When you and Crystal decided to do “Falling Slowly” as a duet, did you think about the fact that it was a big song for Kris Allen last year?
No, there are a lot of comparisons drawn on Idol. This season compared to last season compared to the year before. I think that when the show is over is when you really get to make a name for yourself. I knew Kris did it and he did an awesome job on it. I think he’s a really good artist and I think he’s a cool guy. But it was a different set-up. His was a lot more folky and ours was a bit more ballad-y. It was a duet versus… it was a different feel. So I really didn’t feel like I was stepping all over that or worried about the fact that he did it. It was fun for both of us to do.
Did you talk to Kris about it when he came back for the finale?
I got to talk to him, we didn’t really talk about that much. We definitely talked about other things like going through the experience and what’s it like for him. He was telling me what it was kind of going to be like coming up. He’s a really cool guy. I talked to a lot of the past Idols since I’ve been off and they’ve all been supportive and just do your thing, be proud of yourself.
Have you heard the comparisons to David Cook and Kris?
Yeah, I have. I’ve heard the whole thing. You’re going to get compared. But we’re all different artists, completely. There is a different sound to each one of us. We all do our own thing and our own styles. After the show is when you really get to put out an album and show what kind of artist you are. You’re not up there singing cover songs. Granted, I was the guy up there with the guitar. That’s fine, but that’s what I do. I wasn’t going to not do it because they did it. And I wasn’t going to do it because they did it. I respect them 100 percent and I think they’re great. But I wanted to make a name for myself, too.