JB- Is there anything that surprised you about yourself going through the Idol experience?

ES- [long pause] Um, I feel like I handled it pretty well. I wasn't exactly sure how it was going to go down but, I don't know, a bit surprised, I guess. I was glad about how well I got into the groove. In the top 200 and stuff you like stress out about every little song and everything. And by the time you're in the top 10, top 9, you just… it's like second nature almost.

JB- So you're more comfortable now then?

ES- Yeah. Or you mean to perform?

JB- Are you more comfortable as a performer then or you were just more comfortable with the situation?

ES- Well, with everything, you know - with the performing, with the rehearsal, playing with the band. You know, the first time I went to play with the band I was quite nervous, you know, but you just keep going and you try find out that it's just like your friends and everything. Because you come into the contest not knowing, you know, it's just what you see on the TV and you don't have no idea (sic) what it's going to really be like, right? It's a lot like you think, but it's also a lot more . . you can make sense of it more.

JB- Mookie (Morris) told me last week he was actually relieved that his Idol time was over because it was so fast paced and so go, go, go non-stop 24-7. Are you happy about not being on the show anymore? Is it bittersweet?

ES- Well, you know, there's a part of you, "Ah, maybe I could've won it, maybe I could have won it. Maybe I should have practiced a little longer. Maybe I should have got my head in the game a little more for a couple of songs." But at the same time, you're done now and things . . . you don't always have to be the winner of the show to have a career. It's just one little brick, that's how I look at it.

JB- So what is the next brick for you then? It's not even 24 hours since your elimination, but have you been thinking ahead?

ES- Definitely, yeah. I think I'm going to move out to Toronto and I'm going to keep going hard with music. I think, me and Mookie were talking about getting a house in downtown Toronto and just go full out music.

JB- You'll be at the finale in a couple weeks.

ES- Yeah.

JB- I want to know if I can be part of the Earl train.

ES- (laughing) Yeah, I know, eh? No one wanted to hop on but…

JB- I will. I'll get it started! We'll definitely start a spontaneous train, are you ready for that?

ES- Yeah, right on!

JB- Earl Stevenson, thanks for joining us today. All the best and we'll see you on finale night!

ES- Thanks.