Idol Chatter & Voice Views

Look who just cracked the top 25 on the Christian singles chart.

That’s right, season seven Idol contestant Jason Castro, who released a CD entitled “Who I Am” on Tuesday.

If you missed the earlier blog, “Who I Am” is a repackaged version of his self-titled debut CD, featuring five new tunes designed for Christian radio.

The first single is a catchy tune called “You Are,” which is now number 25 on the Christian singles chart three weeks after its release.

Check back Sunday. I’ll be posting a review of the album and Jason’s new live 5-track studio EP, both of which are available on iTunes, Amazon and his website.

Other Idol hightights — and lowlights — on the Billboard music charts this week …

* Carrie Underwood’s “Play On” album has now been out more than a year. It’s still number 14 on the county album chart and 46 on the Billboard 200. Pretty good, huh?

* I still doubt that Carrie’s latest single, “Mama’s Song,” will reach number one on the country singles chart. But it moves up another spot to 12 this week, and that splendid version on the CMA awards Wednesday night can’t hurt.

* Both of Fantasia’s singles move up on the R&B / Hip-Hop singles chart, with “I’m Doing Me” reaching a new peak of number 20.

* The lowlight — David Archuleta’s new CD has disappeared from the Billboard 200, just five weeks after its release. Ouch.