Scott McIntyre gives thanks as he exits 'Idol'

Eliminated " American Idol" contestant Scott McIntyre said he is happy about his time on the Fox television show. After all, it would be "a shame" not to share his story with the public.

"From the very beginning, I have felt like I have a story to share through my music and because of my life story and what I've overcome and that I pursued music as my main passion, vocally and [with the piano], and all of that combined, I felt like it would have been a shame not to share that with the world," said McIntyre, who is legally blind, during a recent teleconference with reporters.

"And Idol’s given me the platform I've been hoping for, for many years, in that I'm able to connect with so many people and so many people know what I've been through now and can hopefully be inspired by that. If I can get to this point out of almost 110,000 auditioners and end up in eighth place, I hope it encourages everyone to reach for their dreams. I hope it encourages people never to give up, and that's the message I have for anyone in that situation."

He added that Wednesday, April 8, was the perfect time for him to leave the competition because now he gets to focus on his life and his music career.

"First of all, I get to partake in the tour," McIntyre said. "I've been dreaming about going on tour and playing show after show every night since I was a little kid and there's something magical about being on stage with that many people in the audience. And I've had glimpses of that throughout my life and then even more so on 'Idol' as the show, and now it's just going to be huge on tour. And when I can do something I enjoy so much, which is performing, and I can touch people's lives at the same time, it's a win/win situation for the audience and me.

"And the thing I'm most excited about moving on is that with every week of the competition there's a different category of music and it's always a challenge, and I think I rose to the task very well to try to pick songs in a Motown genre, in a country genre that really represent yourself as an artist. But now I actually get to define myself as an artist from scratch. I actually have a huge catalog of original music, original songs, and I can't wait to share my writing, my songwriting with America."