Sometimes, Castro said, he has to fly to another city for more radio shows before flying back for that night’s concert.

“I’m kind of all over the place right now,” said the Texas-based singer, whose frantic schedule finds him in Ocala on Tuesday.

Castro’s current pace is a contrast to his “Idol” days, when everything was neatly contained. On the “Idol” summer tour, Castro said, he spent most of the day confined to the arena before the show.

During the show itself, contestants are cloistered together until sent home after commentary from the judges. Toward the end of the 2008 season, judge Simon Cowell told the breezy singer he needed to focus.

“I think it’s time that you start taking this a little bit more seriously,” Cowell told him.

Castro made it to the top four, though, garnering heaps of fans along the way. David Cook went on to win the competition over David Archuleta.

After Castro was voted off the show, he lay low, focusing on writing and creating his debut album.

“I’ve been working on my album for the last year, hidden away from everybody,” he said. “I thought it’d be a good time to reconnect with fans before the new album comes out.”

His yet-to-be-titled CD will be released next year. In the meantime, the singer has embarked on a Tiffany-esque mall tour that will stop at Ocala’s Paddock Mall on Tuesday. The tour ends Nov. 15 in California.

The concert is scheduled inside near Belk. But if Castro draws crowds up to 400 at the stops before the Ocala show, the Paddock Mall might move it to the parking lot, said Elgin Carelock, director of marketing for the mall. That same parking lot hosted hundreds of fans in January 2007 when “Idol” finalist Kellie Pickler performed.

Castro’s performance adds to the stream of other “Idol” Ocala appearances in recent years. “American Idol” alums Bo Bice, Justin Guarini, Melissa McGhee, Anthony Federov and Robbie Carrico have performed at Silver Springs. Phil Stacey played at Ocala’s First Baptist Church in 2008, while chart-topper Jordin Sparks headlined Kidfetti earlier this year.

In April, Atlantic Records signed Castro, the first “Idol” finalist to join the label.

The CD is full of “intimate moments,” Castro said, as well as some upbeat rock tracks. Castro sings about his life, love and easy living.

His first single, “Let’s Just Fall in Love Again,” oozes the same laid-back, sunny attitude that rankled “Idol” judges and endeared him to fans.

“It’s kind of a fun, carefree song,” he said. “I wanted to bring out the personality they saw on the show.”

Castro toured with the other “Idol” contestants last summer, but touring alone is understandably different, he said.

“I’ve got something to promote now,” Castro said. “I’m not just doing a show.”

Castro said he’s excited to get back on stage - with his band, his music and maybe his ukulele.

“There’s something magic about [performing] that I discovered when I was younger. It’s indescribable the feeling you get,” he said. “I guess my favorite part is different every night.”

On Tuesday, he is scheduled to perform a 30-minute set from the album and his “Idol” days, including his acclaimed rendition of “Hallelujah.”

“Expect new music,” he said. “Expect my music.”

Contact Jackie Alexander at 867-4140 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .