Q) How would you describe your sound?

A) The record is a feel good rock n' roll record. It's an independent record so it's not over produced. We made it with a small budget. We emphasized on song writing and hooks. Compared to all of the top forty records that are out there today, does it sound like a three million dollar record? No. It's organic. It's a feel good rock n' roll record and I'm psyched about it.

Q) Who are some of your musical influences?

A) I would say it was everything from Nat King Cole, Sinatra, Bon Jovi to Aerosmith to the Police. I like John Mayer, Norah Jones and some more current artists. I think you'll find my taste is pretty eclectic. Even my time on "American Idol," I tried to show as much diversity as I could. I grew up in a very musically diverse home and I tried to show that on the record. Considering that it is my own label and I was able to have that artistic freedom, I just went for it.

Q) What made you choose "Everybody Loves" as the first single?

A) I was finishing up the record in New York City and then the Executive Producer of "The Bold and The Beautiful," Brad Bell, called me and said, "Hey listen, I love your song 'Everybody Loves.' I heard it on your Myspace and I have a great idea about incorporating you into a storyline this summer. Would you be interested?" I said, "Of course!" I'm an actor and I've been acting my whole life. To turn down a job like that would just be foolish! They have a tremendous world wide audience and the fact they wanted to work my material into the show was pretty cool! I just went for it. Because it is the first track on the record and it was being featured on "The Bold and The Beautiful," we felt like it was the best overall single for the record. It's a feel good song and it has sort of a summer vibe to it. I think it's pretty catchy. It has a nice positive message and it represents the album well. It's not too rock and it's not too pop. It's somewhere right in the middle. I think that's where my audience is, as well.

Q) How much hand did you have in the production of the CD?

A) Very much! Again, I am the President of the label so I had as much say as I wanted. I hired an incredible band and they tour with me. I hand picked them all from a group of musicians in New York City. Jim Boggia and Marc Copely produced it and both play in the band. They are incredible singer/songwriters in their own right. They really coached me quite well on this record. Despite it being a solo record, I feel it has a band sound to it and I'm pretty excited!

Q) What is your favorite track on the album?

A) I would say my favorite track, outside of the single "Everbody Loves," (which I do love dearly), is tough to pick. They are all my little babies, but I think that it may be "Fading Into You." It was written by one of my friends, Eman, who is a big singer and songwriter. He wrote songs for Nick Lachey and he wrote Backstreet Boy hits. He's a Greek guy, just like me. We connected one day and I think he's a talented. He gave me this song and I hope I did it justice. I think it came out really well on the record. The girls seem to like it so I am happy.

Q) What can fans expect from a live show?

A) I've grown up a lot since "American Idol," even though I probably should have grown up long before then. I've become humbled by the whole experience. The one thing I can say is that I put on a hell of a show! We have great energy as a band and as a unit on stage. We bring real rock n' roll to the stage. We're not a band that is going to sound like crap. We take pride in a live performance. We might not sell millions of records, but we'll put on a hell of a show and we're tour constantly. That's my hope. If you come to the show, you can expect a lot of diversity and have a lot of fun. There will be some drama. They'll be some fun songs. There will be some arena rock and I think it all blends together well.

Q) Why should people take the time to pick up your album?

A) I'm a hard working kid from Brooklyn. I'm a Greek boy. I've been in this business a long time. I paid my dues a long time before "American Idol." I paid my way through school at the Boston Conservatory. I've been on crappy tours and some great stuff, too. I think I've proven in the last few years that sixth is the new first. I've been able to do everything. I don't think a lot of people are able to say that. I starred on Broadway and I'm on a huge soap opera. I've toured and I even started my own label. I am not trying to brag, but I think because of the hard work that I've put in that people will respond to that. I think that, in and of itself, is something to support. I'm a good kid and I work hard. I feel that if I can sell enough records to keep making indie records, touring and doing acting gigs then I'll be very blessed.

Q) Do you have any plans to return to Broadway?

A) Absolutely! My company, Sixth Place Records, that I started is not just a record label. We've developed a theatrical department, as well. We hope to continue to develop that and produce Broadway shows in the near future. I love Broadway and would love to return there some day.

Q) Do you keep in touch with your band mates from Pray For The Soul of Betty?

A) I do! Hamboussi is an extremely talented drummer, songwriter and is a great artist. He's a graphic designer and he works with me a lot doing graphics and a lot of my Internet things. He's one of my best friends! Joao and Taylor are also very close to me. They are off doing different musical projects right now and I support them whole heartedly. We never really go the chance to be a band because before "American Idol" I was in Rent for two years. I dragged them across the country and we only knew three songs. Then, all of a sudden, I was on "American Idol" and the storyline was about me leaving the band. All of a sudden, we had this national attention. We never had that proper time to really be a band. It's unfortunate because the record that came out, which I really had nothing to do with, I feel didn't really represent the energy that we were able to achieve on stage. They are great guys and they support me. Here I am, two years later, putting out the record that I feel could never made had I come right off "American Idol." I needed to go out there, experiment, tour and find my voice.

Q) What would you like to say to your fans and supporters?

A) I just want to say thank you so much for supporting me these couple of years. It's been a pleasure to perform for you. Thank you for your patience and dedication to what I do. Thank you for believing in me when other people didn't. Pick up this record because its got my heart and soul on it. I feel really good about it. I promise to continue to do good work, to be a good person.