Clay Mentions 12/18

On the topic of Christmas music.

Pop stars give props to 'joyful' music
By George Varga
UNION-TRIBUNE POP MUSIC CRITIC
December 18, 2005

It wasn't so long ago that listening to Christmas albums was the aural equivalent of drowning in a giant vat of supermarket egg nog - overprocessed and oh-so-sweet.

But no more.

Christmas albums have undergone a remarkable transformation, growing increasingly hipper, diverse and far more lucrative than in years past.

Christmas albums can also make a big difference in an artist's career.

Last year, pap-pop vocalists Clay Aiken and Jessica Simpson both soared to the upper reaches of Billboard's national Top Holiday Album charts, while Mannheim Steamroller's four New Age-flavored Christmas albums have sold an astounding 25 million copies over the past 15 years. More recently, Krall's "Christmas Songs" has been No. 1 on Billboard's Top Jazz charts for the past month.

The CB's Wolfpack is back in this satirical post on the CB. Clay appeared with supermodel Giesel Bundchen on the CBS Early Show earlier this month.

Aiken to wed Bundchen?

Clay Aiken is said to be proposing to lover Gisele Bundchen. The heartthrob singer is allegedly desperate to tie the knot - but he doesn't want to hurry to the altar. A friend claimed: "Clay is addicted to his independence. He's happy with Gisele and doesn't want to jinx the relationship"

A relative says Gisele wants to make sure her romance with Clay is right before she ties the knot. The two met during a guest appearance on the Early Show and hit it off right away. Gisele was reportedly spotted in Victoria Secrets in Clay's hometown of Raleigh and the two have been spotted numerous times on Clay's current tour.
A clue of a possible problem in the relationship surfaced recently when in a recent interview Clay stated "Any woman who wants me must get along with my dog Raleigh. I don't care if she is a supermodel with great legs, beautiful hips, full breast and a gorgeous face, Raleigh comes first."

About American Idol

Aural Fixations - 'American Idol' alums produce a bland mixed bag
By Chris Hansen Orf, Tribune
December 18, 2005

The Fox network's cash cow reality show "American Idol," which -- ready or not -- starts up again in January, seeks to give Americans some new clean-cut and freshly scrubbed musical stars to worship.

The program has given us Kelly Clarkson, who has thus far had a successful pop career; Clay Aiken, who didn't win but has a career as a crooner off the ground; and Ruben Studdard, who has proved to be a soulful one-trick-pony flop.

2nd Tomsriver Festival planned for 2006; Clay kicked off the Jukebox tour this past summer at the festival.

Second Toms RiverFest planned
Posted by the Asbury Park Press on 12/18/05
BY JEAN MIKLE
TOMS RIVER BUREAU

DOVER TOWNSHIP -- Toms RiverFest will return for a second year.

The Toms River Regional school district, the Toms River-Ocean County Chamber of Commerce and Dover Township officials announced that the four-day arts-and-music festival will be held on July 27, 28, 29 and 30 on the grounds of Toms River High School North, 1245 Old Freehold Road.

"After careful consideration of all the suggestions and positive comments we received after last year's festival, it was an easy decision to start planning a second Toms RiverFest," said Toms River Schools Superintendent Michael J. Ritacco.

The four-day festival, held for the first time in late July this year, drew about 70,000 people to the High School North campus to see acts like Kelly Clarkson, Clay Aiken, Maroon 5, Keith Urban, Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes and Jesse McCartney.

The festival grossed about $2.5 million, with expenses of $1.9 million, earning about $600,000.

The concert schedule for the main stage will be announced in January, Ritacco said. At that time, a sale date for tickets will be announced.

Kids' letters to Santa - Seth mentions Clay. - Cute!

Kids' letters to Santa

DEAR SANTA:

WHAT I WANT FOR CHRISTMAS IS A BIG RAILROAD CROSSING WITH LIGHTS AND A GATE AND ALSO A LITTLE SCHOOL BUS.

I WOULD ALSO LIKE A TOY SHOT GUN AND A MATH BLASTER COMPUTER GAME. I LOVE TRAINS SO I WOULD LIKE SOME TRAIN MOVIES AND TRAIN BOOKS. I WOULD ALSO LIKE SOME BULLDOZER MOVIES AND BOOKS ABOUT BULLDOZERS.

I AM LEARNING TO PLAY THE GUITAR SO I WOULD LIKE A NEW GUITAR SO I CAN PLAY MUSIC AT CHURCH AND FOR MY FAMILY. YOU BROUGHT ME A NEW COMPUTER LAST YEAR SO I WOULD LIKE SOME TRAIN COMPUTER GAMES...I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO HAVE SOME NEW MOVIES.SINCE I HAVE A SWEET TOOTH, WOULD YOU PLEASE BRING ME A BIG FAT HERSHEY BAR.....IF IT NOT ASKING TOO MUCH WOULD YOU PLEASE BRING MY DAD A NEW PICK-UP TRUCK (NOT A TOY ONE) AND FOR MY MOM, A VISIT TO SEE CLAY AIKEN....MY PARENTS HAVE BEEN VERY GOOD THIS YEAR ALSO....THANK YOU SANTA AND HAVE A MERRY CHRISTMAS!

SETH GRISSETT
AGE 8
ZANESVILLE, OH

About independently released Christmas CD's and how they are stacking up with ones released by the major record labels.

Cheryl Hall: Dallas exec matches up retailers and big-time recording artists
11:38 AM CST on Sunday, December 18, 2005

Chris Christian has already experienced his Christmas miracle.

His fledgling company, Dallas-based WDMG, managed to sign, seal and deliver six holiday CDs featuring nearly two dozen major recording artists to 7,000 stores nationwide. It pulled off this feat in less than three months.

We're talking Willie Nelson, Amy Grant, the Pointer Sisters, Jesse McCartney, Al Jarreau, Natalie Cole, Jim Brickman and Vanessa Williams, among others. Many of the 76 tracks are brand-new carols or updated renditions. They're all owned or licensed by this small company across from the Quadrangle.

Last Christmas, Hallmark Cards Inc. sold 1.5 million special James Taylor CDs in its 4,000 Gold Crown stores. By comparison, the hottest holiday CD produced by a major record label last year was Clay Aiken's, which sold 753,000 copies.

CDD Editor's note: Although the article claims 1.5 million James Taylor CDs were sold, in fact that is the number that was shipped. Since Hallmark does not have any precise tracking instrument such as SoundScan, the actual number of CD's sold may be significantly lower. RCA shipped 1.2 million copies of Merry Christmas With Love.