Reuters/Billboard Article on JT

Clay Aiken Dons Santa Hat for U.S. Tour

4 minutes ago Entertainment - Reuters


By Barry A. Jeckell

NEW YORK (Billboard) - "American Idol" alumnus Clay Aiken (news), the most commercially successful graduate of the Fox talent show series, is planning to tour the United States for five weeks this holiday season backed by a full orchestra.



Aiken has already confirmed nine cities for his Joyful Noise Tour, which will support an as-yet-untitled Christmas album. The stops include a Dec. 9 show at New York's Madison Square Garden Theater and a two-night stand (Dec. 17-18) at Atlanta's Symphony Hall.


The holiday album will be Aiken's second full-length release since finishing as runner-up to Ruben Studdard (news) in the second season of "American Idol" last year. His RCA debut, "Measure of a Man," debuted at No. 1 on The Billboard 200 in November 2003 and has sold 2.6 million copies in the United States, according to Nielsen SoundScan.


Aiken's first book, the inspirational tome "Learning to Sing: Hearing the Music in Your Life," will be published Nov. 16 by Random House. It will be released in hardcover and audio versions on cassette and CD.


Reuters/Billboard