Season 8's tenth place finalist, Michael Sarver, has signed a record deal with Dream Records/Universal. The Texas oil rig worker is going down the country route and will release his first single entitled "You Are" on December 8. In addition, Michael will release a bonus track called "Cinderella Girl" on the same day.

An avid songwriter who has written nearly a thousand songs, Michael told the The Pine Log, "I've got a single coming out (at) the end of November, and it's amazing because I got to write it. I've always thought [I would get to write] my first song, and that's exactly what's happening; and then the album will come out next year." In the meantime, Michael will continue to work on the song selection process for his debut album.

View photos of Michael Sarver on Season 8 of American Idol.