excitement at A&M], I wish I could be there to see it. I wish I could go home and see what it is like."

He said that although he misses Texas, he did not sabotage his performance on the show in any way, as Idol judge Simon Cowell and others suggested after Castro forgot the lyrics to a song he was performing Tuesday night.

"I definitely did not do that on purpose," Castro said. "[Wednesday], I wanted to win and the day before that, but I think what it came down to was my inexperience."

Castro said he began learning to play guitar only in his freshman year in college and had never learned a full song until he tried out for the show.

"I have learned I can do a lot more than I thought," he said. "Before I did this, I wasn't a very confident performer, and now I have done it for a few months straight on TV. It is cool."

But Castro won't stay away from Texas too long. He'll be back in August, when the American Idol tour passes through Houston and Dallas. The show will be at Houston's Toyota Center on Aug. 24 and Dallas' American Airlines Center the next day.

He said that he did not know where his life would lead him after the tour but that he was optimistic about a performing career.

"I just want to play music somewhere," he said.

• Matthew Watkins' e-mail address is matthew.watkins@theeagle.com.

Comments

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3 comment(s) found!

Posted by: On: 5/14/2008

Comment Title: Go back to School
Jason go back to school and quit kidding yourself music is not your calling.

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Posted by: On: 5/11/2008

Comment Title:
Go back to playing the guitar for your dog. And wash your hair!

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Posted by: On: 5/10/2008

Comment Title: Congratulations, Jason!
Congratul;ations, Jason. You really impressed me with how quickly you learned the music, with your inexperience. I believe that you have a fantastic carreer ahead of you. Do finish school, though - it will help you in the long run. And stay with the music - it will also help you in the long run. Enjoy!

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