Some cool american idol review images:
Ace Young, 2005/2006 American Idol Finalist
Image by dbking
Brett Asa "Ace" Young (born November 15, 1980) is an American singer-songwriter and actor. He came to national recognition upon appearing on the fifth season of the popular reality television talent show, American Idol, although he was eliminated from the competition on April 19, 2006, finishing in seventh place.
Early years
Young, who is of German and Irish descent, was raised in Denver, Colorado, growing up in the same Boulder neighborhood as actress Jessica Biel and American Idol Season 2 contestant Samantha Cohen. He is the fifth and last son of Jay Young, a retired minor-league baseball player, and Kay Whitney, a cosmetologist and member of the Mormon Church (although Young himself is not a member of the Mormon religion, but rather a non-denominational Christian). Young has four older brothers: Josh, Duff, Marc, and Ryan. He was named after his maternal great-grandfather, Asa, and after baseball player George Brett; he has been called Ace by his family since his childhood and did not know his legal name until he was six years old.
Young, who has been singing since the age of nine, attended voice lessons and performed at local shopping malls and recreation centers during his youth. He performed at various venues in Colorado and other western states, most notably at the Pepsi Center in Denver. Young graduated from Fairview High School, his local high school, in 1999, having participated in athletics, choir, and International Baccalaureate classes during his school years.
After his high school graduation, Young opened for Brian McKnight and New Edition, and sang the national anthem at Denver Nuggets games. His first published song, "Reason I Live" was featured in the 2000 film The Little Vampire.
In 2003, Young moved to Los Angeles, California, where he initially worked in sales and home remodeling. During this time, he guest-starred in an episode of Half & Half, playing a character named Ace Blackwell.
American Idol
Young auditioned for American Idol in Denver, wearing a tuque beanie and singing a rendition of Westlife’s "Swear It Again" and was unanimously passed on to the next round. American Idol judges Paula Abdul and Randy Jackson approved his entry, with Jackson noting that Young was one of the best singers he had seen audition. Simon Cowell disagreed with Abdul and Jackson but also approved Young, with a small "yes". He was introduced as Brett Young, with the name ‘Ace’ marked in quotations. Later, he told them he preferred to be called Ace, and the quotes were removed from his credits.
In the Hollywood rounds, one of the songs he sang was "Emotions," in a trio with Chris Daughtry and Bobby Bullard.
Young was one of 24 contestants to make it to the semi-finals. His first performance, using a falsetto, was a rendition of the song "Father Figure", and he sang more verses of falsetto in the song "Butterflies," for his third performance on March 8. The judges loved both performances. In his second performance, on March 1, he sang "If You’re Not The One," to which he received mixed reviews.
On March 9, 2006, Young made it into the top twelve of American Idol. On March 14, he sang "Do I Do," because it was songs by Stevie Wonder theme week, and received mixed reviews. On the results show, he was one of the bottom three with Melissa McGhee and Lisa Tucker, but was safe.
The next week, on March 21 was 1950s songs, and he sang "In the Still of the Night." The judges enjoyed this performance: Jackson loved it, Abdul said it was the sexiest performance he had done all season, and Cowell said it was one of his strongest performances.
For the third week, on March 28, which was songs from the past six years, he sang "Drops of Jupiter (Tell Me)." Jackson said it was the wrong song choice for him and he sang it poorly. Abdul was also disappointed with the song choice but said Young sang well, nonetheless. She pointed out Young’s scar, which he had motioned to during his performance. Young explained it was from playing basketball when he tripped and fell on a bar that was supposed to hold a tree up, the bar bent down with him and narrowly missed his larynx. Cowell said the performance was not a great vocal and "quite karaoke," and was not impressed. Young was one of the bottom three contestants, along with McPhee and Tucker.
On April 4, the fourth week of the finals, was a designated country songs theme with Kenny Rogers. Young sang "Tonight I Wanna Cry," and received mixed reviews. Jackson said it was living proof that Young was single, and Abdul said the song was perfect for his range and that he sang an adequate rendition of a contemporary country music hit. Cowell thought Young had made a good song choice. Kenny Rogers also gave him very positive reviews, and later Young said he got the best advice from Rogers.
On April 11, the fifth week of the finals, was classic songs by Queen. He sang "We Will Rock You" and received mixed reviews. Abdul liked the performance, though she mentioned it was a bit pitchy at times, Jackson thought it was okay, and Cowell did not enjoy it, stating, "I think it was a complete and utter mess. It didn’t work—it was all over the place. You were forgetting your words. I mean, it was ‘We Will Rock You Gently’. I really, really, really hated that." Young was one of the bottom 3 contestants, along with Yamin and Covington.
On April 18, the sixth week of the finals, was songs from the Great American Songbook week with Rod Stewart. He sang "That’s All." For this performance, Young had his hair tied back and was dressed up in a McQueen designer suit. Jackson commented that Young stumbled in the middle, but did well overall. Abdul commented that she liked the "new Ace" and called it "a magical night." Cowell said "it wasn’t bad," but while he said the middle was a bit nasally, he called the performance "charming." The following night Young was placed in the "bottom three" with Daughtry and Bennett and was eliminated.
