Our 4th of July Gift to You – A Walk Down Memory Lane: July 4, 2004

The 4th of July. Our country’s birthday. A time of family get-togethers, parades, and all-American food like hot dogs and homemade ice cream. And, of course fireworks and lots of spectacular fireworks shows.

But on July 4, 2004, fireworks were going off in the living rooms of every Clay fan around the country because their idol was scheduled to sing at “A Capitol 4th” in Washington. Hundreds of thousands of viewers crowd the west lawn to watch the 4th of July spectacular every year, and typically another ten million viewers watch it at home on their televisions. And this year hundreds of Clay Aiken fans were included in that count. Clay was asked in a Yahoo music review if he was nervous about the number of people he would be singing in front of. His reply was, “"I'm more excited about it, actually. I was invited to a different Fourth of July event but I wanted to do this one. ... It's just a cooler opportunity to be in Washington, D.C., for the holiday, with a big 110-piece orchestra."

This 4th of July was to be an especially moving one for Clay. His brother, Brett, had just enlisted in the Marines, and his father, Ray Parker, died two years before on July 4. Clay said in a Yahoo music review, “"This Fourth of July is special because my dad was in the Air Force and my brother is now in the military," said Aiken. "It gives a little more meaning to it this year."

I can remember the excitement of Clay fans on the various boards I visit. We were so excited that he was invited to sing in such a prestigious event and that he was the one to be singing the National Anthem, as well is God Bless The USA and Measure of a Man. For so many people to be able to hear that voice all over the United States made me and all other fans so proud...especially proud to be an American.

The host that evening was Barry Bostwick, and his introduction of Clay was fantastic. A Clay fan could hardly write it better! In fact, its so good, I can’t just quote part of it, so enjoy the whole intro again:

“We love talent. And we're always happy to encourage it wherever we find it. And America found a great talent recently and his name is Clay Aiken. I know, I voted for him too. Now they encouraged this young man by turning his albums into million sellers and his TV appearances into major events. This past year he won the American Music Award, the Billboard Music Award, had his face on the cover of Rolling Stone, TV Guide, and Teen People magazine and was named by People magazine as one of the sexiest men alive. (more screams) This Raleigh North Carolina native stood the music world on its ear and continues to charm with his down-home personality and dazzle with his outstanding voice. Please welcome once again - Clay Aiken.”

Does that introduction make you just about to burst with pride!

Clay couldn’t have sung The National Anthem more beautifully or with more feeling. His arrangement was simple and straightforward with no gimmicky additions like we hear in some arrangements. The Washington Post said:

“In many ways, it was Aiken's best performance of the evening. He sang the anthem beautifully and reverently, in the time-honored manner of an old civic prayer. And yet he also found a way to give the song a hip, vital shallowness that would normally be introduced by a spinning "American Idol" emblem, and he brought the ending home like a seasoned contestant.”

Except for the National Anthem, Clay’s performance was saved for last. As one fan said back then, “Looks like the one who gets the loudest screams gets to go last! Clay is saved for last! Cuz he's the very very best! The fireworks should be starting soon right here in my living room!”

Of course, Clay sang “Measure of a Man” as beautifully as always. I thought this song was so fitting because so many men and women have died on the battlefield since the founding of our country, all so we can have freedom. Obviously, these men and women have shown us what the true “measure of a man” is by being willing to sacrifice their lives for us. And those who have not died in combat have shown the same thing with their loyal service to their country. This song, I believe, was so touching and moving to the millions of people watching for this very reason, and Clay has a way of making a song even more meaningful with the gift that he has been given.

Clay sang his last song, “God Bless The USA” in a way that, as a Clay fan said, “gave it new life.” Another fan said, “I got goosebumps all over me when Clay sang "God Bless The U.S.A.". He was absolutely incredible. And a standing "O"!” As Clay sang, the camera scanned the audience, and there were countless men and woman from the various branches of the military standing up singing along with him. I had tears in my eyes, and you can see that Clay did as well. It was an unbelievable moment. A couple of Clay fans made these comments:

"The tears in his eyes just did me in! What a beautiful performance!"

"I couldn't see the tears in his eyes for the tears in my eyes. He
just touches me deep inside with the emotion in his voice. 'Nobody
does it half as good as you, Clay, you're the best!!'"

I don’t think any Clay fan who had the privilege of watching Clay sing on that stage that night, with the Capitol in the background and the many, many people there who showed up in spite of the wet weather, will ever forget it. To watch his emotions was so moving – his smiles, his tears, the little bit of nervousness you could hear in his voice every once in a while as he spoke. And knowing that family was in his heart that night, making this an extremely touching performance for him, this was something I would never have missed for anything in the world.

Clay continues to touch our heart and soul in ways we can’t describe. The fireworks still go off at any given concert. In fact, they go off in my heart when I'm home listening on my CD player. And when the new CD comes out, no doubt there will be another fireworks display.

We at CDD want to wish you and your families a wonderful 4th of July. Pull out the old video of A Capitol 4th if you get a chance. You won’t be sorry. Oh, and Clay, thanks for the memories.

If you want to download the three songs Clay sang from A Capitol 4th, go to ClayMediaWorld and then scroll down to “C”/Capital 4th.

If you would like to read a review and see pictures from Clay’s performance go to:

Yahoo Music Review
Popdirt.com (Click on "Rehearsal" or "Show" to see pictures)

Technorati tags: Clay Aiken, American Idol, Invisible, Independence Day