Josiah Leming, perhaps the most popular American Idol contestant to not crack the Top 24, is forging ahead with plans to release his debut album, under Warner Bros. Records, despite the looming threat of a lawsuit from Idol producers.

Check out Josiah’s first music video, “Angels Undercover.”

Reports are out that American Idol plans to sue Josiah Leming over his debut album release with Warner Brothers, as a violation of contract.

Apparently, all Amercian Idol contestants are required to sign a contract which requires that they record albums with Sony/BMG, and gives American Idol producer Simon Fuller’s 19 Entertainment exclusive rights of refusal for management and merchandising.

According to reports, Leming has already received legal threats from American Idol lawyers. Josiah Leming has responded to the threats by indicating that he will release the album this year… no matter what. Why? Because his mother has terminal cancer and he wants her to see the album released (and hopefully be successful).

Here’s a live performance video of the new song Angels Undercover by Josiah Leming.

Do you remember Leming? He was a fan favorite on last year’s American Idol but got dissed by the judges and didn’t make it through to the top 24.

Ousted American Idol contestant Josiah Leming, who just missed making it through Idol’s Hollywood round earlier this year, has signed a deal with Warner Bros. Records.

A fan favorite on Idol, Josiah left his Morristown, Tenn. home to pursue his music career at seventeen. The out-of-work teen was living in his late ’80s model Ford Thunderbird when he auditioned for Idol.

Josiah will begin recording his debut album this week, according to a press release from Warner Brothers Records.

Josiah Leming on Ellen Video

After failing to make it into the Top 24, American Idol 7 favorite Josiah Leming will appear on Tuesday’s episode of Ellen.

Josiah announced on his official blog:

thanks again to everyone for all of your support, at risk of being too repetitive it does mean the world to me. tomorrow i’m flying to LA to see the oh so lovely Ellen DeGeneres ( : I’m so excited, more than anyone could ever know. i LOOOOVVVVEEEEE her. Please take any articles you see on the internet claiming to have done interviews with me with a grain of salt, i made the mistake of talking way too much on thursday, and i’m reaping the benefits right now. Just understand that things do get a bit twisted.

Josiah Leming