Jason Brock

In 2012, SoMa resident Jason Brock gained national attention as a contestant on the Fox talent show The X Factor, where he was noted both for his impressive pipes and for being openly gay. Though he had a somewhat combative working relationship with the show's creator and host, Simon Cowell, Brock now says that he remembers the experience with fondness. Because of his worldwide exposure, he now has a broad fan base, and calls his time on the show "life-changing."

Brock has since quit his job in the tech industry, and is pursuing performing full-time. Tonight, Saturday, March 26th, he'll perform his "Television Theme Song Show" at Martuni's, which celebrates his love for classic TV. The show kicks off at 7pm.

"I honestly love TV theme songs," Brock says. "They have been stuck in my head my entire life, and I've never gotten a chance to share them with the world until now. I had thought about doing a show like this many times, but this is the first time I actually did it!"

Many of the classic TV shows Brock features in his show still air locally on ME TV or Antenna TV, and some of their themes have personal meaning to the singer. "The themes to Family Ties and Who's The Boss?, I can really relate them to my life and relationship," Brock explains. "Others are just totally fun and nostalgic, like The Nanny or The Brady Bunch—which I'm totally jazzing up, by the way."

Of course, TV fans are welcome to sing along, he says. "It would be horrible to stop anyone. I know how much we love to sing these songs!" (Just "maybe don't sing along the whole show," he adds.) Between tunes, he'll share some interesting facts about the songs, songwriters and about the shows themselves.

Brock on the runway during his stint on 'The X Factor.' (Photo: Courtesy of Jason Brock)

Brock will be supported on stage by pianist/vocalist Dee Spencer and vocalist Nikki Arias.

"Nikki Arias is an incredible vocalist and actor," Brock said. "She and I met while working together on Hedwig and the Angry Inch at the Boxcar Theatre. We always wanted to do something else together, and she loves TV tunes, too! She also sings in a band and is performing with Trixxie at the Oasis next week! In my show, she's doing backup vocals, a couple solos, a couple duets and even some commercial jingles."

Spencer is a pianist, musical director, and head of music and dance at SF State. "She's played with many celebrities and is a generally well-known figure in San Francisco, with a weekly show at Beaux every Thursday night," Brock said. "I love working with her—she'll be playing piano in my show and doing some back-up vocals too."

Brock also has a lot of affection for Martuni's, where he's performed many shows. "Martuni's, its staff and ownership—hi, Skip—mean so much to performers in the community," he said. "It's where I got my chops, and where so many new performers have done the same. Many of us have gone on to do really big things, but have still come back to this place that is always open to us, where everybody knows your name."

Martuni's is but a stone's throw from SoMa, which the rising star is happy to call home. "I think my favorite part of SoMa is Yerba Buena," he said. "I love the park, the Metreon, the bowling, the views, the people asking me for money—OK, maybe not that last one as much! I love the museums; I also love how Salesforce is taking over the neighborhood—I can't wait to see the new building!"

Brock says that he's very grateful to all of those who supported his journey. "It's been amazing. I'm so lucky to be in this wonderful city." - Hoodline

Dubbed "Mr. Entertainment" by mentor L.A. Reid, the San Francisco-based singer went home Thursday.

Jason Brock may have had a leg up on his X Factor competition in the Twitter department, but that didn't seem to help him with America's votes.

With the judges locked in a dead heat on elimination night, the decision on who to send home ultimately landed on the audience's shoulders with Brock -- earning the fewest votes on Wednesday night -- being sent home over CeCe Frey.

'X Factor' Top 12 Sound Off on Their Mentors: Red Carpet Interviews

"I got to go with this, which is very me," said Brock, gesturing at his ensemble, "and I got to do 'Total Eclipse of the Heart,' which is me, so I ended on a very 'me' note."

But Brock had to wonder: Did his outspoken nature regarding his sexual orientation hurt him when it came time for America's votes?

