Dose Magazine

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Dose Magazine, a free daily published in major Canadian cities had a full page feature on Claynadian claymates. The paper talked with the CB's reneeflower (renee wants us to note that all the Clay-lingo used in the article was added by the writer who snooped around various message boards)

Claynadians
Jennifer Zurowski
Dose


If you have a "claydar" (that's Clay Aiken fans' slang for radar), it's going bonkers. The American Idol season 2 runner-up is nearby. The thin, freckle-faced singer arrives in Vancouver Wednesday to kick off his 35-city Joyful Noise Tour.

These days, it seems Clay is better known for the fan following he has acquired than what he has achieved in his career since the competition. Not only have hordes of fans from all over the world desperately tried to tour his former home that was up for sale, they have also bombarded U.S. syndicated radio talk show host Rush Limbaugh after he spoke negatively about their beloved Clay.

These stories often overshadow the fact that he has become a multi-platinum selling artist, and has enjoyed such touring success that he is now embarking on his sixth tour in less than two years. Many don't see the attraction and can't figure out why he hasn't faded out of the limelight after Idol ended. Yet the hundreds of fan sites online are proof he's not going anywhere anytime soon.

Fans even have their own Clay lingo online, called a VoCLAYbulary. Kelly Bond, Vancouver fan and event coordinator for the BC Claynadians (what Canadian Clay fans call themselves), broke down -- in their own language -- what being a "Claynadian" is all about.



They never forget their BirthClay

Kelly distinctly remembers the day she became a Clay fan. The 35-year-old homemaker and mother of two had broken her ankle around the time American Idol season 2 started and she got sucked into the show to occupy her evenings. When he sang the Bee Gee's cover "To Love Somebody" was the moment she was Clayverted.



They join AcClayaholics Claynonymous

There are many, many Clay-addicted groups of fans all over the world to join online. It has become tradition to have pre-concert parties, and the Vancouver group will be holding a bash on November 2nd called "A Clay Family Christmas" that will have attendees from all over North America.



They are often Clayby Boomers

Kelly says Clay appeals to both sexes and people of all ages, but the majority of fans are middle-aged women. She says they often have more time to spend on chat sites and money to spend on Clack (see below).



They buy Clack

Anything Clay-related is snapped up with drug addiction-like speed. The tuxedo, shoes and cufflinks he wore at the 2005 Emmy Awards went for an amazing $27,250 at the Clothes Off Our Back charity auction.



They are attracted to his Clayrisma and Clayrity

Kelly says that his fans "came for the voice, but stayed for the man." His clear voice initially attracted them to him, but it was his sweet and kind spirit that made them true fans.



They have a Claybligation

Clay fans feel strongly about supporting anything and everything he does, including his charity the Bubel-Aiken Foundation, which raises money for disabled children. Kelly herself started a penny drive called "Penny Lane" that raised $24,805.64 for the foundation in 2004.



They do some Clayzy stuff

The craziest thing Kelly has heard of fans doing was clipping bits of grass from his mother's front lawn. But she is sensitive to the label "crazy." She'd rather be referred to as "enthusiastic."



They Clayber people who are Claythiest

Clay fans tend to clobber people with e-mail who are non-Clay believers/supporters. If you're feeling bored, post a slanderous message about Clay on a blog. You'll have hundreds of e-mails in your inbox before you know it!



Find out more about the Claynadians at http://tv.groups.yahoo.com/group/BC_Claynadians/