Product Description

Stories from Idols and Their Fans for Everyone Who Believes in a Dream. . .

 

With stories from Carrie Underwood, Clay Aiken,

Jordin Sparks, Ruben Studdard,

Melinda Doolittle, Blake Lewis, Sanjaya Malakar,

and many other top Idols from every season!

 

Do you love the thrill of seeing people's dreams come true? Do you enjoy the excitement of rooting for your favorite contestant ? Has your spirit ever soared from watching a performance on American Idol ? For anyone who has watched America 's best loved television show, here's a collection of captivating stories that take you into the hearts, minds and souls of the Idols, the fans, and the team that makes the show possible.
 

These are the stories the television cameras don't see—true, uplifting, and entertaining tales told with humor and candor that will leave you laughing, crying, and feeling inspired, whether you are a die-hard Idol watcher or an occasional fan . Chicken Soup for the American Idol Soul is the perfect marriage of the #1 show in television history and the #1 non-fiction book series in publishing history—both dedicated to celebrating the triumph of spirit over adversity, the fulfillment of dreams coming true, and the power of love.

In Chicken Soup for the American Idol Soul , those closest to the heart of American Idol — from the executive producers to the stylists, from the fans to the judges, from the top finalists to the behind-the-scenes crew —share their moving stories of obstacles overcome, love and support shared, lessons learned and lives touched and changed forever. This is truly the stuff that dreams are made of—and why almost 60 million people faithfully tune in week after week, year after year.

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Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #633544 in Books
• Published on: 2007-11-15
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 288 pages

About the Author
Jack Canfield and Mark Victor Hansen are the co-creators of the bestselling Chicken Soup for the Soul series.

Jack Canfield and Mark Victor Hansen are the co-creators of the bestselling Chicken Soup for the Soul series.

Debra Poneman is an award-winning speaker, seminar leader and author.  Recognized as one of the pioneers in the field of personal growth, Debra is a popular talk show guest and has appeared on radio and TV from coast to coast.

As founder and president of Yes to Success, Inc., her breakthrough methods for creating success, prosperity and lasting happiness have helped transform the lives of hundreds of thousands of people around the world.  

In her most recent book, Chicken Soup for the American Idol Soul, the principles Debra has taught for over two decades such as utilizing the power of the Law of Attraction, welcoming obstacles as opportunities and pursuing your passion all come alive in the lives of the American Idols.

Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.

Now There's Enough for Everybody

Ruben Studdard
American Idol, Season 2

My whole life, I never wanted to do anything but be a singer. But before Idol, it just didn't seem to work my way.

In the fall of 1999, I left college during my junior year to pursue a career in music. This was not welcomed by my mother because both my parents are educators. There were four of us friends in different colleges in the South, and we all decided to leave school. I promised my mom if I didn't make it in five years, I'd go back.
Our group was called God's Gift, and we practiced every day. We practiced, practiced, practiced, but we never seemed to get anywhere. We shopped demos, went out to find deals—we tried just about everything.

Sometimes, it got us down. I remember a minister saying, 'Everything happens in God's time, so be patient.' I was pretty much the only guy in the group who had already been doing this for years, so my thought was, How much more patient can I be?

Eventually, the group gave up because it just wasn't happening. I joined a jazz band called Just a Few Cats. By that point, I wasn't even concerned with making it; I just wanted to have fun. Soon, we became the most popular group in Birmingham. We started playing 500–600 seat venues that sold out almost immediately.
One day, a background singer in our band said she was going to try out for American Idol and asked me to go with her. 'I'm not doing that,' I said.

I thought I was everything the American Idol wasn't. I mean, I wasn't exactly Kelly Clarkson. I was this big guy in a jazz band who in college had been pursuing a degree in operatic performance. I just envisioned going up there and embarrassing myself on national television. All the odds were against me.

But I told my friend I'd go to give her support and to cheer when she made it through. We drove to Nashville and spent all night waiting outside. Fortunately, she brought pillows and blankets because we had to sleep on the ground.

In the morning, one of the producers woke us and asked if we were there to audition. 'Yeah,' I said, still half-asleep. Maybe I meant, 'Yeah,' as in, 'Yeah, she's here to audition and I'm with her,' but next thing I knew, I was singing in front of the assistant producers. I made it through, and my friend didn't.
From that moment on, I had to believe there was a master plan because it all just flowed, one thing after the other.

I was told to come back the following day for the next audition, but I sure didn't want to sleep outside again. Then I found out a friend was in Nashville for an engineering conference and just happened to have an extra hotel room.

When I met the show's producer, Nigel Lythgoe, he said, 'You don't look like an American Idol, but I bet you can sing.'
I sang Stevie Wonder's 'Ribbon in the Sky,' and Nigel said, 'Man, you are going on.'

I was flying high when I went home to Birmingham, but I had to return to Nashville the next week to sing for Randy, Simon, and Paula. I didn't know what to do because my car wouldn't make it.

My brother Kevin offered to take me. This was really something because I always drove him nuts when I sang. He would beg me to stop singing, please. When we were kids and walked to the store, he punched me out for singing all the way down the street. But now he was driving me to Nashville?

