American Idol seventh season finalist Michael Johns has been released from the show’s restrictive contract that prevents finalists from being signed by other record labels.

Johns “asked to be released from the 19 Entertainment contract” and “19 agreed, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported this week.

The singer has already “been on two major labels and an indie” and now “plans to go on his own like Elliott Yamin and hopes to find distribution any way he can,” and “says he’s recorded eight songs (two songs by Diane Warren), most done before the tour started. He hopes to get 25 done by Thanksgiving and pick 12 for an album set to be released in January or February,” the newspaper added.

It's a unique deal, but one that Johns is appreciate of.

“They said, ‘Look, we realize you’re 29 years old. Good luck.’ I was so thankful. I’ve been able to work and get things done instead of wait around,” Johns said, adding that he’s not going to a major label because “I want control back. It’s not like I need a label to get me noticed. This is one of my last shots to be in this situation.”

As to a producer, he said, “I can’t believe producers are returning my calls! Ultimately, we’ll write as much as we can then figure out what producer to stylize it. … It’s an album hopefully you can dance to, work out to, chill out to.”

Matt Richenthal is the Editor in Chief of TV Fanatic. Follow him on Twitter and on Google+.