Come Spend the Holidays With Clay

The Charlotte Observer

Spend the holidays with Clay
Raleigh concert restricted to N.C. residents only
STAFF REPORTS

Clay has managed to squeeze a hometown stop in his Joyful Noise Christmas tour visiting 20 cities in November and December.

Aiken will perform at Raleigh's Meymandi Concert Hall and - at his request - efforts will be taken to restrict ticket sales to North Carolina fans. According to Raleigh's The News & Observer, Ticketmaster will allow only phone and Internet purchases with a credit card attached to a North Carolina ZIP code.

The holiday tour supports his upcoming holiday album, "Merry Christmas with Love," due in stores on Nov. 16. The collection includes the singer's take on standards including "Sleigh Ride," "The Christmas Song," "Winter Wonderland" and "Joy to the World," among others.

Aiken will be backed on the tour by an orchestra.

On the same day that Aiken's Christmas album reaches stores, Random House will release the Aiken memoir "Learning to Sing: Hearing the Music in Your Life."

Aiken will make many television appearances to tout the book and album, including Nov. 15 on CNN's "Larry King Live," Nov. 17 on ABC's "Live with Regis and Kelly" and NBC's "Today," Dec. 6 on NBC's "The Tonight Show," Dec. 9 on ABC's "The View," and Dec. 10 on ABC's "The Early Show." According to his website, he'll also appear as a presenter on the Nov. 15 American Music Awards.