Singer Bucky Covington, a finalist on the fifth season of "American Idol," has signed a record deal with Nashville's Lyric Street Records.
Wednesday's signing of Covington brings to eight the number of contestants from the show's fifth season who have signed recording contracts, E! Online reported.
"It's so amazing, what 'American Idol' can do for a singer," Covington said. "People don't realize that when they pick up the phone to vote they're helping to make someone's dream come true."
The 29-year-old singer said he's hoping his new album -- scheduled for an Apr. 17 release -- will be the first step in a long music business career.
"It's going to be a country record, definitely, anything from slow ballads to upbeat, humorous songs, and I've got some songs that are almost rock," he said of his as-of-yet untitled album. "I'm very happy with the way things are going. I don't want overnight success, I want longevity."