Follow-up On Celebrity Role Model Ace Young

Sound Advice for Young Hopefuls

by Mac Duffy

Former American Idol Ace Young's commitment to his family, his charitable endeavors, and his audience shows kids that a positive focus and hard work can lead to great things. In addition to his 2008 Grammy nomination*, his fans are eagerly looking forward to the early February release of his new single pulled from his self-titled new album that will be released in April. And don't forget his upcoming appearance on Fox's hit drama "Bones".

Ace gladly offers advice to young hopefuls seeking a similar path of success. "I really want the kids to know that anything is possible…There are tons of reasons for people to say "no", but if you believe in your dream enough and you believe it's better for everyone involved, then you are your own driving force."

Kids and parents alike should take note. Ace is a bit of an expert when it comes to being your own driving force. After an initially unsatisfying experience with his first album (his producers wanted him to change his image), Ace actively sought out avenues in which he could explore his own vision.

"That's part of what drove me to Idol," he confides. "Idol stays true to who you are. I'm from Colorado, the youngest of 5 boys, and I'm all about my family and their support in everything that I'm doing…I incorporate that into the shows. When I perform, I sing songs that are true to me, that made me who I am."

Ace's new album is one he's been planning for years, and his patience has allowed him to set into motion all the details necessary to maintain control of its artistic direction. "We found that the best way to go for this album was to get a production team that shared our vision. Once we did that, we did a lot of corporate gigs and toured with my band for the last year and a half so that we could pay for the production."

"The music…each song has its own emotion," Ace reveals. "I tie in experiences that (young listeners) have had…in doing so, it will let them know where I stand on these situations. I really hope people like the music as a vent, as an emotional release and celebration that everyone can relate to. If I can do that, that would be the greatest blessing in the world."

Idol Camp – A Tremendous Head Start The idea of people coming together to have fun and create music is one of the many reasons Ace chose to participate last summer in Idol Camp, the official American Idol performing arts summer camp. "I was very impressed with even just the idea of Idol Camp," he shares. "I loved Idol Camp (and) was blown away to be around so many talented kids that were driven in the arts!" Granted, attendance at Idol Camp won't guarantee that your child will appear on American Idol, but according to Ace, "It's a tremendous head start for kids that are going to audition for the show in the next few years."

Ace was also moved by the comprehensive program offered at Idol Camp. "The kids got to see how a production was put together from the ground up, from the building of the stage to getting a show ready and performing," he says. "It's experiences like that that are the most important for kids growing up because it opens them to the idea that anything is possible and builds friendships that will last a lifetime."

"The staff is very professional," he continues. "They treat the kids like adults, and the kids know that the advice given is based on real experience. If they had Idol Camp when I was 10 to 15, I would have been there as often as I could have. I'd try to get in every year."

Will he participate again in the future? "I would definitely do it again," Ace exclaims. "This time, I'd go back and bring a full band. They'd have to put the kids' sleeping bags in front of the stage because we'd be rockin' all night!"

"The phrase I've always lived by is, 'You're stronger on a team than you can ever be on your own, and your team consists of your friends and family'. I'm glad to have all those kids who were at camp last year as my friend."

For more information on Ace and his upcoming projects, please visit www.Acemusic.com. For more info on Ace's charitable endeavors, please visit www.highrollerswithheart.org.

* For co-writing fellow former American Idol contestant Chris Daughtry's hit song, "It's Not Over", with Daughtry, Greg Wattenberg, and Mark Wilson.