Idol Chatter & Voice Views

Caleb Johnson, Idol’s Season 13 champ, has a new album out Friday

And he describes “Born from Southern Ground” as the album he’s always wanted to make.

Two songs — “Born and Raised” and “Solid Gold” — have already been released from the 10-track project.

And “Born from Southern Ground” is coming courtesy of Caleb Johnson and The Ramblin’ Saints, not just Caleb Johnson.

That, Caleb told Glide Magazine, is a nod toward his rock direction. Sorta like Bob Seger had the Silver Bullet Band, and Tom Petty had The Heartbreakers.

Caleb, 28, also told Glide he has fond memories of the American Idol experience. He won Season 13, after all.

Those fond memories don’t extend to his post-Idol debut album, “Testify,” which was recorded in three weeks between the end of Idol and the start of the show’s summer tour.

“Testify” was released less than three months after Caleb’s Idol victory, the quickest turn-around to date for an album from one of the show’s winners.

“I didn’t have control over that record,” Caleb told the site. “It was a product that they wanted people to consume at that moment. As a result, I actually consider this record to be my first record.”

Caleb said he’s been crafting the songs and sound for “From Southern Ground” for four years.

“I spent a lot of time on it to make it right and make the record I always wanted to make.”

Caleb has a pair of album release shows scheduled for in his hometown of Asheville, N.C., at The Grey Eagle. They’re set for Thursday and Friday.

Here’s Caleb and The Ramblin’ Saints performing “Sugar,” another song from “Born from Southern Ground.”