Ace Young

Infobox musical artist
Name = Ace Young


Img_capt =
Background = solo_singer
Birth_name = Brett Asa Young
Alias = Ace Young
Born = birth date and age|mf=yes|1980|11|15
Denver, Colorado
Origin = Los Angeles, California
Genre = Pop
Rhythm and blues
Blue-eyed soul
Rock
Instrument = vocal
years_active = 2000—present
Associated_acts = Daughtry, Little Memphis Blues Orchestra, Brian McKnight, New Edition.
URL = [http://www.acemusic.com AceMusic.com]

Brett Asa "Ace" Young (born November 15, 1980 in Denver, Colorado) is an American singer, Grammy-nominated 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.

On May 12, 2008 Ace appeared on FOX's hit show Bones alongside season six American Idol Contestant, Brandon Rogers. [ [http://www.americanidol.com/news/ American Idol News ] ]

Biography

Early years

Young, who is of German and Irish descent, [ [http://www.tv.com/ace-young/person/423312/biography.html] "No one really sounds like me. I'm German-Irish but for some reason I have soul in me. I've always had it - ever since I was a kid. So I'm bringing my spirit and my heart because every song I sing, I'm telling a story."] was raised in Denver, Colorado,cite web|last= Young |first= Ace | date=circa February 2006 |url= http://www.americanidol.com/videos/?vid=147 |title= Ace Young Interview |format= Windows Media Player |publisher= FOX Network | language= English |accessdate= 2006-06-04 |] 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). [ [http://www.aceyoungfans.com/archive/index.php?t-864.html] "Leaving aside the question of which team Ace plays on, there's also the question of which church he worships in, another minor obsession in cyperspace. Posting on aceyoung.net on March 3, someone named Connie assured a previous poster that Ace is a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, a.k.a. Mormons. She knows, she wrote, because "when he was little, he went to church where I went. He was quiet and well-behaved. But dad Jay says Ace is not a Mormon -- "He's a nondenominational Christian." He is also, says Jay, "a hard-working, aspiring artist and as nice a guy as you'll ever meet." In fact, "he was a Boy Scout," says Ace's maternal grandfather Mills Whitney, 87, of Newhall, Calif., a small town north of L.A.'s San Fernando Valley."] 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.cite web|last=Groke |first=Nick| date=2006|url= http://www.denverpost.com/crush/ci_3866258|title= Crush playoff draws an Ace|format= HTML|publisher= The Denver Post|language= English |accessdate=2006-06-07 |]

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. [ [http://www.americanidol.com/contestants/season5/ace_young/] "Do you have any formal singing training? Voice lessons".] 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.cite web|last= Parker |first= Penny | date=2006-05-05 |url= http://www.rockymountainnews.com/drmn/news_columnists/article/0,1299,DRMN_86_4675538,00.html|title= Parker: Already basking in afterglow, Ace Young to meet John Elway|format= HTML|publisher= Rocky Mountain News| language= English |accessdate= 2006-06-06 |]

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"."The Little Vampire Soundtrack". October 17, 2000. New Line Records.]

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.cite web| date=2006-03-16 |url= http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1526361/20060316/2pac.jhtml?headlines=true|title= For The Record: Quick News On Tupac Shakur, Ace Young, Gary Glitter, Snoop Dogg, Lara Croft, Saves The Day & More|format= HTML|publisher= MTV| language= English |accessdate= 2006-06-07 |]

"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.

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 fairly positive 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. [ [http://blogs.rockymountainnews.com/denver/fashion/archives/2006/04/american_idol_a_3.html#more] ]

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. [cite web| date=2006-06-05|url= http://tmz.aol.com/article2/_a/idol-finalists-get-record-contracts/20060605123209990001|title= 'Idol' Finalists Get Record Contracts: Kat, Chris, Ace and Elliott's post-deals|format= HTML|publisher= America Online|language= English |accessdate= 2006-06-05|] He was named one of People Magazine's "Hottest Bachelors" on June 16, 2006. [ [http://www.realityblurred.com/realitytv/archives/american_idol_5/2006_Jun_15_hicks_hottest_bachelor] "Also included among the 50 hottest couples are Ace Young and Ryan Seacrest."]

