Idol Chatter & Voice Views

Look at this:  Jason “Wolf” Hamlin, the guy who closed the show for American Idol in San Diego, has a new single out.

And “Long Road” is the best available-for-download (iTunes) song I’ve heard so far this season  from Hollywood-bound contestants who have been featured in the audition episodes.

Oh, and that nickname of “Wolf” … apparently it’s not just a made-for-Idol moniker.  Jason released the single as Wolf Hamlin.  On YouTube, his video channel is under the name CaptWolf.

For those who didn’t stay up late enough to watch Wolf’s audition, his money-making job is as a mechanic at a golf course in California, where he helps keep everything from weed-eaters to tractors running.

But his dad, who died in February 2010, made guitars.  Wolf showed up for the San Diego audition with one of those “git-fiddles,” which he got to play on a rousing rendition of “Folsom Prison Blues” that earned him a unanimous yes to the next round.

In his golden ticket interview, we learn that friends encouraged Wolf to try out for Idol.  He figured, “I ain’t got nothing better to do.  I guess I’ll go down there and audition.”

He says he first started singing when he was between 12 and 14, but wasn’t very good at the time.  He told the Idol judges he’s been serious about his singing for the last three years.  His friends back in Eudora, Kansas, told the FOX station there he’s been singing in one fashion or another all of his life.

What’s he sing?

Outlaw country, according to his Facebook page.

“Wolf Hamlin the founder of the new and up coming band has begun a revolution,” it proclaims.  “The new approach of smokey sweet outlaw country will be bliss to your ears!”

Here’s “Long Road,” along with two other songs from Wolf.

“Long Road”

“One Step”

“Troubadour”