I suddenly realized that soon, hopefully VERY soon, we may find ourselves inundated with new fans of Jason who may not have watched AI, who won't know there's a forum (or a blog), who may not have seen a single date night and who may well be wondering how to get along in this new world of Jason Castro fandom. And so I thought it would be useful to jot down a totally incomplete and pointlessly alphabetical list of

THINGS EVERY JASON CASTRO FAN SHOULD KNOW

Or something like that. Tonight we start with A-B and hopefully, in the next week or two we'll get up the rest of the list. Feel free to suggest alternate results for these - obviously there were many directions one could go.

Atlantic Records


Not many American Idol contestants end up on a record label - unless that label is wholly owned and operated by some arm of the American Idol franchise. And those who are so lucky usually find their homes on smaller niche labels. So it was a HUGE big deal when we all learned that Jason was with a label as renowned as Atlantic. Check out the roster at Atlantic's web site if you haven't. Jason's in wonderful company with other unique, talented and diverse artists. The people working at Atlantic are equally amazing with their enthusiasm and understanding of who Jason IS and what his fans love about him. It's about as great a fit as any young new musician with an eager fanbase could hope for.

Betsy Castro
Anyone who has dipped his or her pinky toe into the Jason Castro fan waters will already know Betsy, but we must not be remiss in our guide to the new fan. Though you may be tempted to guess that Betsy is Jason's older sister, she is in fact his incredibly youthful, vivacious, energetic, never-seems-to-sleep, always-on-the-go, will-answer-an-email-at-2am, appears-to-be-in-several-places-at-once-as-she-raises-3-larger-than-life-children-across-multiple-cities-while-never-batting-an-eyelash-at-all-the-NORMAL-stuff-housewives-and-mothers-with-lesser-demands-have-let-fall-by-the-wayside-while-following-her-son-around-via-internet-portals-that-seem-to-have-been-invented-solely-so-we-forget-to-dust, no-I-haven't-forgotten-there's-a-noun-coming mother.

Seriously though, Betsy's that person you see from afar and think, "wow she'd make a really cool friend" despite the fact that she leads the most envy-inducing life imaginable. And you know what? She totally is a really cool person and a friend to everyone she meets. She's just that down to earth and friendly with everyone she meets. We love her and you will too, dear newbie. Just don't drink the Bragg's vinegar. That stuff is nasty.

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This blog has been brought to you by the letters A and B. No vowels have been hurt in the production of this article. Stay tuned for more of the pointlessly alphabetical guide to the new fan.

On USA Today's blog Idol Chatter, Brian Mansfield runs down all the list of idols who have cds coming out in the next few months. Of Jason he writes:

Jason Castro, TBD (Fall). Season 7's third-runner-up, known for his dreadlocks and sleepy-eyed vibe is recording in Los Angeles with producer Eric Rosse (Tori Amos, Sara Bareilles). Castro's announced collaborators for the album include Idol judge Kara DioGuardi and folks who've written with the likes of Jason Mraz, James Blunt and Colbie Caillat.

We may be in a news drought but we still has teh fevr. Thanks to Cinnamazon for this lulzy lolcastro:

A couple of weeks ago, I posted a contest for which the winner would get the opportunity to be a guest shuffler and our winners were Castrophile and DM. Look for DM's shuffle in coming weeks, for TODAY it's all Castrophile.

For those of you who have been here a while, you will know that Phil has kind of always been here. She's not only one of the earliest members on the site, she's one of the essential members; certainly the site would not be the same without her presence. Her gregarious nature helped set a tone of friendly and spirited banter that permeates our forum. She also created the "Threefer" - a daily assortment of songs from our combined contributions to Jason's Flash Drive collections. So it somehow seems fitting that she is the first Castrocopian to present "The Guest IPod Shuffle." Take it away Phil!

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Holy crap in a basket, I get to do a Shuffle. Immediately, Wayne and Garth-esque feelings of “NOT WORTHY” engulf me. Dude, [/greengirl] easily half of my “cool music” CAME from my connection with Castrocopians – chiefly McLemon! (Which, I hope you know means that any songs that are indelibly imprinted with their essence, or that have been on the shuffle before will be summarily SKIPPED. No, that’s not cheating. That’s saving face.)

Update: Double crap. Fellow poster and all around music guru dm is sharing this shuffle with me. Could I be in any more intimidating company?!? I think not. Therefore, I am limiting this shuffle to music acquired in the past two years…my period of “Musical Reawakening”, as it were. Anything before that would be just self inflicted embarrassment, and I know you gentle readers would NEVER willingly intend for me to become a masochist…would you?



