Confirmed: Jason Castro Signed to Atlantic

Fans of the laid-back dreadhead have been abuzz for weeks, ever since Jason Castro cancelled a much-anticipated release of an independent CD. Today, Atlantic Records confirms they have signed the Season Seven third runner-up:

Atlantic Records has announced the signing of singer/songwriter Jason Castro. The Texas-based tunesmith, best known as the third runner-up on the 2008 season of Fox's American Idol, is currently hard at work on his debut album, set for release later this year. A multi-talented singer and guitarist, Jason Castro was among the most popular and talented artists in American Idol history, entering the record books as the first contestant ever to play an instrument on the show.

Atlantic lists a number of high-profile creative collaborators on the project, including Grammy Award-winning producer John Fields (Lifehouse, Switchfoot, Soul Asylum) and a number of acclaimed songwriters, including Kara DioGuardi (Kelly Clarkson, Jewel, Santana), Martin Terefe (Jason Mraz, KT Tunstall), Sacha Skarbek (James Blunt, Jason Mraz), Guy Chambers (Robbie Williams), and Jason Reeves (Colbie Caillat).

Atlantic Records