Tidbits 5/20

From the Charlotte Observer: "You don't have to win "American Idol" to be a success. Second season runner-up Clay Aiken, from Raleigh, took his positive exposure from the show and became a success -- not only as a singer, but as a UNICEF goodwill ambassador. He's show here talking with Indonesian children during his visit to areas struck by a tsunami."

• Blogcritics... mentions Clay and Kelly getting out of their 19E contract and compares Elliott Yamin to "Clay's heir."
• USA Today questions whether it matters if you're American Idol winner or runner-up... "Look at Clay Aiken. He's done really well for himself and he didn't win."
• The Charlotte Observer has a fantastic version of the recent AP article about post idol success. "On the it-doesn't-hurt-to-lose side of the 'AI' ledger, Aiken, who lost out to Studdard, has invited comparisons to Barry Manilow thanks to his theatrical style and loyal fans, known as Claymates. Aiken, 27, sold nearly 4 million copies, combined, of his records 'Measure of a Man' and 'Merry Christmas with Love.'" They've also included the picture seen at the top of this post.
• Check out this cool Clay blog called "The Big Dawg blog"
• Tribute-Chronicle... fantastic compliment to Clay. "Watching 'Poseidon' this week got me to thinking about who has been the most successful person at parlaying reality television exposure into legitimate stardom.... Now I'm excluding 'American Idols' like Kelly Clarkson and Clay Aiken because the whole point of that series was to create pop stars."
• Florida Sun Sentinel: Katherine McPhee comments on the possiblity of being this year's runner-up - "Of course, you still want to win. I'll be ecstatic if I win. But look at Clay Aiken. He's done really well." The article goes on to say: "Aiken, the second-year runner-up, has far eclipsed Studdard in record sales and concert attendance. In fact, other than first-year Idol Kelly Clarkson, who has emerged as a genuine superstar, Aiken is arguably Idol 's biggest find."
• Paxetanimo has added even more 'old' clack that are new to the Clay nation.