1. Oasis, The Importance of Being Idle
(No, I did not misspell that last word. Heh.)
Ohhh, these Gallagher boys. Humina. This one is off their 2005 release and hit #1 in the UK. Was Liam clean then? I dunno, but I’m thinking of making this my new theme song. Srsly – don’t believe all that “Devil’s Workshop” business…it takes immense dedication and a singular focus to make “being idle” look this effortless.

2. Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds, Dig, Lazarus, Dig!!
My NYC buddy Dori would fit in perfectly with McLemon…she is another fountain of new, great music knowledge into which I regularly dip. (Wait – that sounded bad.) She came up with a “Best of 2008 Mix” that kicks ten kinds of ass. This was on it. Thanks, D!

3. Scott Miller & The Commonwealth, Amtrak Crescent
Ahh – Virginia! The Old Dominion, The Mother of Presidents, The Commonwealth…and birthplace of Scott Miller AND me! (Anybody heard of the V-Roys? Scotty was lead vocal/guitar for them, too.) It just so happens I wrote a blurgh for this on my Blog…so I can save some time by copying and pasting:

Now, don't just skip this because it "sounds country". Virginia's Appalachian Mountains were the cradle of bluegrass, and it's in our bones. But, we rock it, too. I LOVE this guy - he's from Swoope, VA and went to William and Mary. Believe it or not, I was introduced to him by my Texan Sister in Law! (She's so smart. Go, Megan!) Anyway, I love this guy, and really love this song. Especially lyrics like:

Better say Manassas if you say Bull Run -
Or in Virginia you won't get along with anyone
Just across the river you can change your tune
Like all the politicians up in DC do
When life goes wrong they just go on

4. Liam Frost & the Slowdown Family, She Painted Pictures
I was tipped off to this one by my dear and terribly hip buddy in London, Hannah. (Or, “Official High Chancellor of New Music”, as she prefers to be addressed.) I believe her description stated that this song was perfect for “Bopping around the kitchen in your bloomers and drinking spiked smoothies through a crazy straw whilst baking pies.”
…when she’s right, she’s right.

**You can get this on Amazon for a ridiculous amount of money, or do what I did and go directly to his label’s website (Lavolta Records) and download it there for a buck or so. Sure, you pay in Euro, but your credit card people figure that all out for you…

5. Declan O’Rourke, Sarah (Last Night in a Dream)
I found this Irish Australian on Blip.fm, believe it or not – I’m finding a lot of music there lately, and love it. I’m not sure what exactly hooked me about this one, but his voice evokes emotion in me every time, even if I’m not listening to the lyrics. It must be the whole “singer/songwriter” vibe…can’t you just picture this guy on a stage with candles, a great rug and a stool? Wait, I swear we’ve heard that somewhere before…
Plus, if we ever have another son – (my husband and I, not you and I) – I’d want to name him Declan, and call him Deck. How cool would that be? We have a very Irish last name that ALSO features an O and an apostrophe, so it flows nicely, don’t worry. And, it would be almost like we’re related to this guy, but not. Sort of. What?

**They don’t have “Sarah” for download on ITunes (ratbastids) but you can get the album on Amazon or on his website.

Bonus #6…because I just HAD to!
Townes Van Zandt, Waitin’ Around to Die
Swear to cheeses, this isn’t a plant – it WITH VOWELS came up on the shuffle! (No surprise though, given my not-at-all-hidden deep and abiding love for TVZ. If you’ve never heard of him, do us both a favor and rectify that. (Yes, we have a thread in the forum. With music. Call it “Cliff Notes”.) This just happens to be the first serious song he ever wrote…the first drop in a river of desperate, haunting brilliance.

Seriously – it’s a huge honor to get to Shuffle for the Castrocopia Blog. Thanks for the chance, y’all. Loved it! Xoxoxox, Phil

I may have just as hard of a time listening to some of my mom's favourite music as my daughter has listening to some of mine, but if there's one thing we all agree on, it's Michael Jackson and his 'party-in-a-box' music. My mom loved the Jackson 5 era hits, I grew up on his solo work, and McMuffin discovered him when Jennifer Garner got the DJ to play "Thriller" during the hoity-toity cocktail party thrown by the magazine she worked for in 13 Going on 30.

I've been awash in a very weird, mournful nostalgia since learning that Michael died this afternoon, but at times like this the best thing to do is celebrate the life. So I've picked a seven-fingered handful of my faves from MJ's vast, vast repertoire of best-selling, chart-topping, Grammy-winning, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame-worthy music and I'm fixing to dance my ass off. You should join me.

1. Scream (featuring Janet Jackson) [Explicit]
2. The Love You Save (Jackson 5)
3. Beat It
4. Wanna Be Starting Something
5. I'll Bet You (Jackson 5)
6. Thriller
7. Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough

Just in case you haven't made every stop on the Jason Castro tour, here's a handy guide on "How to Drive Jason Castro Music Fans Crazy with Delight".

