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Published: October 28, 2009

TAMPA - Former "American Idol" contestant Jason Castro kicked off a national mall tour that takes the Texas-based tunesmith, across the country this fall.

The "Jason Castro Live" tour began Oct. 12th at Minneapolis' Southdale Center and continues through mid-November. He performs tonight at Gulf View Square Mall in Port Richey.

Castro, the third runner-up on American Idol in 2008, is putting on the free concerts to give fans a sneak peak at his new album available Nov. 17 featuring the single "Let's Just Fall in Love Again."

We catch up with the crooner before he hit the road.

Q: When does the album drop and what can listeners expect?

A: The album comes out early next year. The single "Lets Just Fall in Love Again is already out. It's a playful song; and the perfect song to kick off the album; I wanted it to be about my personality. It's about getting back to the magic…let's enjoy what we have. I've been calling it a modern singer song writer album.

Q: You have a record deal, you're on tour. How are you feeling?

A: I couldn't be happier, this is my first record and if I could make one record then this is it. I am so happy with how the sound came out.

Q: Did you always dream of this moment?

A: I always wanted to play music, I never imaged the scale of things, and I was playing drums when I dreamed of being famous. Its mind blowing…as you go through the show [American Idol] you're just being a contestant…but looking back there was over 110,000 people going out for the show.

Q: What is the biggest life change since appearing on "American Idol?"

A: The biggest change is never being home. It's crazy, you get to see the whole country, and it's really a dream. I can't think of anything that's the same except my close friendships.

Q: Mall tours haven't been popular for a decade. Why a mall tour now?

A: The idea came from Atlantic and I thought it sounded kind of cool. If they say play at a mall, I'll play. We wanted to do something a little different. All the shows are free.

Q: Are you used to your new life?

A: It's still bizarre, it's weird to think that you're that guy, it makes sense, I was on TV, I kind of understand it. I don't think there is a turning back.

Q: What does music mean to you?

A: I was playing drums in a pretty serious band. I decided to quit and go back to schoo at Texas A&M…I wasn't okay, I was remember crying watching the Grammy's and not playing, it was miserable without music. I gave up the music and it came back bigger than ever. I'm fully happy, and definitely have no regrets, but right, you can tell when its not working.

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