Photo Credit: Copyright 2008 James Fernandez

Ace Young and Idol Alums Offer Helping of Chicken Soup for the Soul

Former contestants have compiled inspirational stories in a new Idol-themed book

There’s no doubt that competing on American Idol is a life-changing experience, and as the show’s seventh season gets ready to crown its champ, former contestants – including Ruben Studdard, Carrie Underwood and Clay Aiken - have penned personal stories about their journey to Idol fame in the latest installment of Chicken Soup for the Soul books.

Season 5’s Ace Young contributed the story “Ace of Hearts,” and says participating in the book was an opportunity to indulge his passion for philanthropy. Describing the crossroads he faced as an 18-year-old struggling with the decision to pursue a football career or go into music, Young says telling his story was cathartic.

“I wanted to talk about my fork in the road that I had coming out of high school,” Young says. “I knew I loved music, but I knew I never gave it a fair shot. I talked to my dad and asked him if he would give me a year to pursue it, and he asked me ‘What am I supposed to do on Friday and Saturday nights?’ He had been going to my football games since I was 11, but said that as long as I showed that I was going to pursue music 100%, he would see what I could accomplish in a year. In that year, that I got a song on a film soundtrack that I wrote when I was 18.”

Still pursuing music, Young is currently at work on his self-titled debut album, due out June 15. Outside of the studio, the performer lends his time and talents to his Highrollers With Heart charity – which will receive a portion of the proceeds from "Chicken Soup for the American Idol Soul" book sales. The singer also frequently works with Denver Children’s Hospital, and helped open a Family Amenities Area last year with donations raised through his charity.

The singer decided to give back to Denver Children’s after his brother, Ryan, broke his back in a near-fatal automobile accident in 1996. During daily visits to the hospital, Young saw the toll hospital life took on children and their families and was moved to act.

“Ryan’s accident was one of the big reasons why we started visiting children’s hospitals 11 years ago,” says Young, who has spent the last 10 Christmases with hospital patients. “My brothers and I would go from room to room and sing whatever they wanted to hear to put a smile on their face.

“Just to be involved with "Chicken Soup for the American Idol Soul" just seemed to be a great idea. It seems like everybody had been touched by either a charity or a tough decision in their life,” he explains.

"Chicken Soup for the American Idol Soul" is currently in bookstores nationwide

BY ALLISON CORNEAU