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Aggieland narrowly missed out joining Jason Castro on the American Idol stage when he was booted from the show Wednesday as the contestants were narrowed to three.

Texas A&M's marketing department worked around the clock over the past few days to prepare for Castro's tentatively scheduled Thursday arrival with Idol crew in tow. But the concert and yell practice were going to unfold only if the construction science major made it to the final three.

Instead of crooning to his peers on the steps of the Administration Building, he'll be giving interviews in Hollywood about his recent experiences and his plans.

The dreadlocked junior's three-month run on the popular reality TV program galvanized support from Aggies near and far while creating a loyal fan base around the globe.

But it wasn't enough to keep him on the show that draws more than 30 million viewers each episode. Castro on Tuesday performed songs from Bob Marley and Bob Dylan; both performances drew harsh criticism from the show's three judges. The poor reviews angered many fans, who wrote letters to the media and the show complaining about Castro's treatment.

Castro kept a smile on his face throughout the process, however.

"I think he handled it with class," said Kim Belisle, a College Station resident who is a friend of Castro's family. "He took it in and let them do their job."

Jason Cook, A&M's vice president for marketing and communications, said more than 5,000 people were expected to attend the homecoming Thursday evening after Idol producers announced that they would air his visit to Aggieland and his hometown of Rockwall.

Belisle said Castro has obligations to make television appearances and to prepare for the American Idol concert tour that begins in July, so when he will return was unknown.

"It is surreal that he has all of this amazing support," Belisle said.

Once Castro does return to College Station, Cook said, the university will be "sure to give him the appropriate welcome back to Aggieland."

Castro tried out for the singing show in Dallas in August. He was one of the 24 finalists picked in February and steadily advanced through the weekly rounds. The growth of his popularity could be charted online as people rallied in support of his laid-back singing style that seemed to mirror his attitude.

Local apparel retailer Aggieland Outfitters created T-shirts to spotlight the Castro craze. What did the shirts say? What else? "Gig 'em Castro." A shirt was featured during the live broadcast Wednesday when one of Castro's friends showed it off for the cameras.

Castro's success and attitude have made the A&M community proud, Cook said.

"I think that Jason Castro has been a great ambassador throughout the show," Cook said.

"He embodies our core values for this university," he added.

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

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26 comment(s) found!

Posted by: On: 5/15/2008

Comment Title:
Wow A&M must be desperate looking for talent. I guess when you get that desperate you put a no talent guy on American Idol and then he makes a complete fool of himself infront of millions of viewers. Well if you want real talent you know where to go AUSTIN "HOOK 'EM HORNS"
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Posted by: On: 5/14/2008

Comment Title: To the person who wrote to emarrassed aggie
"GET OVER YOURSELF" Castro was no good and we all know it.
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Posted by: Sheila On: 5/9/2008

Comment Title: Jason
Jason, what can I say? You made this American Idol season the best there has ever been! Now that you are gone, I don’t really care to watch anymore. You are an incredibly real person. Your post AI interviews are very impressive. I just love your carefree attitude. If everyone could be as genuine as you are, the whole world would be so beautiful. I think you have the voice of an angel and the heart of a saint. I am an Aggie, along with you, and you symbolize all that is great about the Aggie Spirit. I live in Rockwall, along with you and have contacted the City Manager and asked that they go ahead with giving you the Key to the City of Rockwall. I am so proud of you, as you can see. My little girl cried for about 45 minutes when you were voted off, well so did I. But I am so happy to see your happy smile. It almost made me feel guilty for giving you thousands of votes, as I contributed to keeping you in a stressful situation. Rockwall loves you. Texas loves you. The decent people in this world love you. But most of all Sheila and Brittani love you. Stay true to who you are. You are a precious gift to our world. I hope to see you in Rockwall one day. Gigem Jason! Whoop! Forever! Sheila
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Posted by: On: 5/9/2008

Comment Title: proud aggie
in the first place i did not say "that they find someone with big lips to take on that chore" i said " i dont see you up there trying to sing". so next time you comment on it get it right.
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Posted by: On: 5/9/2008

Comment Title:
And the difference is?
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Posted by: On: 5/9/2008

Comment Title:
His parents are from Colombia you moron.
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Posted by: On: 5/8/2008

Comment Title:
Hope to the proud aggie that wrote to kiss my butt, that they find someone with big lips to take on that chore! Some proud Aggie you are talking that way. Shame on you
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Posted by: ashley pierson On: 5/8/2008