Post-Idol
On April 26, Young performed as a guest on Total Request Live, singing an original song called "Don’t Go" a cappella; the song will be included in his upcoming album. He has also appeared at the grand opening of The Camden House of Beverly Hills (an event showcasing rising stars under the age of thirty), was invited to the 2006 White House Correspondents’ Association dinner, sang the national anthem at a summer Colorado Crush game and hosted a solo concert at the Pepsi Center. Young continues to perform at the Pepsi Center in Denver.
Ace Young is currently unsigned to a record label (as of August 2006), he has been in talks with RCA Records. He was named one of People Magazine’s "Hottest Bachelors" on June 16, 2006.
On October 20 2006 , he released his first single "Scattered," a digital download on iTunes Store.
Young helped write the chorus to Daughtry’s debut single, "It’s Not Over."
Young appeared and sang on the 2006 Walt Disney Christmas Day Parade along with fellow idol finalists Paris Bennett, Kevin Covais, and Mandisa.
Personal life
Young is currently based in Los Angeles, California. His hobbies include playing the piano, football, baseball, and basketball. During his time on American Idol, Young befriended Chris Daughtry, whom he met at the Denver audition for the show. The two lived in the same apartments during the show’s runtime, and following Young’s elimination, he stated that he would step in front of a moving train for Daughtry any time. Fans of the pair have categorized them as "Chrisace" or "Chrace", while Young’s fanbase became known as "Highrollers", a name based off a pun of the name "Ace".
Since 1999, he has worked voluntarily in the Children’s Hospital of Denver, entertaining hospital-bound patients every Christmas. Ace always talks about his love for children and his desire for his own children one day. He has two nephews, Carter and Keeghan, and three nieces, Josh’s daughter (name unknown), Renee and Aspen. Young also has a charity that he has started last year, called Highrollers with Heart.
Albums
American Idol Encores (compilation)
barbwire….sometimes you don’t see it coming
Image by bulldog1
Photo taken May 2006….but May 10th I was SHOCKED to view a great talented singer, Chris Daughtry, voted off American Idol. For those who know about the show or liked him….I did not see it coming, neither did many! Just like the photo I just posted says! I have to wonder if there was some serious cheating going on with FOX and producers of the show.
‘American Idol’ Shocks With Latest Cut By ERIN CARLSON, Associated Press Writer
Thu May 11, 1:35 AM ET
Shock. Total shock. That was the reaction in the audience when "American Idol" finalist Chris Daughtry — predicted by many to be the last singer standing — was booted off in Wednesday’s voting.
In the most competitive "Idol" race yet, Daughtry’s exit narrowed the contestants to three. The winner will be named May 24.
"Surprised?" Host Ryan Seacrest asked an unsmiling Daughtry, visibly caught off guard.
The 26-year-old rocker, drowned out by loud boos and screams of "No!" replied: "Yes."
The other "Idols" stood speechless, mouths agape. Even the judges — usually unflappable — didn’t foresee Daughtry’s ouster: Simon Cowell’s jaw fell slack; Paula Abdul’s eyes filled with tears.
Contestants sang Elvis Presley classics — two songs each — in Tuesday night’s program. Daughtry’s cover of The King’s "Suspicious Minds" drew rave reviews from judges, including Abdul, who said "See ya in the finals."
Cowell called his second performance — a rendition of "A Little Less Conversation" — "flat" and "not as good as the first."
Katharine McPhee, 21, had the next-lowest vote total.
McPhee, considered one of the best singers in the talent contest, stumbled with some of the lyrics in her "Hound Dog/All Shook Up" medley on Tuesday’s program. Cowell derided the performance as "shrieky," comparing it to a "desperate, manic audition."
"It hasn’t been one of your best nights," he told her.
Nearly four years since its debut, "Idol" continues to rule the ratings. It has attracted 25 million to 33 million viewers each telecast
Day 294/365 – The Color Purple
Image by Kevin H.
I never thought I would like this musical. I haven’t ever seen the movie (it looked too girly), so when the Kennedy Center announced they were bringing a touring company production of the show to town I was less than impressed. But then earlier this week they sent me an email advertising the fact that tickets to many of remaining performances of "The Color Purple" were being discounted to , so I figured ‘what the heck, I’ll give it a try.’ Glad I did.
I went to see it tonight with my friend Pia and her musical-mad niece and we all enjoyed it. It’s certainly not the happiest and most lighthearted of musicals. There’s a lot of sorrow and suffering, hardship and hate in it, but despite that it manages to be very uplifting with numerous laugh-out-loud moments. The story focuses on the struggles of a woman who loses everyone she loves and is victimized by everyone she doesn’t. The play follows her from the age of 14 to her grey-haired old womanhood and recounts the many memorable characters that pass through her life and the trials she endures.
The set design and staging is very stylized and evocative and the music and songs are memorable and rousing. The performances are simply outstanding. American Idol winner Fantasia burns brightly in the lead role of Ceelie. I was surprised at how good an actress she is. She doesn’t play the part so much as she inhabits it. And man, can she sing! Her voice is an unstoppable force unto itself. As good as Fantasia’s performance is however, the play is absolutely stolen by the actress portraying the feisty and unyielding Sophia. Her "Hell, no" song was the highlight of the evening for me.
Now after enjoying the play I’m going to have to rent the movie and give it a chance. Sometimes being proven wrong can be a good thing.
(July 29, 2009)
(out of 7 reviews)