CEDAR FALLS - Former American Idol contestant Jason Rich has signed with VSR Music Group. The 21-year-old Christian artist will continue to live in the Cedar Valley, and fly to the label's studios in Mesa, Ariz., to record songs.

"I'm really excited," said Rich, who recently moved into a Cedar Falls home. "This is what I was looking for."

VSR is supported by the 10,000 members of the Living Word Bible Church, also in Mesa. Other artists with the company include Ever Stays Red, Re:Zound, Out of Ruin, Kelly Mack and Vikki Jordan. The label is known for sending their musicians on evangelical missions abroad.

"Jason seems like he's someone who is definitely on the verge of breaking through as an independent solo artist," Tai Navares, director of marketing and artists and repertoire with VSR, told The Courier in May. "As a label, we are always looking for the next big thing.

"Hopefully Jason Rich can be that guy for us."