On October 20, 2006 , he released his first single "Scattered," with help from friend Elvio Fernandes, a musician in Rochester, NY. 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.

On December 6, 2007, the 50th Annual Grammy Award nominations were announced and Young was nominated for Best Rock Song, alongside Gregg Wattenberg, Mark Wilkerson and fellow American Idol alumnus Chris Daughtry, for his songwriting credit in Daughtry's debut album lead single "It's Not Over." He lost to Bruce Springsteen's "Radio Nowhere.". [ [http://www.grammy.com/GRAMMY_Awards/50th_Show/list.aspx] 50th Annual Grammy Award Nominations. Grammy.com]

In January 2008, Ace was named a Celebrity Ambassador for the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA), where he will spend time assisting the charity with events and raising awareness for neuromuscular diseases.

On April 15, 2008, Ace released his second single, Addicted, available on iTunes and Amazon.

His well-received first video debuted in April 2008 at http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&videoid=33305257.

On May 12, 2008, Ace made an appearance on the TV show Bones. Playing the part of a karaoke singer that ends up being murdered. He sings Nickelback's song `Far Away`.

On May 22, 2008, Ace was confirmed on an episode of TNA "IMPACT" that he will be at the performance of the wedding of So Cal Val and Jay Lethal.

Ace appeared on TNA Impact on Thursday May 29th, and debuted a new version of his "Addicted" music video, and also came out ringside with So Cal Val to support Jay Lethal and Sonjay Dutt in their match.

Ace appeared on TNA Wrestling's Slammiversary, and surprisingly got into the ring after Sonjay Dutt destroyed the wedding scene.

Young's self-titled debut album was released on July 15, 2008. Ace teamed up with veteran song writer and producer Desmond Child. Ace co-wrote seven of the eleven tracks on the album.

Ace will be again performing on the Jerry Lewis MDA Labor Day Telethon August 31 and September 1 live from Las Vegas. New for 2008, he will also be co-hosting several segments of the live television broadcast.

Young is currenlty making his Broadway debut as Kenicke in the revival of "Grease" from September 9, 2008 to January 18, 2009. [ [http://www.realitytvworld.com/news/former-american-idol-finalist-ace-young-joining-broadway-grease-7703.php `Idol' alum Ace Young to make Broadway debut] ]

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. [ [http://realitytv.about.com/b/a/257673.htm] ""And he and I really clicked," Ace continued. "We clicked from the beginning just because we kind of have the same upbringing. We’re big on family; we’re big on people. And he, just like me, can’t wait to get to the fan base. I mean, I can’t wait to shake hands with my fans and give them hugs and say thank you for getting me to number seven. But any day of the week I’d step in front of a moving train for that guy.""] Fans of the pair have categorized them as "Chrisace" or "Chrace", while Young's fanbase became known as "Highrollers", a name based on a pun of the name "Ace". [ [http://www.24-7pressrelease.com/view_press_release.php?rID=14950] "Ace's High Rollers Place Their Money on Ace What would cause members of Ace Young's fan club to collect over $7,777 in his name to donate to Denver Children's Hospital? The Highrollers say they've been inspired by Ace's music as well as his generous spirit and have made it their goal to introduce the world to the music of Ace Young."]

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 started last year, called Highrollers with Heart.

Young dated Half & Half star Essence Atkins. Young also made a guest appearance on the television series.

Aside from Chris Daughtry, Young also has more American Idol friends, he befriended Paris Bennett, Lisa Tucker, Kevin Covais, Will Makar, Katharine McPhee, Mandisa, and Kellie Pickler from Season 5, and Chris Richardson and Blake Lewis from Season 6.

Discography

Albums

*"American Idol Encores" (compilation)
*Ace Young

ingles

References

External links

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* [http://www.acemusic.com Official site]
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* [http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/video/underground_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1003546602 Ace Young Performs "Dream On"] on Billboard.com

Persondata
NAME=Young, Brett Asa
ALTERNATIVE NAMES=Ace Young, Ace, Brett Young
SHORT DESCRIPTION=American singer-songwriter
DATE OF BIRTH=November 15, 1980
PLACE OF BIRTH=United States
DATE OF DEATH=
PLACE OF DEATH=