Texas A&M landscape architecture student Jason Castro, with his signature dreadlocked hair and easy smile, became a familiar sight to viewers of “American Idol” as he survived week after week of viewer voting.
On May 7, his journey to Idolhood ended when he was voted off the show, leaving just three contestants remaining.
Castro sang “I Shot the Sheriff” and “Mr. Tambourine Man” May 6. His performances were loathed by judges Simon Cowell and Randy Jackson and received a lukewarm review from Paula Abdul.
“Somebody told me I shot the Tambourine Man,” said Castro before his fate was announced May 7. “This week I tried to pick two (songs) I knew and even that I screwed up,” Castro told “Idol” host Ryan Seacrest moments before his elimination was announced.
If Castro had survived the vote, “American Idol” would have flown him to College Station for a one-hour concert May 8 on the steps of the Williams Administration Building; the concert was to be taped and excerpts shown on next week’s “Idol” broadcast.
Castro’s performances had mixed reviews from the judges, but they liked his renditions of Leonard Cohen’s “Hallelujah” and a version of “Over the Rainbow” popularized by the late Hawaiian singer Israel Kamakawiwo'ole.
A story on Castro’s last “Idol” appearance by Bryan Eagle staff writer Matthew Watkins is available at http://www.theeagle.com/am/Castro-shows-class-in--Idol--defeat.