When I sang for the judges, all three said, 'Absolutely, yes!'
I just knew something great was going to happen. I didn't think I was going to win the show by any means, but I did feel like it just might give me the opportunity to somehow live my dreams.

American Idol helped me accomplish more than I could have dreamed in a million years on my own. I sang at the American Music Awards. I was nominated for a Grammy®. I went to South Africa and sang in soccer stadiums. I've done concerts for hundreds of thousands of people. I've had a platinum album and Billboard #1 songs. I never would have imagined that I'd sing for the President, but I did that, too—twice. I've done so much since Idol—and I would have been happy just making one album!

When people ask me for advice, I'm always willing to share it: always be prepared. I know that might sound funny since I sure didn't seem prepared for the audition that morning in Nashville, but I can honestly say I've studied my craft since I was ten years old. I went to school to be a classical musician. I took every class I could on music theory. If your opportunity shows up and you're not prepared, you might lose it . . . and it might not come back again.

Last weekend, I sang at Ella Fitzgerald's ninetieth Birthday Benefit with Natalie Cole, Quincy Jones, and Nancy Wilson. When I do a gig, I'm always prepared. I tell people, 'Don't wing it.' You know when someone's winging it, and it's not going to get you where you want to go.

And the other advice I give is to always have a pleasing attitude. The one thing everyone always says about me is I have a good attitude. I believe that will take you further than a great voice or loads of talent.

Needless to say, my life has changed since Idol. But I'm the same guy, the same Ruben—the same son, the same friend, the same brother. Kevin and I still love—and fight with—each other. When people ask if we still fight over the last sandwich in the refrigerator, like I talked about on the show, I tell them that's another thing that's changed since Idol: now there's always enough of everything for all of us.

And don't think I'm not grateful. I'm one of those people who lives life based on gratitude. I believe the more grateful you are, the more good things will come to you. I will always be grateful to American Idol—I will never forget what it has done to help me make my dreams come true.

©2007. Ruben Studdard. All rights reserved. Reprinted from Chicken Soup for the American Idol Soul by Jack Canfield, Mark Victor Hansen, Debra Poneman. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means, without the written permission of the publisher. Publisher: Health Communications, Inc., 3201 SW 15th Street , Deerfield Beach , FL 33442.

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Customer Reviews

Idol Lover's Will Love It
You either get American Idol or you don't. And for those out there who refuse to answer the phone, doorbell, or the muffled cries of our kids while American Idol is on... this book is for you. As with all Chicken Soup books, there's something for everyone. Laughter, tears, inspiration... The behind the scenes stories from past contestants are fun and remind us why we liked them to begin with. This book is a quick, fun, read and the perfect gift for any American Idol fan.

Chicken Soup for the American Idol soul
I bought the book out of obligation as I am friends with one of the authors,just to see what she had been up to and as a show of support. Never thinking I would actually have to Read it!
I had an interesting trip to the ER with my 10 year old son and the only book to read to him was the Idol Soul. Neither of us are big Idol fans so I expected it to be a stretch for him and myself to make it sound interesting. Boy was I wrong! The book held our attention from the inspiring stories of the inner city and rural poverty and turning your life around. It was a great distraction, taught ethical lessons in a supremely uplifting and motivating fashion. What I especially enjoyed was the people were all so open and approachable,the humanity of the people made me glad to be sharing it with my son in his time of trial.

Chicken Soup for the American Idol Soul? Huh?

When I first came across this book, I have to admit wondering to myself, "What the heck will they come up with next?" As we all know Idol, Freemantle Media, and 19 have combined into a giant industry bully. Each year, new and hopeful talent-based reality shows pop up on every network, only to be ultimately dwarfed or consumed by Idol. Heck, even the Presidential election was dwarfed by Idol, and the Olympics...I could go on and on. The producers gloat about Idol being the biggest TV show ever to be on television. It's truly an American phenomenon. American people happily spend two or three nights a week with Idol each season. I wouldn't be surprised if thousands would watch it 5 days a week if it were available. I know at my office it's the biggest topic every morning from January onward. American Idol even effects American productivity, but let's keep that information from our bosses.

I have read a few Soup titles over the last several years, books that largely contain stories about love and marriage, parents and children, and sibling relationships. My mother keeps a few of these (especially Mother and Daughter) on her nightstand for 11:00pm wind-down reading. After the nightly news and before her eyes succumb to sleep, she enjoys these bite sized stories for their thoughtful approach to strained relationships, human flaws, and life's many tumbles. I understand why those stories would be appealing to just about anyone. But - how could American Idol touch anyone on that level? The show is a marketing octopus; it has a hand in everything from the ice cream freezer to all forms of media, apparel, toys, and miscellaneous home goods. But, Chicken Soup books? I just had to take a gander, so I gave in and bought it -- telling myself I'd just give it to my mother anyway.

