‘American Idol’ Tracker: Idol journey ends for Jason Castro

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The surprising and unlikely “American Idol” journey of Jason Castro ended Wednesday night in a week that saw nearly 51 million votes cast on television’s most popular show.

Falling just short of the final three, the soulful dreadlocked crooner at first seemed far outside the typical Idol mold, but he quickly won over a large and hardcore following with an endearingly sweet, laidback personality and a talent for offbeat comments. When asked what his biggest challenge was Wednesday, the Texan with the piercing eyes replied, “just the brain being dead.”

David Cook, David Archuleta and Syesha Mercado remain and will compete for the crown in the Fox network’s signature annual contest that has already launched lucrative singing careers for former unknowns Kelly Clarkson and Carrie Underwood.

Earlier in his Idol stint, Castro scored big with his renditions of Leonard Cohen’s “Hallelujah” and “Over the Rainbow” among others. But in recent weeks he seemed to struggle as the contest entered more challenging heights, leading him to admit Wednesday that he felt his musical inexperience was showing.

Ultimately, felled by his poorly received version of Bob Marley’s “I Shot the Sheriff,” Castro proudly stood by his choice Wednesday. When the Idol band began starting up his other Tuesday number, Castro interrupted them and insisted on saying farewell to the show with the Marley tune.

Check back later tonight for a full report from the scene at the Idoldome.

-- Richard Rushfield

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