Jason Castro's story sounds like a lot of artists' stories we've covered on Feature Friday: he comes from a family of musicians and he couldn't resist the siren call of music while trying to be a serious college student. What sets him apart from most musicians, though, is that Jason auditioned for a little TV talent show called American Idol and made the final four on season 7. Jason endured the intense media scrutiny of being a former AI contestant and the persistent expectation for him to advance his post-Idol career. Now, he returns with a self-titled debut album that he was in no rush to record, "Some people come off of Idol and sing what’s given to them, which is cool, but I sing because it’s an outlet for me to express the things I want to say," says Jason. In the summer of 2009, he went into the studio with Eric Rosse to create something true to himself, a collection of songs ranging from contemplative pop to electrifying rock. The album also includes Jason's cover of the famous Leonard Cohen song "Hallelujah," which he performed on American Idol to great acclaim. With an opera singer grandfather and a father and uncles who play guitar and sing, it isn't a surprise that Jason Castro was the first American Idol contestant who not only showed off his vocal abilities, but actually played an instrument on stage. What may be surprising about him, though, is that he is entirely self taught: he started out as a drummer, then taught himself how to sing by watching vocal tutorials on the internet, then learned the guitar because a drum kit was not exactly welcome in a college dorm. Modest and private about his intimate ties to music, Jason practiced singing and playing guitar at night in the middle of nowhere on campus, stopping when he thought he sensed someone approaching. In a world where kids are now groomed to become American Idol contestants, Jason's genuine talent and love for music, as well as his unique look, set him apart from other contestants, making him not only the fan favorite but also singled out as an early favorite by none other than Simon Cowell himself. While his stint on American Idol proved Jason's singing ability and versatility, his self-titled debut showcases Jason Castro, the person. Many of the songs are heartfelt and personal. The vulnerability he showed in performing "Hallelujah" on Idol comes through--the shy boy who sang in the middle of the night so no one would hear him is now confident enough to bare his soul in songs about himself. Jason's first single "That's What I'm Here For" is available on JamLegend to play, so check it out to hear a different side of Jason Castro.For more info on Jason Castro and his debut album, visit his official websiteor his MySpace page.