Mario Vazquez

Mario Vazquez is now a certified pop star. He is now the only American Idol performer to achieve the radio milestone reached by Kelly Clarkson with his single "Gallery" today reaching the #9 position, cracking the treasured Top 10 on BDS and Mediabase's Top 40 Pop Charts. After almost seven months on the charts and a rigorous schedule of tour and radio dates, "Gallery," Vazquez's breakthrough single, which has been #1 most requested and played track at top stations such as Z100 in New York, WXKS in Boston, WIHT in DC, and Y100 in Miami is now a qualified pop radio smash. This news comes following incredible online awareness and activity. Vazquez was selected for the coveted AOL Music "Breakers" program which kicked off October 1st, has enjoyed major exposure on Yahoo Music, and has blanketed the web album release week with features on MySpace Music, AOL Music, Clear Channel Music online, Rhapsody, and VH1.com "Hear Music First." In addition, Mario made television appearances last week performing "Gallery" on MTV's "TRL" and "Regis & Kelly."

His self-titled debut album has been receiving raves from the press: People Magazine noted his "heartthrob appeal" and "that Vazquez is worthy of a little idol worship." The New York Post calls his debut album "honest and real" and the Associated Press concurs: "Mario Vazquez should have no problem becoming a pop idol on his own with his debut full of catchy R&B and pop tracks."

From the soaring ballad "One Shot" to the reggaeton flavored "Cohiba" featuring guest appearances by Fat Joe and Knox, Mario Vazquez, his self titled debut album is a collection of future hits produced by a host of top pop and R&B producers including Ne-Yo, Lester Mendez (Shakira), Scott Storch (50 Cent, Christina Aguilera), Steve Morales (Ricky Martin, Marc Anthony) Sean Garrett (Beyonce, Mary J. Blige) and writer/producer team The Underdogs (Chris Brown).

Vazquez is known to many from his brief stint on American Idol last year before he voluntarily withdrew when he reached the Top 12.