Jason Castro Chats About His 'Idol' Departure

JASON CASTRO made "American Idol"'s Final Four, but that is as far as his laid-back style will take him in the talent competition. With two songs to sing on Tuesday night's performance show -- BOB MARLEY's "I Shot the Sheriff" and BOB DYLAN's "Tambourine Man" -- the dreadlocked cutie faltered and forgot the words, but not on purpose as some have suggested.

"I definitely did not do that on purpose," he says. "I couldn't believe I forgot such a popular line -- something that is written on your soul."

The 20-year-old from Rockwell, Texas, told reporters on a conference call the day after learning he was cut that he wanted to win, but that it was his inexperience that caused him to stumble.

"Once we doubled up on songs, I wasn't able to focus on both songs," he admits. "My mind was split. I couldn't deliver either or. I think that is what it came down to."

That said, he doesn't hide the fact that it is a relief not to have the pressure of learning three songs for the semi-finals next Tuesday.

"Before we found out the results, I was beginning to fear the week ahead," he confesses. "I thought, 'If I made it, how am I going to do three songs?' I couldn't even do two. I was just freaking out about it. My natural reaction was relief. The pressure was off. I loved my time on there. I would have loved to go farther, but I don't think I could have handled it."

Fans of Jason's will get to catch him on this summer's "American Idol" tour. And, while the fourth place finalist is looking forward to that, he is also going to miss spending the summer back home with his girlfriend and his family.

"I miss working in the summer with my dad. I don't know if it will happen again," he says. "He has a company that designs custom swimming pools. I have worked with him since I was 16. I did drafting and some outside work. I would survey plots and clean pools."

Published 5/8/08 by