Though American Idol newcomer Kara DioGuardi has a whole lot of new reality TV responsibilities, she’s still a songwriter at heart. The judge recently made a public appeal to one former Idol who obviously caught her ear.

During a Thursday conference, the judge issued a plea to rocker Chris Daughtry. “Please call me,” she asked, saying she’d like to co-write a song with him. DioGuardi has worked with other ex-Idols in the past, but she’s never had the chance to rock with Grammy-nominated Daughtry.

Kara DioGuardi has also shared some of her thoughts on American Idol’s upcoming Season 8 cast, saying that several of the male singers really impressed her. And as for the old-timers (the Idol judges who have been on the previous seven seasons), DioGuardi says “they were very accepting of me.”

But…how does DioGuardi feel about them? She broke it down for reporters: “Paula has a lot of heart. Simon pretty much tell is like it is. Sometimes he’s can be pretty harsh but he’s usually right. And Randy’s, just, he’s the diplomat.” And the slang user, dog.

Want to know more about DioGuardi herself? The wait is almost over: American Idol’s season 8 premieres next week.