"It makes you wonder, doesn't it?" he told reporters backstage following his elimination. "I think that being gay is a wild card in itself. When you're gay, some people still aren't OK with you being gay. So there are actually people in the country… I don't know how many… who think it's actually wrong.

"So I wouldn't doubt it if that does hurt in a way."

PHOTOS: Inside Simon Cowell's 'X Factor' Trailer

Earlier this week, Brock spoke with THR about the Adam Lambert comparisons many viewers had drawn. "I'm just gay, does that mean we're the same?" Brock pondered at the time, though it's worth noting that Lambert was not openly gay during his tenure on American Idol. He ultimately finished in second place, after which he came out to the public as a gay man.

But for Brock, it was important to represent himself as a member of the gay community while on the air.

"I just wanted to make a statement and make sure that gay people got attention," said Brock. "I have a connection with that community and I felt like it was important."

During his exit speech, Brock boldly proclaimed: "I did it for the gays… and Japan."

"My boyfriend lives in Japan and he's Japanese," Brock later explained. "I personally love Japan and I visited recently, and I wanted to go back and maybe even work there. I just wanted to be clear that I really love Japan. Please give me a job, Japan." - Hollywood Reporter

L.A. Reid got a bit of a challenge this season of X Factor, when he was chosen to mentor the Over 25s category!

Although he was seemingly upset with the decision, it looks like he might actually have some of the strongest singers in the competition!

Jason Brock wowed the crowd back in San Francisco with his killer vocals and he showed no signs of backing down during the judges’ homes round!

Check out Jason taking on Fergie's Big Girls Don’t Cry (above) for L.A. and Justin Bieber and his manager, Scooter Braun!!!

AH-Mazing vocals paired with his likable personality will definitely get him pretty far!

LOLz, we also loved that he didn’t change the lyrics and think it was a great song choice!!!

Jason goes up against Vino Alan, Daryl Black, David Correy, Tara Simon and Tate Stevens, with only FOUR eventually going on to the live shows! - Perez Hilton

Meet the sweet 16!

With The X Factor‘s much-anticipated live premiere set for Nov. 4, the celebrity mentors on FOX’s singing competition are already promising surprises – and a fiercely competitive second season.

All 16 acts will perform Nov. 1 on a 2½-hour live show, hosted by Khloé Kardashian Odom and Mario Lopez.

Team Britney Spears features the show’s youngest contestants, including finalists Beatrice Miller, 13, of Maplewood, N.J.; Arin Ray, 17, of Cincinnati, Ohio; Carly Rose Sonenclar, 13, of Westchester, N.Y., and Diamond White, 13, of Los Angeles.

Spears, who said her decision on finalists was tough, was already in a fighting spirit to win. “I do believe I have the winner, so watch out Simon!” she said to fellow judge Simon Cowell.
RELATED: The X Factor: Britney Spears, L.A. Reid Reveal Top 4 Amid Rain-Delay Chaos

Demi Lovato‘s group, the young adults ages 17-24, includes: Cece Frey, 21, of Decatur, Ill.; Jennel Garcia, 18, of Rochester, Mass.; Willie Jones, 18, of Shreveport, La.; and Paige Thomas, 22, of San Antonio, Texas.

The Over 25s group, mentored by L.A. Reid, is made up of Vino Alan, 40, Laquey, Mo.; Jason Brock 35, of San Francisco; David Correy, 27, of Riva, Md.; and Tate Stevens, 37, of Raymore, Mo.

Cowell, who will lead the groups category, calls his team “great artists.” They include: Emblem3, featuring Drew Chadwick, Keaton Stromberg and Wesley Stromberg; LYLAS, featuring Ally Brooke, Camila Cabello, Normani Hamilton, Dinah Jane Hansen and Lauren Jauregui; Lyric 145, including Jemelle Joseph, Julien Joseph and Lyric Da Queen; and Sister C, featuring Carli Rayne Manchaca, Ceibi Manchaca and Cirby Ryan Manchaca. - People Magazine