American Idol singer Elliott Yamin reports he can barely believe "how much the landscape of radio has changed" between the radio promo tour he did for his self-titled debut album a couple years ago, and his May 5 debuting sophomore effort, "Fight For Love."

American Idol Singer Elliott Yamin Surprised By Tough Shape Of Industry After Radio Tour (Image: WENN)

"Radio is really in bad shape right now. Program directors are getting fired, there's less airtime to fight for, it's so political," notes Yamin, whose soulful and soaring vocals won the hearts of viewers and the "AI" judges in Season 5.20. He says, "I feel really thankful to have been able to make this trip. I'm my biggest asset, and there's no substitute for going out there door-to-door. If I was an independent artist, I wouldn't be able to learn about it as I have."

Yamin's album has been greeted with "great feedback," which especially pleases him because "people in the media and fans, they all talk about sophomore jinxes. We wanted not only to reach the bar from the first one, but to eclipse it."

Will he guest on "AI"? "We've got to keep the streak alive," he says.

"We've been on two seasons, and I know people are fighting to get me on. I'd like to think it will happen, but if it doesn't, well, I couldn't even complain. They've been so great to me."