Comment Title: proud aggie
All you people who put Castro down should be ashamed of yourselves. i dont see you up there trying to sing. You all can just kiss my butt.
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Posted by: On: 5/8/2008

Comment Title: Gig'em Castro
Well, his parents are from Cuba!
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Posted by: On: 5/8/2008

Comment Title: Gig'em Castro
Has anyone thought about what the "Gig'em Castro" t-shirts will look like next week when we forget about Jason Castro? Outside people are going to believe Aggies like and agree with Fidel and the Communist Party>
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Posted by: hpa On: 5/8/2008

Comment Title: Yea!!!!!!!!!! He's Gone
OS happy he's gone---no more aggies----please!!!!!!! all he did is prove one more thing they can't do! can't walk and chew gum at the same time--- and they certainly can't sing---it's time he was gone---he never should have been on there to start with!
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Posted by: Embarrassed Aggie 3 On: 5/8/2008

Comment Title:
With a hair cut he could become a good looking white boy. He got gigged on Idol. He will probably do well in a karaoke career!
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Posted by: On: 5/8/2008

Comment Title:
With some maturity he could become a folksy Robert Earl Keen
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Posted by: On: 5/8/2008

Comment Title:
I liked the Aggie base of support shown to him
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Posted by: On: 5/8/2008

Comment Title: To embarassed Aggie
"I'm glad he is finaly gone he has embarassed anyone who calls themselves an aggie." Anyone with this attitude is not a real Aggie. Get over yourself!
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Posted by: On: 5/8/2008

Comment Title:
He had a good attitude through it all
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Posted by: On: 5/8/2008

Comment Title: Yeah Jason!!
I liked Jason a lot, though he could have picked better songs. The first two were very good. What happened? I think he should work much harder towards the future to achieve his goals in singing, if that’s what he wants. If that doesn’t work out, he could be one hell of a model !!! You’ll always have my vote Jason!!
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Posted by: Mark On: 5/8/2008

Comment Title: Thanks Jason !
Jason inspired many people in a positive manner. Is there anything more important than that? I didn't think so. Good luck Jason and Thank You for being you and representing Aggieland in such a professional manner. Best of luck and GIG 'EM!
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Posted by: On: 5/8/2008

Comment Title: I thought Aggies had class!
How sad that Aggies can't at least seem proud of a fellow Aggie! To me Jason did not seem like he wasn't trying and ever came across as smug. He was very likeable thoroughout the entire process. He even admitted that maybe he was in over his head. To me he seemed genuine and at times kind of shy. We should be proud of the way he represented Aggieland and not so critical!
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Posted by: Sam On: 5/8/2008

Comment Title: Negative Comments
I agree why be so ugly. As far as you negative people. I did not see you on stage if you think you can do better go for it otherwise shut your idiot trap.
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Posted by: On: 5/8/2008

Comment Title: Negativity
Why must people always be so ugly? Jason appears to be a genuine person, with good morals who, even though he appeared to be there just for fun - I am sure really wanted to advance. He had a great soothing voice and even though he forgot the one words to ONE song - at least he didn't make the band start over again - he was able to keep on going like a true professional. Get over it! He did alot better than the rest of us could have!!!
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Posted by: On: 5/8/2008

Comment Title:
I think it wasn't a good choice to just drop school and try a music career. I think he should go back to school and atleast get his degree and get a real job like the rest of us.
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Posted by: Embarassed Aggie2 On: 5/8/2008

Comment Title: Good ridence
I'm glad he is finaly gone he has embarassed anyone who calls themselves an aggie.
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Posted by: On: 5/8/2008

Comment Title: His attitude was the best thing about him!
"never seemed to even care about being there." That is what we enjoyed the most about him. He didn't take it so seriously. :)
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Posted by: On: 5/8/2008

Comment Title: Waiting4hisCD
I thought Jason had a great attitude last night. He took everything for what is was worth. He took a shot by auditioning and the public really enjoyed him. I really think he was just overwhelmed by his own popularity. I would buy a Jason Castro CD in a heartbeat.
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Posted by: Embarrassed Aggie On: 5/8/2008

Comment Title: The Dreaded Fiasco is over
Yes it is finally over, Jason is gone! I see that even some local companies jumped on the Idol band wagon to make a buck off of Jason. Even if he had a competitive voice, he wouldn’t have made it with his attitude. He never seemed to even care about being there. I just read the following in the news…….”Castro had his share of spacey moments while he was in the running, like when a viewer asked Wednesday what the contestants' biggest challenges were in the competition. Castro answered: "Just the brain being dead." And people thought Paula had problems!
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