After what looked to be an easy first few rounds of competition for wanna-be Nashville Star, Justin Gaston, the fans took matters into their own hands and sent the part-time model packing. Although we thought Justin was a few years away from a Nashville Star type victory in country music, we did think it was possible the female teen generation would give the dreamy good looking dude a bye into the top three just for being Justin Gaston. The following day after Gaston belted out a rendition of Cyndi Lauper's "Girls Just Wanted to Have Fun," we caught up with the ambitious music industry hopeful on the conference call to see if he, himself, had any fun and what he took away from his time on Nashville Star.

THE DEADBOLT: What did you take away from the whole experience?

JUSTIN GASTON: Well, I took away all of the hard work that there really is in this business and all of the competition that’s out there, and things like that. And since there is so much competition, you can never let up, - 110% all of the time. I really got to see the joy of singing in front of all of America. It’s just such a great experience I had.

THE DEADBOLT: Was it disappointing that the judges seemed to be on your side, but you still got voted off?

JUSTIN: It’s definitely out of my hands and it was nice to finally get a little bit of good feedback from judges and for them to tell me I’m making progress. I’ll just keep making progress and keep working hard and hopefully it will pay off in the end.

THE DEADBOLT: Who are you rooting for now?

JUSTIN: You know, they would all kill me if I chose one because I love them all. But if any of them won, I would be just as excited for any of them. I love them all, like I said.

THE DEADBOLT: So, what’s next for you?

JUSTIN: Actually, I’m going to take a week off and go home and visit the family, kind of clear my head. You know, get some rest. Then back here to Nashville, I’m sure, and start writing again and get in the studio and just keep pursuing the dream, man.

THE DEADBOLT: When you're successful, would you consider becoming a judge on a show like this in the future?

JUSTIN: I don’t know. I would just have such a hard time criticizing people, because I know I’ve been there and I know what they’re going through. So if people would want me to say something mean, I don’t think I’d ever be able to say something negative towards them. I don’t think I’d be a very good judge, I’ll say that.

Other Conference Call Highlights:

Justin Gaston on singing pop rock type songs instead of country songs:

"You know, I really wanted to sing a country song, and I had hoped I’d be in the competition longer than this so I would get the chance. Those are just songs that - I had a couple of choices and I just decided to go with those. But, like I said, I wish I could’ve stayed longer because I really wanted to sing a country [song], but didn’t really get the chance.

Gaston on whether he'll return to modeling while his singing career comes together:

"Not really. It’s not my number one priority, it’s music. If something comes along, I’ll definitely take it up. I’m not going to pass up a job, but that’s not my number one priority right now."

On what it was like working with Jewel as a mentor:

"It’s so surreal and so cool. She’s so down to earth. One day you’re sitting there by yourself and the next day you’re sitting in front of Jewel, singing, and she’s kind of helping you giving you insight. Not only into this competition, but into the real music industry and what you’re going to face once you’re out of this competition, which I am now and really pursuing this thing."

On being the least experienced out of the bunch:

"I’m probably, definitely, the least experienced and it can be a good thing and a bad thing. I actually heard Jewel say that she told me that sometimes experienced performers have tendencies that they have to break on stage. So, in a sense, it could be a good thing. But, at the same time, some people did help me out. We kind of helped each other out in the competition. We really became like a family, so they would kind of give me tips and things. I just really work hard. Honestly, when I get out there, I kind of get in the moment and I don’t really get [nervous]. I’m so nervous before and then when I’m singing I’m just so relaxed. Obviously, afterwards I’m nervous, but people enjoy it. I just learned how much fun that I actually have singing in front of that many people and just things like that. And this really is for me and I love to do it."

Justin Gaston on the judges’ comments:

"I think some of the things they said could’ve been left out, but it’s their opinions. I just let some of it go. I let it go in one ear and out the other. But I try and take the constructive criticism and really use it, because they do know what they’re talking about. They’re not just up there trying to be mean."