| QUOTE |
| How far does a nifty falsetto, a knack for songwriting and a nice head of hair take a young man these days? For Ace Young, at least, pretty far. The former "American Idol" contestant, known for his dreamy renditions last season of "Father Figure" and "In the Still of the Night," has used the Fox ratings monster as a springboard to bigger and better things. In fact, amiable Ace (real name: Brett Asa Young) says his shining moments on the show were his last. |
| QUOTE |
| It would be easy to dismiss the hunky songster as Idol eye candy, but there's some surprisingly genuine musicianship underneath those wavy locks. Case in point: Young co-wrote "It's Not Over," the critically commended first single from his buddy Chris Daughtry's debut album, "Daughtry." The man's got some songwriting chops to go along with his camera-ready smile and teen-heartthrob persona. |
| QUOTE |
| Despite Cowell's mixed reviews of Young's talent, the Denver native was launched into an orbit he could only daydream about before. "Everything I was doing before, I am doing now on a larger scale," he said. "I was knocking on doors to get a record deal, and now I have two major record labels I am talking to." If Young has a flair as a singer, his larger gift may be his people skills. Before and after most concerts on the summer 2006 American Idols Live tour, the 26-year-old would shake hands, hug and pose for hundreds of snapshots with his adoring multitudes. "I loved being able to be one-on-one with so many people," he said. "The whole time on the show, everyone got to really know me, and then, on the tour, one-on-one, I got to listen to them. I enjoy people a lot." |
| QUOTE |
| ----- he can't wait to get cracking on the album he's been writing with Desmond Child, who wrote a slew of songs with everyone from Aerosmith to Bon Jovi to Alice Cooper. "(The album) will represent what I stand for in the lyrics," he said. "It will be pop music, hip-hop, R&B and rock; it incorporates all of that and more. The album's message will be that it's time to celebrate and dance and have fun." |