I guess we better clean up and make the house presentable because number 2 is:

Dig through the old threads over at Castrocopia and pull out the lolcats. Those were some of the funniest captions ever and there are probably new fans that never got to see them.

For those who don't know what the LolCastros are - you can hit the link above or visit us in our THIRD LolCastros thread for the latest.

Also check out our Motivational Lolz.


Thanks, Betsy.

Is up at JCM.

I'm still on a roll, ha!

Let's hope I'm on a roll, baby!



1. Midnight Oil - US Forces
I don't know what I like more about this song - the guitars, the drums or the prescient admonition to the US war machine. Yes - this is the same band that did that song "Beds Are Burning". I've never liked anything this band has done as much as this first album though. Hey, did you know that Peter Garrett, their bald lead singer, was a member of the Australian House of Representatives?

2. Constantine Maroulis - Girl Like You
This is my Waterloo. McLovin (wherever you are, wah) - I got nothing on you now.
And yet - I defy you not to sway a little to this. Or to come back and listen to it again. In fact, I predict, you'll be singing it well into next week. "All my life" *clap clap* "I been waiting for a girl like you."

OMG - but it comes with a Bold and the Beautiful Video. The summer he was on B&B, my friends and I totally became addicted to that cheeze plot. It was a beautiful, dare I say even bold, train wreck.



3. Mates of State - Beautiful Dreamer
This is couple, hence the "mates". The state in which they are mates is great.

4. MGMT - Time To Pretend
Last October I flew up to Montreal to take my kid to see Beck and to visit Puppypundit (remember her?). As it turns out, MGMT was the opening band for Beck. Well, a) I was waiting impatiently to see Beck and b) I wasn't familiar with MGMT and c) they kind of sucked. So, my daughter and I just sat their whining "When will this ever ever end?" They had like 6 obsessive fans dancing like crazy all through the audience which I found baffling at the time. We came home chatting up how awful that opening band was.

So of course I immediately discovered that my "cool" friends were already hip to MGMT and liked them, which meant I had to be fair and check them out. Though I was still on the fence, my daughter sheepishly asked me to put the addictively catchy and currently popular song Kids on her IPod. And yes, I too have grudgingly conceded that I like them too. Mr. Hansen, how do you always know?

5. Corinne Bailey Rae - Choux Pastry Heart
Lovely. This album is just a pure delight. I sincerely hope that Meghan Joy will be able to go this direction in her career because I hear hints of Corinne in her style. Still, Corinne is not just a lovely voice, she had wonderful material. Every song on her album is hummable: Put Your Records On, Like a Star. Enchantment....

Our friends at GLOW have been keeping in touch and sending us stories of courage and heart break that we can only understand distantly. On Father's Day, I wanted to share a recent article that Phil and Amber shared in our GLOW thread. It's a story that has a happy ending only in the context of how difficult life is in Haiti. It's a story about a father asking for someone to take his child in order to save him and give him a life he could never have in Haiti. And it's a story of the remarkable family that took in this child without hesitation. Read it all here.

GLOW is an amazing charity. We have adopted the pre-school in LaKoline and have in the past sent them school supplies and funding. Phil has informed us that the new pre-school (which I'm sure they are still paying for) has enrolled 96 children for the Fall. That's incredible. If you'd like to continue or join our efforts to see these precious children educated in the best circumstances possible so that maybe the best option for parents would be to keep their children rather than send them thousands of miles away, please make a donation to GLOW. You can hit their main page or donate via paypal to glowhaiti@yahoo.com. Your donation, no matter how modest, will be a blessing on these children.

We first crossed paths with Andrew Shepherd when his stunning photographs of Jason came to light. These photos capture the fun, beauty and substance of Jason and have become integrated into so much of our experience as fans. Take a minute and explore some of Andrew's other photos at his site. As you'll learn there, he is passionate about telling stories through still images. Check out his blog where he demonstrates just that.

One of the biggest reasons I love our Guest Shuffle feature is that we get to learn something almost more personal than what one could learn from a direct interview. It's like seeing someone from a sideways angle - or in the way a photographer captures the essence of a person by knowing how to see in a unique an unexpected way. And if this shuffle is any indication of who Andrew is, then I think I'm in love.

Go on and friend him on MySpace and follow him on Twitter

Thanks to Megan for setting this up. This shuffle is FTW.

Andrew Shepherd Shuffle

1. Múm, Will the Summer Make Good For All Our Sins
2. M. Ward, Involuntary
3. Augie March, Little Wonder
4. Dr. Dog, Alaska
5. Denison Witmer, Little Flowers
6. Passion Pit, To Kingdom Come
7. MGMT, Kids
8. DJ Shadow, Midnight In a Perfect World
9. The National, Green Gloves
10. The Shins Those to Come