Michael Stephen Castro (born April 29, 1988 in Dallas, Texas) is an American singer-songwriter and former American Idol contestant. He audtioned for both the eighth and ninth seasons of American Idol and has recorded a five-song EP that was released in 2009. Castro's older brother by one year, Jason Castro, was a former season seven contestant of the show, which inspired Castro to audition. Castro was born the middle child to Columbian-born parents René and Betsy in Dallas. His older brother, Jason, was a former Top 12 finalist on the seventh season of American Idol in 2008 and his younger sister, Jackeline (Jackie Castro) is an aspiring actress and singer. Castro grew up in Rowlett and Rockwall, Texas and attended Rowlett High School with his brother as a teenager. He later went on to college at Texas A&M University with him before dropping out as a junior to pursue music. He was also a mixed martial arts fighter before pursuing his career in music. Castro, along with the rest of his family, are Christians and occasionally attend Lake Pointe Church in Rockwall. [edit]On Idol Castro auditioned for the eighth season of Idol the summer of 2008 in Kansas City, Missouri. He stated to the judges he had only sang thirty days before his audition and had decided to pursue a career music after watching his brother on the show. His audition aired in January of 2009, where he was shown singing Gavin Degraw's song titled "In Love with a Girl". He was later given a golden ticket to Hollywood. However, he did not make it past the last round of Hollywood week and went home. He auditioned again in Dallas for the ninth season, singing Ray LaMontagne's "Trouble". He was given yet another ticket to Hollywood but was cut yet again in the group round. After being cut from the show, Castro stated on his Twitter account he wasn't sure or not if he'd audition for the tenth season. [edit]Music career Castro released his self-titled debut EP in 2009. The EP was produced by Dave Lichens, a Grammy winner and member of The Heavy Steadies and Petra (Lichens has also worked with Castro's brother on his album). Richard Dodd mastered Castro's EP and Joe Baldridge was in charge of mixing it. Before the EP's release, Castro had also put up other songs on his MySpace that he had worked on such as "This Boy", a cover of a James Morrison song, "Feeling Good", a Nina Simone song and live recordings of original songs he had put up the day he performed as his brother's opening act at a concert held at Texas A&M. He also contributed to co-writing the song "Live the Song" with his sister Jackie for her. Castro also provided background vocals for his older brother's upcoming album with Atlantic Records. Castro is an opening act for his brother for his upcoming All Wrapped Up tour alongside band Camera Can't Lie.