By Holly Bedard
Editor

Ace Young appears on the tour. (Photo courtesy of Fox)

The “American Idols Live” tour kicks off next week at the Verizon Wireless Arena, and Manchester just can’t wait. The show quickly sold out, and another one was added.

But Queen City residents aren’t the only ones who can’t wait for the show. Neither can Ace Young, the 25-year-old “Idol” heartthrob originally from Denver, Colo.

Young, who spoke to The Mirror during a break in rehearsals last weekend, said he’s excited about getting out on stage again.

“I’m relieved. I can’t wait to see the fans,” he said. “I’m big on people and performing for people. It’s a lot of fun for me to express myself and feel their energy.”

The arena performances will start at 7 p.m. on Wednesday and Thursday, July 5 and 6. If you don’t already have your tickets, you’re most likely out of luck.

If you are in the audience those nights, watch out for beanies flying your way. Young had a whole line of his signature hats made so he can throw them out to the fans.

The jam-packed, 2-1/2 hour show features the top 10 artists from season five, each with their own set. There will also be a bunch of surprises, which Young wouldn’t divulge, but he said to look out for special duets and group songs.

No matter what, Young said, the idea behind this show is to just have fun.

“This is the whole ‘American Idol’ theme,” he said. “It pulls families together and gets them to think about anything other than the controversy in their own home.”

It seems these 10 “Idol” finalists have become a bit of a family themselves. First, they were competing against one another. Now, they must come together to put on a show with locations across the country.

“We are truly a family,” Young said. “We bicker, fight, hang out.”

Things aren’t always tough, though. Many friendships have formed throughout the group, some Young said will last a lifetime. One of these friends is rocker Chris Daughtry. He said their families have really gotten to know each other, and now the guff given by brothers extends across both families.

Meet and greet

While the “Idols” will spend plenty of time with each other on the tour, it’s the fans Young is really eager to meet. He said getting to know his supporters is one of the greatest parts of the “Idol” experience.

“It’s exciting when I go out in public and someone stops me and says, ‘Hey, Ace. I voted for you,’” he said. “I can show them that I’m interested in the people who voted for me. I’m finally getting to see the people. You walk outside and realize the cameras really were on.”

Meeting the fans may have been at the top of Young’s list, but at first, it wasn’t that easy.

“Your biggest fear is how you will be accepted and received,” Young said. “But I’ve even had guys that are big and burly come up to me and say, ‘You got screwed, but I’m glad to have my girlfriend back on Tuesday nights.’”

On his own

While Young may perform songs by other artists on the road this summer, he can’t wait to start sharing his own music with the fans. He is an avid songwriter, with half of his solo debut album already written.

According to Young, the music has a Jamiroquai-Maroon 5 feel, and based on the response he’s gotten so far, “the music is hot.”

As for the content, it’s all about Young. That can sometimes leave people a little vulnerable, but not this artist. Everything is all out in the open.

“The songs are all direct to my life, whether I saw it happen or went through it,” Young said. “I haven’t had a secret in my life. Growing up the youngest of five brothers was the perfect grooming for this.”

And he’s got a lot of content to go with. Young has been writing songs since he was 11. He loves “real music, real instruments.” He can tell a song is going to be great when it “makes me feel good before I even put a word on it. It can make you bob your head or make you want to cry.”

When it’s time to bring words to the music, Young said he has always been able to write with any type of personality, and songs can come out of any emotion ­ happy, sad, tired, bored.

After the “Idol” tour is over, he’s looking to get his debut album out as soon as possible and is shooting for the first quarter of next year.

But Young isn’t just interested in the music. He’s got a much bigger mission in mind: helping children. He is looking into many ways he can help kids and support children’s hospitals.

“If my face can bring in more donations for these kids,” he said, “I would be flattered.”

For the ladies ...

It’s no secret Young was the heartthrob of “AI5,” and People magazine confirmed it by naming him one of the hottest bachelors of 2006.

Young is lovin’ it.

“It’s awesome. So much fun,” he said. “I’ve had an amazing response. I’ve never received more phone numbers at one time.”

When he found out about the feature, he called his brother Ryan to tell him the news. Young said he had to think quickly when Ryan asked, “So, you think you’re one of the hottest bachelors?” Any response he gave could be used against him for future brotherly ribbing. He thought long and hard, then replied, “The people have decided that I am.”

It didn’t take long for Ryan to see that he was right. On a recent trip to a club together, the two were stopped by three women the minute they stepped through the door.

Ladies, listen up. Young’s favorite feature: your eyes. He doesn’t care about the color; he just wants to know they are sincere.

“A lot of people know how to smile with their eyes,” he said. “I’m looking for that.”

He also said the sexiest woman in the world is someone who is just comfortable with who she is, and that personality is key.

“In the end, we’re supposed to be best friends,” Young said. “Before all the touching and feeling, we’re supposed to be sitting and talking.”

And, yes, he is single (kind of a prerequisite for the whole hottest bachelor thing), but he has this to say on the subject:

“I’ve been in love. I am single, and I can’t wait to fall in love again.”

Mirror Publications • Manchester Articles • Concord Articles • Single Cynic • Married Cynic