Singer Bucky Covington, a finalist on the fifth season of "American Idol," has signed a record deal with Nashville's Lyric Street Records.
"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."