'Idol' bootee eager to get into recording studio

LOS ANGELES -- Ace Young isn't disputing the fact that he was voted off of "American Idol" Wednesday night, but he's choosing not to interpret his elimination as a rejection.

"I don't even look at it that way. I see it as a launching pad," says Young, the 25-year-old from Colorado who set many a young female heart aflutter during his time on the show. "I'm very appreciative that out of 92,000 people [who auditioned for 'American Idol'], I got down to seven.

"I'm so humbled and so excited and energetic, just waiting to see what opportunity comes out of this."

Young was sent packing after performing the "That's All" on Tuesday's standards-themed show. He did so wearing a suit -- the first he's ever owned, he says -- and with his long hair pulled back, a significant departure from his usual layered T-shirts and flowing locks look. But he dismisses the idea that his appearance had much to do with his departure.

"I really wanted to fit that mood of a classic song, and I feel I did," he says. "I know my grandparents" -- attending the show for the first time -- "and my parents really enjoyed it. I couldn't have gone out on a better note."

He admits, though, that he was initially a little surprised to find himself in the bottom three Wednesday, along with Chris Daughtry and Paris Bennett. Host Ryan Seacrest divided six of the seven finalists into two groups -- then asked Taylor Hicks to join whichever group he thought was safe.

"When I saw Chris in my group, I thought I was safe," Young says. "I received good statements from the judges -- I really thought I was safe. When we found out we were the bottom three, I was more surprised that Chris was there."

He adds that he felt bad for Hicks being put in the position of essentially having to pass judgment on his fellow competitors. "I'm sure his fans like other people as well, and for him to have to pick was probably hard on both of them," Young says.

After he finishes his round of "Idol" exit interviews, Young wants to get into a recording studio as quickly as he can.

"I want to do a little studio work and see what comes out of me as far as writing," he says. "I'm sure I have a lot of things that I don't even know are going to come out, just through all the experiences I've been through. ...

"This is my beginning point. I'm a musician through and through. I have a lot of songs up my sleeve, and I'm going to write many more. So just keep your ears open, and I'll be around."