His day started early in Dallas with a radio interview at the studios of 103.7 FM, on the Gene and Julie Show. Jason's Mom, Betsy, was interviewed, too. You can hear all three parts of the interview, or download the mp3s, here: http://www.1037litefm.com/pages/303386.php
A while before the parade began, Jason had some time to stop in and surprise some of his fans, the "dreadheads". They were at Lake Pointe Church busily decorating two buses that were to be in the parade. Needless to say, his fans were thrilled at the chance to meet Jason personally, and thankful that Jason’s friend whose online nickname is "Sooner" and who was coordinating so much of the decorating, had asked Jason to come by and say hi.
While waiting in the parade line, Jason had his photo taken with some cheerleaders from Rowlett and from Rockwall. Jason graduated from high school in Rowlett in 2005, but their family has since moved to neighboring Rockwall.
Jason also had a chance to autograph two ukuleles while he waited for the parade to begin. Read the whole story here: http://www.neighborsgo.com/stories/16377
By the time the parade started at 5:30 PM, the Rockwall Harbor area where the outdoor concert was to take place already had several thousand fans vying for good places on the lawn. People were parking at Lake Pointe Church and taking a shuttle bus down to the Harbor.
Even in the high heat and humidity, hundreds of fans lined the road along the parade route to show their support for their hometown boy who made good. Jason had his brother Michael, who is one year younger, and sister Jackie sitting beside him on the red convertible. Jackie (age 12/13) has been an avid fan of American Idol since the very first season! Imagine how exciting it has been for her to see her brother on her favorite TV show!
Jason’s rightfully proud parents, René and Betsy Castro, were also in the parade. Betsy was wearing a beautiful Homecoming "mum" that was made for her by "Sooner". The large chrysanthemum corsage is a long-standing Texas Homecoming tradition! Among the dignitaries in the parade who later made presentations to Jason were U.S. Congressman Ralph Hall, and Rockwall Mayor Bill Cecil, with his wife Becky.
At the end of the parade route, Jason, his parents, his brother, and his sister were escorted onto a catamaran named "Seawolf", owned by Scott Self. They were greeted with refreshments, and joined by about a dozen others including Dawn Redig, editor of the "Rockwall Neighbors section" of the Dallas Morning News and Kandace Dodson, editor of neighborsgo.com. Jason even had a chance to steer the yacht. And so, by the time Jason approached the Rockwall Harbor concert area by water, an estimated 15,000 fans had completely packed the grassy area and walkways, and any other place they could stand.
You can read Dawn Redig’s story here: Sailing into The Harbor with Jason Castro http://www.neighborsgo.com/stories/16100
And read Kandace Dodson’s account here: Jason Castro Hones Yachting Skills http://www.neighborsgo.com/stories/16135
And see a great on-board video montage from Kandace Dodson and crew. http://www.neighborsgo.com/video/924
Besides the fans who were able to be at Rockwall Harbor in person, many fans were watching the events unfold online, from all across the country! Fox 4 in Dallas was live-streaming raw camera footage onto the internet from two cameras, one in a helicopter and one from a terrace at the new Hilton Bella Harbor hotel. At least 350 people were signed in, watching and chatting online. The audio wasn’t entirely clear, but it was the next best thing to being there!
Once Jason was ashore, Brandon Todd from Fox 4 News in Dallas began the festivities as the emcee of the Jason Castro Day celebration!
The manager of the Cinemark movie theatre made the first presentation. He awarded Jason with a Cinemark movie pass good anywhere in the country! Jason mentioned that he had just seen the new Indiana Jones movie the night before, and upon learning that, the manager promptly refunded Jason his money!
Brandon Todd asked Jason some questions like, "You seem like a laid back kind of a guy. Where does that come from?" Jason answered that he’s not affected by circumstance.
http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=7WSK8X0UmOk
Brandon Todd: "What did you get out of that entire experience?" [on American Idol]. Jason responded, "Well, I got what I came for. I wanted people to know who I was, so that maybe they’d listen to my music, and I think I got that chance now."
http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=zmbZ49ige2M
Next "Sooner" came to the microphone and shared from her heart. Then she read a copy of a post written by a fan named "abrahammy". It was inspired. You can read that piece here: http://www.daydreamingboy.com/forum/index.php?topic=840.msg85770#msg85770
The Dreadheads, represented by "Sooner" gave Jason a couple of gifts. It had been made known that Jason loves to hang out in a robe, and so a bunch of dreadheads pitched in and bought him a robe embroidered "Head Dreadhead" and featuring a little dreadhead logo that was created by one of his fans known as "Blaker". In addition, they gave him some matching "pantz" (a fan euphemism) so he can hang out in comfort and style.
Brandon Todd came back up again and reminisced about meeting Jason last summer at the Dallas try-outs for American Idol. Next, Brandon introduced the Mayor of Rockwall, Bill Cecil. Mayor Cecil was personable and warm, and pretty funny, too. Being a true Texan diplomat, he thanked everyone who had worked so hard to put together the festivities of the day. Then he read a framed Proclamation declaring May 29, 2008 to be Jason Castro Day in the City of Rockwall, Texas! Jason, being the man of few words that he is, when offered the microphone said, "This is cool. Thanks."
Next, the mayor read a plaque that held a Key to the City of Rockwall. He explained that it was a gesture of goodwill, and declared "This city is OPEN to Jason Castro!" He then gave the Key to the City to Jason (who was handing gifts over to his dutiful mom).
The mayor then introduced U.S. Congressman Ralph Hall from the 4th District of Texas onto the stage. Together, they presented Jason with a U.S. flag that was certified to have been flown over the U.S. Capitol building! Jason rejoiced in his proud moment! Representative Hall ended by proclaiming, "We can’t think of anything more American than our Jason!"
