Tidbits 9/29

The Martha Stewart Website is now listing Clay's October 6 appearance on The Martha Stewart Show (syndicated).

• Billboard's Fred Bronson says Clay proves American Idols have staying power --

  One question I'm asked all the time is if I think the contestants on "American Idol" have staying power. In the past, I've had to say that time will tell… but time keeps passing and, three years after he was named runner-up to Ruben Studdard, Clay Aiken debuts at No. 2 on The Billboard 200 with his third CD, "A Thousand Different Ways" (RCA). All three of Aiken's albums have entered the chart in the top five. "Measure of a Man" debuted at No. 1 the week of Nov. 1, 2003. The holiday-themed "Merry Christmas With Love" bowed at No. 4 the week of Dec. 4, 2004. And now "A Thousand Different Ways" has opened at No. 2.

• The press photo websites have some cute new shots from Tuesday LA Virgin Megastore M&G:

• Getty
• WireImages
• NewsCom
  Username: NCFOTONA
  Password: Guest
  
• Some more ATDW sales mentions:
• CNN -- "Former "American Idol" finalist Clay Aiken's covers set, "A Thousand Different Ways" (RCA), rolled in at No. 2 with 205,000 units."
• Foxes On Idol - "We all expected Clay’s album to debut high on the charts, and he did not disappoint."
• Voice of America - "Clay is arguably one of the most successful American Idol contestants, but his overnight success led to physical problems, including panic attacks."
• The Insider
• Toronto Sun - Canadian sales #
• HipHopNRap
  
• St. Paul Pioneer Press- a week after Clay called St. Paul, MN his favourite city (other than Raleigh), the St. Paul newspaper is returning the sentiment to Clay. Clay's mentioned in this article about the problems of online concert ticketing (ie. Ticketmaster):

  If a return to physical lines becomes the norm, will kids raised to think that everything is a click away show the same determination to see Clay Aiken as some once did to see Van Halen?

• Univ. of Georgia's Red and Black student newspaper calls ATDW boring, but does say some nice things -

  But another original track on the new album, “A Thousand Days,” is more fitting of Aiken, complete with his powerful voice and catchy lyrics.
  
  Aiken doesn’t do a bad job at covering the songs — although he doesn’t really give them a twist of his own style — and even the few original tunes are enjoyable to most of Aiken’s fans.

• Roanoke Times - mentions Clay in this article about an upcoming Ruben concert
• StarPulse- mentions the GMA/People mag interview buzz surrounding Clay.
• Miami Herald - ATDW review... negative.
• Entertainment World- Claymate Diane Austin's ATDW review
  
• Rochester Democrat & Chronicle article about musician Teddy Geiger who opened for Clay several years ago -

  In a Q&A, Geiger confesses that in high school he was terrified of girls, guys, everyone. And he likes dresses. "Any kind, as long as a girl's wearing it." Thanks for clearing that up, Teddy. Clay Aiken needs to do the same. Left unanswered are the Internet rumors that Geiger's been dating a member of the St. John Fisher College women's basketball team.

• NJ Daily Record - Kathy Griffin says her Clay jokes aren't personal attacks -- "When I talk about Clay Aiken in my act, it makes him cooler. Instead of going off and having a hissy he can laugh at himself which makes him more of a real person with a sense of humor."
• Charlotte Observer - Charlotte Symphony looking to attract crowds with Clay Aiken - "The orchestra's attempts to lure newcomers have included tributes to rock bands and -- coming up -- a holiday concert with that nice Clay Aiken."
• Reality TV Magazine article about Suzie McNeil - "McNeil appears singing duets on Clay Aiken's new album, A Thousand Different Ways, on the cover of Foreigner's I Want To Know What Love Is"
• Minneapolis-St. Paul Star Tribune - Nick Lachey "came across like a studly Clay Aiken with machismo."
• Clay is #18 on the Lycos50 this week. Their article has a good chunk about Clay-

  Clay Aiken triumphs as Lycos's number one music search for the week of September 23, edging out popular mainstays such as Britney Spears, Shakira, and Jessica Simpson. Aiken has been ubiquitous in the news this week. His third album, "A Thousand Different Ways," debuted at number two on the Billboard chart, and is projected to surpass Justin Timberlake's album as #1 in the U.S.

• The Toronto Star published a half-decent ATDW review yesterday. Here's a scan courtesy the CB's powerhouse. -- "Oddly, one of the best songs on the album isn't actually on it. "Lover All Alone," a spare, bittersweet tune co-written by Aiken, delivers a dash of real emotion largely missing from most of the other tracks, but it's only available as an iTunes bonus."
  

• ConCLAYve- blogging in your adulthood is becoming more popular.
• There Was A Man- ATDW, tabloid speculation and the truth.
• Taking A Moment - Clay Aiken and "big scary spiders"
• Singer At Heart (non-Clay blog)- comparing Josh Groban against Clay. "Off his release A Thousand Different Ways out last week, Clay proves with this song that he still very much is pop's most lavish and exuberant performer. Well..it's a tie!! Josh & Clay both soar. However, as their voices continue to evolve a winner may soon emerge. Stay tuned."
  

Technorati tags: Clay Aiken, A Thousand Different Ways, ATDW, American Idol, Without You, Invisible