On the way home, I scolded myself for the purchase. It was expensive, especially since times in my household are excruciatingly tight. So, I had to look in the mirror and be honest with myself -- Just why did I buy it?? What drove me to put down $14.95, when all I was doing was seeing it with a critical eye? Tapping on the thin, cynical shell I sometimes wear around my heart, I began to see a glimmer of truth.

American Idol has truly (and I don't want to admit this) enhanced or augmented relationships in my family. Beginning in 2001, my mother and I, for the first time in our lives, were separated by many, many miles. When Fantasia won, and Reuben, I was far away from Mom. When Carrie won, however, I remember that we were living in the same house, and we secretly loved those nights when we'd come together on the couch for Idol. We'd playfully fight over different contestants, throwing pillows across the rooms and at each other. Season 5 was our all-time favorite, however. We were in the same state, but miles and miles apart. We'd talk on the phone throughout the show and it drove my husband crazy. But, I know we're not alone. I firmly believe that long distance phone calls skyrocket during Idol nights, especially on the results show. Mothers and daughters, sisters and sisters, and friends all over the country are lighting up those phone lines, all in the name of Idol and a shared experience.

So, I got out of the car, book in hand, ready to skim the content. I had already figured out in the car why I bought it. Simply put, American Idol brings back memories. Memories of playfully fighting with my mother over the quality of a performance, or yelling for my husband to get the heck out of the way of the TV set. Coworkers would review performances the following morning, happy if their Idol stayed, or likewise miserable if their favorite went home. I remember the trauma in my office when Chris Daughtry was voted off -- I couldn't believe that the normally stern, more serious of the coworkers, had something to say about that. I'd laugh to myself when I'd see another "secret" Idol watcher crawl out of the woodwork, even for a split second. Surely, the partners of the law firm didn't want anyone to know they needed their Idol fix too.

So, back to the book -- which, after reading about 25 stories by now, I'd describe as a giant pot of humanity, special memories, and funny stories. Just what a Chicken Soup book is meant to be. There are stories by: Melinda Doolittle, Reuben Studdard, Kim Locke, Nigel Lythgoe, Chris Sligh, Ace Young, Mandisa, Blake Lewis, Carrie Underwood, Clay Aiken, Vonzell, Lisa Tucker, and the list goes on. I found the stories written by the behind the scenes crew to be the most surprising and interesting --they give a true picture of what life backstage is like at the biggest show on television. These people are so committed to their jobs and to the contestants each year. There are also many soul-pleasing stories by Idol fans -- just regular Americans who see their life or their family has been touched in some way by the show and the Idols themselves.

I seriously doubt that anyone will be able to close this entire volume without shedding some very real tears. One story in particular left me with tears pouring down my face. My husband walked in and saw me surrounded by about 30 balled up tissues, and with a red swollen face, reading from the Idol book. He shook his head and walked out, through he got a little choked up later that night when I read the same story to him. The story was written by Amy Johnson, an Idol fan and the mother of young Mackenzie - who found a very special friend in Ace Young. Mackenzie was 3 and had Leukemia, thought she didn't let that terrible illness drag her down completely. She beamed when she watched her Ace on TV, and cried when he was voted off - which just happened to be the week she was in Children's hospital for cranial radiation. In a wonderful stroke of magic, a children's organization helped Mack finally meet her "long distance boyfriend" by sending her to the Idols concert, where she met Ace backstage. One year later, Mack was relapsing and back in the hospital. Who wouldn't let the tears flow when they read about the moment when Ace Young peered around the door to her hospital room, which had been decorated with gifts and cards from Ace's fan base? Another story, told by Jane Marquit, related her incredible struggle as a single mother of teenage Megan - who was enduring tough times at school and home. However, they grew closer as they watched American Idol season 4, and both fell in love with Carrie Underwood and Anthony Federov. There I was, crying again, as I read about the mother and daughter attending a concert together, and actually meeting Carrie -- an experience which got them through a dark period of worry and despair. Another surprising tear jerker for me came from Scott Stavol, a contestant on Season 4 -- just a normal guy with a great voice who had always tried to make his father proud. Scott never thought he'd add up to much, seeing his future as a "burger flipper" due to his lack of attention in school. When Scott was voted off at number 5 -- a place in the Top Ten he never dreamed he would get to -- he recounts coming off of the plane at his home airport to a sea of people with congratulation signs, people there just for him, telling him how much he had touched their hearts during the season. If that weren't enough, I was practically hiccupping from crying when he mentions that his dad was sitting at the gate in a wheelchair, waiting for him to arrive. When Scott bent down to give him a hug, his father was in tears, telling Scott how much he loved him and how proud he was - the very words Scott had waited for since a young boy.

I could go on and on about this book. It's a special volume with a story in it for everyone. Since so many people across this country tune in to watch these young people live out their dreams, there will be that many people dying to know more about the process of Idol, what happens backstage, special moments from the Idol's experiences, and the many touching (and quite tissue-worthy) anecdotes from fans...young and old alike. I promise that you'll see yourself, and your family, in there somewhere.

So, to end my tale, I'm glad I bought the book. I'll just have to pick up another one -- for my Mom.