Jason receives the Key to the City, and a flag that has flown over the U.S. Capitol. http://www.rockwalllovesjason.com/video3.html
Courtesy rockwalllovesjason.com
Congressman Hall’s granddaughters happened to be standing by for a quick hug and photo with Jason. The Mayor continued to warm up the crowd with a personal anecdote about how Jason had caused him to become "technologically significant". Because of Jason’s stint on American Idol, he had learned how to speed dial, and how to text message! Concluding by saying that it was a pleasure and an honor to have voted for Jason, and affirming that Jason IS a role model, he handed the mike over to Jason who said, "Thanks," and smiled a smile as big as Texas.
Brandon Todd came back up and asked Jason a few more questions to which poor Jason did not have prepared answers. Suffice to say that if I ever get down to Rockwall, I’m going to have to check out a restaurant called Gloria’s because Jason "loves" it there!
Next, Kandace Dodson and Dawn Redig of the Dallas News and neighborsgo.com presented Jason with a cute framed cartoon that you can see here:
http://www.neighborsgo.com/photos/14425
And finally! The moment everyone had been waiting for:
"Ladies and gentlemen! Jason Castro!"
As he adjusted his mike stand Jason said, "You all might not believe me, but American Idol is a lot less intimidating." And finally, saying something about "the song that started it all" Jason played his guitar and sang "Daydream", the shorter version that he sang his first week in the Top 24. Jason’s light, happy-go-lucky, charming style won over thousands of fans on that very first night so many months ago.
"Daydream" by Jason Castro Live at the Harbor Rockwall Texas
http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=l5yjnhfvv9s
Before he sang his next song, he took a swig of water from a bottle and joked, "I’ve been doing a lot of talking." His next song turned out to be a new one his fans had not heard before! (Other songs he has written can be heard at daydreamingboy.com) He said he had written it "about this time last year". It is called "Tonight". It’s very romantic, yet not sappy. Another thing he said about it was that he is hoping "it makes the album". No, he doesn’t have a record deal yet. He’s under contract with American Idol until December and can’t enter into a contract with anyone else, but he’s obviously thinking ahead.
Jason’s song he wrote called "Tonight"
http://www.rockwalllovesjason.com/video4.html
Courtesy rockwalllovesjason.com
Before he continued, Jason introduced Wes Hamilton as a friend and a pastor from Lake Pointe Church where the Castro family has been involved since Jason was young. Wes had been invited to "commission" Jason, which he explained means to affirm God’s calling on his life and to ask for God’s blessing on Jason’s work. Jason’s mom walked up and Jason put his arm around her shoulder. Jason’s dad also came and stood behind them with his hands on both of them, and Wes prayed. Many people have commented that this was the most beautiful and touching part of the evening, and felt privileged to have witnessed it. Wes noted that the church had been receiving emails from people all over, saying they could tell there’s something different about Jason. People could sense Jason’s humble and gracious spirit, and his Christian faith.
You can listen to the whole commissioning here:
http://neighborsgo.com/content/jasoncastro/jasoncomish1.mp3 http://neighborsgo.com/content/jasoncastro/jasoncomish2.mp3
Next, Jason took up his ukulele. Jason had bought and learned to play the ukulele one week before he sang "Over the Rainbow" on American Idol when there were only 8 contestants left. Older folks are familiar with the Judy Garland version of the song, but Jason performs the Hawaiian Israel Kamakawiwo rendition. Jason sang the longer studio version this day.
Finally, Jason surprised his large Texan audience with an old favorite. Strumming happily on the ukulele and smiling broadly as people clapped at just the right time and sang along, Jason delighted everyone with "Deep In the Heart of Texas".
When he was finished Jason stood and said, "Thank ya’ll very much. This means more than you know... Thanks for having me." And that was the end of the program.
Deep In The Heart of Texas and Goodbye
http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=SUqLZCf0iRw
Somewhere Over the Rainbow, Deep In the Heart of Texas, and some special thanks! http://www.rockwalllovesjason.com/video1.html
Courtesy rockwalllovesjason.com
Afterward, Jason and his family and some friends attended a reception inside the Hilton Bella Harbor Hotel, which is right there as part of the new Harbor complex. Jason recorded a few little messages that were put into video montages and posted on rockwalllovesjason.com.
To utilize a slightly overused, but certainly appropriate saying:
What a day for a daydreaming boy!
Montage of the whole day to the music of What A Day for a Daydream http://www.rockwalllovesjason.com/video2.html
Courtesy rockwalllovesjason.com
Photo links
Excellent photos of the day by Pandemonium Productions http://pinkpjs.smugmug.com/gallery/5054556_Bb3rH#P-1-9
All the close-ups your heart could desire! http://pinkpjs.smugmug.com/gallery/5058571_kFGFh#304303779_sArFs
Stephen Shooter’s pictures
http://picasaweb.google.com/StephenShooter/JasonCastro?authkey=qnhFz6HP8D0
See the great photos at Planet Rockwall
Parade
Concert Arrival
More Concert
Post-Concert/Fans
neighborsgo.com (about 10 pages of photos)
http://www.neighborsgo.com/photos/search/jason
Artsbyj
http://www.smugmug.com/gallery/5054096_QEWnk#303882473_NU52c
Web links
Jason’s myspace
http://www.myspace.com/jasoncastromusic
The site his mom recommends.
They have all his music!
Please join the Forum!
http://www.daydreamingboy.com/
http://www.neighborsgo.com/jasoncastro
http://www.jasoncastroonline.com/
http://mjsbigblog.com/
