Clay Mentions 12/22

Charlotte Observer's Dec. 21 Charlotte concert photo gallery

Clay Aiken performs at the Charlotte Bobcat Arena on Wednesday night.

More American Idol mentions

American Idols Top Charts
22-Dec-2005
Written by: Jennifer O'Reilly

American Idols are dominating the charts this week and finding something perhaps just as satisfying than just high financial yields -- pop credibility. Season Four winner Carrie Underwood's debut album Some Hearts rings in at number two this week, just missing the top spot to Eminem's Curtain Call. Bo Bice placed at number four with The Real Thing and pop chart mainstay and original American Idol Kelly Clarkson's album placed at number eight.

In the 2005 series of American Idol, Simon Cowell predicted that Carrie Underwood would not only win American Idol but that she would be the bestseller idol ever. With her new country album, Underwood certainly seems to be on that path. Some Hearts has already sold 1.1 million albums.

Bo Bice's album comes with an attempt to parlay his second place finish into pop success. Clay Aiken is the only idol so far to accomplish this feat.

Another one about American Idol.

American Idols Dominate Billboard Holiday Album Chart
As Idol Clay Aiken works on a brand new album expected this spring, his Christmas album Merry Christmas With Love recently soared past the million unit mark. Clay recently completed a very successful holiday tour.

Article about boxing

King's Kong
The Boxing Channel
By Michael Swann

After seven foot, 323 pound Russian, Nikolay Valuev, defeated John Ruiz by a disputed majority decision for the WBA heavyweight belt in Berlin, Germany, Ruiz' promoter, Don King, pulled himself back together quite quickly.

Before we end, some pertinent questions remain unanswered. Will Nikolay Valuev come to America for fame and riches? Will he face any competition tougher than Clay Aiken? Will state commissions allow xanax in the corner for Norman Stone? If Stone continues to lose control, should he just be put to sleep?

Clay mention in caption of a figure skating picture at SportsIllustrated.com.

Caption This: Reader Responses
Clay Aiken decides to remain a singer.
--Rick, Tampa, Fla.

Mention in TVSquad.com blog about Kelly Clarkson.

The most successful American Idol
Dec 22nd 2005 4:37PM by Annie Wu

This morning, I was watching some VH1 countdown show (apparently, they don't play music videos unless they're accompanied by some number nowadays), when I saw Kelly Clarkson's "Since U Been Gone" video. It got me thinking... Where's Ruben Studdard? Fantasia Barrino? Carrie Underwood?

Granted, Underwood has had less time to get moving, but there isn't much of an excuse for Studdard and Barrino. Clarkson has come out with hit after hit, cementing her place in mainstream music (and she won in 2002, remember?). I think I saw Studdard's video once on BET (no idea why I was on that channel). Same with Barrino. Once. Clarkson, however, has been repeatedly pounded into my brain. Even Clay Aiken has managed to get on my musical nerves once or twice and he was a flippin' runner-up!